Approved: AC/GB October 05

NewProgramme AccreditationFlowchart:October05:SK

NFQ Level 6 to Level 8

Flow of Information Important Notes:

1

Review of Programme Demand

Complete New Programme Proposal Form (PPI)

2

3

Outline Approval by Academic Council

There are certain milestones to be aware of:

Programme Evaluation Panel Assssment

CAO: 31st October CAO Mailshot to 2nd Level Students

CAO: 31st March CAO Mailshot to 2nd Level Students.

Notification to HETAC of New Programme

Approval by Department of Education & Science

New Taught Programme Accreditation Flowchart 1

This Programme Approval Flowchart assumes a new programme proposal has a successful passage through the various stages outlined. At any point in the cycle the programme may be referred back to an earlier stage for particular reasons, e.g. more information, clarification, etc.

Outline approval is granted by Senior Management subject to resource implications being outlined and that the programme is scheduled in alignment with the Institute's Strategic Plan.

Outline Approval by Institute Senior Management 2

Outline Approval by Programme Planning & Validation Committee

As part of this process providers are required to consult with Industry Advisory Board/Peer Review Group.

Programme Development Team to prepare submission document (PP2) 3 HETAC require three months formal notice prior to the the

commencement of new programmes.

Evaluation of submission by the Registrar using checklist criteria The Institute is required to seek DOES approval prior to the

commencement of programme. This can take up to three months.

Programme Submission Document (PP2) to Programme Evaluation Panel

In the case of CAO entry, planning should allow for publication in the CAO Handbook in May for entry in the following year, e.g. for a programme to begin in September 2008, entry in the CAO handbook would be May 2007.

Programme Development Team consider Programme Evaluation Panel Report

Final Resource Approval by Institute Senior Management with Proposed Starting Date For Non-CAO entry programmes (Add-on Degrees), the

Institute will require a deadline of June for the inclusion in its Prospectus for the coming academic session.

Agreed Report from Programme Evaluation Panel & Departmental Response to Programme Planning &

Validation Committee for approvalIn order to meet the above deadlines it is proposed to complete all Programme Evaluation Panel assessments by March in each academic year.

Recommendation from Programme Planning & Validation Committee to Academic Council for approval

Recommendation from Academic Council to Governing Body for accreditation

Issue of Certificate of Programme Accreditation by Academic Council

1. This Course Approval Flowchart assures a new course proposal has a successful passage through the various stages outlined. At any point in the cycle or course, it may be referred back to an earlier stage for particular reasons, e.g., more information, clarification, etc.2. There are certain time milestones to be aware of. The Assessors Panel Visit from HETAC should occur in the Autumn term, to facilitate issue of the Course Validation Certificate in time for the Institute to seek DOES Approval in the Spring/Summer Term 1. In the case of CAO Entry Courses, planning should allow for publication in the CAO Handbook in May, for entry in the following year, e.g., for a course to begin in September 2006, entry in the CAO handbook would be May 2005. For Non-CAO Entry Courses (Add-on Degrees), the Institute will require a deadline of June/July, for the inclusion in its prospectus for the following year.

1. This Course Approval Flowchart assures a new course proposal has a successful passage through the various stages outlined. At any point in the cycle or course, it may be referred back to an earlier stage for particular reasons, e.g., more information, clarification, etc.2. There are certain time milestones to be aware of. The Assessors Panel Visit from HETAC should occur in the Autumn term, to facilitate issue of the Course Validation Certificate in time for the Institute to seek DOES Approval in the Spring/Summer Term 1. In the case of CAO Entry Courses, planning should allow for publication in the CAO Handbook in May, for entry in the following year, e.g., for a course to begin in September 2006, entry in the CAO handbook would be May 2005. For Non-CAO Entry Courses (Add-on Degrees), the Institute will require a deadline of June/July, for the inclusion in its prospectus for the following year.

1. This Course Approval Flowchart assures a new course proposal has a successful passage through the various stages outlined. At any point in the cycle or course, it may be referred back to an earlier stage for particular reasons, e.g., more information, clarification, etc.2. There are certain time milestones to be aware of. The Assessors Panel Visit from HETAC should occur in the Autumn term, to facilitate issue of the Course Validation Certificate in time for the Institute to seek DOES Approval in the Spring/Summer Term 1. In the case of CAO Entry Courses, planning should allow for publication in the CAO Handbook in May, for entry in the following year, e.g., for a course to begin in September 2006, entry in the CAO handbook would be May 2005.

2. There are certain time milestones to be aware of. The Assessors Panel Visit from HETAC should occur in the Autumn term, to facilitate issue of the Course Validation Certificate in time for the Institute to seek DOES Approval in the Spring/Summer Term 1. In the case of CAO Entry Courses, planning should allow for publication in the CAO Handbook in May, for entry in the following year, e.g., for a course to begin in September 2006, entry in the CAO handbook would be May 2005.

2. There are certain time milestones to be aware of. The Assessors Panel Visit from HETAC should occur in the Autumn term, to facilitate issue of the Course Validation Certificate in time for the Institute to seek DOES Approval in the Spring/Summer Term 1. In the case of CAO Entry Courses, planning should allow for publication in the CAO Handbook in May, for entry in the following year, e.g., for a course to begin in September 2006, entry in the CAO handbook would be May 2005.