Curriculum Approval Procedure

1. The purpose of our procedure

Our Curriculum Approval Procedure outlines the processes and governance steps required to approve, change, or discontinue a program or course. 

Please read this procedure in conjunction with our:

• Curriculum Policy
• Curriculum Design Procedure
• Curriculum Management Procedure
• Curriculum Quality Assurance Procedure.

2. Who our procedure applies to

2.1. Inclusions

Academic and professional staff responsible for proposing, applying for or approving new or amended coursework curriculum.

2.2. Exclusions

Graduate research programs. 

3. Our curriculum approval procedure

This procedure outlines the approval process for new or amended programs (sections 1-5) and new or amended courses (sections 6-9). This should be read in conjunction with our Curriculum Quality Assurance Procedure, for information on the monitoring and review of curriculum. 

A full list of course and program amendment classifications, can be accessed on our website, including guidance on when the creation of a new course or program is required, along with resources for staff. 

3.1. When a new program is initially proposed

New program opportunities may be identified by either a college or university leadership. These new programs may be to meet a strategic aim of Adelaide University, an identified curriculum gap, or the potential to establish an external relationship (such as employer reserved programs, see website).

Regardless of where the proposal is initiated, new program proposals must first be supported by a concept proposal approved by Curriculum Strategy and Enhancement Group (CSEG). Templates and supporting documents are available on our website.

Programs proposed for offshore delivery or delivery in partnership with another provider must meet additional requirements. Additional requirements may include, but are not limited to:

• conducting a risk assessment
• developing a strong business case
• completing due diligence
• managing contracts effectively
• ensuring alignment with the partner’s policies and procedures.

3.2. When a new program has initial approval for development

Once endorsed by the Curriculum Strategy and Enhancement Group, a full program proposal is developed and endorsed by the relevant College Education Quality Committee (CEQC), Graduate Research Committee, or Academic Portfolio Quality Committee (APQC), in line with our Curriculum Design Procedure. 

Proposals are then submitted to the Education Quality and Standards Committee (EQSC) for review, before a recommendation is made to Academic Board for internal accreditation. 

Once final approval is granted, programs are internally accredited for up to five years (see also our Curriculum Quality Assurance Procedure).

After a program has been internally accredited, Colleges will work with central business units to operationalise the program see website.

3.3. When a program needs a major change

For guidance on what constitutes a major change, see the website.

All applications for major program changes must be submitted using the major change to program or sequence form.

Major program changes are considered by the relevant College Education Quality Committee, the Academic Portfolio Quality Committee or the Graduate Research Committee. They are then endorsed by the Education Quality and Standards Committee and submitted to Academic Board. 

Depending on the nature of the major change and its impact on the recruitment and enrolment of domestic and international students, alternate approval timelines may apply. Please see website for further information.

If an amendment to an existing program changes any of the conditions under which the program is delivered with a partner institution, a revised memorandum of understanding or commercial agreement must accompany the proposed amendment.

Proposals must be approved prior to the year of implementation, in accordance with the submission deadlines published on the website.

3.4. When a program needs a minor change

For guidance on what constitutes a minor change, see the website.

Application for minor program changes must be submitted using the Minor Change to Program or Sequence Form. Applications are approved by the College Education Quality Committee, the Academic Portfolio Quality Committee, or the Graduate Research Committee.

Proposals must be approved prior to the year of implementation, in accordance with the submission deadlines published on the website.

3.5. When we withdraw a program 

Proposals to withdraw a program must be endorsed by the College Education Quality Committee, the Academic Portfolio Quality Committee, or the Graduate Research Committee before being submitted to the Education Quality and Standards Committee for endorsement, prior to submission to Academic Board.

The application must include a justification for the withdrawal. This must include data on current and predicted student load and demand.

Colleges must consult with relevant stakeholders, including other Colleges with course dependencies, and must consider any potential implications for holders of international student visas.

Once a program withdrawal is approved, the process outlined in our Curriculum Management Procedure must be followed to support currently enrolled students.

3.6. When we withdraw a major or specialisation

When a major or specialisation is to be withdrawn and will no longer be offered, the Program Director must complete the Withdrawal Proposal.

Proposals to withdraw must be submitted according to the timelines available on the website, endorsed by the College Education Quality Committee, the Academic Portfolio Quality Committee, or the Graduate Research Committee, and forwarded to the Education Quality and Standards Committee for review and recommendation to Academic Board for endorsement.

See the Curriculum Management Procedure for information on managing students in programs that are to be withdrawn.

3.7. When we identify and approve a new course 

For guidance on when a new course code is required see the website.

Applications for new courses must be submitted using the New Course Application Form, available on the website and approved by the College Education Quality Committee, the Academic Portfolio Quality Committee, or Graduate Research Committee.

3.8. When a change is made to a common core course

Changes to common core courses are approved by the Academic Portfolio Quality Committee. For details on changes to a common core course, including how to discontinue or add a common core course, see the website.

3.9. When a course requires a major change

For guidance on what constitutes a major course change, see the website.

Major course changes that impact the College in which they are offered must be approved by the relevant College Education Quality Committee, the Academic Portfolio Quality Committee, or the Graduate Research Committee.

If the proposed change will affect other Colleges, endorsement must be obtained from the relevant Dean Academic before the proposal is approved by the College Education Quality Committee, the Academic Portfolio Quality Committee or Graduate Research Committee.

3.10. When a course requires a minor change

For guidance on what constitutes a minor course change, see the website.

Minor changes to courses are approved by the relevant Dean Academic.

4. Definitions used in our procedure

Please refer to our Adelaide University glossary for a full list of our definitions.

Graduate Research Program means a program at doctoral or master level which comprises two-thirds or more of its assessable content by research.

International Student means a person (whether inside or outside of Australia) who requires a student visa to study in Australia.

Specialisation means a sequence of courses in a study area at the postgraduate level. Specialisations usually constitute 4 courses or 24 units at the postgraduate level, but this may vary depending on the program.

How our procedure is governed

This procedure is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below.

6. Legislation and other documents related to our procedure

Refer to the Delegation Policy for all delegations at Adelaide University.

7. History of changes