What documents do I need for course approval and accreditation?
This section answers these questions:
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Course approval and accreditation applications should be sent to:
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Operations Officer Course Approvals and Accreditation Quality Assurance Division New Zealand Qualifications Authority PO Box 160 Wellington 6140 |
Course documents
These documents must meet all NZQA requirements to ensure the course meets the criteria for course approval and accreditation. The documents must also provide direct evidence of stakeholder support and how the course relates to your quality management system.
To meet the direct evidence requirements you will need to provide copies of actual documents, rather than referring to them or citing examples.
For ease and speed of analysis and processing by NZQA your documentation should include an index with page numbers.
Independent subject expert report
All applications for course approval and/or accreditation must include an independent subject expert report. (See Reference documents below)
NZQA requires independent assurance that the subject-specific elements of any proposed course are soundly based. To meet this requirement, your application must include a report from a subject expert. The expert works directly with you, not with NZQA.
Independence
The expert must not be an employee of the organisation or have any direct involvement in developing the course. However, this does not exclude stakeholders or members of advisory panels from acting as subject experts.
Expertise
The independent subject expert needs to have appropriate qualifications or experience in the relevant subject areas. This is so they can effectively evaluate the application against course approval and accreditation criteria. (See the document Criteria, Requirements and Guidelines for Course Approval and Accreditation below.)
The expert's report
The Independent Subject Expert Report Template and Guide (see below) to assist the subject expert to complete their task. A copy of the expert's report is included in your application.
If the report raises any issues, your internal approval processes (eg academic board or equivalent sign-off) should not be finalised until the issues have been addressed.
The application must show how you have addressed any concerns identified in the expert report.
NZQA recognises there may be circumstances where it is not possible for some applicants to identify a suitable independent subject expert. In such cases, contact NZQA to discuss this before submitting your application.
Below are reference documents and forms that will accompany your application.
Please do not alter the format of the forms. You may be charged additional time if information in the forms is not evident in the current format.
Reference Documents: |
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| Criteria, Requirements and Guidelines for Course Approval and Accreditation |  |
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| Quality Assurance Standard One | |
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| The New Zealand Register of Quality Assured Qualifications | ||
| Guidelines for Teacher Education Courses and Qualifications that Lead to Teacher Registration | |
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Application forms: |
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| Course Approval and/or Accreditation Application Form | |
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| Application for Approval of Changes to an Approved Course - Category 2 Changes | |
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| Course and Qualifications Details Form (required for applications for course approval and accreditation and for changes to courses) |
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| Application for Exemption from Course Approval (for courses of less than three months in which international students are to be enrolled) |
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| Independent Subject Expert Report Template and Guide (for applications for course approval and/or accreditation only) |
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Information about approval and accreditation of degrees and related qualifications is provided separately.
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