Degree Program Approval Process - Non-Resident Institutions

REV: 20 August 2009

In order to assure the quality of degree programming, all degree programs offered in Alberta, other than degrees in divinity, must be approved by the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. Non-resident post-secondary institutions seeking to offer new degree programs in Alberta may do so under the terms of the Post-secondary Learning Act and the Approval of Programs of Study Regulation.

Article 124(k) of the Post-secondary Learning Act indicates that the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations “respecting applications from institutions that are resident outside Alberta for approval to do the things referred to in section 106(1) [offering degrees], including regulations

respecting the form of an application for approval;
respecting conditions to be met by applicants for approval;
respecting the renewal and cancellation of an approval.”

Consequently, section 14 of the Approval of Programs of Study Regulation (51/2004) under the Post-secondary Learning Act indicates that:

An institution that is resident outside Alberta must submit to the Minister in the form required by the Minister a proposal to offer degree programs in Alberta.
The institution and any degree program that the institution proposes to offer in Alberta must be approved in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation that relate to the approval of degree programs.

The Campus Alberta Quality Council is charged with reviewing all non-resident degree proposals referred to it by the Minister, including the following:

degree programs from both public and private (for-profit and not-for-profit) non-resident institutions;
degree programs offered through distance learning by non-resident institutions in instances where these programs are being specifically marketed to Alberta students; and
degree programs offered by non-resident institutions at an Alberta institution that is acting as an agent or broker for the non-resident institution.

Approval of non-resident degree programs under the Post-secondary Learning Act and the Approval of Programs of Study Regulation follows a two-stage review process once the Minister receives a proposal.

Stage 1 is a system coordination review of the proposed program by the Ministry to make a determination of the need for the program and how it fits with other programs currently offered within Alberta's post-secondary system.
Stage 2 is a quality review enacted if the Minister forwards the proposal to the Campus Alberta Quality Council.

Click here for a flowchart of the degree program approval process

The following outlines the approval process for non-resident institutions in Alberta. Since Council's review process may vary (full and expedited reviews), the process description is organized in two sections:

the process for applicants seeking either a partially or fully expedited review (only a program review).
the process for applications requiring a full review (both an organizational and program review)

A. Applications not requiring a full Campus Alberta Quality Council review
Mature institutions that have been offering the proposed degree in their home jurisdiction for a period of time (normally, at least five years) will not usually undergo a full Council review requiring a separate organizational evaluation (see section B). However, some elements of an organizational review may be combined within a program review. For example, if a non-resident institution plans to offer a degree program under a collaborative arrangement with a resident Alberta institution, the capacity of the Alberta institution may also be examined. In all cases, the institution must satisfy Council that it has the academic and administrative capacity to provide effective oversight to ensure the quality of the degree program being offered in Alberta.

Such mature institutions will therefore be subject to either a partially expedited review (one that does not require an organizational evaluation) or a fully expedited review (one where Council does a desk review rather than using external evaluators for the program review). Normally applicants must apply to Council for either type of review using the criteria outlined below for expedited reviews.

Prospective applicants seeking to offer a new degree program are encouraged to discuss their plans with the Campus Alberta Quality Council Secretariat prior to forwarding the application to the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. Please contact the Secretariat by phone at (780) 427-8921, by fax at (780) 427-0423 or e-mail at caqc@gov.ab.ca.
All applications from non-resident institutions to offer a proposed degree program are to be submitted to the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology at:
At the same time as the application is sent to the Minister, applicants should write to the Chair of Council to apply for either a partially or fully expedited review providing its rationale for the request. This enables Council to rule on requests for partially expedited reviews (no organizational evaluation) prior to referral to the Council by the Minister. However, Council is not able to decide on a fully expedited review until the final program proposal (Parts A and B) has been received. Click here for a description of Council's criteria for partially and fully expedited reviews for non-resident institutions.
Applications to the Minister consist of the following:
1. A covering letter to the Minister normally signed by the President, CEO or designate
2. Evidence
  - that the non-resident institution has the authority to offer the same degree program in its home jurisdiction (i.e. is appropriately recognized either at the program or institutional level by an accrediting body or quality assurance agency acceptable to the Ministry, where such a body or agency exists, and/or by the appropriate public authority).
  - that the applicable oversight body in the home jurisdiction has approved or does not object to the institution's request for approval to offer the program in Alberta (evidence should be in the form of a letter from the oversight body).
  - of the non-resident institution's status, whether public or private, in the home jurisdiction.
  - that the admission policies of Canadian non-resident institutions do not automatically prohibit consideration of graduates of Alberta approved degree programs (added 26 March 2009).
3. 6 copies of Part A of the Program Proposal.
4. An electronic copy of Part A of the Program Proposal via e-mail (preferably in Word) to dean.wood@gov.ab.ca
The Minister initially has the Ministry conduct a system coordination review (Stage 1) to determine the need for the program in the context of the system. The review will:
- examine the non-resident institution's rationale for the program in the context of related system programming,
- consider documented evidence of institutional assessment of student and employer demand, and
- examine institutional program financing plans and implications for students and taxpayers.
For information with respect to the criteria that will be used by the Ministry in conducting the system coordination review (Stage 1), contact Dean Wood, Director of the Post-secondary Programs Branch of Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, by phone at (780) 427-5631, by fax at (780) 427-4185 or by e-mail at dean.wood@gov.ab.ca.
Alberta institutions that deliver ministerially approved degrees and non-resident institutions with approved degrees or proposals under review are invited to make comments on proposed degree programs during the system coordination review phase. Notification of receipt of new degree proposals will be sent to the Vice-President, Academic who may request a copy of the Part A proposal. Should you wish to comment on a proposal, you may provide your comments in writing to the Vice-President, Academic at the proposing institution and forward a copy to Ms. Connie Harrison, Assistant Deputy Minister, Post-secondary Excellence, Alberta Advanved Education and Technology, 10155 - 102 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 4L5, or connie.harrison@gov.ab.ca. Comments should be forwarded within two months of a proposal being identified as new. Institutions receiving comments on their degree proposals are expected to respond to those comments by withing to the Vice-President, Academic of the sending institution and copying the Assistant Deputy Minister in the response.
Following a successful system coordination review, the Minister will inform the applicant non-resident institution and will ask the Campus Alberta Quality Council to conduct its quality review (Stage 2). Council will then invite the applicant institution to provide the necessary documentation to Council at:
Applicants should familiarize themselves with the review process and assessment standards for non-resident institutions that will be used by Council and its reviewers to ensure the documentation provided as part of the application is complete and gives evidence to show the standards are or will be met should the institution be authorized to offer the degree program. The onus is on the applicant to make the strongest case possible. Council's guidelines and assessment standards can be found in the Handbook: Quality Assessment and Quality Assurance.
The information needs of Council expand on what is required for the system coordination review by the Ministry. The following information is needed for a full Campus Alberta Quality Council review:
1. A copy of the letter of application to the Minister, including the evidence noted in no. 4 (above).
2. Payment of the application fee of $2,500 (private institutions only). The application fee, payable to Alberta's Minister of Finance, should be submitted to the CAQC Secretariat in Canadian funds and is due at the time the program has been referred to Council.
3. A signed statement with respect to institutional integrity.
4. The proposed location(s) of the program in Alberta.
5. Evidence that the following assessment standards have been met:
  1. Equivalence of standards
    The standards of the degree program provided by the non-resident institution are comparable to or commensurate with Council's organizational and program quality assessment standards for resident programs (which can be found on Council's Web site at http://www.caqc.gov.ab.ca/).
    - Provide a copy of the assessment standards used in the home jurisdiction.
  2. Degree program comparability
    The non-resident institution is providing the same program to students in its home jurisdiction, and the institution must demonstrate to the Council that the course(s) are comparable in requirements and learning outcomes to courses at the same level in a similar field in Alberta. The curriculum and delivery methodologies used for degree programs delivered by the non-resident institution are substantively the same as, or of comparable quality to, those used for the same or similar degree program in the institution's home jurisdiction, or a sound rationale for any differences is clearly demonstrated.
  3. Canadian content
    Where appropriate, consideration has been given to ensure that the curriculum demonstrates relevant levels of Canadian content.
  4. Admissions and transfer
    Admissions standards and policies are appropriately stated such that they conform to Alberta's Post-secondary educational context and are understandable to Alberta students. Credits earned by students in programs offered by the non-resident institution in Alberta will be accepted as credit towards degrees offered in its home jurisdiction. The institution demonstrates that it has established policies and procedures that outline the process by which transfer of academic credits is awarded, and is committed to exploring and maximizing transfer opportunities between its Alberta students and relevant Alberta educational institutions.
  5. Credential recognition
    If the degree program is intended specifically to prepare graduates for employment or licensure in a particular profession or occupation, the institution provides evidence that the degree conferred on graduates will be recognized by Alberta employers or by relevant Alberta professional or occupational associations as being acceptable for employment or licensure.
  6. Financial and academic resources
    Appropriate financial, academic and other resources exist to permit the successful delivery of the program in Alberta.
6. 6 copies of the program proposal (Parts A and B) - Part A must reflect any changes as a result of discussions with the Ministry during the system coordination stage. Part B is the additional information Council needs. Include supporting documentation such as calendar descriptions of courses offered in the program, CVs of instructors and relevant academic administrators, assessment of learning resources and plans to augment them as needed and the institutional calendar. To ensure you have all the information included in your final program proposal, refer to the Degree Program Proposal Checklist -Non-Resident Institutions document. In addition to the 6 paper copies of the program proposal, please send an electronic copy of Parts A and B via email (preferably in Word) to caqc@gov.ab.ca.
7. A list of possible organizational and program reviewers (if required), together with their coordinates (i.e., rank/position, institution, areas of expertise/specialization, professional experience, how to reach the individual), identification of any previous affiliation with the applicant institution and the reason for recommending each. You do not need to contact the individuals to see if they are available prior to submitting their names. As reviewers will be asked to sign a conflict of interest statement, please do not suggest names of individuals who have been involved in any way with the proposed program.
Please use the Quality Council's when submitting CVs as part of your application and ensure that you have approval from the individual to do so.
When a partially expedited review process is to be followed, once the application has been received, Council engages a team of external subject experts to assess the quality of the proposed degree program using Council's program assessment standards. The team reviews the program proposal and conducts interviews during a site visit. The team's report and the institution's response to it are discussed by Council. The decision on whether or not to recommend that the program be approved is sent to the Minister. At the same time, Council sends a letter to the applicant institution conveying the recommendation and outlining any expectations with respect to implementation and monitoring if the program is approved.
When a fully expedited review process is to be followed, a desk review of the proposed program is conducted by the Secretariat and Council. The review culminates in a decision on whether or not to recommend that the program be approved. The recommendation is sent to the Minister. At the same time, Council conveys the recommendation to the institution along with any expectations with respect to implementation and monitoring if the program is approved. The process culminates with the Minister's notification of decision.
Council also has a role in the accountability and on-going monitoring of all approved degree programs to ensure quality standards continue to be met. The following are the accountability and monitoring criteria for non-resident degree programs:
1. Accountability agreement
  Before the approval to offer the degree program can be finalized, the non-resident institution must sign a copy of an accountability agreement specifying any conditions of approval required by Council and the Ministry. The non-resident institution also agrees to abide by any additional accountability and monitoring requirements that Council may require, including external evaluation reports from the home jurisdiction's accrediting and/or oversight body.
2. Time limit on program implementation
  Approvals of non-resident degree programs are neither time definite nor term certain. If the program is not offered within three years of being approved by the Minister, Council may recommend that approval be revoked.
3. Annual reporting requirements
  Council may impose annual reporting requirements on institutions offering approved non-resident degree programs, and may request that institutions submit data on enrolments, graduates, faculty and staffing, and courses offered. In addition, Council may request a letter from the institution attesting that the approval conditions are still in place.
4. Periodic review
  When circumstances warrant, Council may conduct a more extensive review with respect to any approved degree program offered by a non-resident institution.
5. Notification of change or discontinuance
  The non-resident institution agrees to notify Council if there is a
  1. change in ownership;
  2. change in location;
  3. material change to the approved program; or
  4. plans to discontinue an approved program.
Approved degree programs offered by private non-resident institutions are subject to a financial security requirement.

B. Applications requiring a full Campus Alberta Quality Council review
In certain cases, a non-resident applicant institution may be required to undergo a full Council review that includes both an organizational review (the readiness of the institution to mount and sustain the degree program) and a program review (the quality of the degree program being proposed) using external evaluators hired by Council. The focus of the organizational review will primarily be on the institution's operations in Alberta.

Non-resident institutions that are proposing a first degree program in Alberta (e.g., first baccalaureate), a first degree at a new level (e.g., first graduate degree), or other precedent-setting degree (e.g., first BSc when only BA programs offered), may be subject to the full Council review process. In other words, both the organizational and program review phases will normally be followed. It is often desirable to schedule a meeting with the Quality Council Chair and Secretariat staff early in your preparation of the application.
Prospective applicants seeking to offer a new degree program are encouraged to discuss their plans with the Campus Alberta Quality Council Secretariat prior to forwarding the application to the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. Please contact the Secretariat by phone at (780) 427-8921, by fax at (780) 427-0423 or e-mail at caqc@gov.ab.ca.
All applications from non-resident institutions to offer a proposed degree program are to be submitted to the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology at:
Applications to the Minister consist of the following:
1. A covering letter to the Minister normally signed by the President, CEO or designate
2. Evidence
  - that the non-resident institution has the authority to offer the same degree program in its home jurisdiction (i.e. is appropriately recognized either at the program or institutional level by an accrediting body or quality assurance agency acceptable to the Ministry, where such a body or agency exists, and/or by the appropriate public authority).
  - that the applicable oversight body in the home jurisdiction has approved or does not object to the institution's request for approval to offer the program in Alberta (evidence should be in the form of a letter from the oversight body).
  - of the non-resident institution's status, whether public or private, in the home jurisdiction.
  - that the admission policies of Canadian non-resident institutions do not automatically prohibit consideration of graduates of Alberta approved degree programs (added 26 March 2009).
3. 6 copies of Part A of the Program Proposal.
4. An electronic copy of Part A of the Program Proposal via e-mail (preferably in Word) to dean.wood@gov.ab.ca
The Minister initially has the Ministry conduct a system coordination review (Stage 1) to determine the need for the program in the context of the post-secondary system in Alberta. The review will:
- examine the non-resident institution's rationale for the program in the context of related Alberta system programming,
- consider documented evidence of institutional assessment of student and employer demand, and
- examine institutional program financing plans and implications for Alberta students and taxpayers.
For information with respect to the criteria that will be used by the Ministry in conducting the system coordination review (Stage 1), contact Dean Wood, Director of the Post-secondary Programs Branch of Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, by phone at (780) 427-5631, by fax at (780) 427-4185 or by e-mail at dean.wood@gov.ab.ca.
Alberta institutions that deliver ministerially approved degrees and non-resident institutions with approved degrees or proposals under review are invited to make comments on proposed degree programs during the system coordination review phase. Notification of receipt of new degree proposals will be sent to the Vice-President, Academic who may request a copy of the Part A proposal. Should you wish to comment on a proposal, you may provide your comments in writing to the Vice-President, Academic at the proposing institution and forward a copy to Ms. Connie Harrison, Assistant Deputy Minister, Post-secondary Excellence, Alberta Advanved Education and Technology, 10155 - 102 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 4L5, or connie.harrison@gov.ab.ca. Comments should be forwarded within two months of a proposal being identified as new. Institutions receiving comments on their degree proposals are expected to respond to those comments by withing to the Vice-President, Academic of the sending institution and copying the Assistant Deputy Minister in the response.
Following a successful system coordination review, the Minister will inform the applicant non-resident institution and will ask the Campus Alberta Quality Council to conduct its quality review (Stage 2). Council will then invite the applicant institution to provide the necessary documentation to Council at:
Applicants should familiarize themselves with the review process and assessment standards for non-resident institutions that will be used by Council and its reviewers to ensure the documentation provided as part of the application is complete and gives evidence to show the standards are or will be met should the institution be authorized to offer the degree program. The onus is on the applicant to make the strongest case possible. Council's guidelines and assessment standards can be found in the Handbook: Quality Assessment and Quality Assurance.
The information needs of the Quality Council expand on what is required for the system coordination review by the Ministry. The following information is needed for a full Campus Alberta Quality Council review:
1. A copy of the letter of application to the Minister, including the evidence noted in no. 4 (above).
2. Payment of the application fee of $2,500 (private institutions only). The application fee, payable to Alberta's Minister of Finance, should be submitted to the Campus Alberta Quality Council Secretariat in Canadian funds and is due at the time the program has been referred to the Quality Council.
3. A signed statement with respect to institutional integrity.
4. The proposed location(s) of the program in Alberta.
5. Evidence that the following assessment standards have been met:
  1. Equivalence of standards
    The standards of the degree program provided by the non-resident institution are comparable to or commensurate with Council's organizational and program quality assessment standards for resident institutions (which can be found on Council's Web site at http://www.caqc.gov.ab.ca).
    - Provide a copy of the assessment standards used in the home jurisdiction.
  2. Degree program comparability
    The non-resident institution is providing the same program to students in its home jurisdiction, and the institution must demonstrate to Council that the course(s) are comparable in requirements and learning outcomes to courses at the same level in a similar field in Alberta. The curriculum and delivery methodologies used for degree programs delivered by the non-resident institution are substantively the same as, or of comparable quality to, those used for the same or similar degree program in the institution's home jurisdiction, or a sound rationale for any differences is clearly demonstrated.
  3. Canadian content
    Where appropriate, consideration has been given to ensure that the curriculum demonstrates relevant levels of Canadian content.
  4. Admissions and transfer
    Admissions standards and policies are appropriately stated such that they conform to Alberta's post-secondary educational context and are understandable to Alberta students. Credits earned by students in programs offered by the non-resident institution in Alberta will be accepted as credit towards degrees offered in its home jurisdiction. The institution demonstrates that it has established policies and procedures that outline the process by which transfer of academic credits is awarded, and is committed to exploring and maximizing transfer opportunities between its Alberta students and relevant Alberta educational institutions.
  5. Credential recognition
    If the degree program is intended specifically to prepare graduates for employment or licensure in a particular profession or occupation, the institution provides evidence that the degree conferred on graduates will be recognized by Alberta employers or by relevant Alberta professional or occupational associations as being acceptable for employment or licensure.
  6. Financial and academic resources
    Appropriate financial, academic and other resources exist to permit the successful delivery of the program in Alberta.
6. 6 copies of a self-assessment (self-study) proving the applicant's readiness to mount and sustain the proposed degree programs, including appropriate supporting documentation such as audited financial statements, planning documents, faculty handbook (or equivalent) and CVs of key administrators. The Institutional Self-study Guidelines outline 11 categories that must be addressed in the self-study. The self-study is the primary document used by the Quality Council's external organizational review team.
7. 6 copies of the program proposal (Parts A and B) - Part A must reflect any changes as a result of discussions with the Ministry during the system coordination stage. Part B is the additional information Council needs. Include supporting documentation such as calendar descriptions of courses offered in the program, CVs of instructors and relevant academic administrators, assessment of learning resources and plans to augment them as needed and the institutional calendar. To ensure you have all the information included in your final program proposal, refer to the Degree Program Proposal Checklist - Non-Resident Institutions document. In addition to the 6 paper copies of the program proposal, please send an electronic copy of Parts A and B via email (preferably in Word) to caqc@gov.ab.ca.
8. A list of possible organizational and program reviewers (if required), together with their coordinates (i.e., rank/position, institution, areas of expertise/specialization, professional experience, how to reach the individual), identification of any previous affiliation with the applicant institution and the reason for recommending each. You do not need to contact the individuals to see if they are available prior to submitting their names. As reviewers will be asked to sign a conflict of interest statement, please do not suggest names of individuals who have been involved in any way with the proposed program.
Please use the Quality Council's when submitting CVs as part of your application and ensure that you have approval from the individual to do so.
Once the application has been received, Council will engage a team of external experts to assess the institution's readiness to implement and sustain the proposed degree program using Council's organizational assessment standards. The team initially reviews the self-study and other information provided by the applicant institution. Once the team's report is written, it is forwarded to the institution for response. Both the report and response are then discussed at a Council meeting.
Following a successful organizational evaluation, Council engages a team of external subject experts to assess the quality of the proposed degree program using Council's program assessment standards. The team reviews the program proposal and conducts interviews during a site visit. Once again, the team's report and the institution's response to it are discussed by Council. The decision on whether or not to recommend that the program be approved is sent to the Minister. At the same time, Council sends a letter to the applicant institution conveying the recommendation and outlining any expectations with respect to implementation and monitoring if the program is approved. The process culminates with the Minister's notification of decision.
Council also has a role in the accountability and on-going monitoring of all approved degree programs to ensure quality standards continue to be met. The following are the accountability and monitoring criteria for non-resident degree programs:
1. Accountability agreement
  Before the approval to offer the degree program can be finalized, the non-resident institution must sign a copy of an accountability agreement specifying any conditions of approval required by Council and the Ministry. The non-resident institution also agrees to abide by any additional accountability and monitoring requirements that Council may require, including external evaluation reports from the home jurisdiction's accrediting and/or oversight body.
2. Time limit on program implementation
  Approvals of non-resident degree programs are neither time definite nor term certain. If the program is not offered within three years of being approved by the Minister, Council may recommend that approval be revoked.
3. Annual reporting requirements
  Council may impose annual reporting requirements on institutions offering approved non-resident degree programs, and may request that institutions submit data on enrolments, graduates, faculty and staffing, and courses offered. In addition, Council may request a letter from the institution attesting that the approval conditions are still in place.
4. Periodic review
  When circumstances warrant, Council may conduct a more extensive review with respect to any approved degree program offered by a non-resident institution.
5. Notification of change or discontinuance
  The non-resident institution agrees to notify Council if there is a
  1. change in ownership;
  2. change in location;
  3. material change to the approved program; or
  4. plans to discontinue an approved program.
Approved degree programs offered by private non-resident institutions are subject to a financial security requirement.