Establishment of Courses, Majors, Minors and Units

PREAMBLE

The purpose of this policy is to provide clarification to staff involved in the establishment of new Courses, Majors, Minors and Units.

In establishing new academic offerings careful assessment must be made to ensure quality assurance requirements can be met, that there is sufficient likely sustainable demand for the offering, that it will add value to the University and that it is consistent with the University’s current strategic priorities.

In considering new academic offerings, due regard must also be given to Courses, Majors, Minors and Units that will be discontinued. This is essential to ensure the University is fully engaged in the cycle of review and renewal of its academic profile and to ensure it continues to have the necessary resources available to support new offerings.

DEFINITIONS

POLICY

1.0 Applicability

1.1	This policy is relevant for:
	1.1.1	all Murdoch offerings and includes all campus locations including transnational; and
	1.1.2	all staff involved in the establishment of Courses, Majors, Minors and Units.
1.2	This policy does not apply to the following:
	1.2.1	Research courses;
	1.2.2	independent study contract Units;
	1.2.3	joint degrees; and
	1.2.4	honours where this is being added to an existing offering.

2.0 Establishment of Courses, Majors and Minors

2.1	New Courses, Majors and Minors or the offering of an existing course in another location must not be approved unless it can be clearly demonstrated that:
	2.1.1	a high academic standard can be achieved and maintained;
	2.1.2	there is a reasonable expectation of long-tem sustainable demand at the campuses and in the mode(s) of delivery outlined in the Proposal Summary and Academic Information documentation; and
	2.1.3	the offering is evaluated on the basis of expected long-term sustainable demand (and taking into account early stage demand) and is viable as demonstrated by the Course Viability Model.
2.2	Where long-term sustainable demand cannot be demonstrated; however, there is clear and demonstrable short-term demand, and the offering is viable over the demand period, the course may be considered for approval for a set time-period and with an appropriate sunset clause.
2.3	The introduction of a new Course, Major or Minor may occur after the discontinuation of another Course, Major or Minor.
2.4	Where a Course, Major or Minor does not meet the requirements of 2.1 or 2.2 above, but there are community service and/or other justifiable strategic reasons as to why the course should still be offered, a detailed explanation of these justifications must accompany the proposal and support must be obtained from the Deputy Vice Chancellor (FEI).
2.5	The offering of an approved existing course at a new location, with no change of structure from the current offering, does not require approval of the course.
2.6	Following recommendation of the School Board and after seeking the advice of the Faculty Committee and the Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee the Faculty Dean recommends the establishment of all Courses, Majors and Minors offered by the Faculty to the DVC (FEI) who then recommends to Academic Council for approval.
2.7	The establishment of Courses, Majors or Minors that affect more than one Faculty must be approved by the Faculty Dean of each of the other affected Faculties.
2.8	Where a Course, Major or Minor involves more than one Faculty, the managing Faculty is responsible for the overall administration and management of the Course, Major or Minor.
2.9	All new Courses, Majors and Minors must be approved by Academic Council on the recommendation of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (FEI).

3.0 Establishment of a Unit

3.1	Faculties are responsible for the approval of all Units owned (but not necessarily taught) by the Faculty.
3.2	New Units that contribute as approved components of Courses, Majors and Minors offered by another Faculty must be endorsed in writing by the other Faculty(s).
3.3	New Units that represent amendments to existing Courses, Majors or Minors must be considered in accordance with the Amendments to Courses, Majors, Minors & Units Policy.
3.4	New Units that do not form part of a new or amended Course, Major or Minor (ie. General Electives) must be approved by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (FEI) prior to consideration by Academic Council. For new Units proposed by the Division of Academic Affairs, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) assumes the approval role of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (FEI).