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Quality Assurance Practices for Postsecondary Institutions in British Columbia

The postsecondary education system in British Columbia is described in CICIC's Postsecondary Education Systems in Canada, Provinces and Territories. The system can be divided into four categories of postsecondary program delivery:

research and specialized universities
university colleges, colleges, and institutes
private degree-granting institutions
private career-training institutions

Quality assurance mechanisms in British Columbia's postsecondary education system vary by type of institution and program. They include

the Degree Quality Assessment Board (DQAB)
the Private Career Training Institutes Agency (PCTIA)
legislation (statutes and regulations)
affiliation
credit transfer and articulation
external and internal review
provincial registration
professional accreditation
other organizations related to quality assurance

Universities

Legislation

The University Act, which governs British Columbia's public research universities (University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria, and University of Northern British Columbia), gives the universities the authority to grant degrees, diplomas, and certificates and to call themselves "universities."

The authority of each university to govern itself through the operations of a board of governors and a senate is outlined in the legislation. The academic governance of the university is vested in the senate, including the authority to establish student admission requirements; determine the conduct and results of all examinations; recommend revision of courses, instruction, and education in all faculties; and set terms of affiliation with other universities, colleges, or other institutions. The senate may also require any faculty to establish advisory committees consisting of students of the faculty and members of the community at large.

Under the legislation, the minister is prohibited from interfering in the exercise a university's power to set academic policies and standards, establish standards for admission and graduation, and select and appoint staff. However, the minister is required to approve all new degree programs.

All public universities must report annually to the minister. The minister can require a university to provide reports and other information that the minister considers necessary to carry out the minister's responsibilities in relation to universities. Since 2004-05, public postsecondary institutions prepare their own annual service plan reports to outline activities undertaken during the previous fiscal year toward achieving goals and to describe any developments that may have emerged, providing information for decision makers within the ministry and for the public.

The Royal Roads University Act establishes Royal Roads University (RRU) as a special-purpose public university. Some of the institution's responsibilities are the same as the research universities, but, instead of a senate, RRU has an academic council. In addition, several of the powers conferred on the senate in research universities are assigned to the president.

The Thompson Rivers University Act of March 2005, creates a new public university in Kamloops - Thompson Rivers University (TRU) - to succeed the University College of the Cariboo. Under the Act, TRU also assumes responsibility for the provincial open and distance learning mandate of the British Columbia Open University and the Open College. As with RRU, many of TRU's responsibilities are the same as the research universities, but TRU operates with a university council and a Planning Council for Open Learning.

Over the last decade, public university colleges in British Columbia have developed as comprehensive institutions offering a range of degree, diploma, and certificate programs. Significant growth has occurred in the new degree program areas at these institutions. During their transition to degree-granting status, university colleges were affiliated with universities for the purposes of granting degrees. By 1995, university colleges had developed the academic infrastructure and experience to offer degrees independently, and the College and Institute Act provided them with this authority. All university colleges were granting their own degrees by 1996. May 2003 amendments to the College and Institute Act and to the Institute of Technology Act allow public colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees with an applied focus, and university colleges and provincial institutes to offer master's degrees with an applied focus.

Affiliation

In addition, a few private theological postsecondary colleges are affiliated with a public university (The University of British Columbia). In such instances, the granting of affiliation means that the private theological colleges meet the criteria for affiliation established by the senate of the university, but it does not imply any scrutiny or approval of the course offerings of the private theological colleges by the university senate.

Credit transfer and articulation

Transfer is the ability of a student to be able to move from one institution to another and have previous equivalent course work recognized for credit. Its primary purpose is to facilitate student mobility between institutions.

The British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT) was established in 1989 with a mandate to facilitate admission, articulation, and transfer arrangements among British Columbia's public and private postsecondary institutions. Specifically, the council encourages institutions to develop policies that facilitate student mobility and transferability of postsecondary credit courses at the undergraduate level so that credit granted at one institution can be applied toward credentials at other institutions. All 25 public postsecondary institutions, five private degree-granting institutions, and six program member institutions (where select programs are approved for transfer) make up the complement of B.C. Transfer Guide members. They negotiate formal transfer agreements for courses and programs where there is high demand. All formal transfer agreements are recorded in the B.C. Transfer Guide.

BCCAT also produces the Education Planner, which provides information on undergraduate program availability, application dates, tuition costs, admission requirements, lengths, and much more at 28 of British Columbia's postsecondary institutions.

External and internal review

Universities must have internal program review procedures based on institutional policies and procedures including mandatory review of all new programs by a university senate. New degree program proposals, as well as substantively revised programs, must be submitted to the ministry for approval. Approval of new degree programs may come about in one of two ways. If the institution has not been granted exempt status, it must submit its new degree program proposals to the Degree Quality Assessment Board for review. After performing its review, the board determines whether the new degree meets the criteria established by the Minister and makes its recommendations to the Minister. If the institution has been granted exempt status by the minister, all of its new degree program proposals go directly to the minister for approval. Details about exempt status and the Degree Quality Assessment Board are available on the Internet.

Professional accreditation

Many of Canada's regulated professions have associations that conduct accreditation reviews of postsecondary programs pertaining to their professions. In these instances, accreditation teams from the professions review reports provided by the institutions and may conduct on-site visits in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the professions.

Other organizations related to quality assurance in universities

All public universities in British Columbia are members of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). The association does not perform formal quality assurance functions; however, it does maintain membership criteria that address the primary mission of institutions; the range of program offerings; the breadth and depth of programs; the nature of members' relationship with parent institutions; the size of enrolment; institutional focus on scholarship, academic inquiry, and research; and compliance with the principles of academic freedom and responsibility. Institutions applying for membership must host an AUCC Visiting Committee that reports to the AUCC Board of Directors on a variety of items and recommends a decision on whether the applying institution is providing education of university standard.

The Association of Accrediting Agencies of Canada (AAAC) is a national organization composed of professional associations involved in promoting good practices by its members in accreditation of educational programs.

University Colleges, Colleges, and Institutes

Legislation

British Columbia's three public university colleges, twelve public colleges, and five public institutes are established under the College and Institute Act. The act provides the university colleges, colleges, and institutes with authority to grant associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates, the colleges to grant baccalaureate degrees with an applied focus, and the university colleges and institutes to grant baccalaureate and master's degrees with an applied focus. The minister may also require an institution to establish a method for accrediting postsecondary courses.

All institutions have boards of governors, and all but one have an education council. These bodies have joint and independent powers. The board is responsible for managing and directing the affairs of the institution. The education council's independent powers include the power to set examination policies and to set curriculum content for courses leading to certificates, diplomas, and degrees. Powers that are exercised jointly by the board and the education council include curriculum evaluation.

Affiliation

A few of British Columbia's public and private colleges have affiliations with universities in a limited number of programs. Inquiries should be made directly to the institutions.

Credit transfer and articulation

All 25 public postsecondary institutions, five private degree-granting institutions, and six program member institutions (where select programs are approved for transfer) make up the complement of B.C. Transfer Guide members. They negotiate formal transfer agreements for courses and programs where there is high demand. All formal transfer agreements are recorded in the B.C. Transfer Guide.

All 25 public and a large number of private institutions also negotiate transfer informally on a course-by-course, or student-by-student basis, for programs that do not have high demand for transfer. These agreements are recorded by each institution and are not directly overseen by BCCAT.

As of March 31, 2007, there were 95,795 active agreements in the B.C. transfer system that provided students an average of 6.2 transfer options (agreements) per course.

BCCAT also produces the Education Planner, which provides information on undergraduate program availability, application dates, tuition costs, admission requirements, lengths, and much more at 28 of British Columbia's postsecondary institutions.

External and internal review

As with public universities, the minister must approve all new degree program proposals, including applied degrees, by public colleges, university colleges, and institutes. New degree program proposals are submitted to the Degree Quality Assessment Board for review if the institution does not have exempt status. The Degree Quality Assessment Board is responsible for reviewing the proposals and making recommendations to the minister. Details about exempt status and the Degree Quality Assessment Board are available on the Internet.

All colleges, university colleges, and all institutes but one have internal education councils, comprising faculty, administrators, students, and support staff. The councils approve both degree and non-degree programs supported by provincial funding. Under the College and Institute Act, the Justice Institute of British Columbia is not required to have an educational council. The board of the Justice Institute of British Columbia has the powers and duties of an educational council.

Professional accreditation

Private Degree-Granting Institutions

Legislation

Private and out-of-province public postsecondary institutions seeking the minister's consent to offer new degree programs or use the word "university" may do so through the Degree Authorization Act (DAA). Under the DAA, private and out-of-province public institutions must obtain consent from the minister if they wish to do any of the following:

grant or confer a degree in British Columbia
provide a program in British Columbia that leads to a degree that is conferred inside or outside British Columbia
advertise a program offered in British Columbia leading to a degree that is conferred inside or outside British Columbia
sell or offer for sale a diploma, certificate, or other document that implies the granting or conferring of a degree
use the word "university" to indicate that an educational program is available

Under the DAA, consent is granted if the minister is satisfied that the applicant has undergone a quality assessment process and meet the criteria established by the Minister, has provided adequate financial security to protect the interests of students, and has made arrangements to protect student access to transcripts.

External and internal review

The Degree Quality Assessment Board oversees the quality assessment process mandated by the DAA for authorization of degree programs and use of the word "university" from private and out-of-province institutions. The board is composed of 11 voting members and three ex-officio members appointed by the minister. The board is responsible for reviewing applications for new degree programs and for making recommendations to the minister regarding consent to perform the activities sanctioned under the DAA. Furthermore, the board performs organizational reviews to ensure that private and out-of-province institutions meet criteria for operating in British Columbia.

The board reviews institutional applications against criteria and standards established by the minister. These criteria include requirements for internal program and institutional review processes.

Credit transfer and articulation

Currently, a few private postsecondary institutions in British Columbia offer academic courses and/or programs that are transferable to public universities, within the transfer principles and definitions established by BCCAT. As well, some private degree granting institutions are program members of BCCAT and accept credits from other institutions that are part of the transfer guide. Information on credit transfer is the responsibility of BCCAT and is provided in the BC Transfer Guide.

Professional accreditation

Private Career Training Institutions

Legislation

The Private Career Training Institutions Agency (PCTIA), an organization created by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development under the Private Career Training Institutions Act, oversees the regulation of private career training institutions offering a wide range of career, vocational, trades and non-degree (e.g., diploma or certificate) programs.

All British Columbia private institutions offering career programs that are equal to or above $1,000 in tuition, and at least 40 hours in duration, must register with PCTIA.

Registration ensures consumer protection to students enrolled in career training programs. PCTIA also offers a voluntary accreditation process to registered private career training institutions. In order to secure accreditation from PCTIA, institutions undergo a more rigorous quality assurance process, including demonstrating they meet certain institutional and educational standards.

Students attending PCTIA accredited private career training institutions are eligible to apply for student financial assistance through StudentAid BC.

Apprenticeship

Legislation

A new model for industry training has been developed to meet the needs of trainees/apprentices, employers, and communities and to provide British Columbia with a skilled, mobile workforce that can address skills shortages in the province.

The government appointed a nine-member Industry Training Authority board to oversee British Columbia's new industry training system and ensure that it is effective and efficient, that it meets the needs of employers and trainees, and that it increases access to training in trades and technical sectors and addresses skills shortages. Under legislation passed in May 2003, the new Industry Training Authority is responsible for increasing the quality and quantity of training in British Columbia.

External and internal review

The Industry Training Authority (ITA) is mandated to expand and improve industry training, through the creation of an industry-led system that is more flexible and accountable, to better align training outcomes with labour market needs. Key goals for the ITA include:

Expand industry training participation on the part of trainees/apprentices and employers/sponsors.
Provide the infrastructure which will assure active and effective leadership of industry training by industry itself.
Ensure efficient use of funding for training.
Ensure high-quality program standards and high levels of client satisfaction with services provided by the ITA.
Ensure stakeholder awareness of the industry training system.
Maintain national/inter-provincial standards and participe in the Red Seal program.

The Interprovincial Standards "Red Seal" Program promotes and facilitates the standardization of provincial and territorial apprenticeship training and certification, as well as the regular updating of national trades standards, in order to reflect the ongoing technological changes taking place in all trades. The Canadian provinces and territories developed the Red Seal program, in cooperation with the federal government (Human Resources and Skills Development Canada) to standardize trade skill requirements and provide greater employment mobility throughout Canada. A provincial Certificate of Trades Qualification bearing the Red Seal provides training recognition in most jurisdictions throughout Canada. For employers in other jurisdictions, the Red Seal is an assurance of quality training and certification to nationally recognized standards.

Other organizations related to quality assurance in colleges, university colleges, institutes, and apprenticeship

British Columbia's public colleges are members of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC). ACCC does not perform formal quality assurance functions with respect to its members, but it does promote quality programming and the use of high academic standards by conducting research and facilitating broad discussion on quality assurance issues.

Relevant Legislation

Most provincial legislation can be accessed through the Internet.

Additional Sources of Information

Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development
Post-Secondary Education Division: PO Box 9880, Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, British Columbia
V8W 9T6 Canada
Tel.: (250) 953-3585
Fax: (250) 356-6063
Web site: http://www.gov.bc.ca/aved/
Private Career Training Institutions Agency (PCTIA): 300-5172 Kingsway
Burnaby, British Columbia
V5H 2E8
Telephone: (604) 660-4400, 1-800-661-7441
Fax: (604) 660-3312
E-mail: info@pctia.bc.ca
Web site: http://www.pctia.bc.ca

Revision: March 17, 2008