The postsecondary education system in Newfoundland and Labrador is described in CICIC's Postsecondary Education Systems in Canada, Provinces and Territories. The system can be divided into four categories of post-secondary program delivery:
Quality assurance mechanisms in Newfoundland and Labrador's post-secondary education system vary by type of institution and program. They include
- legislation (statutes and regulations)
- affiliation
- credit transfer and articulation
- external and internal review
- professional accreditation
- other organizations related to quality assurance
Universities
Legislation
The Memorial University Act establishes Newfoundland and Labrador's only university. The statute outlines the university's authority to govern itself through the operations of a board of governors and senate. These bodies have the authority to determine all matters relating to programs, qualifications of employees, and all other matters deemed to be in the interest of the institution. No explicit reference is made to accountability mechanisms or quality assurance of educational programming. Program quality responsibilities are implied through the powers and duties assigned to institutions' internal governing bodies.
The act provides the university with the authority to establish affiliations with colleges or institutions in specifically identified program areas. Criteria for establishing affiliations are set out.
The act also establishes the Marine Institute as part of Memorial University.
Affiliation
The Marine Institute was formerly known as the Newfoundland and Labrador Institute of Fisheries and Marine Technology and was affiliated with Memorial University in 1991.
Also part of the university is the Centre for Nursing Studies. All nursing graduates in Newfoundland and Labrador must have degrees in nursing. The centre is one of three sites that deliver this university program.
Credit Transfer and Articulation
The Council on Higher Education promotes collaboration in the public post-secondary education system by providing recommendations to Memorial University (Memorial), College of the North Atlantic (CNA) and the Minister of Education on shared program areas.
The Council was originally established in 1992. In 2005, the Province released Foundations for Success: White Paper on Public Post-Secondary Education. This policy document was commissioned as part of government's continued commitment to provide affordable and accessible post-secondary education opportunities. In light of the recommendations put forth in the White Paper, a reconfigured council was recognized in legislation through the Council on Higher Education Act (the Act) which was proclaimed January 26, 2007. The Council compiles an annual transfer guide that includes transfer of credit arrangements for courses and programs within the provincial post-secondary system.
External and Internal Review
Approval of new university programs and all matters of an academic character are contained within the University, and specifically within the Senate.
At the graduate level, all new proposed graduate programs, having first been examined within the originating department are subsequently and progressively reviewed by the Committee on Graduate Studies, the Faculty Council, and the Graduate Council, with final approval given by the Senate.
At the undergraduate level, all new proposed undergraduate programs, having first been examined within the originating department are subsequently and progressively reviewed by the Undergraduate Studies Committee of Faculty, the Faculty Council, and the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, with final approval given by the Senate.
The quality of existing university programs is addressed though an internal process of self-study and review. Each department conducts its own program reviews and prepares reports for a review committee composed of two members external to the university and two members external to the department. The committee reviews the reports and prepares responses that are used by the department in its strategic planning process. These quality assurance procedures are conducted for all academic units in a seven year cycle.
Professional Accreditation
Many of Canada's regulated professions have associations that conduct accreditation reviews of university programs pertaining to their professions. In these instances, accreditation teams from the professions review reports provided by the universities 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
Memorial University is a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). Although the association does not perform formal quality assurance functions, 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.
Colleges
Legislation
The College Act establishes the only public community college in Newfoundland and Labrador. College of the North Atlantic is the result of a merging of the network of Newfoundland and Labrador's five community colleges into a single institution. Under the act, the college is responsible for providing a broad range of educational opportunities, particularly in the fields of applied arts and technology, vocational training, and adult education. The board of governors of the college is responsible for the governance, conduct of operations, management, and control of the institution including educational policies and activities that relate to quality assurance in the following areas:
- establishing courses of study
- standards of admission
- qualifications for diplomas
- organizing examinations and examiners
- creating academic boards and committees
- recruiting all employees with the exception of the president, who is appointed by the provincial government
The board of governors must report annually to the minister of education. The minister tables the board's report with the Legislature.
The provincial government may also make regulations with respect to instructor certification and academic and professional standards for instructors. Provincial government policy has been developed on instructors' qualification requirements.
Affiliation
College of the North Atlantic is not affiliated with universities or other colleges in Canada.
Credit Transfer and Articulation
The Council on Higher Education promotes collaboration in the public post-secondary education system by providing recommendations to Memorial University (Memorial), College of the North Atlantic (CNA) and the Minister of Education on shared program areas.
The Council was originally established in 1992. In 2005, the Province released Foundations for Success: White Paper on Public Post-Secondary Education. This policy document was commissioned as part of government's continued commitment to provide affordable and accessible post-secondary education opportunities. In light of the recommendations put forth in the White Paper, a reconfigured council was recognized in legislation through the Council on Higher Education Act (the Act) which was proclaimed January 26, 2007. The Council compiles an annual transfer guide that includes transfer of credit arrangements for courses and programs within the provincial post-secondary system.
In July 2000, colleges of the four Atlantic provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island) signed a memorandum of understanding to "maximize the recognition and transfer of learning acquired through formal education, workplace training, and work and life experience." In accordance with this memorandum, member colleges have agreed to transfer credits for all courses to programs delivered by other members.
Credit transfers between College of the North Atlantic and other Canadian community colleges and universities are considered by program and administrative staff on a case-by-case basis that includes a review of course content, student evaluation methods, and instructor qualifications.
External and Internal Review
College of the North Atlantic's programs are reviewed internally by college program staff on a regular basis for updating and to ensure relevance to the demands of the marketplace. There are no external review organizations to which the college is formally accountable for program quality.
Professional Accreditation
Many of Canada's regulated professions have associations that conduct accreditation reviews of college programs pertaining to their professions. In these instances, accreditation teams from the professions review reports provided by the colleges and may conduct on-site visits in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the professions.
Apprenticeship
Legislation
The Apprenticeship and Certification Act governs apprenticeship training in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Minister of Education has authority over apprenticeship matters. The act requires that the Minister appoint a provincial apprenticeship and certification board and that the Board be directly accountable to the minister. The mandate of the Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Board is very broad covering a number of apprenticeship training issues. The Board:
- sets policies to ensure that the Apprenticeship and Certification Training Act is implemented;
- accredits institutions to deliver apprenticeship programs;
- designates occupations for apprenticeship training and/or certification;
- establishes Provincial Advisory Committees for each designated occupation;
- establishes examination committees to conduct practical examinations for apprentices and trade qualifiers;
- approves Plans of Training; and
- provides advice to government on labour market matters related to training and certification.
External and Internal Review
The Apprenticeship and Certification Board accredits institutions for the purpose of delivering training in a designated occupation, develops the form and contents of plans of training and determines and approves the objectives of every course of instruction included in plans of training. The Board develops a memorandum of understanding for apprenticeship for designated occupations and determines all disputes related to them. Further it can revoke journey person certification in the cases of a fraudulent application.
The quality of apprenticeship training is also monitored through graduate surveys and review of student success rates on certification qualifying examinations.
An Interprovincial Standards "Red Seal" Program promotes and facilitates the standardization of provincial and territorial apprenticeship training, 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 Qualifications bearing the Red Seal is recognized in all Canadian jurisdictions.
Other Organizations Related to Quality Assurance in Colleges and Apprenticeship
College of the North Atlantic is a member 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.
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.
The Atlantic Provinces Community College Consortium (APCCC) was established in 1998 as an informal consortium of departments and institutions to enhance cooperation across the community colleges in the four Atlantic provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The activities, initiatives, and projects of the consortium are designed to reflect the values and principles agreed to by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) in A Report on Public Expectations of Postsecondary Education in Canada (February 1999). The key areas of performance expectations demonstrating these values and principles include quality and accountability among others. The primary activities of the consortium include sharing information, issues, and solutions and generally promoting consistency, cooperation, joint initiatives, and transferability across institutions. The impact of the consortium on program quality is indirect.
The Atlantic Apprenticeship Council (AAC) was established to share common concerns and economical opportunities for cooperation among apprenticeship programs in the four Atlantic provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island). AAC's priority is to adopt common standards for training in selected trade apprenticeship programs, including standards for curriculum development. Apprenticeship training programs in the Atlantic provinces ensure consistent standards of achievement by using the same interprovincial standards for Certificate of Qualifications and Red Seal examinations.
Private Training Institutions
Legislation
The Private Training Institutions Act establishes a provincially appointed superintendent of private training institutions. All operating private training institutions must be registered and must satisfy the superintendent that they have competent instructors and sufficient equipment for the teaching of designated programs and can provide instruction at reasonable rates. To ensure that institutions are complying with the legislation, the provincial government conducts yearly inspections.
The provincial government may also make regulations with respect to prescribing the training, equipment, and means of instruction to be used; requiring the approval of the superintendent for courses of study, requirements for admission, qualifications of teachers, and demonstrators' methods of instruction; premises and equipment; and prescribing the minimum number of hours of instruction.
The regulations under the Private Training Institutions Act are extensive and include specific criteria for instructor qualifications.
External and Internal Review
Information on internal review processes may be obtained from individually registered private training institutions.
The superintendent of private training institutions in Newfoundland and Labrador reviews and approves every course of study prior to registration of the institutions. Before approving a course of study, the following information must be provided by applicants:
- a needs assessment, including a market analysis
- admission standards
- curriculum content
- program duration
- graduate certification
To ensure compliance with the Private Training Institutions Act and Regulations, the Department of Education has three regional program consultants whose responsibilities include direct liaison with their regional private training institutions, as well as conducting periodic visits, and, most importantly, yearly compliance review.
Students enrolled in programs in registered private training institutions are eligible to apply for student assistance.
Relevant Legislation
Provincial legislation can be directly accessed on the Internet at http://www.assembly.nl.ca/legislation/.
Additional Sources of Information
- Department of Education
- Confederation Building, 4th Floor, West Block
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, Newfoundland
A1B 4J6 Canada
Web site: http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/postsecondary/
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- Newfoundland and Labrador Council on Higher Education
- Confederation Building, 4th Floor, West Block
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, Newfoundland
A1B 4J6 Canada
Tel: (709) 729-5616
Fax: (709) 729-3590
Web site: http://www.edu.gov.nl.ca/division/nlche/nlcohe.htm
Revision: July 28, 2009