(1) This Policy describes the framework for the proposal of new graduate research courses and the revision, review, suspension and closure of existing graduate research courses. (2) This Policy applies to: (3) The governance of coursework subjects in graduate research courses is outlined in the Course and Subject Management Policy. (4) The University provides consistent principles and procedures to guide the University community in the design, approval, delivery, review, revision, suspension and closure of graduate research courses. (5) The Board of Graduate Research is responsible for making recommendations to the Academic Board on all matters in relation to the profile of graduate research courses across the University and the structure of individual courses. Final approval is granted by the Academic Board. (6) The Graduate Research School will own all graduate research courses at the University and is responsible for: (7) Schools are responsible for: (8) The University seeks to offer graduate research courses of the highest quality and relevance. Graduate research courses will be: (9) The University will ensure that no candidate is disadvantaged by the revision or closure of a graduate research course. (10) The Board of Graduate Research co-opts the Chair of the University Coursework Committee and the Executive Director, Quality and Standards to its membership when considering any academic proposal to establish, revise, suspend or close a graduate research course. (11) There are two components to the approval of all new courses: (12) Proposals to establish a discipline-specific graduate research course will be completed by the Director of Graduate Research within a school. (13) Proposals to establish a university-wide graduate research course will be completed by the Graduate Research School. (14) Where a new discipline-specific course is proposed: (15) Where a new university-wide course is proposed: (16) The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Graduate and Global Research) may approve or reject proposals or refer submissions back to the submitting school for further action. (17) The proposers of new courses will consult with key stakeholders, and any others as appropriate, before finalising the course proposal for academic endorsement and approval in the Course Management System. (18) All proposals to establish graduate research courses must be submitted for academic governance review as follows: (19) Proposals to revise a university-wide graduate research course are initiated by the Graduate Research School. (20) Proposals to revise a discipline-specific graduate research course are initiated by the Graduate Research School or by the school in which the course is delivered. (21) Where revisions to existing courses are proposed the approval pathway will depend on whether the changes are classified as a minor or major revision. (22) A minor revision to a graduate research course may include but is not limited to the following: (23) All proposals for minor revisions to a graduate research course must be submitted for review as follows: (24) A major revision of a graduate research course may include but is not limited to the following: (25) All proposals for a major revision must be submitted for review as follows: (26) Proposals to suspend a graduate research course to new enrolments for up to three years require: (27) All proposals to suspend a graduate research course to new enrolments must be submitted for review as follows: (28) All proposals to close graduate research courses must be submitted for review as follows: (29) Proposers of course closures will consult with key stakeholders as appropriate, before submitting the proposal for academic endorsement and approval. (30) The Graduate Research School will advise all candidates who are affected by minor or major changes to a graduate research course, or by course suspension or closure in advance of the changes. This includes candidates who: (31) Where there is a major change to a graduate research course that affects currently enrolled candidates, the Graduate Research School will determine whether all or some students may be moved to the changed course version without detrimental effect to the substance of their education experience or outcomes. Where it is intended that students transfer to a changed course version, candidate consultation activities and outcomes must be documented in the proposal prior to submission to the Board of Graduate Research. (32) Where it is proposed to close or suspend intakes for a graduate research course, the University is bound to teach out the course or to provide a viable alternative and notify candidates of the change. (33) In the case of onshore international candidates, failure to provide a full teach-out or viable alternative in these circumstances will result in the University being in Provider Default – having made an offer to candidates that is no longer being honoured. Where this occurs, these candidates are entitled to compensation and additional financial penalties apply under ESOS legislation. Where applicable, schools are responsible for the payment of any such financial penalties. (34) Following the required approval, the Graduate Research School will consult with Student Systems Support who will take all necessary steps to establish, revise, suspend or close the University course and update student systems and databases. The schools will take all necessary steps to establish, close, suspend or revise any coursework subjects in accordance with the Course and Subject Management Policy. (35) The Graduate Research School will be responsible for making any required applications or changes to CRICOS registration in consultation with International Operations and Compliance. (36) Standard publication of new or revised courses occurs following the final approval and finalisation of the record in the Course Management System, noting that a course cannot be advertised to international students who are to be onshore for its delivery prior to attainment of its CRICOS registration. (37) Additional descriptive materials may be developed for publication purposes, in both digital and print channels as approved by the Graduate Research School. Such materials must reflect the approved course. The quality and accuracy of the course information is assured under the provisions in the Course and Subject Management Procedure - Approvals. (38) Graduate research courses will be subject to an annual and five-yearly review. (39) Performance data, including load, completion times, research outputs and student survey outcomes for each graduate research course will be submitted annually to the Board of Graduate Research. (40) Every five years the Board of Graduate Research will establish one or more panels drawn from the Board and key stakeholders to conduct a review of all research courses. The review will consider: (41) The recommendation of the review panel for individual courses may be: (42) Review recommendations for discipline-specific graduate research courses must be endorsed by the Dean (or nominee) prior to endorsement by the Board of Graduate Research and approval by Academic Board. (43) Following the endorsement of review recommendations, the Board of Graduate Research will work with the Schools to initiate any required proposals under Parts A-D of this Procedure. (44) For the purpose of this Policy and Procedure: (45) This Policy is made under the La Trobe University Act 2009.Graduate Research Course Management Policy
Section 1 - Key Information
Top of Page
Policy Type and Approval Body
Academic – Academic Board
Accountable Executive – Policy
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Graduate and Global Research)
Responsible Manager – Policy
Senior Manager, Graduate and Global Research
Review Date
29 April 2028
Section 2 - Purpose
Section 3 - Scope
Section 4 - Key Decisions
Top of Page
Key Decisions
Role
Endorses discipline-specific graduate research course concept proposal and business case; endorses minor and major revisions, and the suspension or closure, of discipline-specific graduate research courses; endorses the recommendations regarding discipline-specific graduate research courses in the 5-year review cycle.
Deans of School
Endorses graduate research course concept proposal and business case
Course Portfolio and Scholarships Committee
Approves graduate research course concept proposal and business case
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Graduate and Global Research) (PVC(G&GR))
Approves the establishment of new graduate research courses
Academic Board
Approves minor revisions to graduate research courses
Board of Graduate Research (BGR)
Approves major revisions to graduate research courses
Academic Board
Approves suspension of graduate research courses
Chair, Board of Graduate Research
Approves closure of graduate research courses
Academic Board
Approves recommendations of graduate research 5-yearly course review
Academic Board
Section 5 - Policy Statement
Section 6 - Procedures
Part A - General
Part B - New Graduate Research Courses
Development of Proposals to Establish Graduate Research Courses
Management Approval of New Graduate Research Courses
Academic Approval of New Graduate Research Courses
Part C - Changes to Graduate Research Courses
Changes to Graduate Research Courses
Minor Revisions
Major Revisions
Part D - Graduate Research Course Suspension and Closure
Part E - Rights of Candidates when Graduate Research Courses are changed.
Part F - Implementation and Publication
Part G - Graduate Research Course Review
Section 7 - Definitions
Top of PageSection 8 - Authority and Associated Information
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