Curriculum Validation Procedures

An institution which wishes to have its programme validated must submit an application to APHEA summarising the ability of the programme to meet the Curriculum Validation criteria as outlined in the application documentation. The application is organised in such a way to aid the applicant through the use of templates. However, applicants may already have the requested information expressed in different formats. If all of the criteria are demonstrated these different formats will be accepted. Equally, existing but incomplete documentation, supplemented with additional required information, will also be accepted. The aim of the Curriculum Validation is focussed on assuring the quality of the programme and not to impose unnecessary workloads on the applicant.

A new application must be completed for each programme validated. If an applicant wishes to pursue Programme Accreditation, an individual Curriculum Validation is required for each programme seeking accreditation. For applicants seeking Institutional Accreditation, the applicant has various options which include either: (i) one or more Curriculum Validations  (ii) one Curriculum Validation and two CTEE accreditations or (iii) a range of specialisations within one programme.

 

The process for Curriculum Validation: Please note the following are represented in the process workflows here

1. A formal, initial application is made to APHEA either for a standalone programme or through a programme or institution accreditation application (see how to apply in the relevant sections)
2. An application is completed and forwarded to the APHEA secretariat.
3. The Agency secretariat scrutinises the application to ensure that all parts are clear and present.
4. If the application is either unclear or incomplete the Agency secretariat will communicate with the programme until all parts are deemed complete.
5. A short report by the agency is generated and sent to two external reviewers.
6. Two external reviewers review the curriculum validation application based around a report template.
7. A short report from external reviewers and the agency is submitted to the Board of Accreditation (BoA) which will include both Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement aspects.
8. The BoA will make a Yes/No decision. Positive decisions allow for the programmes to receive an award and to pass through to the next stage of accreditation.
9. Unsuccessful applicants will be informed and are allowed one re-application after a 24 month period.
10. Successful applicants will receive a certificate from APHEA and publicised on APHEA web site.
11. APHEA's Conflict of Interest policy applies to decision making on validation.

 

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