Policy on Continuing Education Programs

Purpose

The University encourages the development of new learning opportunities to address the wide range of academic and professional needs within our community.  This Policy applies to all Continuing Education Programs offered or hosted at the University and serves to provide a framework to facilitate their development and implementation, as well as insure their alignment with the University’s strategy and brand.  

Definitions

For the purposes of this Policy the following definitions apply:

“Continuing Education Program” means a program focused on professional development and life‐long learning, comprised of non-degree, non-credit courses, and offered or hosted by an Academic Unit.

“Academic Unit” means a department or unit whose operation is preponderantly teaching and whose nature reflects the existence of a demonstrably coherent field of knowledge.

 “Certificate Program” means a stand-alone program of study consisting of a prescribed set of non-degree, non-credit courses. 

Scope and authority

This Policy applies to all Continuing Education Programs offered or hosted by Academic Units.  

The Associate Provost, or successor thereof, is the Policy Owner and is responsible for overseeing the implementation, administration and interpretation of this Policy.  

A Continuing Education Committee is established under this Policy. The Terms of Reference for the Continuing Education Committee are set out in Appendix A to this Policy.

Policy

Framework for Continuing Education Programs

1. There are two categories of Continuing Education Programs at the University:

   1. Certificate Programs; and

   2. Short courses, workshops and other Continuing Education Programs, comprised of non-degree and non-credit offerings focused on professional development.

2. All new Continuing Education Programs must be developed in accordance with the Continuing Education Program Procedures. 

Certificate Programs

1. Admission to a Certificate Program and progression requirements will be determined by the Academic Unit.
2. Upon completion of a Certificate Program, participants will receive a Certificate from the University. 
3. All Certificate Programs must be approved by the Continuing Education Committee and reported for information to Academic Council annually. 
4. All Certificate Programs will be subject to periodic review as determined by the Continuing Education Committee.

Short Courses, Workshops, and Other Continuing Education Programs

1. Admission to a short course, workshop or other Continuing Education Program will be determined by the Academic Unit.
2. Upon completion of a short course, workshop or other Continuing Education Program, participants will receive a letter of completion from the Academic Unit.
3. All short courses and workshops must be approved by the Continuing Education Committee and reported for information to Academic Council annually. 
4. All short courses, workshops and other Continuing Education Programs will be subject to periodic review as determined by the Continuing Education Committee.

Monitoring and review

This Policy will be reviewed as necessary and at least every three years.  The Quality Assurance Policy Analyst, or successor thereof, is responsible to monitor and review this Policy.

Relevant legislation

University of Ontario Institute of Technology Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 8, Sch. 0

Related policies, procedures & documents

Continuing Education Program Procedures (to be developed)

Appendix A

Continuing Education Commitee

Terms of Reference

The Continuing Education Committee is responsible for approving, assessing and monitoring all Continuing Education Programs offered or hosted by the university. In reviewing and approving new Continuing Education Programs, the Committee takes responsibility for ensuring the academic quality of the proposal and the adequacy of the plan for resources to support it. The Committee will be responsible for reporting all new Continuing Education Programs for information to Academic Council.

Membership

The membership of the Committee will be comprised of:

• Associate Provost (Chair)
• Dean of Graduate Studies, or delegate
• Dean of each Faculty, or delegate
• Registrar’s Office representative
• Quality Assurance Office representative (non-voting)