PROGRAM ACCREDITATION AND CERTIFICATION POLICY
1.0 Definitions
1.1 The following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them:
1.1.1 Academic Unit: An entity within the University that delivers Courses for Programs or for entry into Programs.
1.1.2 Accreditation: Official recognition that an Academic Unit, Program or Course has met the established standards of quality set by an Accrediting Body.
1.1.3 Accrediting/Certifying Body: An organization that evaluates and formally recognizes that a Program or Course meets the established standards of quality.
1.1.4 Certification: Official recognition that a Program or Course has met the established standards of quality set by a Certifying Body.
1.1.5 Comprehensive Program Proposal (CPP): A document that outlines the programs alignment with institutional Strategic Priorities, the complete Curriculum design, resource requirements, and implementation plan.
1.1.6 Course: A set of Learning Sessions in a particular subject, with a defined scope and duration, and specific Learning Outcomes.
1.1.7 Learning Outcomes: The knowledge, skills, and competencies that a Student can demonstrate upon completion of an educational activity, Course, or Program.
1.1.8 Learning Sessions: Classes, labs, placements or work term prescribed by the Course.
1.1.9 Program: A prescribed set of Courses leading to a qualification, including a Certificate, Diploma (2 years), Advanced Diploma (3 years), Bachelor, Post Graduate Diploma, Master, or Doctorate, according to the Qatar National Qualifications Framework.
1.1.10 Qatar National Qualifications Framework (QNQF): A structured system that classifies and standardizes qualifications in Qatar based on knowledge, skill, and competency levels to ensure alignment between education, training, and workforce requirements, enhancing the quality, comparability, and recognition of qualifications both nationally and internationally.
1.1.11 Strategic Priority: An outcome-oriented, high-level aim to achieve the University’s mission.
1.1.12 University: University of Doha for Science and Technology established by Emiri Resolution No. 13 of 2022.
1.2 Where a word or phrase is given a particular meaning, other parts of speech and grammatical forms of that word or phrase have corresponding meanings.
1.3 Where the context requires, words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice-versa.
2.0 Policy Purpose
2.1 The purpose of this Policy is to ensure standardization in the preparation, approval, submission, and maintenance of (re-)Accreditation/Certification documentation; the communication of Accreditation / Certification decisions; and compliance and satisfaction with Accreditation/Certification requirements.
3.0 Policy Scope
3.1 This Policy applies to all Credit and non-credit Programs and Courses, including Continuing and Professional Education, and Continuing Professional Development.
3.2 The Policy also applies to all Credit and non-credit Programs and Courses seeking certification from a professional organization.
4.0 Policy Statements
4.1 Academic Units must consider seeking international Accreditation/Certification of Programs and Courses, where an Accrediting body is available.
4.2 The Accrediting Body for a Program or Course must be identified in the Comprehensive Program Proposal (CPP), as per the New Program Development and Approval Policy (PL-AC-17). In case of Programs or Courses approved prior to the entry of this Policy into effect, where an Accrediting Body has not been identified, or in case an Accrediting Body is changed after the Program/Course’s approval, further approval must be obtained, through the applicable approval channels.
4.3 Accreditation/Certification documentation is prepared in accordance with the Program Accreditation and Certification Procedure (PR-AC-16).
4.4 Programs and Courses are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure compliance with Accreditation/Certification standards, as per the Program Review Policy (PL-AC-18) and Curriculum Enhancement Policy (PL-AC-19).
4.5 In the event of a Program’s failure to meet Accreditation standards, the Academic Unit must develop and implement a corrective action plan within the stipulated timeframe, as defined in the relevant Program Accreditation and Certification Procedure (PR-AC-16).
4.6 Communication
4.6.1 The Dean/Academic Manager will communicate the Accreditation/Certification decision, as per the Program Accreditation and Certification Procedure (PR-AC-16).
5.0 Procedures
5.1 The Vice-President, Academics will ensure that procedures are developed for the execution of this policy and are implemented accordingly.
6.0 Related Documents
6.1 PL-AC-17: New Program Development and Approval Policy.
6.2 PL-AC-18: Program Review Policy.
6.3 PR-AC-19: Curriculum Enhancement Policy.
6.4 PL-AC-29: Learning Outcomes Assessment Policy.
6.5 PR-AC-16: Program Accreditation and Certification Procedure.