The Saskatchewan Higher Education Quality Assurance Board (SHEQAB) is now seeking the public’s input on Saskatchewan’s quality assurance standards. The standards are used to conduct quality assurance reviews of proposed degree programs pursuant to The Degree Authorization Act. The standards play an important role in ensuring institutions have the organizational capacity to deliver degree programs and that the programs have academic integrity.
A summary the standards and the proposed amendments may be found below. The public is invited to review this information and provide input using the electronic survey. Alternatively, feedback can be provided in writing to info@quality-assurance-sk.ca.
The deadline for submitting feedback on Saskatchewan’s quality assurance standards is May 25, 2023.
Saskatchewan’s Quality Assurance Standards:
Bachelor’s Degree Level Standard
This document describes the key characteristics of a baccalaureate degree and the dimensions of knowledge associated with baccalaureate level education. Requirements are consistent with the Canadian Degree Qualifications Framework endorsed by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada in its Ministerial Statement on Quality Assurance of Degree Education in Canada (2007).
Graduate Degree Level Standards
This document describes the key characteristics of a graduate degree (masters or doctoral) and the dimensions of knowledge associated with graduate level education. The graduate level standards are incremental to the baccalaureate degree level standards and are also consistent with the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) Ministerial Statement on Quality Assurance of Degree Education in Canada (2007).
Organizational Review Standards and Criteria
This document describes the seven standards an institution must meet to demonstrate its capacity to be a degree-granting institution.
Program Review Standards and Criteria
This document describes nine standards an institution must meet with regard to the design, resourcing and delivery of the proposed degree program.
Saskatchewan’s Quality Assurance Standards Amendment Considerations:
An inter-jurisdictional scan was conducted and the following amendments to the standards are being considered:
- Add to Program Review Standards and Criteria – Standard 3: Program Design, Content and Delivery criteria requiring the implementation of Indigenous content and knowledge into program curricula, where applicable per the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action and ensuring that there is respectful use of Indigenous knowledge and wisdom (i.e. developed in collaboration with the Indigenous communities from which the content originates).
- Amend Program Review Standards and Criteria – Standard 6: Academic Policies, Admissions and Credit Transfer to include criteria for program admissions that address equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Amend Organizational Review Standards and Criteria – Standard 2.3 Program Review to increase the cyclical review period from five years to every five to seven years.
- Amend Program Review Standards and Criteria – Standard 2: Program Review and Assessment to increase the cyclical review period from five years to every five to seven years.
- Add to the Organizational and Program Review Standards – to have in place at least two external expert panelists per review.
For more information about Saskatchewan’s quality assurance standards or if you have questions, the SHEQAB Secretariat would be happy to arrange a virtual meeting with you anytime prior to the survey deadline. The Secretariat can be contacted at info@quality-assurance-sk.ca.