Introducing the Alternative Credentials Approval Committee
In accordance with directives from the University of Waterloo Senate regarding approval of credentials that are not part of the University’s credit programs (i.e., that do not result in academic credit that might count towards a degree), the Alternative Credentials Approval Committee (ACAC) is the body that is responsible for assessing the academic credibility of particular credentials at the University of Waterloo.
Just as with for-credit credentials, a credential requires assessment both for academic credibility and financial assessment before proceeding. The ACAC, chaired by the Associate Vice-President Academic (AVPA) and made up of faculty members with the support of staff with related expertise, reviews proposals for such offerings to ensure that they reflect the quality for which the University of Waterloo is known.
Are you considering proposing a new credential?
Before submitting to the ACAC
If a credential has as its primary audience learners who are not currently pursuing a "for credit" credential (e.g., a degree), those considering it should first approach WatSPEED to gauge their interest in partnering on it. The advantage of this is that WatSPEED has a standard financial/business model for the delivery of non-credit credentials, especially those aimed at mid-career professionals.
Alternative credentials whose primary audience is not current students and that are not offered in partnership with WatSPEED need to have a sensible business model. Before offering, the business model needs approval from a faculty Dean (or their delegate), who should consult with the Associate Vice-President Academic Operations. Generally, it is helpful to have agreement on this 'business model' before putting in the work to develop the credential proposal, and so before the ACAC is involved.
Questions about the process?
Preparing your submission
Once the business model is created, the next step is to submit a proposal for an Approval in Principle, and/or an Approval to Offer:
- Approval in Principle: the first step that all proposed new credentials require; this form also serves as final approval for something that results in a "Certificate of attendance/participation" credential.
- Approval to Offer: a second step that is required for credentials that involve assessment of learning. This form requires a statement of learning outcomes, more description of what is included in the course, information about how the learning will be assessed, and how "quality assurance" over time will function.
The categories of credentials are listed on the top of the "Approval in Principle" form, to identify which category your submission falls within.
If your proposal does require both forms, it is possible to submit them at the same time for review. Some people choose to submit them one at a time to secure approval early on in the process with "Approval in Principle," before investing further time in developing the "Approval to Offer" proposal. For instance, if a credential involves working with an external partner (e.g., a professional governance body) who will have a say in the content, it may be advisable to know that the ACAC is in principle agreeable to the arrangement before investing the effort to fully develop the program.
Completed and signed proposals can be submitted via email to Catherine Klausen (cklausen@uwaterloo.ca). Proposals will be reviewed, in order of submission, by the ACAC. The committee aims to review proposals on a short timeline (usually a week to a week and a half), but response time may be impacted when multiple submissions are received within the same timeframe.
As a committee, the ACAC's remit is to decide whether a proposal has sufficient academic credibility for the kind of credential on offer for us to attach the University of Waterloo name to it. Questions related to financial viability and other factors are the responsibility of those advocating for the proposed program, Deans, and the Office of the Provost.
Overview of the review process
- Download the Approval in Principle form and confirm the kind of credential for which you are seeking approval.
- Complete the Approval in Principle form, and — if required — the Approval to Offer form.
- Send completed forms, including signatures, to Catherine Klausen at cklausen@uwaterloo.ca.
- Completed proposals will be reviewed in order of submission, by the Alternative Credentials Approval Committee (ACAC), made up of faculty members supported by staff with related expertise.
- The committee aims to review proposals on a short timeline (usually a week to a week and a half), but response time may be impacted when multiple submissions are received within the same timeframe.
- As a committee, ACAC's remit is to decide whether a proposal has sufficient academic credibility for the kind of credential on offer for us to attach the University of Waterloo name to it. Questions related to financial viability and other factors are the responsibility of those advocating for the proposed program, Deans, and the Office of the Provost.