Standard Four
Standard FourThe institution's primary focus is the education of its students.
The institution may offer collegiate or university-level programmes that lead to degrees in recognized fields of study and which require at least one academic year to complete (30 semester credits or 120 notional hour credits – 1200 hours total for an average student).
A programme is defined as a curriculum of studies, however formulated, that leads to a degree (associate, bachelor, honour's, master's or doctorate) or other form of academic recognition such as a certificate or diploma.
A programme may be offered in stages in the form of short courses, on a part time or full-time basis or as an individual learner through distance learning through any suitable means such as Internet e-learning or correspondence training as the institution deems such method(s) to be effective in reaching the planned outcomes of the programme or qualification.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Note: We clasify our learning format as ‘e-learning’ which is a distance learning method. It includes advanced material delivery on CD-ROM media, web-based assessment delivery and marking as well as contact with a mentoring tutor.
The institution's programmes should be consistent with and serve to fulfil its mission, goals and objectives.
Each educational programme demonstrates consistency through its -
The institution provides sufficient resources to sustain and improve its programmes and the methods and means of instruction of the programmes.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Note: Thanks to recent development of IT support from the foremost publishers of educational textbooks, we are able to improve the methods and means of instruction of the
programmes far beyond what was possible a decade ago. The inclusion of on-line Websites, test banks, instructor's manuals, Web-links and video clips, has made possible a significant advance in educational delivery at a very high standard.
The institution should clearly specify and publish programme objectives and requirements for each programme.
Such objectives include the:
Programmes should have a coherent design and be characterized by:
Calvary University complies to the standard.
The institution should undertake academic planning and evaluation to achieve and, where possible, to enhance the achievement of programme objectives.
These activities are realistic and take into account stated goals and available resources. The institution allocates human, technological, financial, and physical resources on the basis of its academic plans, needs, and objectives.
It recognizes and takes account of the increased demands on resources made by programmes offered at a higher degree level.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
As part of its overall planning and evaluation, the institution develops, approves, administers, and periodically reviews its academic programmes.
It should be guided by clearly defined, and effective policies which are implemented using clearly established channels of communication and control.
Faculty have a substantive voice in the design and execution of the curriculum. The evaluation of existing programmes includes an assessment of their effectiveness and continued need.
Additions and deletions of programmes or courses are consistent with:
Curricular planning and evaluation should take into account the role of the multiple resources required for the development and improvement of academic programmes.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
When programmes are eliminated or programme requirements are changed, the institution makes appropriate arrangements for enrolled students so that they may complete their education with a minimum of disruption.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Programmes and courses are designed to ensure an opportunity for reflection and for analysis of the subject matter.
The institution offering programmes and courses for abbreviated or concentrated time periods or via different delivery systems can demonstrate that students completing these programmes or courses acquire levels of knowledge, understanding, and competencies comparable to those expected in similar programmes offered over more traditional time periods.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Note: We have limites studies for one programme that leads to a qualification to a minimum of 8 months and a maximum of 30 months.
Courses and programmes offered for credit off campus, through technologically mediated instruction, or through evening or week-end divisions should be consistent with the educational objectives of the institution.
Such activities:
The institution maintains direct and sole responsibility for the academic quality of all aspects of all programmes and assures adequate resources to maintain quality.
On-campus faculty have a substantive role in the design and implementation of off-campus programmes. In programmes and/or courses that use special delivery systems (such as computers, newspapers, television, video or audiotape) appropriate opportunities are provided for students to question and discuss course content with faculty or an appointed personal tutor.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Note: We specialize excusively in the offering of off-campus training and are therefore excellently equipped to deliver such training on an exceptable level of academic quality.
If the institution depends on resources outside its direct control (for example, classrooms, library resources, testing sites), provision is made for a clear, fixed understanding of that relationship which ensures the reasonable continued availability of those resources. Clear descriptions of the circumstances and procedures for the use of such resources should be available to students who make use of them.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Note: All students are enrolled at the study centres owned by the affiliates who offer the training in collaboration with us.
Conferences, seminars, workshops, or other instructional or enrichment activities that are sponsored by the institution or carry its name should be compatible with its purposes and should, if possible, be administered within its organizational structure. The institution must assume responsibility for the appropriateness and integrity of any such activities.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
The institution has the responsibility for the academic elements of all instructional programmes and courses for which it awards institutional credit.
These responsibilities include:
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Note: We undertake the responsibility and design for the academic elements of all instructional programmes and courses offered by CU.
Undergraduate degree programmes are designed to give students a substantial and coherent introduction to:
Programmes have an appropriate rationale; their purpose and order are made clear in official publications and are shown in student records.
Each curriculum (the combination of courses that make up a programme) should be appropriate, within the context of higher education, to the abilities and scholastic preparation of the students admitted to the programmes.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Note: The combination possibilities are made clear on the Website.
While these general criteria apply to all undergraduate programmes, specific expectations for associate's and bachelor's degree programmes will reflect degree programme level. Distinctions made in such expectations may concern such matters as:
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Each undergraduate programme includes a general education requirement and a major or concentration requirement.
Curricula include requirements above the introductory level with appropriate prerequisites. Wherever possible, the institution also allows undergraduate students the opportunity to pursue knowledge and understanding through electives. All undergraduate programmes require the use of information resources in addition to course texts and formal instruction.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Note: Our formal instruction is in the format of power-point slides, instruction manuals and advanced course texts. A graduated tutor is appointed to assist each student.
The general education requirement is coherent (forms a logical whole) and is substantive (includes sufficient material), and it embodies the institution's definition of an educated person for a given discipline. The requirement of a specific discipline gives direction to the design of all educational courses within that discipline, and provides criteria for its evaluation.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
The general education requirement in each undergraduate programme – wether it be general, specialized, or professional in nature – should ensure adequate breadth for all degree-seeking students by showing a balanced regard for what are traditionally referred to as:
General education requirements may include modules or courses that focus on the subject matter and methodologies of these three primary domains of knowledge as well as on their relationships to one another.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Note: A very wide range of choices are available to the student since the various courses do not need to fit in to a roster or be a popular course. A single course and a single student can equally well be accomodated in our system.
The institution ensures that all undergraduate students complete modules or courses as part of their studies in general education.
The institution should be able to demonstrate that the programme meets the goals expressed in Paragraph 4.19 of this Standard.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
The major or area of concentration directs the student to develop knowledge and skills in a specific disciplinary or interdisciplinary area above the introductory level, through properly sequenced course work.
Requirements for the major or area of concentration are based upon:
Through the major or area of concentration, the student will develop an understanding of the complex structure of knowledge relevant to an area of specialisation and its interrelatedness to other areas of specialisation.
For programmes designed to provide professional training, an effective relationship should exist between curricular content and current practice in the field of specialization.
General studies associate's degree programmes designed to provide the foundation for later specialization through transfer into baccalaureate programmes are exempted from the requirements of a major or concentration as described under this point.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Graduates successfully completing an undergraduate programme demonstrate competence in:
They also demonstrate knowledge and understanding of
In addition, graduates demonstrate an in-depth understanding of an area of knowledge or practice and of its interrelatedness with other areas. Calvary University complies to the standard.
Graduate (or post-graduate) degree programmes should be designed to give students a mastery of a complex field of study or professional area.
Programmes should conform to the following requirements:
The institution's graduate programmes have cohesive curricula (united in a meaningful whole) and require scholarly (academic) and professional (occupational) activities designed to advance the student substantially beyond the educational accomplishments of a baccalaureate degree programme.
The demands made by the institution's graduate programmes on students' intellectual and creative capacities are also significantly greater than those expected at the undergraduate level; graduate programmes build upon and challenge students beyond the levels of knowledge and competence acquired at the undergraduate level.
The institution offering both undergraduate and graduate degree programmes assesses the relationship and interdependence of the two levels and utilizes these results for their individual and collective improvement.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Graduate programmes are only offered if resources and expectations exceed those required for an undergraduate programme in a similar field.
Institutions offering graduate degrees have an adequate staff of full-time faculty in areas appropriate to the degree offered. Faculty responsible for graduate programmes are sufficient by credentials, number, and time commitment for the successful accomplishment of programme objectives and programme improvement. Depending on the type of programme:
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Note: Sufficient numbers of faculty are available for the needs of post-graduate students to be assisted in their research.
Degree requirements of the institution's graduate programmes take into account specific programme purposes.
Research-oriented doctoral programmes and disciplinary master's degree programmes are designed to prepare students for scholarly careers; they emphasize the:
Doctoral degree programmes gives the student substantial mastery of:
They include an orderly development of research skills leading to the attainment of an independent research capacity.
Doctoral students undertake original research which contributes to new knowledge in the chosen field of study.
A disciplinary master's programme may have many of the same objectives but requires less sophisticated levels of mastery in the chosen field of study than does the research doctorate. Although this level of study may not require students to engage in original research, it does provide an understanding of research suitable to the field or discipline and gives guidance to the way in which research is done.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Professional or practice-oriented programmes at the doctoral or master's degree levels are designed to prepare students for professional practice involving the application or transmission of existing knowledge.
Such programmes afford the student a broad conceptual mastery of the field of professional practice through an understanding of its:
They seek to develop the capacity to interpret, organize, and communicate knowledge, and to develop those analytical and professional skills needed to practice in and advance the profession.
Instruction in relevant research methodology is provided, directed toward the application of its results as a regular part of professional practice.
Programmes include the gradual development of professional skills which will result in competent practitioners.
Where there is a hierarchy of degrees within an area of professional study, programmes differ by level as reflected in the expected:
within the profession by the achieving of the different degrees.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Programmes encompassing both research activities and professional practice define their relative emphases in programme objectives that are reflected in:
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Students who successfully complete a graduate programme demonstrate that they have acquired the knowledge and developed the skills that are identified as the program's objectives.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
All faculty pursue scholarship, an activity fundamental to the achievement of institutional purposes.
Scholarship includes:
Scholarship and instruction are integrated and mutually supportive.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Note: Scholarship is encouraged for all faculty in order to enhance the practical capability tranfer to students.
Where compatible with the institution's purposes, research should be undertaken.
Research involves the creation, revision, or application of knowledge as undertaken by faculty and students.
Physical and administrative resources together with academic services should be adequate to support the institution's research commitment.
Faculty workloads will reflect the institution's research commitment.
Policies and procedures related to research, including ethical considerations, are established and clearly communicated throughout the institution.
Faculty must play a substantive role in the development and administration of research policies and practices.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Scholarship and research receive encouragement and support according to the institution's purposes and objectives. Faculty and students are accorded the academic freedom to pursue scholarship and research.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Instructional techniques and delivery systems are compatible with and serve to further the mission and purposes of the institution as well as the objectives of individual courses.
Methods of instruction are appropriate to the students' capabilities and learning needs. Scholarly and creative achievement by students is encouraged and appropriately assessed. Students are taught by a variety of faculty in order to ensure experience in different methods of instruction and exposure to different viewpoints.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
The institution endeavours to enhance the quality of teaching.
It encourages experimentation with methods to improve instruction. The effectiveness of instruction is periodically and systematically assessed using adequate and reliable procedures; the results are used to improve instruction. Adequate support is provided to accomplish this task.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
The institution provides support for faculty development opportunities directed toward enhancing the quality of teaching.
Faculty take advantage of such opportunities and collectively and individually endeavour to fulfil their responsibility to improve instructional effectiveness.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
The institution has in place an effective system of academic advising which meets student needs for information and advice and is compatible with its educational objectives.
Faculty and other personnel responsible for academic advising are adequately informed and prepared to discharge their advising functions.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Note: Due to our Tutor sytem we ar particularly well placed to provide advice to students.
The institution has an orderly and ethical programme of admission which complies with the normal requirements of legislation concerning equality of educational opportunity.
Its admission and retention policies and procedures should be clearly spelt out, they are consistent with its mission, goals and objectives, and available to all students and prospective students through its publications.
It endeavours to develop a student body which as a whole is broadly representative of the population the institution wishes to serve.
Calvary University fully complies to the standard.
Standards for admission ensure that student qualifications and expectations are compatible with institutional objectives.
Individuals admitted should demonstrate through their intellectual and personal qualifications – which may include experience – a reasonable potential for success in the programmes to which they are admitted.
If the institution recruits and admits individuals with identified needs that must be addressed to assure their likely academic success, it applies appropriate mechanisms (bridging courses, extra modules) to address those needs so as to provide reasonable opportunities to achieve that success.
Such mechanisms should be adequate to the needs of those admitted.
The institution may have a planned endeavour to integrate specifically recruited populations into the larger student body and to assure that they have similar academic experiences.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
The institution with a policy of open admissions for undergraduates utilizes appropriate methods of evaluation to identify deficiencies.
They should offer appropriate developmental or remedial support where necessary to prepare students for collegiate study.
Such testing and remediation should receive sufficient support to be adequate to serve the needs of students admitted.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Note: We plan a Matric preparation and assessment programme to assist high school students to learn for and pass their Matric or 'A' and 'O' levels in order to demonstrate preparedness of students for collegiate study.
If the institution accepts undergraduate transfer credit from other institutions, it applies policies and procedures which provide adequate safeguards to ensure that credit accepted reflects appropriate levels of academic quality and is applicable to the student's programme. The institution does not erect barriers to the acceptance of transfer credit that are unnecessary to protect its academic quality and integrity, and it seeks to establish articulation agreements with institutions from which and to which there is a significant pattern of student transfer. Such agreements are made available to those students who are affected by them.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Note: We more readily accept undergraduate transfer credits than graduate credits (Bachelor and Honours) and are very careful when accepting post-graduate credits (M- and D). The lower credits are not treated with a careless acceptance, rather a more tolerant acceptance in order not to put up unreasonable barriers. We do this knowing that our standards for the Bachelor qualification is higher and more thorough than generally practiced in many other institutions. See below.
The institution should accept graduate transfer of credit only on a strictly limited basis. It will be guided by the principle that the integrity of the degree awarded must be preserved.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
The evaluation of student learning or achievement and the award of credit are based upon clearly stated criteria that reflect learning objectives and are consistently and effectively enforced. These should include:
They are appropriate to the degree level at which they are applied.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Note: We evaluate through five criteria: tests, assignments, practical tasks, group work and the workfile.
There is demonstrable academic content for all experiences for which credit is awarded.
Credit awards are consistent (in line with) with the course content.
No credit toward graduation is awarded for pre-collegiate level or remedial work designed to prepare the student for collegiate study.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Credit for prior experiential or non-collegiate sponsored learning is awarded only at the undergraduate level.
When credit is awarded on the basis of prior experiential or non-collegiate sponsored learning alone, student learning and achievement are demonstrated to be at least comparable in:
... to the results of institutionally provided learning experiences.
The policies and procedures for the award of credit for prior or experiential learning are clearly stated and available to affected students.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
Note: We also take age into consideration since it is the number of years exposed to practical experience which counts for the necessary academic dimension of learning which is evaluated or measured through various criteria.
The institution specifies and publishes requirements for:
its academic programmes which are compatible with its educational goals.
Graduation requirements are clearly stated in official publications and must be consistently applied in the degree certification process.
The degrees awarded will accurately reflect student attainments.
Calvary University complies to the standard.
These Standards of Accreditation are copied by permission from Christian Quality Assurance, Copyright © 1997. All rights reserved.
This document shows in which way Calvary University complies to the CQA standards as an International Christian Institution for Higher Education.