Accreditation 21 October 2021

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by Sheridan College Inc.

On 21 October 2021, a delegate of TEQSA:

• accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the following course offered by Sheridan College Inc., for a period of seven years until 21 October 2028:
  • Bachelor of Laws
• imposed, under section 53 of the TEQSA Act, 3 conditions on the accreditation of the Bachelor of Laws.

Condition 1: Constructive course alignment

By 31 January 2022, Sheridan College Inc. is to submit to TEQSA constructive course alignment for the Bachelor of Laws course which specifies and maps all course learning outcomes, unit learning outcomes and methods of assessment in order to effectively demonstrate that the methods of assessment are consistent with the learning outcomes being assessed and are capable of confirming that all specified learning outcomes at both the unit and course level will be achieved on completion of the course of study.

Condition 2: Formative assessments

Prior to delivering the Bachelor of Laws course, Sheridan College Inc. must satisfy TEQSA that the methods of assessment used within the Bachelor of Laws include formative assessments designed to provide students with the timely feedback required to assist in the achievement of learning outcomes. To provide this assurance, Sheridan College Inc. is to submit to TEQSA updated unit outlines for all units within the Bachelor of Laws course no less than 60 days prior to the commencement of teaching. Each updated unit outline will clearly specify the methods of formative assessment within each unit, and detail how and when feedback on formative assessments will be provided to students.

Condition 3: Professional Accreditation

Sheridan College Inc. is not permitted to market or enrol students into the Bachelor of Laws course until the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia approves the course as an academic qualification for admission to the legal profession in Western Australia, and documented evidence has been submitted to TEQSA.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to the accreditation of the course is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act, as Sheridan is at risk of not complying with the following Threshold Standards:

1. Standards 1.4.3 and 1.4.4 and Standards 3.1.2 and 3.1.3 of Part A, as the constructive course alignment does not assure all assessment tasks are consistent with, and capable of confirming achievement of, all specified learning outcomes, nor that the full course content and learning activities engage with the requisite knowledge and inquiry consistent with the level of study and expected learning outcomes, and relatedly, that the teaching and learning activities have been adequately arranged to foster progressive and coherent achievement of learning outcomes.
2. Standard 1.3.3 of Part A, as it is not evident the methods of formative assessment will provide students with the timely feedback that assists in their achievement of learning outcomes.
3. Standard 3.1.5 of Part A, as the course is yet to be approved as an academic qualification for admission into the legal profession by the relevant professional body, which is a requirement for graduates to be eligible to practice in the field.

Application to withdraw conditions

In accordance with section 53 of the TEQSA Act, TEQSA may vary or revoke a condition imposed on the accreditation of a higher education course of study, either on its own initiative, or upon application by the provider for variation or revocation.