Professional Accreditation
The primary purpose of professional accreditation is to ensure that graduates from specific programs are professionally qualified and competent.
The University recognises that external accreditation of its programs by professional bodies is an important component of a quality assurance framework.
During the process of professional accreditation a program is assessed against predetermined criteria within certain specified categories (for example, objectives, curriculum content, resourcing, staff profile), with the aim of reaching a conclusion about whether the program meets minimum standards set by the relevant accrediting body.
For further information about professional accreditation please contact Education Quality.
The professional accreditation of programs offered by the University is conducted by a variety of accrediting bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia, Engineers Australia and the Australian Medical Council.
The University has no influence over the accreditation process and fully recognises the independence of the accrediting bodies. However, the University has established certain procedural practices to ensure that all instances of accreditation are recorded, that a schedule of impending accreditations is maintained and that issues identified through accreditation are formally addressed by the University.
The University also recognises that reports by accrediting bodies are a valuable source of information about the quality of programs offered by the University. This information is of interest to external organisations such as TEQSA and issues identified during an accreditation are relevant to program reviews and annual monitoring. For these reasons, copies of all reports provided by professional accreditation bodies and any associated documentation are to be held centrally within the University.
In order to facilitate this process, the University has adopted the following principles:
- recognises the independence of all organisations conducting the professional accreditation of a program.
- supports the seeking of professional accreditation of a program where and whenever such accreditation improves the quality of a program and/or enhances the employment opportunities of graduates.
- requires that all issues identified through professional accreditation are reported to the appropriate University committee(s).
- will maintain a schedule of all impending professional accreditations.
- will maintain a record of all accreditations for a period of seven years.
- requires that information obtained from professional accreditations is available for quality assurance purposes in program reviews and TEQSA audits.
- requires that issues identified through accreditation processes are addressed promptly and systematically.
The accreditation procedures used by the various professional bodies vary significantly. Some are very formal, involve lengthy site visits and require significant input by staff members, whereas others are less formal and involve limited staff input.
Although the University has no control over the actual accreditation process of an individual professional body, the University requires that the following procedures are observed for all programs being accredited:
An accreditation process checklist is available.
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Annual notification
Each Executive Dean will inform the DVC&VP(A) of all accreditations that will occur in the following academic year.
Education Quality (EQ) will contact each Executive Dean in the second half of the year prior in order to facilitate this process.
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Accreditation submission
Documentation required by accrediting bodies will be prepared within the relevant school, the final draft approved by the Executive Dean and forwarded under the Provost's signature to the accrediting body.
The Executive Dean will ensure that, a copy of the *final draft is provided to Education Quality at least two weeks prior to the planned sign-off by the Provost as part of the University's quality assurance process and to ensure that senior management are aware of the accreditation.
*Submissions that are in progress (ie not final draft) or still require proofreading should not be submitted.
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Site visits
Individual schools will coordinate site visits and meetings with school staff in accordance with the requirements of the accrediting body.
At completion of the visit, the members of the accrediting body will meet with the Executive Dean and Provost to discuss any major issues identified during the visit.
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Accreditation report and response
Upon completion of the accreditation process the accrediting body considers the information that it has collected and produces a report that identifies any issues that need attention by the University in order to satisfy the requirements for accreditation.
The relevant Executive Dean will ensure that a response addressing any issues is forwarded to the accrediting body within 60 days of receipt of the report (or earlier if required by the accrediting body).
The Executive Dean will ensure that an implementation plan to resolve any identified issues is developed and implemented by the end of the following semester.
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Reporting outcomes within the University
The Executive Dean shall report accreditation changes to Education Quality (EQ) within 14 days of being notified by the accrediting body in order that a material change notification can be made to TEQSA within legislative timeframe. Accreditation changes include any conditions placed on the accreditation and/or the details of the arrangements made for remaining students if the accreditation has been revoked.
The Executive Dean shall also report accreditation changes to Academic Board.
The Executive Dean shall ensure that copies of the report, the faculty's response and the implementation plan are provided to the DVC&VP(A), who will refer the documents to the University Education Committee and Academic Board to address any University-wide issues identified.
The DVC&VP(A) will authorise the display of information relating to any accreditation undertaken for the purpose of quality improvement on the Learning website.
For information regarding reporting requirements contact Education Compliance.
For information regarding professional accreditation contact Education Quality.
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Marketing accredited programs
Faculties and schools must not state a Program is professionally accredited in any marketing or promotional material (including but not limited to: Degree Finder, any other University web page, flyers/brochures) until professional accreditation confirmation is received from the accrediting body.
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Records
Education Quality will maintain on the Learning website:
- A schedule of all accreditations due in the next 3 years; and
- Details of all accreditations conducted over the previous 7 years.
The Executive Dean will oversee the accreditation process, which includes preparation of the accreditation submission, coordination of site visits and the lodging of copies of all correspondence, reports, implementation plans and accreditation certificates with the Records Management Office (RMO).
Programs at the University are accredited by professional organisations. Such accreditation ensures that graduates of a program are professionally qualified and competent to work in their chosen vocation. It also serves as a quality measure for individual programs.
The individual professional organisations accredit programs for varying periods of time. Accreditation schedules for each of the University faculties are detailed below.
Accreditation schedule for each faculty
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Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics
Undergraduate programs
Year for renewal Accreditation details Programs included 2022 Accrediting body:
CA ANZ jointly with CPA Australia
Staff contact for reporting:
Professor Noel Lindsay, Dean of BusinessBachelor of Commerce (including combines degrees)
Bachelor of Accounting
Bachelor of Accounting and Finance
Bachelor of Business Management and Accounting
Bachelor of Finance (including combined degrees)
2023 Accrediting body:
Legal Practitioners' Education and Admission Council (LPEAC)
Staff contact for reporting:
Professor Judith McNamara, Dean of LawBachelor of Laws 2023 Accrediting body:
Teachers Registration Board of South Australia
Staff contact for reporting:
Professor Faye McCallum, Head, School of EducationBachelor of Teaching (Middle) (incl. double degree programs)
Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) (incl. double degree programs)
Postgraduate programs
Year for renewal Accreditation details Programs included 2022 Accrediting body:
CA ANZ jointly with CPA Australia
Staff contact for reporting:
Professor Noel Lindsay, Dean of BusinessMaster of Professional Accounting
Master of Accounting and Finance
2022 Accrediting body:
CPA Australia
Staff contact for reporting:
Professor Noel Lindsay, Dean of BusinessMaster of Accounting and Marketing 2023 Accrediting body:
Teachers Registration Board of South Australia
Staff contact for reporting:
Professor Faye McCallum, Head, School of EducationMaster of Teaching (Middle & Secondary) Business programs
Year for renewal Accreditation details Programs included 2021-2022 Accredititng body:
AACSB International
Staff contact for reporting:
Professor Noel Lindsay, Dean of BusinessEntrepreneurship, Commercialisation and Innovation Centre (ECIC)
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Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Undergraduate programs
Year for renewal Accreditation details Programs included 2022 Accrediting body:
Australian Psychological Accreditation Council
Staff contact for reporting:
A/Professor Rachel Roberts, Interim Head, School of PsychologyBachelor of Arts (Psychology Major)
Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) (Psychology Major)
Bachelor of Criminology (Psychology Major)
2022 Accrediting body:
Australian Psychological Accreditation Council
Staff contact for reporting:
A/Professor Rachel Roberts, Interim Head, School of PsychologyBachelor of Psychological Science
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Graduate Entry)
2022 Annual Report Accrediting body:
Australian Medical Council
Staff contact for reporting:
A/Professor Corinna van den Heuvel, Interim Head Adelaide Medical SchoolBachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) 2023 Annual Report Accrediting body:
Australian Dental Council
Staff contact for reporting:
Professor Richard Logan, Dean and Head of School, School of DentistryBachelor of Dental Surgery 2023 Annual Report Accrediting body:
Australian Dental Council
Staff contact for reporting:
Professor Richard Logan, Dean and Head of School, School of DentistryBachelor of Oral Health 2024 Accrediting body:
Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council
Staff contact for reporting:
A/Professor Frank Donnelly, Interim Dean of NursingBachelor of Nursing 2024 Accrediting body:
Australian Psychological Accreditation Council
Staff contact for reporting:
A/Professor Rachel Roberts, Interim Head, School of PsychologyBachelor of Psychology (Advanced) (Honours) Postgraduate programs
Year for renewal Accreditation details Programs included 2022 Accrediting body:
Australian Dental Council
Staff contact for reporting:
Professor Richard Logan, Dean and Head of School, School of DentistryDoctor of Clinical Dentistry in Special Needs Dentistry 2022 Accrediting body:
Australian Psychological Accreditation Council
Staff contact for reporting:
A/Professor Rachel Roberts, Interim Head, School of PsychologyMaster of Psychology (Clinical)
Master of Psychology (Organisational and Human Factors)
Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Organisational and Human Factors)
Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Doctor of Philosophy/ Master of Psychology (Health)
Master of Psychology (Health)
Master of Psychology (Health)
2023 Accrediting body:
Australian Dental Council
Staff contact for reporting:
Professor Richard Logan, Dean and Head of School, School of DentistryDoctor of Clinical Dentistry in Peridontics 2023 Accrediting body:
Australian Dental Council
Staff contact for reporting:
Professor Richard Logan, Dean and Head of School, School of DentistryDoctor of Clinical Dentistry in Endodontics
Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Oral Pathology
Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Paediatric Dentistry
Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Prosthodontics
Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics
2026 Accrediting Body:
Psychotherapy and Counseling Federation of Australia
Staff contact for reporting:
Professor Tracy Merlin, Interim Head, School of Public HealthMaster of Counselling and Psychotherapy (Clinical) -
Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
Undergraduate programs
Year for renewal Accreditation details Programs included 2022 Accrediting body:
Australian Computer Society
Staff contact for reporting:
Susie Smith, Academic Program Support Team Leader, ECMSBachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Software) 2022 Accrediting body:
Engineers Australia
Staff contact for reporting:
Susie Smith, Academic Program Support Team Leader, ECMSBachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical and Pharmaceutical)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical - Minerals Processing)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical - Sustainable Energy)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil and Architectural)As from 2019 offered as Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Architectural and Structural)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil and Environmental) As from 2019 offered as Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Environmental)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil and Structural) As from 2019 offered as Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Civil)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical and Electronic)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical and Sustainable Energy)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical and Aerospace)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical and Sports)
Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical and Sustainable Energy)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechatronic)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mining)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Petroleum)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Petroleum) with major
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Software)(Plus all combined and double degrees associated with the above)
2023 & Annual Accrediting body:
Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC)
Staff contact for reporting:
Professor Wayne Hein, Head of School and Dean of Roseworthy CampusBachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) 2024 Accrediting body:
Institute of Chemical Engineers
Staff contact for reporting:
Susie Smith, Academic Program Support Team Leader, ECMSBachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical and Pharmaceutical)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical – Minerals Processing)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical – Sustainable Energy)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Petroleum and Chemical)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Chemical) with Bachelor of Finance
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Chemical) with Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Chemical) with Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Chemical) with Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Chemical) and Bachelor of Arts2024 Accrediting body:
Australian Computer Society
Staff contact for reporting:
Susie Smith, Academic Program Support Team Leader, ECMSBachelor of Computer Science (Advanced)
Bachelor of Computer Science (North Terrace Campus)
Postgraduate programs
Year for renewal Accreditation details Programs included 2020
(Waiting for outcome)Accrediting body:
Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine
Staff contact for reporting:
Professor Peter Veitch, Head, School of Physical SciencesMedical Physics course in the Master of Philosophy (Physics and Astrophysics) 2022 Accrediting body:
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
Staff contact for reporting:
Professor Alan Peters, Dean and Head,
School of Architecture & Built EnvironmentMaster of Property 2022 Accrediting body:
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
Staff contact for reporting:
Professor Alan Peters, Dean and Head,
School of Architecture & Built EnvironmentMaster of Construction Management 2022 Accrediting body:
Engineers Australia
Staff contact for reporting:
Susie Smith, Academic Program Support Team Leader, ECMSMaster of Engineering
Specialisations include Chemical, Civl and Environmental, Civil and Structural, Mining, Electrical, Electronic, Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic.2023 & Annual Accrediting body:
Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC)
Staff contact for reporting:
Professor Wayne Hein, Head of School and Dean of Roseworthy CampusDoctor of Veterinary Science 2024 Accrediting body:
Australian Computer Society
Staff contact for reporting:
Susie Smith, Academic Program Support Team Leader, ECMSMaster of Computer Science
Master of Computer Science and Innovation
Master of Software Engineering