Special programmes in higher education are lifelong-learning programmes that contain defined learning outcomes, learner workload, ECTS credits and the level of the national qualifications framework.
A special programme in higher education may also be a module of a study programme, but it is not considered a study programme.
Special programmes in higher education leading to a vocational qualification, part of a vocational qualification or a micro-qualification are accredited by the Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, except for modules accredited as part of the accreditation of a study programme.
The provisions of the Law on Higher Education governing the accreditation of study programmes apply accordingly to the accreditation of special programmes in higher education.
STEPS IN THE ACCREDITATION PROCEDURE
- No later than three months before implementation of a special programme in higher education leading to a vocational qualification or part of a vocational qualification, the higher education institution must submit to the Agency an application for accreditation of a lifelong-learning programme, with supporting documentation, using the prescribed form. (Link the application form so that it leads directly to the page where it can be downloaded or opens directly.)
- Along with the accreditation application, the higher education institution submits the special programme proposal previously adopted by the competent body of the institution, in accordance with the Rules on the Procedure for Accreditation of Lifelong-Learning Programmes. (Link the document so that it opens directly.)
- The Agency checks the formal completeness and timeliness of the accreditation application within 8 days from the date of submission.
- If the documentation is incomplete, the Agency notifies the applicant in writing to supplement the documentation and submit it within 15 days from receipt of the notification.
- If the applicant does not supplement the documentation within the specified deadline, the Agency will reject the accreditation application by decision.
- If the application is complete, the Agency establishes a Commission for the accreditation procedure, composed of independent experts from Montenegro and abroad selected from the List of Experts. The Accreditation Commission has at least three members, namely a chair and two members.
- The Agency delivers the decision establishing the Commission to the higher education institution within 7 days from the date the decision is adopted.
- The higher education institution has the right to object to the decision establishing the Commission where grounds exist under Article 68 of the Law on Higher Education relating to conflicts of interest.
- For each commission, the Agency appoints a member of its staff to perform administrative and technical tasks (hereinafter: the coordinator).
- The act establishing the Commission regulates its composition, tasks and other matters relevant to its work. Detailed working and decision-making arrangements are governed by the Rules of Procedure of the Commission for Study Programme Accreditation.
- Before the Commission begins its work, the coordinator briefs the chair and members on the procedures, deadlines and preparation of the special programme accreditation report.
- Based on the accreditation application and other submitted documentation, the Commission prepares an accreditation report and submits it to the Agency within 15 days from the date the Commission is established.
- Within 5 days of receiving the accreditation report, the coordinator checks whether all Commission members have assessed all accreditation standards in the report. If the coordinator determines that all standards have not been assessed, the report is returned electronically to the Commission for supplementation, and the Commission must submit the supplemented report to the Agency within 8 days.
- The Agency delivers the accreditation report to the higher education institution within 7 days from receipt of the report.
- The higher education institution has the right to object to the accreditation report within 30 days from the date the report is delivered.
- A decision on the objection is made within 30 days from the date the objection is submitted. An administrative dispute may be initiated against the decision on the objection.
- Based on the special programme accreditation report/decision on the objection, the Agency adopts a decision on accreditation of the special programme and issues an accreditation certificate, or adopts a decision rejecting the accreditation application, within 8 days from receipt of the report. Together with the accreditation decision and certificate, or the decision rejecting the accreditation application, the Agency delivers the special programme accreditation report to the higher education institution.
- Upon completion of the procedure, the accreditation decision and accreditation report are published on the Agency’s website.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Law on Higher Education
Law on Academic Integrity
Law on the National Qualifications Framework
Law on National Vocational Qualifications
Rules on the Procedure for Accreditation of Lifelong-Learning Programmes