First: Objectives of the Policy on Establishment and Development of Academic Programs

• Establish a clear governance framework that defines the procedures and responsibilities related to the approval of academic programs.
• Set transparent and precise standards for the establishment and development of academic programs, while strengthening mechanisms for evaluation and continuous monitoring to ensure effective implementation.
• Ensure alignment of academic programs with quality and accreditation standards at both national and international levels, in addition to the requirements of the Saudi Qualifications Framework (NQF) and the Unified Saudi Classification for Educational Levels and Specializations, while achieving the strategic objectives of the University.

Second: Policy Definition

The University is committed, when establishing or developing academic programs, to the following:

• The Unified Saudi Classification for Educational Levels and Specializations, including any amendments or updates.
• The National Qualifications Framework in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including any amendments or updates.
• The Study and Examination Regulations and the implementing rules at Jouf University, including any amendments or updates.
• Applying a periodic review policy for all academic programs with a maximum cycle of five years.
• Providing academic programs that are compatible with professional disciplines, meet community needs, and address labor market demands while keeping pace with scientific and professional developments.
• Ensuring that proposals for establishing new programs or developing existing ones are consistent with the University’s strategic plan through comprehensive labor market and community needs analyses, consultations with employers, specialized committee reviews, and assessments of the expected impact of new programs on strategic objectives—thereby ensuring that programs meet future needs and promote educational quality and academic innovation.

Academic programs are established or developed within a comprehensive framework based on a matrix that defines the distribution of authorities and responsibilities, ensuring the participation of all stakeholders in the development process. Roles are clearly defined as Responsible, Accountable, Supportive, Consulted, or Informed.

Governance stages for the establishment and development of academic programs include:

1. Program proposal.
2. Expanded study of the proposal.
3. Formative evaluation of the program.
4. Program planning support.
5. Obtaining official approval.
6. Implementation of the newly established or developed program.

Program establishment and development processes are based on multiple standards and criteria, including:

• Decisions or amendments related to the higher education sector requiring a comprehensive review or update of academic programs.
• Directives from within the University to establish new programs in academic departments to meet labor market demands.
• Updates or changes to the University’s mission and strategic objectives.
• Periodic program evaluation and review.
• New developments in the field of specialization.
• National development requirements and contribution to serving the local community.
• Accreditation requirements.
• National Qualifications Framework requirements.
• Alignment with the Unified Saudi Classification for Educational Levels and Specializations.

The University also adopts clear policies regarding the equivalency of courses completed under previous study plans when transferring students to updated/developed plans.

Third: Types of Amendments in Academic Programs

A. Major (Substantive) Amendments

These include:

• Changing the academic program title.
• Modifying the specialization title on the graduation certificate.
• Changing the language of instruction.
• Amending graduation requirements.
• Changing the number of study levels or credit hours required to complete the program.
• Adding or removing a major track within the academic program.
• Adding or deleting a compulsory course.
• Changing a course type to compulsory or elective.
• Adding or removing an exit point in the program.
• Changing the primary reference for a course to another previously unapproved reference.
• Amendments representing more than 10% of the study plan content in an existing program. Examples include:
  • Modifying the level at which a course is offered, including changing its title and code.
  • Modifying weekly contact hours (lecture, lab, practical, or training) without affecting the credit hours.
  • Amending course content by more than 30% of its total content.
  • Amending course content by up to 30% of its total content if this affects related courses and programs.
  • Modifying course objectives.
  • Modifying course learning outcomes.

B. Minor (Non-Substantive) Amendments

These include:

• Modifying teaching strategies.
• Modifying assessment methods.
• Adding or deleting elective courses.
• Amending the learning outcomes matrix.
• Modifying key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Modifying or removing course prerequisites.
• Amending course content by up to 30% of its total content without affecting related courses and programs.
• Updating the program specification according to the latest NCAAA templates.
• Updating course specifications according to the latest NCAAA templates.
• Modifying learning resources (excluding the main and supporting references).
• Minor amendments affecting less than 10% of the study plan of an existing program. Examples include:
  • Modifying the level at which a course is offered, including changing its title and code.
  • Modifying weekly contact hours without affecting the credit hours.
  • Amending course content by more than 30% of its total content.
  • Amending course content by up to 30% of its total content if this affects related courses and programs.
  • Modifying course objectives.
  • Modifying course learning outcomes.

Fourth: Policies for Transition Between Old and Updated/Developed Study Plans

The University adopts clear policies regarding the transfer of students from old study plans to updated/developed ones as follows:

• Ensuring fair transfer for all students without negatively impacting their academic progress, while guaranteeing that they acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to achieve the intended learning outcomes.
• Each college prepares a plan for phasing out levels in old study plans, transferring enrolled students in discontinued levels to the updated/developed study plan.
• Students who did not complete any course in the old study plan due to deferment, withdrawal, interruption, or failure will be transferred to the updated/developed plan.
• Courses from the old plan will be equated with those in the new plan, provided there is at least a 70% content match and equivalency in credit hours. The Standing Committee for Curricula, Plans Development, and Prescribed Textbooks—based on the recommendations of the concerned Department and College Councils—may grant exceptions in urgent cases.

The approval of academic programs and study plans relies on integrated and coordinated efforts among the Standing Committee for Curricula, Plans, and Prescribed Textbooks, and the study plan committees at colleges and academic departments. This requires defining the tasks and responsibilities of each body to ensure effective approval of academic programs and study plans.

First: Procedures at the Department Study Plan Committee

The Study Plan Committee at the academic department is formed—representing all sub-specializations—by a decision of the Department Council, and is administratively linked to the Department Council.

The committee is responsible for developing, establishing, and periodically updating the department’s programs and study plans to keep pace with scientific advancements and labor market requirements. It also follows up on the implementation of those plans after approval, establishes the necessary standards and templates to ensure proper application of study plans, curricula, and learning outcomes, and verifies compliance with accreditation requirements and academic structuring policies.

Committee Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Identify justifications for establishing the academic program.
• Define the steps necessary for developing or establishing a study plan to ensure its distinction during design or modification.
• Assess labor market needs and gather input from faculty, graduates, and the program’s advisory committee.
• Conduct benchmarking studies to ensure the uniqueness of the proposed program.
• Provide classification information from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development regarding graduates of the proposed program.
• Define the program’s vision, mission, and objectives.
• Define graduate attributes.
• Define learning outcomes.
• Prepare a learning outcomes matrix.
• Identify courses that achieve the required learning outcomes and graduate attributes.
• Define course weights (credit hours and contact hours).
• Submit proposals regarding major requirements and courses, and nominate reviewers.
• Define concurrent and prerequisite requirements.
• Define the main and supporting references for courses.
• Assign courses to study levels.
• Code courses according to the University’s approved system.
• Define program exit points.
• Prepare the proposed structure of the study plan (in both Arabic and English).
• Complete course, field experience, and program specifications according to the Education Evaluation Commission (EEC) templates, as well as any additional university-approved templates.
• Document all interactions with relevant entities.
• Present the proposed study plan to the Department Council.
• Implement required modifications to the program, if any, based on external reviewers’ feedback after the review process.
• Implement required modifications to the program, if any, based on the Standing Committee for Curricula’s feedback.
• Submit the proposal, after addressing all comments, to the Department Council for ratification and approval, and complete the official procedures.

Second: Procedures at the Department Council

• Recommend periodic development and updating of the department’s study plans to align with university requirements, scientific advancements, labor market needs, and accreditation standards.
• Follow up on the development and updating of study plans for the department’s academic programs.
• Recommend approval or rejection of proposed curriculum changes, including modifications to learning outcomes, textbooks, assessment methods, and teaching strategies suggested by faculty.
• Oversee the work of the Department Study Plan Committee.
• Propose names of reviewers from universities inside or outside the Kingdom to evaluate the plan, and forward the names to the College Council.
• Review the proposed study plan submitted by the Department Study Plan Committee. If approved, the plan is forwarded to the College Study Plan Committee; if rejected, it is returned to the Department Committee for further study and revisions.
• Supervise program evaluation, discuss annual reports and performance indicators, and make recommendations for program and course improvement plans.

Third: Procedures at the Program Advisory Committee

The Program Advisory Committee consists of stakeholders such as employers, community representatives, and subject matter experts. Its role includes:

• Providing recommendations for curriculum development aligned with labor market requirements and scientific/technical needs, with at least one annual meeting convened by the Department Chair.
• Evaluating the academic program’s performance based on performance indicators and graduate outcomes in the labor market.
• Contributing to updating curricula based on the latest scientific and technical developments.

Fourth: Procedures at the College Study Plan Committee

The committee is formed by an administrative decision of the College Dean.

The committee is responsible for developing and reviewing college-level study plans in accordance with academic requirements for the field of knowledge and the university’s approved regulations. It receives plans from academic departments, reviews them in coordination with relevant college-level committees and units, and forwards them to the College Council.

Committee Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Review initial study plan proposals from departments in coordination with relevant college-level committees/units to ensure alignment with the college mission, academic policies, and standards. If needed, return the plan to the department for revisions.
• Provide support, guidance, and feedback to departmental study plan committees regarding curriculum changes.
• Define college course requirements in coordination with academic departments and submit them for College Council approval.
• Prepare comprehensive reports on the programs and study plans of the college’s departments and submit them to the Dean for College Council approval.
• Propose new programs and study plans that align with national development and labor market needs, strengthening the college’s role in producing competitive graduates.
• Conduct external review (if necessary) through specialized academics inside or outside the university by sending plans to qualified reviewers at the national or regional level.
• Communicate with reviewers as needed and implement actions based on their recommendations.
• Document all correspondence regarding plan review.

External Review Stage (if required):
Once the initial draft of the proposed plan has been approved by the College Study Plan Committee, the plan is sent to external reviewers approved by the Standing Committee for Curricula. Upon receipt of reviewer reports, the plan is returned to the department for response and preparation of the final version. A separate report is prepared detailing how reviewer feedback was addressed, whether adopted or not.

Fifth: Procedures at the College Council

• Review recommendations from the College Study Plan Committee regarding study plans and programs, and make the necessary recommendations.
• Approve college requirement courses.
• Review the list of proposed reviewers submitted by departments and forward them to the Standing Committee for Curricula for approval.
• Oversee the preparation and development of study plans and programs, recommend their approval, and forward them to the Standing Committee.
• Review all matters related to study plans and programs referred by the Standing Committee for Curricula or other relevant academic councils.

Sixth: Procedures at the Study Plans and Programs Administration

• Prepare approved templates for the endorsement of study plans and academic programs to ensure uniformity of procedures and practices.
• Verify that the plan/program preparation process followed the correct administrative sequence and that approvals were obtained in accordance with regulations.
• Review study plans/programs and assess compliance with university standards, including the completeness of documents/templates and alignment with the Education Evaluation Commission’s requirements. A technical report with recommendations is submitted to the Standing Committee for Curricula.
• After final approval, archive the endorsed plan stamped by the Vice-Rectorate for Educational Affairs, and store the University Council’s approval decision. Send a copy to the Deanship of Admission and Registration to enter the new plan into the academic system, and another copy to the concerned college.

Seventh: Procedures at the Standing Committee for Curricula, Plans, and Prescribed Textbooks

The committee is formed by an administrative decision of the University President and chaired by the Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs.

Committee Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Discuss with college representatives (Dean, Department Chair, faculty) the justifications for developing or establishing the program, its alignment with the University’s direction, and whether all requirements are met.
• Review study plans/programs to ensure compliance with all organizational, quality, and accreditation standards.
• Approve amendments to study plans/programs within its jurisdiction according to approved academic standards.
• Define University-level requirements aligned with graduate attributes and institutional learning outcomes to meet labor market needs.
• Resolve disputes that may arise between departmental/college committees and the University’s Study Plans and Programs Administration or other related matters.
• Approve the responsible entity for program implementation if multiple colleges are involved.
• Oversee compliance with standards issued by specialized accreditation bodies.
• Approve the list of reviewers submitted by colleges, with authority to exclude or add new reviewers.
• Recommend approval of study plans and academic programs, and submit them to the University Council for final endorsement.
• Review all matters related to study plans and academic programs across the University or referred from relevant bodies.

Eighth: Procedures at the University Council

• Establish general policies for study plans and academic programs.
• Approve study plans and academic programs.
• Endorse amendments submitted regarding academic programs.

The RASCI authority-distribution matrix is an organizational tool that clarifies stakeholder roles and responsibilities during the establishment or development of an academic program.

Legend:
R = Responsible · A = Accountable (decision-maker) · S = Supportive · C = Consulted · I = Informed

Columns (entities):
CCo = Course Coordinator · DQC = Department Quality Committee · DCC = Department Curriculum Committee · CCC = College Curriculum Committee · PAC = Program Advisory Committee · EXT = External Reviewers · DC = Department Council · CoC = College Council · DDQ = Deanship of Development & Quality · SC = Standing Committee for Curricula, Plans & Prescribed Textbooks · UC = University Council

A) RASCI Matrix — Developing an Existing Academic Program

B) RASCI Matrix — Establishing a New Academic Program

Metadata Template