Programme approval can be internal or external. Internally, programme approval should be carried out by the Programme Approval Committee, sub-committee of an Academic Board, or individual(s) assigned with this responsibility. The programme approval process should take place beforea programme is offered for the first time. Thereafter, each programme must be monitored and reviewed periodically, usually towards the end of the period of approval or the duration of the programme.
Externally, the Barbados Accreditation Council (BAC) Act, 2004 gives the BAC the responsibility to validate or approve all new programmes of study being offered by providers operating in Barbados. Programme approval by the BAC provides external validation of the ability, in terms of inputs, of the provider to deliver a ‘quality’ programme.