The document outlines the program design process used at NU and factors to consider when developing a new academic program. It discusses international, national, institutional, and school contexts that inform program design. The program specification template requires defining program aims, learning outcomes, content, teaching methods, and assessment strategy. Programs should align with NU strategies and graduate attributes, be benchmarked, and have teaching, learning, and assessment aligned to achieve learning outcomes. Support resources are provided to guide the design of high quality, well-aligned academic programs.

1. Program Design Process
developed by the Office of the Provost

2. NU Academic Quality Framework

3. Factors to consider
in the Program Design Process
Program
Design
International
Context
Institutional
Context
National
Context
School
Context

4. International Context
Accreditation Requirements
• Take note of professional body requirements
• Also any statutory and/or regulatory frameworks
Strategic Partner
• Consultation on program development: advice;
benchmarking; external review

5. International context
Bologna
Process*
Bologna Cycle*
FHEQ*
ECTS*
Dublin
descriptors*
Cycle 1. Bachelor
Cycle 2. Masters
Cycle 3. Doctoral
Level 6: Bachelor
Level 7: Masters
Level 8: Doctoral
1 ECTS credit = 25-30 hours of student
workload;
1 academic year = 60 ECTS;
Bachelor Degree = 180-240 ECTS;
Masters Degree = 90-120 ECTS
(note absolute min. 60 – but not at NU);
Doctoral = ECTS not defined
Broadly define expectations for each
cycle (outcomes-based)
Learning outcomes- based
*hyperlink

6. Industry and
employers
National
frameworks and
requirements
Students’
academic and
cultural
background
Consider market needs and potential
employability in design of the
learning outcomes (e.g. state priority
qualifications list, etc.)
Consider as and where appropriate
(e.g. National General Education
Standards)
Consider cultural context and
students’ academic background in
terms of knowledge, skills, attributes
and prior learning styles.
National Context

7. NU Academic Quality
Framework
NU Teaching and
Learning Strategy
Instructional
Technology Strategy
Admissions
Regulations and
Templates
Available at
my.nu.edu.kz
See
‘Program Approval
Guidelines’
Liaise with
Undergraduate/
Graduate
Admissions Office
Use appropriate
template
Consult relevant NU
strategies and
enhancement
themes
Align programs and
courses
Resources
(Library, IT, Facilities)
Institutional Context

8. School Teaching and
Learning Strategy informs
program design
Program Director and
Program Delivery Team
develop program
Program
Justification
and
Specification
External
review
Program Approval through
the School Teaching and
Learning Committee and
Dean
Academic Quality Committee
(review & recommendation)
and Academic Council
(approval)
School Context

9. Program Specification
Define the major thrust of the program (typically 2-4).
Define specific expectations (typically 5-7) of the program and
are appropriate to the level of delivery; what students know,
and what they will be able to do, on successful completion of
the program. Use action verbs from Bloom’s taxonomy.
Benchmark the program content, contextualize it to national settings
and align with the NU Strategy and NU graduate attributes
Apply a variety of innovative teaching methods, aligned with NU
Teaching and Learning Strategy, and effective in achieving the
program aims and learning outcomes.
Develop an assessment strategy which is aligned with teaching and
learning methods and the achievement of the learning outcomes
Program
Aims
Program Content
Teaching and
Learning Methods
Assessment
Strategy
Program Learning
Outcomes
NU Strategy*
NU Graduate attributes*
School Learning and
Teaching Strategy
*hyperlink

10. • Programs and courses should contribute to the delivery of the NU graduate
attributes.
• Programs and courses should be benchmarked in terms of delivery level and
content.
• Program and course learning outcomes should be appropriate to the delivery
level, and be aligned with the graduate attributes.
• Teaching, learning and assessment methods should be aligned with course and
program learning outcomes.
• Appropriate and effective use should be made of instructional technologies
• Where possible and appropriate, research and teaching should be integrated.
• Assessment should contain both summative and formative components, and
should be criterion-referenced, valid, reliable, fair and transparent.
Summary

11. Program Design - Useful Links
Consult and employ appropriate level
descriptors
http://exchange.ac.uk/learning-and-teaching-theory-guide/levels-module-
descriptions.html
http://ecahe.eu/w/index.php/European_Qualifications_Framework#Level_5
http://www.ehea.info/Uploads/QF/Bologna_Framework_and_Certification_re
vised_29_02_08.pdf
Develop module aims http://www.seec.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/seec-
files/SEEC%20Level%20Descriptors%202010.pdf
Write learning outcomes https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/sites/default/files/writing_learning_outcomes.
pdf
Develop ALIGNED assessment criteria and
methods
http://www.reading.ac.uk/engageinassessment/assessment-design/eia-
constructive-alignment-in-assessment-design.aspx
Develop an ALIGNED teaching and learning
strategy to enable students to reach
learning outcomes and assessment criteria
https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/sites/default/files/resources/id477_aligning_te
aching_for_constructing_learning.pdf
Claus Brabrand (2006): ‘Teaching Teaching & Understanding Understanding’ -
19-minute award-winning short-film on Constructive Alignment
http://www.daimi.au.dk/~brabrand/short-film

12. Implementation Support
Academic Quality Enhancement Team:
AQE website: http://my.nu.edu.kz/