Accreditation

What is Accreditation? | An Introduction to the OCN Credit Framework | Programme Validation and Approval | OCN Units | Assessment

Programme Validation and Approval

On this page:

• Summary of Programme
• Validation
• What support will you get?
• How long will it take?
• What do I actually need to do in order to develop a programme?

This page provides an overview to the process of getting a programme approved so that OCN credits can be awarded to learners in an approved centre. All OCN programmes will undergo an aproval process. See below for further guidance with some frequently asked questions.

Summary of Programme Validation

		Organisation contacts OCNKM re accreditation of a programme
		OCN Development Officer assigned to support the organisation
National OCN or exitsting OCNKM programme		Programme design commences. Programme type agreed		Locally customised programme or NOCN Qualification
Programme submission document completed				Programme Submission Document completed
OCN internal scrutiny of programme		Revisions made to submissions as required		Validation Panel scrutinises programme
		Programme approved for 5 years
		Programme runs
		Moderation
		Certification for Learners
		Review
		Programme runs again

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What support will you get?

OCMKM will offer initial and ongoing support to all members organisations throughout the validation process. One of our Development Officer team will be assigned to work on the programme. The member organisation will be responsible for actually writing the submission document but the OCN Development Officer will help with this process.

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How long will it take?

This will depend on several factors:

• whether the programme needs a validation panel or not (National Programmes, OCNKM Framework and OCN programme transfers do NOT but new programmes and NOCN Qualifications DO need a panel)
• whether the programme leads to a national qualification (e.g. Access or NOCN Qualification)
• whether the programme requires new dedicated procedures to be developed to support it

Normally allow at least a 3 month period from first programme design to first delivery for new programmes. However National/OCNKM Framework programmes and transfers might only take a couple of weeks.

For organisations which have not used OCNKM it will be necessary to apply for Membership of OCNKM and seek Centre Approval

Programmes must receive approval before they can be registered with OCNKM - please allow sufficient time for all of the processes above to be completed.

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What do I actually need to do in order to develop a programme?

Firstly contact OCNKM and let us know what you want to do! You will then be helped by an OCN Development Officer. This process may involve doing one or more of the following:

• Completing a Programme Submission document
• Devising new units
• Applying for Membership and Centre Approval

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