Degree Authority in Ontario
Legislation
The Post-secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000
The Post-secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000, requires organizations wishing to advertise and/or offer a program or part of a program leading to a degree, or to be known as a university, to have either
- the consent of the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities or
- an Act of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
The Act establishes the composition and authority of the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB). PEQAB is responsible for reviewing applications for consent and making recommendations to the Minister on the quality of programs and organizational soundness.
Regulations (279/02, 280/02, 281/02) made under the Act define public and private organizations for the purposes of the Act, financial protection of student tuition and transcripts, and the procedures for ministerial decisions, orders and appeals concerning amendments to consents, suspensions, revocations, cancellations, and reinstatements.
The Minister's Guidelines for Applying for a Ministerial Consent summarize the Act and the application requirements, and provide information on other matters pertaining to the Act.
The Act, regulations, and the Minister's Guidelines for Applying for a Ministerial Consent should be consulted prior to making an application for consent. Questions should be addressed to the Universities Branch of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities at 416-325-1953.