heiGRADE Procedure

Motivation

The reasons for initiating and developing a new continuing education program are diverse:

• New research fields emerge for which no degree programs yet exist.
• New legal regulations are introduced that require qualifications.
• New competencies become necessary due to acute social developments.

Beginning

At the start, there is an idea - a sketch of a continuing education program - which is presented to the management of the respective institution or faculty. The mangement then appoints the certificate coordinator. This support is crucial, as the conception and development of a continuing education program requires resources - ideally distributed across several shoulders.

Conception

In the second phase, the various components that are necessary for succesful implementation are examined and specified. Key guiding questions include:

• What competence goals are to be achieved?
• How can these goals be met - with what teaching scope, with which didactic methods?
• Which target group is to be reached?
• Are there competitors on the market?
• What resources are needed and how will they be financed?

At the end of this phase, a continuing education concept is developed, which is then discussed with the heiGRADE Commission. In this peer consultation, you benefit from the experiences of other programs and receive constructive feedback on your concept.

Specification

A heiGRADE continuing education program is not a degree program. Nevertheless, transparent academic and organizational guidelines are required to