College Quality Assurance Audit Process (CQAAP)

In the 2022-2023 academic year, Durham College (DC) will participate in the College Quality Assurance Audit Process (CQAAP), showcasing the ways in which DC is leading the way in terms of quality assurance (QA) processes. This CQAAP builds on our 2018 audit findings that noted DC as “mature” in its QA approaches and procedures. This rank is the highest standard that a college can achieve.  

CQAAP is a provincially-mandated external review of the processes DC implements to ensure academic quality. DC recognizes the value of CQAAP to support our commitment to transparency and accountability in all aspects of our operations and business. Each of Ontario’s 24 colleges of applied arts and technology participate in CQAAP every five years.

The CQAAP standards provide the framework for Ontario colleges in assessing how our QA mechanisms meet the established standards. The audit’s purpose is developmental and its intent is to ensure continual improvement.

The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) leads DC’s CQAAP efforts. Members of the CTL team work with faculties and departments to develop the self-study package that includes descriptions of how QA is embedded in our programs and services.

A two-day site visit will be planned to support our self-study. The CQAAP panel of auditors will meet with pre-selected representatives from all areas of the college including students, administration, support staff, frontline support, faculty, governors and Program Advisory Committee members. The final audit report, once approved by the Ontario College Quality Assurance Service (OCQAS) Board, is shared publicly.

CQAAP 2022-2023 Important Dates

  • April 3, 2023 – Final self-study report and supporting evidence due to OCQAS
  • April to May 2023 – College stakeholder site visit preparatory meetings
  • Week of June 12, 2023 – CQAAP Site visit
  • July 24, 2023 – Preliminary audit report
  • August 21, 2023 – College response to preliminary audit report
  • August 31 – Final audit report submitted and signed by both OCQAS and DC
  • October to December – OCQAS Board CQAAP audit report approval
  • TBD – Publication of OCQAS Board approved CQAAP audit report
  • February to April 2025 – CQAAP 18-month follow-up report due to OCQAS