Q: What is programmatic accreditation?

A: In Jamaica, at this time, the UCJ registers tertiary institutions that meet the very strict standards set to address the needs of students pursuing higher education. Program-matic accreditation is a stamp of approval indicating that the systems - including critical aspects such as governance, management, physical and human resources, curriculum, qualified faculty and examination processes- are at the required standard.

Q: Which degree programmes offered by the University College of the Caribbean (UCC) have been accredited by the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ)?

A: Under the parent institutions, IMP- and IMS- (Institute of Management and Production and the Institute of Management Sciences) accredited programmes were offered. When these institutions merged to form UCC in 2004, the new entity first needed to seek and obtain registration status from the UCJ. UCC received registration status in 2007, having met the operating standards required for the conduct of quality tertiary education in Jamaica.

The next step was to seek accreditation for new programmes and reaccreditation for the others. In May 2008, UCJ granted accreditation status to UCC's bachelor of science degree in human resource management with accreditation being granted in July 2009 for the associate degree in business administration.

On December 4, 2009, official word came from UCJ that all the following programmes were also accredited:

BSc degree in business administration

BSc degree in marketing

BSc degree in information technology

ASc degree in management information systems

Q: What is the real significance to UCC to have accredited programmes?

A: One such benefit is that government employees who study with us will be able to receive financial assistance from the government to study at UCC.

Students will now be able to receive financial aid from the Students' Loan Bureau, as it does not fund studies at institutions that are not listed as having accredited programmes.

Students who have been denied promotion at government agencies, because their programmes of study were not yet accredited, may now be eligible to receive their promotions and any increments due.

Graduates will now become more marketable to prospective employers, locally and overseas.

It is also now much easier for graduates to transfer credits and articulate into any master's degree programmes offered by other local or international universities.