Undergraduate Program Approvals
Proposals for new undergraduate programs require approval by the Council on Post-Secondary Education (COPSE).    The unit proposing the new program should refer to the below for information on the program approval process as well as to access the required documentation needed to put forward a program proposal.

Note that all new undergraduate program proposals should initially be discussed with the Vice-Provost (Academic Planning & Programs).  Should you have any questions regarding the proposal of new programs, please contact Dr. David Collins, Vice-Provost (Academic Planning & Programs).

Stage 1: Preliminary Proposal
This stage should involve broad consultation with the faculty and interested / affected parties (i.e. professional, business, community and student groups, and government).  The unit proposing the program should meet informally with the Vice-Provost (Academic Planning & Programs) to discuss the proposal process.  Informal discussions at this stage may also involve COPSE. 

Stage 2: Statement of Intent
This stage involves the development of a formal Statement of Intent outlining the proposed program as well as gathering feedback on the proposed program.

  1. Completion of a Statement of Intent (SOI) for subsequent submission to COPSE by the Vice-Provost (Academic Planning & Programs).  The completed SOI should be signed by the budget Dean, and forwarded to the Vice-Provost in both hardcopy and electronic form.
  2. University Consultation: the Vice-Provost will circulate the SOI for undergraduate programs to all Deans and Directors for information and review.  Subsequent feedback will be provided to the initiating Faculty / School and may result in changes to the initial document.
  3. Submission to COPSE: the Vice-Provost will submit the final SOI to COPSE, with copies provided to Senate and the Board of Governors, for information1.  COPSE will provide formal notification of 'approval to proceed' to a Full Program Proposal (FPP); however, approval to proceed at this stage does not signal Council's ultimate approval of, or funding for the program.

Stage 3: Formal Program Proposal
Assuming COPSE approval to proceed, work will then commence on developing a Formal Program Proposal and having the proposal approved through the appropriate levels of governance.

  1. University Consultation: preliminary discussions with the Office of the University Secretary to clarify the Senate Committee on Curriculum & Course Changes (4Cs) and the Senate Planning and Priorities Committee (SPPC) approval process would be advisable at this stage, as well as broad consultation with all interested / affected parties within and external to the University.  Where the proposal impacts on other faculties and departments, full consultation with that faculty is required, and a letter of support requested of the respective heads(s) of department(s) and dean(s).
  2. Completion of a Formal Program Proposal (FPP): the FPP template should be completed by the proposing faculty.  Once completed, the FPP must be reviewed by the relevant Faculty / School Council(s) and signed by the budget Dean(s), then submitted to the Vice-Provost (Academic Planning & Programs) and the University Secretary, in both hardcopy and electronic forms.  The FPP must include a completed SPPC Program Proposal Budget Form and a statement from the Department / Faculty as to how the proposed program addresses one or more of the SPPC's criteria for assigning priority to new programs / initiatives (click here for more details on criteria for assigning priority).
  3. Senate Approval: the University Secretary will forward the FPP to 4Cs and / or SPPC for review.  Once these reviews are successfully completed a recommendation from these committees will be forward to the Senate Executive Committee who will make a recommendation to Senate.  Note that the Senate Executive Committee, under special circumstances, may choose to refer the proposal to additional Senate Committee(s) for review. Assuming the FPP passes through the review process without major revision, the Senate approval process will take a minimum of 12 months.  Please refer to the 'Meeting Schedules' on the University Governance website for access to meeting schedules to facilitate planning.
  4. Board of Governors Approval: subject to Senate approval, the proposal will be forwarded to the Board of Governors for consideration.
  5. COPSE Submission Process: once considered by the Board of Governors, the FPP will be submitted to COPSE by the Vice-Provost (Academic Planning & Programs)2.  At this stage, Council may withhold approval, or provide approval to proceed with, or without the allocation of additional funding.

Stage 4: Final Approval
Final approval for the implementation rests with the Provost. Subject to approval, the relevant Dean(s) will receive a formal notification addressing implementation, subsequent review/reporting requirements, and budgetary information.  In the event that approval to proceed has been provided without a funding allocation, the Provost will meet with the relevant budget Dean(s) to review the viability of program implementation.  Note that COPSE will require progress reports on program implementation as part of their annual estimates process for two (2) years post-approval;  these reports will be requested annually by the Vice-Provost (Academic Planning & Programs).

  

 

1. The letter of submission from the Vice-Provost (Academic Planning & Programs) should be carbon copied to the President, the University Secretary, the Registrar, the dean of the submitting Faculty / School and the Director of Institutional Analysis. The full SOI will be provided to the University Secretary for submission to Senate and the Board of Governors.
  
2. The letter of submission from the Vice-Provost (Academic Planning & Programs) should be carbon copied to the President, the University Secretary, the Registrar, the Dean of the submitting Faculty / School and the Director of Institutional Analysis.