Department and/or faculty approvals
Once the proposal form is completed (preliminary consultations undertaken, all information requirements satisfied, etc.) it must be approved by the relevant department or school body, followed by faculty-level approval (typically Faculty Council or equivalent) and endorsed to proceed.
Department / faculty-level review of proposals
(Please note: These criteria are also listed under the first column of the Assessment of Program Proposals document).
- Priorities for new and modified programs (department and faculty priorities).
- How new/modified programs align with institutional strategic priorities.
- Appropriate curriculum/ degree structure for the field of study.
- Identify department/faculty-level challenges and develop solutions.
- Responses to recommendations from previous committees and academic support units.
- A description of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives within the host faculty/department, and any elements within the program which are contributing to improved EDI in curriculum or within the institution.
- Verify syllabi comply with the university Syllabus Policy.
- Ensure all elements on the checklist on the MPHEC form have been included with the proposal package and development procedures have been followed.
- Approve proposals to proceed to the Faculty of Graduate Studies or Senate.
Final Review by academic support units
- Following faculty-level approval of the proposal, please circulate (via email) the proposal for review to each academic support unit consulted as part of this process.
- Each unit will issue a letter of support to confirm that a review has been undertaken based on the criteria outlined in the Rationale for Review and Information Requirements for Academic Support Units and that the proposal meets minimum expectations. These statements are taken into consideration as part of the review and approval of proposals and should be included in the final submission. Make sure to include your completed tracking sheet for academic support units.
- Review time may fluctuate based on the time of year and the number of proposals in circulation. Ensuring early consultations have occurred and all information requirements have been met expedites the review process.
- If review by any academic support unit results in additional considerations or resource requests, this should be clearly addressed and/or resolved prior to proceeding to the next step in the approval process. This may require additional consultations with the dean, provost and/or Financial Services, as appropriate.
- For proposals that require AACHHR approval: please submit the appropriate form to the academic quality assurance manager once Financial Services has completed their review.
Summary of phases II and III
- Satisfy form/information requirements.
- Early consultation with academic support units.
- Other considerations including stakeholders and planning.
- Department/school approval.
- Faculty approval.
- Submission to academic support units for final review