Academic units (e.g., departments, schools, faculties) typically initiate curriculum proposals when there is a clear academic, professional, or institutional rationale.
Common justifications
Academic quality and currency
- Keeping the curriculum up to date with advances in scholarship, technology, methods, or disciplinary standards.
- Addressing gaps or outdated content in existing courses or programs.
- Improving intellectual coherence or sequencing within a program (e.g., clearer learning progression from introductory to advanced courses).
Program review and assessment findings
- Responding to formal program review recommendations (internal or external).
- Using assessment evidence showing that learning outcomes are not being met as intended.
- Strengthening program viability, such as improving enrolment, retention, or graduate outcomes.
Equity, diversity, and inclusion
- Embedding inclusive perspectives and practices within the curriculum.
- Addressing systemic gaps or biases in content, pedagogy, or assessment.
- Expanding access for underrepresented or non-traditional student populations.
Student learning and experience
- Enhancing student learning outcomes, based on assessment data or accreditation feedback.
- Responding to student demand, interest, or feedback (e.g., requests for new topics, specializations, or delivery modes).
- Improving accessibility and flexibility, such as introducing online, hybrid, experiential, or interdisciplinary options.
- Reducing time to degree or unnecessary barriers to progression.
Strategic and institutional alignment
- Advancing institutional priorities or strategic plans, such as interdisciplinarity, Indigenous initiatives, experiential learning, or global engagement.
- Supporting new institutional initiatives, partnerships, or research strengths.
- Differentiating the institution or unit within a competitive higher education landscape.
Workforce, professional, and societal needs
- Alignment with labour market trends and employer expectations.
- Meeting professional or licensure requirements that have changed.
- Preparing students for emerging careers or societal challenges (e.g., sustainability, data literacy, equity, artificial intelligence).
Efficiency and sustainability
- Streamlining curriculum by eliminating redundant or low-enrolment courses.
- Reallocating resources more effectively, including faculty expertise and teaching capacity.
- Clarifying program requirements for students, advisors, and instructors.
Interdisciplinary and collaborative opportunities
- Creating interdisciplinary programs or courses that reflect complex real-world problems.
- Leveraging collaborations with other academic units, industry, or community partners.
- Supporting joint degrees, minors, certificates, etc.