Standard approval process
- Graduate diplomas follow the expedited approval process.
- Graduate collaborative programs, undergraduate diplomas, minors, and options are considered major modifications.
- Idea for new program.
- Consult with Dept/School and Dean for preliminary approval.
- Prepare Statement of Interest (SOI) and submit to AQuE office.
- Input from AQuE office and AVPA/AVPGSPA provided.
- Revise SOI if necessary.
- Draft Volume I.
- Dept/School approval.
- Submit to AQuE office.
- Revise Volume I with feedback received if necessary.
- AQuE office obtains AVPA/AVPGSPA approvals.
- Dean/FFO and IAP construct Financial Viability Analysis (FVA) and present to Provost.
- Provost approval.
- AQuE offices liaises with Department to finalize Volumes I, II, & III.
- Undergraduate or Graduate Sub-Committee approval.
- Faculty Council approval.
- External reviewers site visit
- Program's Response
- Dean's Response
- Provost reassessment (if necessary).
- AQuE office submits to SUC/SGRC for approval.
- Senate approval.
- Submit to Quality Council (QC) & MCU (ministry).
- QC approval (academic).
- MCU approval (tuition/grant).
- Program launches (first student intake).
- Follow-up report to QC, as indicated in approval.
- Progress report due (date to be determined by AQuE office and program at the time of approval).
- Enters cyclical review cycle.
What is a new program?
“A ‘new program’ is brand-new … [it] has substantially different program requirements and substantially different learning outcomes from those of any existing approved programs offered by the institution” – University of Waterloo IQAP.
Types of new programs include:
- Bachelor’s degree (e.g., BA, BSc)
- Major in an existing Bachelor's degree (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Zoology)
- Master’s or Doctoral degree (e.g., MA, MSc, PhD)
- Graduate Diploma (GDip)
- Type II – completed concurrently with graduate degree, requires additional academic units, usually interdisciplinary
- Type III – a stand-alone, direct-entry program aimed at post-degree or non-degree students
Each term, the Academic Quality Enhancement Office hosts an information session for any member of the campus community who is considering proposing a new program. To find out when the next info session will be held, please contact the AQuE Office or visit new program workshops.
Tips for success
Creating a new program can be an exciting venture, but it does involve a lot of hard work from start to finish.
To ensure the success of your new program launch, we recommend:
- attending the new programs workshops facilitated by the AQuE office;
- familiarizing yourself with the approval process and working backwards to ensure you meet your deadlines;
- reading the statement of interest and proposal document guidance carefully to ensure you fully address the requirements;
- setting internal deadlines and planning ahead to ensure no delays;
- reaching out to the AQuE office for any clarification or support needed, and;
- responding to comments and feedback in a timely manner.
