Major modifications

Major modifications are approved initially at the Department/School level and Faculty level (which includes the relevant Faculty Undergraduate or Graduate Committee and Faculty Council).

Subsequently, the major modification is submitted to Senate Undergraduate Council or Senate Graduate and Research Council which reviews the modification and makes a recommendation to Senate, and then it is finally approved by Senate. Graduate major modifications must be submitted using the required forms from Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs. 

It can also be challenging to tell whether a modification is a "new program", “major modification” or “minor modification.” The Quality Council has provided examples to help define what constitutes a “new program” versus a “major modification.” If there is uncertainty as to whether a change is major or minor, the program should contact the AQuE Office. The AVPA or AVPGSPA will be the final arbiter for decisions with regards to major modifications for undergraduate and graduate programs.

Major modifications are not subject to Quality Council (QC) approval; however, all major modifications are submitted annually and subject to review by the QC.

Does a particular major modification require student consultation?

Requires current student consultation before implementation. Does not require current student consultation before implementation but may require other data to support rationale.

  • A program name change is considered a major modification when it results in any of the following:

    • Changes to the learning outcomes
    • Changes to the degree nomenclature

  • A program name change may be classified as a major modification when the proposed name is similar to the name of another program and may impede its marketability.

  • Merger of two or more programs.
  • Significant changes to modes of delivery.
  • Changes to enrolment options.
  • Changes to the language of delivery.
  • Changes to the program learning outcomes that do not meet the threshold of a new program.
  • Changes to roughly 30% or more of the required courses.
  • Closures of programs, minors, diplomas, certificates, options, fields or specializations.
  • Addition of new options, minors, undergraduate diplomas, certificates, fields, or specializations.
  • Addition or closure of co-op option. Contact your Faculty Relations Manager.
  • Addition of new modes of delivery.
  • Addition of enrolment options.
  • Significant changes to faculty or resources.
  • Significant changes to admission requirements where it affects learning outcomes.
  • Joining an existing graduate collaborative program.
  • Creation of a new graduate collaborative program (although not considered a new program, Proposal Volume I will be required).
  • Creation of a new for-credit undergraduate diploma. (May be subject to Ministry of Colleges and Universities approval - contact IAP).
  • Creation of a new Type 1 GDip. Type 2 and 3 GDips are considered new programs and go through an expedited approval process.

*All name changes must be communicated to current students. For graduate programs only, all current students must be provided with an option to opt-in or out of the name change.

Is the change we are considering a major modification?

This is not an exhaustive list, and other curricular changes could also be considered major modifications. If you are unsure about whether your proposed change is considered a major modification, please consult the AQuE Office. See key contacts below. 

Major modifications checklist

  • Contact Institutional Analysis and Planning (IAP) to review the impact of the changes (e.g., enrolment, tuition, grant).
  • Contact Cooperative Education to conduct a Feasibility Study, if you are considering adding co-op or a work-integrated-learning experience.
  • Contact Centre for Teaching Excellence if you are considering learning outcome changes or anything that may require curriculum mapping or redesign.
  • Consult current students and recent graduates of the program.
  • Assess the impact the proposed modification will have on the program’s students.
  • Ensure the proposed modification is in alignment with the relevant program-level learning outcomes.
  • Provide a written rationale for the change that includes feedback from current students and recent graduates and addresses the impact on the program’s students.
  • Submit the rationale to Department/School for approval.
  • Submit the rationale to Faculty Undergraduate and/or Graduate Council for approval.
  • Submit the rationale to Faculty Council for approval.
  • Submit the rationale to SUC or SGRC for approval.
  • Secretariat submits the rationale to Senate for approval.

Key contacts

For assistance with the submission of undergraduate major modifications and all major modifications inquiries:

Maysah Eid, Quality Enhancement Coordinator – New Programs and Research, AQuE Office

For assistance with the submission of graduate major modifications:

Trevor Clews, Academic Officer, Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs