Modifications that do not meet the threshold of a major modification are considered to be minor.
These would minimally include: changes to an existing Emphasis, Option, or Minor Program; the creation of a new micro-credential(s); undergraduate certificate(s); and laddering, stacking or similar options or comparable elements. While these modifications do not need Quality Council (QC) appraisal and approval, the QC requires that the University of Waterloo details how the changes will be made and how the quality of such changes will be assured.
Minor modifications for-credit are approved at the Department/School level, Faculty level (including relevant Faculty Undergraduate or Graduate Committee and Faculty Council), and then subsequently approved at Senate Undergraduate Council or Senate Graduate and Research Council. Undergraduate Council or Senate Graduate and Research Council are empowered to approve minor changes on behalf of Senate, as per Senate Bylaw 2. Minor modifications are not subject to Quality Council review or reporting.
Minor modifications for non-credit or alternative credentials offerings such as micro-credential(s); and laddering, stacking or similar options or comparable elements are approved by an Alternative Credentials Approval Committee which is chaired by the AVPA. New offerings are submitted to this Committee for review and approval using a standardized template. The template requires that the offerings detail how they will solicit feedback from participants and provide a timeframe for ongoing evaluation. The Committee will review the report to assess indicators of the quality of the offering and will recommend steps taken to address any problems that are identified.
Minor modifications checklist
For-credit minor modifications require:
- Contact Institutional Analysis and Planning (IAP) to review the impact of the changes.
- Obtain Department/School approval.
- Submit to Faculty Undergraduate and/or Graduate Council for approval
- Submit to Faculty Council for approval.
- Submit to SUC or SGRC for approval.
Non-credit or alternative credentials require:
- Contact Institutional Analysis and Planning (IAP) to review the impact of the changes.
- Non-credit or alternative credentials, such as micro-credentials, are reviewed and approved by the Alternative Credentials Approval Committee.