New program idea
The Academic Quality Enhancement (AQuE) office offers workshops about the new program process twice per year. The workshops provide a high-level overview of the approval process of a new program and the documents involved.
In these workshops you will:
- Understand the approval process of new programs and the related timeline;
- Distinguish between standard and expedited approvals;
- Become familiar with key documents required and their main components;
- Gain insight on how to prepare for the approval of a new program successfully;
- Identify key contacts that can assist you in the process.
For information on new programs workshops, contact: Tawnessa Carter - Quality Enhancement Coordinator, New Programs
Draft a Statement of Interest (SOI)
The Statement of Interest (SOI) provides the AQuE office with enough information to easily understand the new program being proposed. Statements of Interest (SOIs) are accepted twice each year, generally during the fall and winter terms. Submission deadlines will be published on this page and on the New Programs homepage when finalized.
The SOI accomplishes the following:
- Provides an overview of the new program including its focus, the learning outcomes (i.e., UDLEs or GDLEs) for the program and the factors that prompted the decision to create a new program.
- Discusses how the new program will be different from and complementary to existing programs in terms of learning outcomes.
- Describes how the program will benefit students.
- Describes the credential offered and proposed structure and format of the new program, including whether the program will be offered as a co-op program, a regular program, or both; whether the program will be available full-time or part-time; and online or on-campus, etc.
- Proposes a suggested start date for the program and projected enrolment (i.e., Canadian vs. International).
- Proposes a tuition rate (i.e., will the program charge an existing tuition rate).
- Identifies any resource requirements (e.g., new faculty or staff positions, renovations and/or new space, development of online courses, etc.).
The SOI requires endorsement by the appropriate Associate Dean (undergraduate or graduate) and the Dean prior to submission.
Submit SOI to the Academic Quality Enhancement office
The AQuE office has a team of expert staff that review the document and may suggest revisions for clarity or flag items that may create barriers to approval. Revisions to the SOI may be required before proceeding to the next step.
UW community feedback
The SOI will be posted to the Associate Vice-President, Academic website for UW community feedback for approximately one month.
Community engagement provides the campus community with an opportunity to provide feedback and suggestions on all statements of interest. This can provide useful input for program proponents, information to the Academic Program Advisory Committee (APAC) about similar ideas in development, and may create opportunities for collaboration and strategic alignment.
Academic Program Advisory Committee (APAC) approval
The Academic Programs Advisory Committee (APAC) is responsible for reviewing Statements of Interest and recommending those that demonstrate strong potential for success and alignment with the university's strategic priorities to the Provost. SOIs that are not approved may be reconsidered or pursued at a later date.
Provost provisional approval
The Provost reviews and provisionally approves SOIs that can proceed to the proposal phase.