Program Development

This duration of this step varies greatly depending on the proponent and their Faculty

The purpose of this step is to determine the program’s fit with UBC’s mandate and UBC’s broader academic goals. It also determines the program’s financial viability for the Faculty and the institution.

Deliverables:

• Concept Paper (preliminary)
• Viability of program assessment (preliminary) – this template is completed in conjunction with the Faculty Financial Manager

This step can take up to 2 months

Follow your Department and Faculty’s internal process of approval. An early consultation with Enrolment Services, the Centre for Teaching and Learning and the College of Graduate Studies (if appropriate) is suggested.

Deliverables:

• Consultation with the Centre for Teaching and Learning
• Consultation with Enrolment Services
• Consultation with the College of Graduate Studies
• Draft of Curriculum proposal package
• Senate Required Consultations
• Final viability of program assessment
• Curriculum Budget Impact Form

This step can take up to 2 months

Following Faculty approval the proposal moves through the required Senate committees with the assistance of the Senate Secretariat.

Simultaneously, the proponents can begin planning for the student tuition consultation process and start working with the recruitment and marketing teams.

Deliverables:

• Complete curriculum proposal
• Plan for student consultation policy
• Plan for program promotion and marketing
• Curriculum budget impact form
• Senate proposal submission deadlines

For graduate programs: Contact Enrolment Services at this point to start CoGS online application process

BOARD OF GOVERNORS APPROVAL

This step takes 3 months minimum

Following Senate approval, the Senate will forward the curriculum proposal* for the Board of Governors’ approval.

Simultaneously, the Provost’s Office will forward the Student Tuition Consultation Report* for the Board of Governors’ approval.

*Please note that the Board of Governors needs to approve both the curriculum proposal and the tuition pieces at the same time.

Deliverables:

• Student consultation report (Click here to see a template)

MINISTRY APPROVAL

This step takes 6-8 months minimum

This step is required for new degree programs and is not required for Diplomas and Certificates Proposals.

Upon the Board of Governors’ approval, the Provost Office works with the proponent to finalize the Stage 1 Form (and any other Ministry required forms) and forwards the proposal to the Ministry of Advanced Education for approval. The Provost Office will advise proponents of ministerial approval once it has been granted.

Recruitment: 

Advertising of the program on the Faculty website can take place with the disclaimer that the program is subject to Ministry approval. Faculties may collect “expressions of interest” from potential applicants, but no other recruitment can take place (including posting tuition rates) until the program has been approved by Ministry.

Deliverables:

• Stage 1 Form (Ministry application including Senate approval and BoG approval)

After receiving final approval for a program, program proponent(s) will need to:

• Inform the Student Recruitment and Advising Office (Leanne.Isaak@ubc.ca)
• Inform the International Student Initiative Office (Susan.Allan@ubc.ca)
• Inform the communications manager/coordinator of the unit
• Submit a SIS Configuration Request (if applicable)