Program Development

The 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 by the Ministry of Advanced Education, and UBC’s broader academic goals. It also determines the program’s financial and operational viability for the Faculty and the institution.

Deliverables:

• Concept paper
• Identification of operational viability of program (This includes consultation with IT Services, Enrolment Services and Facilities)
• Identification of financial viability of program (This includes market research and feedback from the Provost Office and OPAIR)
• Program budget – this is based on a template to be 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.

Deliverables:

• Curriculum proposal package
• Senate required consultations
• Final program budget and accompanying 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 office.

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

Deliverables:

• Final curriculum proposal package
• Begin to plan for student consultation as per policy
• Begin to plan for program promotion and marketing
• See Senate proposal submission deadlines

For graduate programs—contact Enrolment Services at this point to start the CoGS online application process.

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 template

This step takes 6-8 months minimum

This step is not always required. The Office of the Provost can advise when this is required.

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: 

Effective May 2022, advertising of the program cannot take place until the program has received Ministry approval.

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)