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Create, revise or discontinue an academic program

The Associate Vice-President Academic Programs team provides advice on proposal development, recommended consultation, governance approval pathways, and timelines. Our goal is to make our approval process as streamlined as possible while fulfilling the requirements of Senate, Board of Governors, and Ministry.

Faculties and departments are encouraged to contact the Academic Programs team early via apasst@uvic.ca to seek guidance in the required processes. Graduate program proposals are coordinated in collaboration with the Faculty of Graduate Studies at fgscirc@uvic.ca.

The Senate Committee on Planning submits recommendations to Senate concerning proposals for the creation, revision or discontinuation of programs, faculties, schools, departments, centres and institutes, and major changes to existing programs. Download the latest meeting and submission dates, which includes deadlines for academic units seeking to create, revise or discontinue a program.

Self-paced online learning and resources

Academic Program Development, Changes and External Review

This Brightspace "course" offers information in the following areas:

Orientation to Academic Planning: This module will introduce you to the portfolio of the AVP, Academic Planning and engage you in discussion of key responsibilities and processes related to academic program development/revisions and quality assurance.

Program Development, Revisions & Curriculum Submission Processes: This module aims to orient Chairs/Directors and Associate Deans to curriculum submission, consultation/approval processes and timelines. 

External Review of Academic Units: This module outlines the external review process and key considerations for units engaging in an external review of program(s).

Create a new program

Creating a new academic program enhances our educational offerings and allows us to respond to changes in our disciplines and environment. We provide support and advice to faculties and departments that are considering creating a new degree program, certificate or micro-credential. There are many considerations, so the earlier you contact us via apasst@uvic.ca, the better. The Senate Committee on Planning submits recommendations to Senate concerning proposals for the creation of programs.

Template Guidelines
New undergraduate program template* Steps to create a new undergraduate program

Steps for Ministry-approval (degree programs)

New graduate certificate or diploma template* Steps to create a new graduate certificate or diploma
New graduate degree program template* Steps to create a new graduate degree program

Steps for Ministry-approval (degree programs)

New micro-credential template Steps to create a new micro-credential

*All program proposals require units to complete the IACE consultation template.

Units seeking to offer non-standard tuition for degree programs are required to complete the non-standard tuition template.

Revise a program

We provide support and advice to faculties and departments that are considering revising a program. There are many considerations, so the earlier you contact us via apasst@uvic.ca, the better. The Senate Committee on Planning submits recommendations to Senate concerning proposals for major modifications of existing programs. The following templates can help you understand some of the steps and requirements.

Template Guidelines
Revise an undergraduate program template Steps to revise an undergraduate program
Revise a graduate program template Steps to revise an graduate program

Discontinue a program

We provide support and advice to faculties and departments that are considering discontinuing a program. There are many considerations, so the earlier you contact us via apasst@uvic.ca, the better. The Senate Committee on Planning submits recommendations to Senate concerning proposals for the disestablishment of programs. The following templates can help you understand some of the steps and requirements.

Template Guidelines
Discontinue an undergraduate program template Steps to discontinue a program
Discontinue a graduate program template Steps to discontinue a program

Need support?

Faculties and departments are encouraged to contact the Academic Programs team early via apasst@uvic.ca to seek guidance in the required processes.