Program proposals

Dalhousie is committed to innovation and the continuous development of its programs. This requires a dynamic and efficient program proposal process —the phases and steps involved to create a new, or make changes to an existing, academic program.

Process

This process is part of Dalhousie's overall academic quality assurance framework, and is consistent with the expectations of the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission.

The Senate Academic Programs and Research Committee (SAPRC) oversees academic program approvals and quality assurance of academic programs. The academic quality assurance manager in the provost’s office guides undergraduate program proposals through the approval or modification process, and the Faculty of Graduate Studies supports graduate programs.

Download the Assessment of Program Proposals [PDF-69.3KB] for a visual overview of the new program and major modification approval process at Dalhousie.

Types of Program Proposals

There are five types of program proposals at Dalhousie:

1. New program or diploma

A proposal for a new degree, diploma, major or honours within an existing degree that leads to an exit credential and/or is the equivalent of 30-credits (or one full year of study) at the undergraduate level.

Access policies, procedures, and forms for new program or diploma proposals

2. Modifications

Modifications are proposed changes to an existing program or diploma. Modifications may be deemed major or minor depending upon the impact on the program.

Learn more about the process for major and minor program modifications

3. Suspension and/or termination of a program

A proposal can be made to suspend admissions to a program, or to permanently terminate a program.

Review the procedures for suspension or termination of a program.

4. Minor program

A proposal for a new, or significant changes to, an existing secondary area of study within an eligible degree. Suspensions and terminations of an existing minor are included in this proposal category.

Learn more about the minor program proposal process.

5. Certificates

A proposal for a new, or significant changes to, an existing certificate, as defined by the Maritime University Certificate and Diploma Framework. Suspensions and terminations of existing certificates are included in this proposal category.

Review the certificate proposal process.

Exclusions

The information under these categories concerns proposals or changes to academic programs including requirements, structure, curriculum, learning outcomes, and degree name.

Proposals of new, or changes to, existing program-level academic regulations (e.g., admissions, progression, etc.) follow a separate process unless they are being made in tandem with the former, in which case they can be proposed together.

For information on adding or changing program-level academic regulations, contact the senate.

senate@dal.ca 

Contact

Undergraduate programs

Courtney Sutton, academic quality assurance manager

For support with:

Undergraduate program proposals (including diplomas and certificates)
Senate approvals
External quality assurance (including the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission (MPHEC) and Atlantic Advisory Committee on Health Human Resources (AACHHR))
Submission of undergraduate proposals

courtney.sutton@dal.ca 902-494-7806

Graduate programs

Adam Donaldson, Associate Dean, Scholarships and Programs
Lori Lawton, Academic Planning and Quality Manager

Faculty of Graduate Studies

For support with:

Graduate program proposals (including diplomas and certificates)
Faculty of Graduate Studies committee procedures
Submission of graduate program proposals

fgs.curriculum@dal.ca

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