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Viewing: Curriculum Development and Approval

Last approved: Wed, 22 Nov 2023 00:28:43 GMT

Last edit: Wed, 22 Nov 2023 00:28:42 GMT

 

Academic
Curriculum Development and Approval
410
November 18, 2018
November 18, 2018
October 28, 2015
November 2023
Board of Governors and Education Council Jointly
Vice President Academic & Applied Research
Education Policy Committee
Policy Coordinator

Policy

Does this policy have procedures?
Yes

Procedures

References and Resources

 
Term Description
Approval The process in CIMS whereby the designated individual (“approver”) has read and comprehends the information and assumes responsibility for the proposed curriculum. Approvals are what keep the workflow process moving through governance. Each proposal must successfully move through each stage of the approval process before moving forward to the next stage in the process.
Business Case Represents the financial case for a new program, and includes expected revenue, tuition and fees. The Business Case falls within the jurisdiction of the Board of Governors as part of its obligation to manage, administer and control the proper, revenue, expenditures, business and affairs of the institution.
Concept Paper The information that helps conceptualize, plan, and project the outcomes and costs of a new program. It is completed by the Curriculum Developer, Department Leader and Dean/Director in consultation with the Vice President, Academic & Research; Executive Director, Finance & Chief Financial Officer; and the Vice President, Administration & International Development. It includes a Business Case.
Consultation The process to ensure that in the development of curriculum, deliberate feedback is sought from internal and external stakeholders, and thoughtful feedback is received and considered in a timely manner. Deans/Directors and Department Leaders are responsible for ensuring appropriate consultation takes place.
Curriculum Inventory Management System (CIMS) VCC’s online curriculum development and approval system that allows developers to create or edit programs and courses, and electronically submit them into the governance approval process.
Course Form The outline that contains the essential features of a course, such as: the course name and number, credits, course description, prerequisites, course learning outcomes, instructional strategies, and student evaluation methods.
Curriculum Developer The lead in creating/revising the curriculum for a program or course and the main person preparing the curriculum documentation. This is typically an instructor or Department Leader.
Curriculum The planned sequence of instruction for a program or course. Curriculum comprises learning outcomes, teaching and learning methodology, and strategies for assessing and evaluating student learning.
Degree Quality Assessment Board (DQAB) An independent advisory board appointed by the Minister of Advanced Education that oversees the quality assurance process for degree level education in British Columbia.
Effective Date The month and year the program/course will first be taught after governance approval.
Governance A prescribed process that identifies who has the primary and/or advisory responsibility for select decisions at various stages of the curriculum approval process. The College and Institute Act defines the governance bodies at VCC as the Board of Governors and Education Council. The Board Finance and Audit Committee and EDCO’s Curriculum Standing Committee are also governance bodies at VCC.
New Program A new credential or significant and extensive changes to a program, where these changes impact the nature or overall direction of a program. Education Council makes the final determination whether proposed changes to an existing program are substantial enough to qualify as a new program.
Post-secondary Institution Proposal System (PSIPS) A Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training process that includes a web-based system designed to manage and support the post-secondary submission and review of degree and non-degree diploma programs, or a certificate that leads to a diploma.
Program Content Guide The program outline that contains the general description of a program of study, such as: the program name, program purpose, number of credits, program duration, a statement of program learning outcomes, admission requirements, grading system, a list of courses, instructional strategies, information on the evaluation of student learning, and the credential received upon completion of the program.
Minor Revision Changes to curriculum that have limited impact on a course or program. Minor revisions have an expedited path through the governance process.
New Course A course that has never been offered before at VCC. A new course may be part of an existing program or may be a replacement course that is equivalent to the course it replaces.
New Program Implementation Plan This document is completed during the development of the curriculum for a new program. It contains a series of guiding questions to help identify elements required for the successful implementation of a new program. Many of the questions will help the completion of the Tuition Costing Plan that must be completed with Finance prior to a program being approved. This completed document must be submitted to Curriculum Committee along with the curriculum documents.
Standalone Course A course that is not a part of an existing program.
Substantial Revision Changes to a program’s curriculum and/or delivery that result in increased costs of running the program.
Workflow The online approval stages in CIMS that are part of the governance process. Workflow varies depending on the type of proposal being put forward, such as a minor change, new program, non-credit Continuing Studies course. The workflow is initiated by the curriculum designer or Department Leader.
VCC Policies Policy Number
Admissions 301
Assignment of Credit to Courses 413
Educational Affiliations 407
Flexible Admissions 302
Grading, Progression and Withdrawal 411
Granting of Credentials 412
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition 316
Program Advisory Committee 404
Program Review and Renewal 403
Suspension and/or Discontinuance of Programs 414
Provide links to all supporting documents. These may include links to Appendices, Forms, Guidelines, Handbooks, Standards or other departmental or College resources that support the implementation of this policy and/or procedures.
Are there appendices for this policy?
No
 
Are there associated forms?
No
 
Are there supporting internal documents?

 

Rationale and Additional Information

Does this change require an implementation plan?
No

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. DO NOT EDIT. These fields are not required for governance approval.

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