Program Definitions Policy – March 15, 2018

Page 1 of 10

PROGRAM DEFINITIONS POLICY

Policy Type:

Academic

Initially

Approved:

October 26,

2007

Policy Sponsor:

Provost & Vice-

President,

Academic

Last

Revised:

March 15, 2018

Policy Contact:

Registrar & AVP

Enrollment

Management

Review

Scheduled: September 2025

Approver:

General Faculties Council

PURPOSE

The Program Definitions Policy governs the development and delivery of the curriculum for Mount

Royal's programs. In order to ensure that its programs are consistent with the standards of quality

for undergraduate education in Canada, Mount Royal University has established principles that

inform the development and delivery of its programs. It also has defined academic criteria that

certificate, diploma, applied degree and baccalaureate degree programs must satisfy.

SCOPE

This Policy applies to all credit programs at Mount Royal University. It also includes stipulations

around credit-free certificates, the University Entrance Option, and Open Studies.

POLICY STATEMENT

PRINCIPLES

1.1

Curriculum is developed in compliance with the guidelines set out by the Campus

Alberta Quality Council (CAQC).

1.2

Curriculum is informed by explicitly stated values of Mount Royal University.

1.3

All programs are planned and developed so that they incorporate effective principles

and processes of learning.

1.4

All programs explicitly identify graduate outcomes.

1.5

All degree, applied degree and diploma programs include core disciplinary or

professional studies as well as General Education and Electives.

1.6

All programs relate to theory to practice.

1.7

All Courses credited to a Mount Royal post-secondary credential must be post-

secondary level Courses. Courses or Course equivalents that are used to satisfy a

high school or senior matriculation requirement are not at a post-secondary level.

Program Definitions Policy – March 15, 2018

Page 2 of 10

PROGRAM DEFINITIONS

2.1

Program Core -- The Program Core is a set of prescribed Courses within a program

that defines the primary area of study or major. Courses taken to satisfy this

component of the program may not also be used to satisfy requirements in either of

the other categories.

The limits on Program Core/Major is specified below.

2.2

General Education -- General Education is the part of the curriculum shared by all

students that is primarily responsible for meeting the requirement for liberal

education. Courses taken to satisfy this component of the program may not also be

used to satisfy requirements in either of the other categories. Normally, General

Education constitutes a minimum of 10 courses from the total number of courses that

make up the program.

2.3

Options -- Options are defined course choices within the Program Core.

2.4

Electives -- Elective requirements can be satisfied with any university-level Course

that students choose without restriction (except for meeting Course prerequisites).

Normally, Electives constitute a minimum of four (4) Courses from the total number

of Courses that make up the program.

2.5

Course -- In the context of this Policy, a Course is interpreted to have a minimum

credit value of three (3). Courses with a credit value of less than three (3) must be

aggregated to meet a program requirement for the number of Courses.

2.6

Cognate Course -- In the context of this Policy, a Cognate Course is a Course from

outside a defined discipline which complements and enhances the breadth of

knowledge and skills found within the area of study.

2.7

Major -- A Major is a prescribed set of no less than 14 Courses or normally no more

than 26 Courses within a 40-Course program. The designation for Major will

normally appear on the transcript and the degree parchment.

a. Normally, a Major is comprised of Courses with the same discipline prefix.

b. Majors within an interdisciplinary program (i.e., one based on a combination and

integration of Courses) are comprised primarily of Courses with the same

discipline prefix but also include Cognate Courses.

2.8

Minor -- A Minor is comprised of no less than six (6) and no more than eight (8)

prescribed Courses (including approved Options). The designation for Minor will

appear on the transcript but not on the degree parchment.

2.9

Concentration -- A Concentration resides within the Major and represents an

increased focus on a particular area of study. A Concentration is comprised of no

less than six (6) and no more than 10 prescribed Courses (including approved

Options). The designation for Concentration will appear on the transcript but not on

the degree parchment.

2.10

Combined Degree -- A Combined Degree is a merger of two distinct degrees and

is based on a prescribed curriculum, typically negotiated between two faculties, and

approved by General Faculties Council.

2.11

'Degree After' -- A student who has accepted an offer admission to a second degree

at Mount Royal after being awarded a first is considered to be in a 'Degree After'

Program Definitions Policy – March 15, 2018

Page 3 of 10

arrangement. Considerations for residency, transfer credit will be part of the

institutional decision.

2.12

Joint Degree -- A Joint Degree allows a student from an institutional partner to

complete a portion of a Mount Royal degree as part of the program at their home

institution. Students admitted into a Joint Degree program receive a transcript that

reflects their admission into a Joint Degree program.

RESTRICTIONS

3.1

Minors/Double Minors

a. Minors must be constructed to ensure that students can complete them without

taking additional Courses outside of the Minor.

b. No more than 50% of Courses in a Minor can be at the 1000 level.

c. Minors must be constructed with a minimum of one (1) 3000-level (or above)

Course

d. No more than 50% of Courses, up to a maximum of four (4) Courses, can be

used to satisfy both the Minor and the Major/Concentration requirements.

e. Courses used to satisfy a General Education and/or Elective requirement can

also be used to satisfy a requirement for a Minor.

f. Students may pursue a maximum of two (2) Minors within a degree program.

g. No more than 50% of Courses used to satisfy the requirements for one (1) Minor

can be used to satisfy requirements for a second Minor.

3.2

Concentrations

a. Concentrations must be constructed with a maximum of three (3) 1000-level

Courses and a minimum of two (2) 3000-level (or above) Courses.

b. Courses used to satisfy Concentration requirements cannot be used to satisfy

General Education or Elective requirements.

c. Students may pursue a maximum of two (2) Concentrations within a Major,

provided the Concentrations do not have any Courses in common.

3.3

Double Majors

a. Discipline choices for a double major must be made within a single degree.

b. All core requirements for each Major must be satisfied in a manner approved by

the Dean.

c. All General Education requirements for the degree must be satisfied.

d. A maximum of four (4) General Education Courses can be used to satisfy the

program requirements for a Double Major.

e. Courses which satisfy an Elective requirement can be used to satisfy the

program requirements for a Double Major.

Program Definitions Policy – March 15, 2018

Page 4 of 10

3.4

Combined Degree

a. A Combined Degree program must be based on a minimum of 50 Courses (150

credits).

b. All General Education requirements for a single degree must be satisfied within

the combination unless an exception received General Faculties Council

approval.

c. A maximum of four (4) General Education (12 credits) Courses can be used to

satisfy the Program Core requirements for the Combined Degrees.

d. Courses which satisfy an Elective requirement can be used to satisfy program

core requirements within a Combined Degree without restriction.

3.5

Joint Degree

a. Joint baccalaureate degree programs must be based on a contractual academic

partnership between Mount Royal and a recognized institutional partner.

b. The terms of agreement for the academic partnership must specifically address

how the integrity of a Mount Royal credential will be maintained.

c. A Joint baccalaureate degree must consist of Courses in a minimum of two

categories: Program Corfe and General Education. The number of Courses in

each category must be specified in the agreement between Mount Royal and the

partner institution.

d. Curricular content is subject to approval by the General Faculties Council.

e. Notwithstanding Mount Royal’s residency policy, the contractual agreement

between Mount Royal and a partner institution may include provisions that are

contrary to current Mount Royal policy.

3.6

Time Limitation for Completion of Credentials

a. Normally, there is no time limitation for the application of credit toward a Mount

Royal credential for any Course completed at Mount Royal or at any recognized

accredited post-secondary institution.

b. Time limitations may be imposed if Course content is particularly time-sensitive.

Any such time limitations must be approved by the Dean of the appropriate

Faculty upon recommendation from the Chair.

c. All graduation requirements for a baccalaureate/applied degree must be

completed within eight (8) years of admission into the program.

d. All graduate requirements for a diploma or certificate must be completed within

six (6) years of admission into the program.

e. Any student who is unable to complete a credential within the stated time limits

will be removed from the program and be required to apply for readmission.

Program Definitions Policy – March 15, 2018

Page 5 of 10

CERTIFICATE CREDENTIALS

4.1

Credit Certificate

Programs offering this type of credential may include Program Core Courses,

Electives, and approved Options (minimum of 18 credits and six (6) Courses).

Generally, programs of this type will be from six (6) to 10 Courses in length and will

focus on professional development, post-diploma or post-baccalaureate education.

4.2

Certificate of Achievement

Given to acknowledge completion of an approved series of related credit Courses

(minimum of nine (9) credits and three (3) Courses. Generally, programs of this type

will be from three (3) to five (5) Courses in length and will focus on professional

development.

4.3

Credit-free Certificate

Programs offering this type of credential include at least three (3) required Program

Core Courses and in addition, there may be a series of Options from which a

specified number may be selected. Programs of this type must have a minimum of

60 instructional hours and individual Courses within the program will not usually be

less than 15 hours in length.

DIPLOMA PROGRAMS (effective Fall 2010)

All diploma programs must satisfy the following requirements:

5.1

Program Core Courses (no fewer than 12 courses or 36 credits) and approved

Options.

5.2

A minimum of five (5) General Education Courses as follows:

a. At least one (1) course must be from each of the four (4) General Education

thematic clusters at either the foundation or higher level.

b. One (1) of the five (5) Courses taken must be a foundation level General

Education Cluster Four Course.

5.3

No Level 30 equivalent or lower Course (or equivalents) shall be accepted in

fulfillment of a graduate requirement in an Option or Elective category.

5.4

Generally, diploma programs will have a minimum of 20 Courses (minimum of 60

credits) and a maximum of 24 Courses (maximum of 72 credits).

APPLIED DEGREE PROGRAMS

Applied degree programs will include or be supplemented by required experiential learning

courses (e.g., practicum, field work, directed field study, internship, or clinical placement).

Program Definitions Policy – March 15, 2018

Page 6 of 10

6.1

Applied Degree Program Duration

Applied degree programs require a minimum of 40, three-credit Courses and shall

not require more than 44 three-credit Courses (or equivalent).

6.2

Applied Degree Program Definition

a. Program Core

In addition to traditional classroom-based Courses, an applied degree must

include a minimum of 30 credits to be delivered through experiential learning,

which may be embedded in classroom-based Courses or other Courses.

b. General Education (effective Fall 2013)

Students registered in applied degree programs are required to take eight

(8) Courses identified as satisfying the General Education requirements.

ii.

Four (4) Courses will be taken at the foundation level: one (1) from each

of the General Education program’s four thematic cluster areas.

iii.

Four (4) Courses will be taken at the second or third tier: one (1) from

each of the thematic clusters.

c. Electives

An applied degree must include at least one (1) Course of a student’s choosing

without restriction.

BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

7.1

A baccalaureate degree is a Ministerally-approved program consisting of no less

than 120 credits that is comprised of a Program Core (including approved Options),

General Education and Electives, as outlined below. Because of accreditation

requirements, the number of Courses in the elements below may vary.

a. Program Core

Normally, the Program Core will not be more than 26 Courses within a 40-Course

program.

b. General Education

General Education requirements in a program will normally consist of 10

Courses.

ii.

Four (4) Courses will be taken at the foundation level: one (1) from each

of the General Education Program’s four (4) thematic cluster areas.

iii.

Three (3) Courses will be taken at the second tier: no more than one (1)

from each of the thematic clusters.

Non-BSc students must include a selection from the Numeracy and

Scientific Literacy cluster at Tier 2.

BSc students will make their Tier 2 selections from clusters other than

Numeracy and Scientific Literacy.

Program Definitions Policy – March 15, 2018

Page 7 of 10

iv.

Three (3) must be taken at the third tier, selected from at least two (2) of

the thematic clusters.

c. Electives

Normally, Electives constitute a minimum of four (4) Courses from the total

number of Courses that make up the program.

7.2

A maximum of 16 junior (1000-level) Courses may be used to satisfy requirements

for a baccalaureate degree.

7.3

A maximum of 24 Courses in any one discipline may be used to satisfy requirements

for a baccalaureate degree.

EXEMPTIONS FROM PROGRAM DEFINITIONS

In cases where there are demonstrable accreditation requirements that would necessitate an

exemption from the stated definitions, programs may apply to General Faculties Council for

a modification of the Program Definition requirements. Where such modifications are

necessary, they should be made while retaining as much of the normally prescribed Program

Definition requirements as possible.

UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE OPTION

The University Entrance Option is designed for students who intend to apply to another Mount

Royal program but may lack specified admission requirements or do not meet the competitive

admission average for the program. Admission to the University Entrance Option does not

guarantee subsequent admission to a Mount Royal program.

9.1

Students do not graduate from the University Entrance Option. This fact

distinguishes it from degree, diploma, and certificate programs.

9.2

A University Entrance student is not eligible to receive a Letter of Permission to take

a Course or Courses from other institutions.

9.3

Students can complete a maximum of 30 credits (normally ten (10) courses) as a

University Entrance student. This limit includes any credit Courses which the student

may have taken as an Open Studies student. The limit does not include credit-free

high school equivalency Courses.

9.4

Students who reach this limit and who have not been admitted into a Mount Royal

program will not be permitted to register in additional credit Courses and may not

apply to Open Studies. There is no appeal process to extend this limit.

10. OPEN STUDIES

Open Studies is intended to remove many of the significant barriers inherent in a competitive

admissions process thereby providing opportunities for a variety of students to pursue

academic Courses outside of certificate, diploma or degree programs.

10.1 Open Studies Duration

A student is allowed to earn a maximum of 30 credits (typically 10, three-credit

Courses) in Open Studies and/or in the University Entrance Option. Unlike degree,

Program Definitions Policy – March 15, 2018

Page 8 of 10

diploma and certificate programs, there is no time limitation associated with this

restriction.

10.2 Open Studies Definition

a. Students do not graduate from Open Studies. This fact distinguishes it from

degree, diploma and certificate programs.

b. An Open Studies student is not eligible to receive a Letter of Permission to take

a Course or Courses from other institutions.

c. Admission to Open Studies requires that students satisfy the English Proficiency

Requirement and have the requisite high school grades to satisfy Course

requirements.

d. The limitations on the number of Courses or credits a student can take in any

given semester does not differ from those applied to other students.

e. An Open Studies student does not have access to restricted Courses (i.e., those

reserved from program students).

11. WORKPLACE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

11.1 Experiential Learning Definitions

a. Credit workplace experiential learning courses are required for graduation from

a program of study.

Practicum – A Practicum is a credit Course that is closely linked to an

academic curriculum and managed by the originating department. The

length of the Course must be appropriate to the program and/or

requirements of an external accrediting body. Normally, students receive

no pay for a Practicum placement.

ii.

Clinical Placement – A Clinical Placement is a credit Course that is often

integrated with academic Course work although it can stand alone.

Clinical Courses are arranged in a specific clinical setting and are

managed by the academic department. Normally, students receive no pay

for a Clinical Placement.

iii.

Internship – An Internship is a credit Course that is managed by Career

Services and the academic department. Normally, students are paid for

an Internship.

iv.

Directed Field Study – A Directed Field Study is a credit Course typically

associated with an applied degree program and managed by Career

Services and the academic department. Normally, students are paid for a

Directed Field Study.

b. Credit-free experiential learning Courses can be compulsory (i.e., required for

graduation) or voluntary.

Co-operative Work Programs – Co-operative work programs are

accredited by the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education

(CACE). A Co-operative Work Program formally integrates academic

study with work experience at a participating employer’s work site(s)

Program Definitions Policy – March 15, 2018

Page 9 of 10

according to guidelines set out by CACE. Students are paid during a Co-

operative education program.

ii.

Work Experiences – Work experiences can be stand-alone Courses or

part of a series and are normally managed by Career Services and the

academic department. Typically, students are paid during a work

experience. Compulsory Work Experiences can be converted to Co-

operative Education Programs if that option is available in a particular

program.

11.2 Responsibilities

a. Each academic department is accountable for defining in policy and/or

procedure the roles and responsibilities of the department, employer (if

applicable) and student in a workplace experiential learning Course. Minimally,

the responsibility for assessment and assignment of grades must be specified.

b. Non-Availability of Work Placements

Exemption from placements will be granted if, due to economic variables or

unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of Mount Royal and/or the

student, there are not sufficient program-related placements available for the

student. In such a situation, a student may elect any of the following options:

a non-paid placement (as applicable);

ii.

an approved research project;

iii.

postponement of the placement until a later semester.

c. Labour Disruption

In the event of a labour dispute that results in work stoppage during a

student’s placement, Mount Royal will respect the picket line and will not

provide Course support provided the student is performing work normally

conducted by a striking employee.

ii.

In the event of a labour dispute that results in work stoppage prior to a

student’s placement, Mount Royal will not endorse the placement provided

the student would performing work normally conducted by a striking

employee.

DEFINITIONS

(1)

Policy:

means the Program Definitions Policy

(2)

University:

means Mount Royal University

RELATED POLICIES

•

Admission Policy

RELATED LEGISLATION

Program Definitions Policy – March 15, 2018

Page 10 of 10

RELATED DOCUMENTS

REVISION HISTORY

Date

(mm/dd/yyyy)

Description of

Change

Sections

Person who

Entered Revision

(Position Title)

Person who

Authorized

Revision

(Position Title)

05/12/2016

Structure of minors

and concentrations;

addition of CAQC

guidelines for

baccalaureate

degrees

1.1,2.8, 2.9, 3.1,3.2,

Director, University

Secretariat

as approved by

GFC

03/15/2018

Changes to UEO

requirements

University Secretary General Faculties

Council

01/29/2020

Editorial

Template Update

Policy Specialist

University Secretary