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PURPOSE

This Policy ensures curriculum proposals receive due consideration based on principles of
collegiality and recognition for discipline expertise. It is in place to ensure that all components of
ministry-approved programs are reviewed by appropriate parties and considered in a timely
manner.

SCOPE

This Policy applies to all curriculum changes and approvals for ministry-approved programs.

RESPONSIBILITY

It is the responsibility of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic to ensure these policies are
implemented and maintained as well as to ensure that there is appropriate communication with the
provincial ministry.

DEFINITIONS

This section outlines how the following terms are to be interpreted in the context of this policy.

(1)

Originator refers to the individual who enters the curriculum submission into the
Curriculum Proposal system. It is understood that the originator is doing so on behalf of a
Department or Faculty.

(2)

Submission refers to the form within the Curriculum Proposal system that captures the
necessary information for all levels of approval. This term may be used interchangeably
with ‘curriculum submission’ within this policy.

(3)

Department refers to the Department, Area, Centre or Program Area as determined by
the Faculty.

(4)

Curriculum Administrator refers to Registrar (or designate).

CURRICULUM

APPROVAL

POLICY

FOR

MINISTRY

APPROVED

PROGRAMS

Policy Type:

Academic

Initially
Approved:

October 1, 1995

Policy
Sponsor:

Provost & Vice-
President, Academic

Last
Revised:

November 24,
2023

Primary
Contact:

Registrar & AVP
Enrollment
Management

Review
Scheduled:

May 20, 2027

Approver:

General Faculties Council

(5)

Faculty Council refers to the deliberative body responsible for the affairs, and that
expresses the collective will of the Faculty.

(6)

Faculty Curriculum Committee refers to the body within each Faculty that evaluates
curriculum submissions on behalf of the Faculty Council.

(7)

Course refers to an academic unit of instruction normally valued as three (3) credits or
multiples of three (3) credits.

(8)

Credit refers to the unit of measurement that reflects student workload rather than contact
hours. Normally, nine (9) to twelve (12) hours of academic time and effort per week is
expected for three (3) credits, where academic time and effort would include class time
(e.g., lectures, labs, studios, tutorials, etc.), experiential or blended components and all
independent study (e.g., essays, assignments, readings, preparation, study, reflection,
etc.).

(9)

Recommend refers to when an administrative body reaches agreement through a review
process on the next action to be taken with a curriculum submission. This may include, but
is not restricted to, returning the submission to the Originator, tabling the submission for
further discussion or sending the submission to the next stage of the approval process.

(10)

Approve refers to the approval of a curriculum submission that is required for a submission
to proceed on the approval path. Authority for Final Approval rests with the final review
body in each approval path.

(11)

Letter of Intent refers to the form detailing a Faculty’s interest in proposing a new program,
suspension of a current program (temporarily or permanently),or a program termination
that requires ministerial approval.

(12)

Approval in Principle refers to institutional support for full curriculum development and
submission of curriculum to the provincial ministry.

(13)

Program Suspension refers to the institutional intent/decision to cease intake into and/or
delivery of a program for a specified period of time. Normally, this would be no longer than
eight academic years for a degree program or six academic years for a diploma or
certificate program.

(14)

Program Termination refers to the institutional intent/decision to permanently cease
delivery of a program and to remove the program from the provincial Provider and Program
Registry System (PAPRS).

APPROVAL PROCESSES OVERVIEW

The following overview outlines the administrative bodies that review submissions as well as the
order of review for each type of submission. More detailed information is contained in the
companion Curriculum Proposals User Guide available through the Curriculum Approval system.
Each administrative body reviews a submission and Recommends action unless otherwise noted.

(1)

New Programs

1.1

Mount Royal acknowledges and endorses all delegated new program approval
status criteria as outlined in the CAQC Handbook.

1.2

This is a request to create a new program that leads to a ministry-approved
program. There are three stages of approval for new programs:

(a)

Internal Approval in Principle

Development of the Letter of Intent (approved by the Dean of the
originating Department)

ii.

Letter of Intent (supported by by the Dean, University Library, Information
Technology Services, Financial Services and Risk Management,

Vice-

Provost and Associate Vice-President, Students

and Provost)

iii.

Chair of Faculty Curriculum Committee (recommend to 15-day
consultation period)

iv.

15-day consultation period (including Provost’ Council, Advisory
Committees and student and/or academic support units)

Faculty Curriculum Committee (recommend to Faculty Council)

vi.

Faculty Council (recommend to the Provost)

vii.

Provost (recommend to APCC)

viii.

APCC (recommend to GFC)

ix.

GFC (approval to advance to ministry)

Proceed to (b)

(b)

External Approval

Submit documents to ministry in accordance with ministry-approved
processes

ii.

Ministry (approve)

(c)

Final Internal Approval of Curriculum

Follow approval process for each curriculum type

(2)

Program Suspension

This is a request to suspend a ministry-approved program. This includes the suspension
of admission to a program temporarily or permanently.

Ministry Proposal Template drafted (approved by the Provost)

ii.

Chair of Faculty Curriculum Committee (recommend to 15-day
consultation period)

iii.

15-day consultation period

iv.

Faculty Curriculum Committee (recommend to Registrar)

Registrar (recommend to Faculty Council)

vi.

Faculty Council (recommend to APCC)

vii.

APCC (recommend to GFC)

viii.

GFC (approval to advance to ministry)

ix.

Ministry (final approval)

(3)

Program Termination

This is a request to terminate a ministry-approved program.

Ministry Proposal Template drafted (approved by

the Provost)

ii.

Chair of Faculty Curriculum Committee (recommend to 15-dayconsultation period)

iii.

15-day consultation period

iv.

Faculty Curriculum Committee (recommend to Registrar)

Registrar (recommend to Faculty Council)

vi.

Faculty Council (recommend to the APCC)

vii.

APCC (recommend to GFC)

viii.

GFC (approval to advance to ministry)

ix.

Ministry (final approval)

(4)

Major Program Changes

This is a request to substantially alter the curriculum of a program, to introduce a series of
minor changes that would have a significant collective impact on program delivery or to
change a program element that requires GFC approval as defined by the Post-Secondary
Learning Act.

Originator (creates and recommends to Chair or designate)

ii.

Chair or Designate (recommends to Curriculum Administrator))

iii.

Curriculum Administrator (recommends to Chair of Faculty Curriculum
Committee)

iv.

Chair of Faculty Curriculum Committee (recommend to 15-day
consultation period)

15-day consultation period (including Advisory Committees and student
and/or academic support units)

vi.

Faculty Curriculum Committee (recommend to the Registrar)

vii.

Registrar (recommend to the Faculty Council)

viii.

Faculty Council (recommend to APCC)

ix.

APCC (recommend to GFC)

GFC (final approval)

(5)

New Courses, Course Changes and Minor Program Changes

This is a request to create a new course, delete a course as a program requirement,
change a course or make a minor change to the core requirements of a program within the
originating Faculty.

Originator (creates and recommend to Chair or designate)

ii.

Chair/ or Designate (recommend Curriculum Administrator) to Chair of
Faculty Curriculum Committee or designate)

iii.

Curriculum Administrator (recommend to Chair of Faculty Curriculum
Committee)

iv.

Chair of Faculty Curriculum Committee (recommend to 15-day
consultation period)

15-day consultation period (including Advisory Committees and student
and/or academic support units)

vi.

Faculty Curriculum Committee (recommend to the Faculty Council)

vii.

Faculty Council (recommend to Registrar)

viii.

Registrar (final approval)

(6)

Editorial Calendar Change

This is a request to add, omit or amend general text within the academic calendar that is
not associated with academic regulations, that does not alter curricular content and that
does not impact a student’s ability to access or complete a course.

Originator (creates and recommends to Chair or designate)

ii.

Chair or designate (recommends to recommends Curriculum
Administrator)

iii.

Curriculum Administrator (recommends to Faculty Curriculum
Committee)

Faculty Curriculum Committee (recommend to the Registrar)

iv.

Registrar (final approval)

(7)

General Education Courses

This is a request to create a new GNED-prefixed Course or to provide a discipline-specific
Course with a GNED designation.

(a) GNED-Prefixed Courses

Originator (creates and recommends to Chair or designate)

ii.

Chair or designate from the Department of General Education
(recommends to Curriculum Administrator)

iii.

Curriculum Administrator (recommends to Chair of University General
Education Curriculum Committee)

iv.

Chair of University General Education Curriculum Committee
(recommend to 15-day consultation period)

15-day consultation period (including Advisory Committees and student
and/or academic support units)

vi.

University General Education Curriculum Committee (recommend to the
Faculty Council)

vii.

Teaching & Learning Faculty Council (recommend to Registrar)

viii.

Registrar (final approval)

(b) Discipline-Specific Courses for GNED Designation

Originator (creates and recommends to Chair or designate)

ii.

Chair or designate (recommends to Curriculum Administrator)

iii.

Curriculum Administrator (recommends to Chair of Faculty Curriculum
Committee)

iv.

Chair of Faculty Curriculum Committee of the Originating Department
(recommend to 15-day consultation period)

15-day consultation period (including Advisory Committees and student
and/or academic support units)

vi.

Faculty Curriculum Committee of the Originating Department
(recommend to the Faculty Council)

vii.

Faculty Council of the Originating Department (recommend to University
General Education Curriculum Committee)

viii.

University General Education Curriculum Committee (recommend to
Registrar)

ix.

Registrar (final approval)

15-Day Consultation Period

(1)

With the exception of Editorial Calendar Changes, a 15-day consultation period is
required for all curriculum submissions made between August 15 and May 15. All Chairs,
Deans, members of Faculty Curriculum Committees, and members of APCC can provide
feedback during this period. The last day of the academic year to submit a curriculum
submission to the 15-day consultation period is May 1.

(2)

With the exception of Editorial Calendar Changes, curriculum submissions can still be
submitted for consultation between May 2 and August 14. Any submissions submitted on
or between May 2 and August 14 will have a consultation deadline of September 1.

(3)

The Originator is responsible for reviewing feedback provided during the consultation
period and resolving any formal objections with the provider of the feedback.

(4)

If an objection cannot be resolved between these two parties, the Originator must forward
the concern and objection to the Chair of APCC for resolution.

(5)

If the Originator and the provider of the feedback are within the same Faculty, the Chair of
the Faculty Curriculum Committee will forward the concern via email along to the Dean (or
designate) of that Faculty for resolution.

(6)

The Originator should outline the objector’s concern, as well as the Originator’s response
to the objection, including all pertinent rationale.

(7)

The Chair of APCC will communicate the outcome of APCC’s decision or advise of any
additional requirements for information to the Originator and the objector of the submission.

ROLES, RESPONSIBILITY AND AUTHORITY

(1)

Originator is responsible for:

(a)

determining the appropriate approval path;

(b)

consulting with the appropriate individuals or groups;

(c)

identifying and assessing potential impacts on programs/courses outside of the
Faculty;

(d)

completing all curriculum proposal forms;

(e)

ensuring that the information contained in the submission is accurate and
complete; and

(f)

reviewing feedback collected during the consultation period and resolve formal
objections to a submission.

(2)

Curriculum Administrator is responsible for:

(a)

ensuring that a submission is following the appropriate approval path.

(3)

Department Chair (or designate) is responsible for:

(a)

ensuring that a submission has been approved prior to the consultation period
and prior to the Faculty Curriculum Committee’s review of the submission;

(b)

supporting the Originator in the full completion of all relevant forms;

(c)

assessing departmental impacts; and

(d)

making recommendations to the Faculty Curriculum Committee when required.

(4)

Advisory Committees, when in place and when appropriate, are responsible for:

(a)

reviewing and advising the Dean with respect to new programs, program
suspensions and/or deletions within its specific program area;

(b)

reviewing and advising the Dean with respect to new courses, course deletions
and/or program changes; and

(c)

providing recommendations to the Faculty Council (where applicable).

(5)

Chair of Faculty Curriculum Committee is responsible for:

(a)

ensuring curriculum submissions are complete and following the correct approval
path in accordance with recommendations from the Registrar; and

(b)

initiating the 15-day consultation period.

(6)

Faculty Curriculum Committees are responsible for:

(a)

reviewing all curriculum submissions;

(b)

assessing student impact, student input, cross impact, Library impact and
Information Technology impact statements; and

(c)

recommending submissions in accordance with the associated approval path.

(7)

University General Education Curriculum Committee is responsible for:

(a)

reviewing all curriculum submissions for GNED prefix courses and courses
requesting or changing GNED designation;

(b)

assessing student impact, student input, cross impact, Library impact and
Information Technology impact statements;

(c)

assessing course criteria for determination of cluster goals;

(d)

ensuring all submissions are complete and accurate;

(e)

revalidating courses within the GNED inventory;

(f)

recommending submissions in accordance with the associated approval path;
and

(g)

approving discipline-specific courses for additions and deletions to the General
Education inventory.

(8)

Faculty Councils are responsible for:

(a)

reviewing all curriculum submissions;

(b)

ensuring all submissions are complete and accurate;

(c)

ensuring all potential impacts have been addressed;

(d)

recommending submissions in accordance with the associated approval path;
and

(e)

reviewing and approving New Courses, Course Changes, and Minor Program
Changes.

(9)

Dean/AVP (or designate) is responsible for:

(a)

ensuring that all curriculum submissions are reviewed by the Faculty;

(b)

identifying and assessing overall content, budget implications and cross impacts
within the Faculty;

(c)

ensuring that potential impacts on programs/courses outside of the Faculty have
been addressed;

(d)

provide Advisory Committee recommendations to applicable departments;

(e)

initiating the 15-day consultation period (for Letters of Intent only);

(f)

resolve any formal objections collected during the consultation period that remain
unresolved between two parties within the same faculty;

(g)

approving submissions on behalf of the Faculty Council; and

(h)

responsible for ensuring completion and accuracy of program and curriculum
changes submitted to the ministry and CAQC.

(10)

Registrar is responsible for:

(a)

approving Editorial Calendar Changes;

(b)

ensuring all submissions are complete and accurate;

(c)

reviewing all proposals to ensure their conformity with Calendar standards,
including terminology, format, completeness of information, and accuracy;

(d)

ensuring consistency with institutional admission requirements;

(e)

ensuring conformity of course and program credit assignment with established
policies and ministry guidelines;

(f)

managing transfer credit agreements;

(g)

ensuring consistency with course and program prerequisites;

(h)

addressing all other issues that may fall within the jurisdiction of the Office;

(i)

maintaining the records of all approved changes to the credit curriculum;

(j)

submitting program and curriculum changes, along with required documentation,
to the provincial ministry and CAQC through PAPRS; and

(k)

recommending submissions in accordance with the associated approval
path.

(11)

Academic Programs and Curriculum Committee is responsible for managing its affairs
in a manner consistent with pertinent by-laws outlined in the General Faculties Council By-
laws. In reviewing curriculum submissions, this committee is responsible for:

(a)

policies and procedures for mounting, implementing, evaluating and deleting
courses and programs;

(b)

the conformity of courses and programs to the University's formal statements of
goals and objectives;

(c)

reviewing and providing feedback for curriculum submissions within the 15-day
consultation period;

(d)

resolving any formal objections collected during the consultation period that
remain unresolved between two parties in different faculties; and

(e)

making recommendations to General Faculties Council.

(12)

General Faculties Council is responsible for managing its affairs in a manner consistent
with the General Faculties Council By-laws. With respect to curriculum submissions,
General Faculties Council is responsible for:

(a)

reviewing the recommendations of the Academic Programs and
Curriculum Committee;

(b)

reviewing and approving New Programs, Program Suspensions, and Program
Terminations for submission to the provincial ministry;

(c)

reviewing and approving Major Program Changes; and

(d)

through the Secretary to the General Faculties Council, ensuring that the
Registrar is notified of all approved submissions.

RELATED LEGISLATION

● Post-secondary Learning Act

REVISION HISTORY

Date

(mm,dd,yyyy)

Description of
Change

Sections

Author

(Position Title)

Approver

10 15 2015

Revision of approval
process, roles &
authorities

D., E., F.

Vice-Provost and
Associate
Vice-President,

Students

GFC

05-20-2022

Major Revisions

D, G

University Registrar

GFC

11-24-2023

Minor revisions

E 1.1

Academic Quality
Assurance Coordinator

GFC