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Curriculum Change Toolkit

Welcome to the Faculty of Health Curriculum Toolkit.

This page provides information resources for faculty proposing graduate and undergraduate curriculum in the Faculty of Science.

Proposals must be submitted to: hhadri@yorku.ca

Deadlines for Graduate

Graduate program calendars are published in the fall every year by the Faculty of Graduate Studies; for additions and changes to be included in the calendar, proposals must be fully approved by the end of the previous academic session (April 30).

Non-Major Modifications

Non-major modifications are curriculum proposals dealing with courses or less substantive changes to existing degree programs or certificates. New Course Proposals, Course Expiries, and Change to Existing Course proposals are reviewed according to the processes listed below. If you are unsure whether a change you want to propose is a major or non-major modification, please consult Chris Ardern, Associate Dean Research & Partnerships, at hhadri@yorku.ca for additional clarification. The York University Quality Assurance Protocol stipulates that, in ambiguous cases, the Office of the Vice-Provost Academic decides which proposal type and process proponents should follow.

  • Please note that Change to Existing Program proposals may require a curriculum map, as outlined by the York University Quality Assurance Procedures. GPAs/GPDs please refer to Kauli. See workflow for details.

Approvals

Graduate Process for changes to existing degree

  1. FGS acknowledges non-major modification.
  2. Department-level committee (Graduate Executive)
  3. Graduate Committee
  4. Faculty Council
  5. Academic Standards, Curriculum, and Pedagogy Committee (ASCP)
  6. Academic Policy, Planning and Research Committee (APPRC)

Graduate Goverance Process for new course proposals, changes to existing courses & retired courses

  1. Department-level committee
  2. FGS (for information, not formal approval)
  3. Graduate Committee
  4. Faculty Council

Graduate modification forms

  • New Course - Graduate (DOCX)
  • Change to Existing Course - Graduate (DOC)
  • Change to Existing Program - Graduate (DOC)
  • Curriculum Consultation - Graduate (DOCX)

Major Modifications & New Programs

Major modifications involve substantial changes to existing programs due to curricular renewal, program restructuring, program mergers and proposals for new programs. New Course Proposals, Course Expiries, and Change to Existing Course proposals are reviewed based on the processes below. If you are unsure whether a change you want to propose is a major or non-major modification, contact Chris Ardern, Associate Dean Research & Partnerships, at hhadri@yorku.ca for additional clarification.

The development of new programs follows the protocol for new program approvals as outlined in the York University Quality Assurance Process and also complies with the Quality Council’s Quality Assurance Framework.

Please visit the New Degree Program Approvals page for further details.

Please note that before proponents develop a full proposal for either a new program or new program with expedited approval, the Dean must first approve the proponent’s Notice of Intent (NOI) to develop a proposal.

Graduate Governance Process for New Programs and Closures

  1. Dean and VPA sign Notice of Intention (new programs)
  2. Unit-level approval of full proposal
  3. FGS acknowledges full proposal
  4. Graduate Committee
  5. Academic Policy & Planning Committee (Science)
  6. Faculty Council  
  7. Academic Standards, Curriculum & Pedagogy Committee (ASCP) 
  8. Academic Policy, Planning & Research Committee (APPRC) 
  9. Senate 
  10. Quality Council (PDF) (new programs)

The protocol for a program closure includes the closure of degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Examples of reasons for program closures include:

  • low enrolment
  • changes in academic programs
  • poor program quality whether articulated in cyclical reviews or determined solely by the institution.

Please visit the Program Closure  page for further details.

Major modifications to existing programs typically involve at least one of the following:

  • Significant changes to program requirements
  • Addition of a new major or specialization where a similar one exists at the undergraduate level.
  • Merger of two or more programs.
  • Significant changes to the learning outcomes of an existing program
  • Significant changes to the faculty complement delivering an existing program
  • Change to the essential resources of a program that impair its delivery.

Please visit the Major Modification: Templates and Guidelines page for further details.

GRADUATE GOVERNANCE PROCESS FOR CHANGE TO EXISTING PROGRAMS

  1. Dean and VPA sign Notice of Intent
  2. Unit-level approval of full proposal
  3. Graduate Education Committee
  4. Academic Policy and Planning Committee
  5. Faculty Council
  6. Academic Standards, Curriculum & Pedagogy Committee (ASPC)
  7. Academic Policy, Planning & Research Committee (APPRC)
  8. Senate

Questions?

Learn more about degree expectations, program learning outcomes and further resources by contacting the individuals below.

Contact

Chris Ardern, Associate Dean Research & Partnerships | hhadri@yorku.ca