What is a Major Modification?
Major Modifications are substantial changes to an existing program, usually creating new choice or experience for students but not so considerable as to qualify as a new program, and include:
- Significant changes to a Program's Requirements
- Significant changes to the Learning Outcomes
- Significant changes in Modes of Delivery and/or to essential resources
Examples of Major Modifications – of what normally will constitute a significant change:
- Termination of a Degree Program
- Change to the name of a Degree Program Specialization
- New Graduate Collaborative Specialization, Undergraduate Diploma, Certificate Program, Specialization, Option, Minor
- New Articulation Agreements for college diploma graduates
- New Study Abroad opportunity in an undergraduate program
- Establishment of an existing degree program at another institution or location
- Change in program from primarily full-time to primarily part-time, or vice versa
- Major changes to courses comprising a significant portion of the program, typically more than one third of the total program
- Introduction or deletion of an undergraduate work experience, a co-op option, an internship or practicum, a portfolio, an undergraduate thesis or capstone project
- Introduction or deletion of a Masters research project, research essay or thesis, course-only pathway, or a co-op, internship, or practicum option
- Changes to the requirements of graduate program candidacy examinations, field studies, or residency requirements
- Deletion or renaming of a Field in an existing graduate program
- Other changes to program content that affect the learning outcomes significantly but do not meet the threshold for a ‘new program’
- Changes to the faculty delivering the program
- The offering of an existing program substantially online, where it has previously been offered in face-to-face mode, or vice versa
- Change to the essential resources, where these changes impair the delivery of the approved program
Who Decides?
- New Program or Major Modification? The Provost & VP Academic is the arbiter in deciding whether a proposal constitutes a new program or a major modification.
- Major or Minor Modification? The Chairs of USC/GSC, in consultation with the Provost & VP Academic, decide on whether a proposed change constitutes a major or minor modification.
- In some cases, a Major Modification will be sent to Quality Council for Expedited Approval (for example, the BEd program moved from 1-year to a 2-year program).
Process
- Use templates as provided:
- for undergraduate program modifications – see Undergraduate Studies Committee
- for graduate program modifications or graduate collaborative specializations - see Graduate Studies Forms
- Template should be completed in full
- Evidence of consultation should be completed prior to and included as part of the submission
- Proposals will require approval by USC for undergraduate proposals and GSC for graduate proposals
- Proposals approved by USC or GSC will be forwarded to Senate for Approval
- Major Modifications will be reported annually to the Quality Council by the Office of the Provost
Contact
Questions related to major modifications should be directed to:
Tracy Flaherty
Director, Quality Assurance and Academic Affairs
tflaherty@trentu.ca
705-748-1011 ext. 6225