Stage One: Statement of Interest and Program Demand Research Analysis

A new program idea may be approved for development after academic areas make a strong case for its potential alignment with the college’s strategic priorities, and contribution to the current program mix.

This is dependent upon extensive analysis and documentation, which is presented at various stages, and housed within the Curriculum Information Management system (CIM).

Glossary
PEQAB
Research Ethics Board

Statement of Interest

The first step in new program development is to complete the Statement of Interest (SOI) within CIM, and submit it through workflow to the Vice President Academic (VPA). This provides an opportunity for the academic area to demonstrate the rationale for adding a new program to the current college mix. The academic area provides the following information:

  • program specifications
  • outline of the strategic benefits of the program
  • explanation of program fit with current mix
  • analysis of the institutional capacity for delivering a new program
  • assessment of potential risks involved

If the above analysis indicates potential for success, the VPA approves the academic area to engage in further research to help determine if the new program can be launched and sustained.

Program Demand Research Analysis

In conjunction with Institutional Research, the academic area conducts the Program Demand Research Analysis (Section 1.2 of the New Program Rationale). This should include the following:

  • student and labour market demand analysis
  • work integrated learning potential
  • transfer and articulation potential
  • partnership potential
  • profile of key competitors and program differentiation
    • program differentiation for degrees involves comparing the similarities and differences of the existing/proposed program with other programs in Ontario (at colleges and universities). If the proposed program is similar to other programs, explain what value it adds/would add to the system

With the addition of the research, the SOI is presented at Academic Leadership Team(ALT), where the advantages and disadvantages of adding the new program at the college are discussed. Based on the discussion, ALT determines final approval for development and, if granted, the program moves to the next stage, Program Design, Consultation and Costing.

Continue to Stage Two: Program Design, Consultation and Costing