McMASTERUNIVERSITY
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM PROPOSAL BRIEF
FOR THE PROGRAM
(Program Name)
Date:
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Program Proposal Brief for [program][date]
CONTENTS
1. PROGRAM ...... 1
1.1Consistency of program with University’s mission and academic plan ...... 1
1.2Clarity and appropriateness of program requirements and learning outcomes in meeting University’s Degree Level Expectations 1
1.3Appropriateness of degree nomenclature...... 1
2. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS ...... 1
2.1Appropriateness of program’s admission requirements for the learning outcomes established for completion of program 1
2.2Alternative requirements for admission into the program ...... 1
3. STRUCTURE...... 1
3.1Administrative, governance and communication processes...... 1
3.2Appropriateness of program’s structure and regulations to meet specified program learning outcomes and Degree Level Expectations 1
4. PROGRAM CONTENT...... 1
4.1How curriculum addresses the current state of the discipline or area of study..1
4.2Unique curriculum or program innovations or creative components...... 1
5. MODE OF DELIVERY...... 1
5.1Appropriateness of proposed mode(s) of delivery to meet program learning outcomes and Degree Level Expectations and availability of necessary physical resources 1
6. ASSESSMENT OF TEACHING AND LEARNING...... 2
6.1Appropriateness of proposed methods for instruction and assessment of student achievement for intended Program Learning Outcomes 2
6.2Plans for documenting and demonstrating the level of performance of students.2
7. RESOURCES FOR ALL PROGRAMS...... 2
7.1Administrative unit’s planned utilization of existing human, physical and financial resources and any institutional commitment to supplement
the resources...... 2
7.2Participation of a sufficient number and quality of faculty who are competent to teach and/or supervise in the program 2
7.3Evidence of adequate resources to sustain the quality of scholarship produced.2
8. RESOURCES FOR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS...... 2
8.1Plans for adequate numbers of faculty and staff to achieve program’s goals...2
8.2Plans to provide the necessary resources in step with the program’s implementation 2
8.3Planned/anticipated class size...... 2
8.4Provision and supervision of experiential learning opportunities...... 2
8.5Role of adjunct and sessional faculty...... 2
9. QUALITY AND OTHER INDICATORS...... 2
9.1Definition and use of indicators that provide evidence of quality of the faculty.2
9.2Evidence of a program structure and faculty research that will ensure the intellectual quality of the student experience 2
10. CONSULTATION PROCESS...... 3
10.1Description of the consultation process undertaken during the development of the proposal 3
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Program Proposal Brief for [program][date]
PROGRAM PROPOSAL BRIEF GUIDE
When proposing a new program, the Chair is responsible for the preparation of a Program Proposal Briefthat addresses the following criteria as listed below. Please use the following template to complete the Program Proposal Brief.
1. PROGRAM
1.1Discuss the consistency of the program with the University’s mission and academic plans.
1.2Discuss the clarity and appropriateness of the program’s requirements and associated learning outcomes in meeting the University’s Undergraduate Degree Level Expectations (UDLEs),as outlined in Appendix A.
1.3Discuss the appropriateness of degree nomenclature.
2. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
2.1Discuss the appropriateness of the program’s admission requirements for the learning outcomes established for completion of the program.
2.2Describe alternative requirements, if any, for admission into the program, such as minimum grade point average, additional languages or portfolios, along with how the program recognizes prior work or learning experience.
3. STRUCTURE
3.1Discuss appropriateness of the administrative, governance, and communication processes proposed in support of the program.
3.2Discuss appropriateness of the program's structure and regulations to meet specified program learning outcomes and Degree Level Expectations.
4. PROGRAM CONTENT
4.1Outline ways in which the curriculum addresses the current state of the discipline or area of study.
4.2Identify any unique curriculum or program innovations or creative components.
5. MODE OF DELIVERY
5.1Discuss appropriateness of the proposed mode(s) of delivery to meet the intended Program Learning Outcomes and Degree Level Expectations and availability of the necessary physical resources.
6. ASSESSMENT OF TEACHING AND LEARNING
6.1Discuss appropriateness of the proposed methods for the instruction and assessment of student achievement of the intended Program Learning Outcomes. The Program Learning Outcomes must meet the University’s Degree Level Expectations.
6.2Describe the completeness of plans for documenting and demonstrating the level of performance of students, consistent with the University’s statement of its Degree Level Expectations.
7. RESOURCES FOR ALL PROGRAMS
7.1Discuss the adequacy of the administrative unit’s planned utilization of existing human, physical and financial resources, and any institutional commitment to supplement those resources, to support the program.
7.2Outline the participation of a sufficient number and quality of faculty who are competent to teach and/or supervise in the program.
7.3Provide evidence that there are adequate resources to sustain the quality of scholarship produced by undergraduate students as well as graduate students’ scholarship and research activities, including library support, information technology support, and laboratory access.
9. RESOURCES FOR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
9.1Provide evidence of plans for adequate numbers of faculty and staff to achieve the goals of the program.
9.2Provide evidence of plans to provide the necessary resources in step with the implementation of the program.
9.3Outline the planned/anticipated class sizes.
9.4Discuss the provision of supervision of experiential learning opportunities (if required)
9.5Describe the role of adjunct and sessional faculty.
10. QUALITY AND OTHER INDICATORS
10.1Discuss the definition and use of indicators that provide evidence of quality of the faculty (e.g., qualifications, research, innovation and scholarly record; appropriateness of collective faculty expertise to contribute substantively to the proposed program).
10.2Provide evidence of a program structure and faculty research that will ensure the intellectual quality of the student experience.
- CONSULTATION PROCESS
11.1Please provide a description of the consultation process undertaken during the development of the proposal.
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Program Proposal Brief for [program][date]