Curriculum Development activities focus on enhancing student learning experiences through academic program reviews and new program development. These supports are grounded in a philosophical approach that values student-centeredness and evidence-informed decision-making.
Departments have access to support for the development and refinement of program learning outcomes, curriculum mapping, administration of site visits, coordination of the Student Curriculum Consultants program and guidance on the Quality Assurance and institutional curriculum approvals processes. Support can also be provided to programs as they implement areas of improvement or enhancement identified during the Quality Assurance process.
Institutional Quality Assurance Process Overview
IQAP Cyclical Program Reviews 2024-2025
Graduate and Undergraduate Programs were reviewed in 2024 and are pending final approval of Final Assessment Reports
Graduate and Undergraduate Cyclical Review site visits during the 2025 winter/spring term
Graduate and Undergraduate Academic Units are preparing their Self-Study report and will be reviewed in 2025
Accomplishments
Planetary Health and Nuclear Leadership Program Development
For the first time, the MacPherson Institute supported the conceptualization of tri-Faculty interdisciplinary professional graduate programs in Nuclear Leadership and Planetary Health. Part of this work involved collaboration with Institutional Research and Analysis (IRA) to initiate provisions for a pilot labour market analysis for new programs. In Fall 2024, the MacPherson Institute hosted an interactive Program Visioning Retreat with 33 participants from the DeGroote School of Business and Faculties of Science and Engineering with the goal of exchanging ideas, identifying McMaster’s strengths and opportunities, and drafting program concepts for the two new programs. In January 2025, two additional Program Planning retreats were hosted to refine program concepts and identify graduate attributes for each program. Moving forward, the MacPherson Institute has recommended that participating faculties identify program champions to help oversee the development of both programs. The MacPherson Institute will continue working with the program champions to develop draft Program Learning Outcomes and provide guidance on how to prepare the new program proposals.
EDIA Toolkits
The MacPherson Institute developed two toolkits to support the integration of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) into program- and course-level learning outcomes. Designed for faculty, academic administrators, and curriculum teams, these resources provide practical guidance for embedding EDIA values into curriculum design across all disciplines. By using these resources, programs and courses can better equip students with the critical skills and knowledge needed to navigate complex societal challenges and contribute to a more just and equitable world. The toolkits are available for those engaged in curriculum development and review, including through the Institutional Quality Assurance Process.
EDIA in Teaching and Learning, and Research Event
The MacPherson Institute co-hosted an EDIA in Teaching and Learning, and Research event in November 2024 in collaboration with the Equity and Inclusion Office and the Office of the VP Research. Over 70 participants attended the event, which highlighted the innovative EDIA practices and celebrated educators who are advancing this work across teaching, learning and research at McMaster.
Expanded Curriculum Development Supports
Based on work that was originally undertaken for the Planetary Health and Nuclear Leadership labour market analysis, the MacPherson Institute is piloting a new collaboration with Institutional Research and Analysis to provide a labour market analysis service for the conceptualization phase of all new programs. This service is being piloted with a small group of departments who have existing academic programs undergoing cyclical review.
Student Curriculum Consultants Program
To better support curriculum development, the MacPherson Institute has expanded opportunities for student involvement in the Student Curriculum Consultant Program across all phases of the Institutional Quality Assurance Process – including the development of Program Learning Outcomes, providing insights into the student experience during curriculum mapping, and gathering student feedback from peers to analyze and include in self-study documents. The program provided 13 Student Course Consultants with an opportunity to help shape and have an impact on the student experience at McMaster.