McMaster’s IQAP is designed to facilitate the development and continued improvement of our undergraduate and graduate academic programs, and to ensure that McMaster continues to lead internationally in its reputation for innovation in teaching and learning.
New program proposals must go through full review for approval. The procedure of the approval process is outlined in the flowchart below.
General Documents of New Program Proposals
- New Program Proposal Guidebook
- New Program Proposal Template
- New Program Approvals Process Flowchart
- Statement of Intent
- Financial and resource implication documentation*
*For information and templates on budgeting and resourcing in New Program Proposals or Expedited Program Proposals, please contact the Associate Vice-President, Finance and Planning (Academic).
Deadlines
Each year, the Ministry establishes a review cycle with specific submission deadlines. Submissions received after the deadline will be automatically placed into the next submission cycle. Programs not approved by February 1 will not be eligible for funding and OSAP for that fiscal year, and all enrolled students must be reported as ineligible for funding in that fiscal year.
Expedited Program Approval
Programs may request an expedited approval if they meet one of the following criteria:
- an institution requests endorsement of the Quality Council to declare a new Field in a graduate program. (Note that institutions are not required to declare fields in either master’s or doctoral programs.); or
- there is a proposal for a new Collaborative Program; or
- there are proposals for new for-credit graduate diplomas; or
- an institution requests it, there are Major Modifications to Existing Programs, as already
defined through the IQAP, proposed for degree program or program of specialization.
Expedited approvals do not require external reviewer approval and have faster turn-around on decisions by the Quality Council.
Documents for Expedited Review
Expandable List
Revisions to an existing program will be classified as either a minor or a major modification to the program. In both cases, the program will continue to be subject to a cyclical program review.
For undergraduate programs, a major modification will be one in which more than 30% of the program requirements are being changed from one academic year to the next. For graduate programs, a major modification will be one in which more than 50% of the program requirements (including requirements such as courses, major exams, and research) are being changed from one year to the next.
Departments must have their curriculum changes approved according to their own departmental curriculum terms of reference, by their faculty (according to their committee terms of reference), and by Undergraduate Council or Graduate Council. The office of the Vice-Provost, Teaching & Learning in consultation with the Vice-Provost & Dean of Grad Studies submits an annual report of all the curriculum changes at McMaster to the Quality Council.
For examples of major modifications visit the Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance major modifications example page.
If your graduate program is adding either a collaborative stream or a dual degree pathway, see this Major Modification Proposal document for more information.
Considerations for Interdisciplinary Program Development
Establish Faculty Champions:
Identify and empower faculty members who are passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration. These champions can work together to help bridge gaps between departments, foster a collaborative culture, and represent the program in governance meetings.
Dedicated Project Manager/Proposal Writer:
Consider hiring a project manager or proposal writer to oversee the development process. This role can ensure that all aspects of the program are coordinated effectively and that proposals are well-crafted and submitted on time.
Consult with MI or SGS:
It is important to engage early with the with either the MacPherson Institute (for undergraduate programs) or the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) (for graduate programs) to understand submission and approval timelines. Doing so will help you align your development schedule with institutional requirements and avoid potential delays
Consult with Program Chairs:
Program champions should reach out to Chairs of existing programs that may be affected by the new interdisciplinary program. This includes discussing potential impacts on their programs and identifying courses that could serve as electives.
Curriculum Development:
Create a curriculum that integrates multiple disciplines. This may involve developing new courses or modifying existing ones to emphasize interdisciplinary processes, relational problem-solving, and discipline integration.
Organizational and Management Structure:
Establish a clear organizational structure for the program. Define leadership roles, reporting lines, faculty responsibilities, and decision-making mechanisms to ensure smooth operation and intellectual collegiality.