Major Modifications

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
Manager, Office of the Provost & VP Academic
​tflaherty@trentu.ca
705-748-1011 ext. 6225