Guide to Curricular Modifications

De-mystifying Curriculum Modifications

Making changes to curriculum can sometimes appear convoluted and unnecessarily tied up in endless approvals and paperwork. And, while it is true that it requires a multi-step process, it doesn’t mean that implementing curriculum change needs to be an overly onerous task, provided there is forethought, planning, and communication.

Overview of Process

Curricular change follows a structured quality assurance process, involving key stakeholders, comprehensive documentation, and a clear path from inception to implementation. A high level look at this process is provided below:

Equally important to the above process is the timeline for implementation. Planning ahead ensures that each step is carefully considered and executed smoothly, minimizing errors or misunderstandings. Below is a simplified timeline that provides an overview of the time required to effectively plan curriculum changes.

1. Identify Need

Curricular changes should originate at the department or school level. These changes often stem from discussions within the curriculum sub-committee but may also arise from periodic program reviews, updates to accreditation standards, emerging industry trends, or direct feedback from the program advisory council.

2. Categorize Type of Modification

Curricular modifications, often called “calendar changes” because they are reflected in the undergraduate calendar and require updates when implemented, are classified based on their complexity and impact on the program and student experience.

Identifying the category of change early in the planning process is crucial, as it determines the necessary consultations, required documentation, and levels of approval. The diagram below outlines some of the most common types of curriculum changes.

For a comprehensive list and their classifications, refer to Senate Policy 127.

3. Prepare Documentation for Approvals

Before seeking approvals, the department or faculty member proposing the modification must prepare a summary document or memo. This summary document/memo should clearly outline the scope of the modifications, detailing both the existing curriculum and the proposed updates. It should also include any supporting documentation, such as course outlines, records of consultations, calendar copy mark-up, etc. For Category 3 Minor Modifications and Major Modifications, a formal proposal is required.

A template to assist in organizing Category 1 and 2 Minor Modifications is available here.

For Category 3 Minor Modification and Major Modification proposals, please fill out this form.

Note: Proposals for Category 3 Minor Modifications and Major Modifications must be submitted to the TRSM Dean’s Office prior to seeking approvals. The Dean’s Office will review proposals for completeness and adherence to policy guidelines.

4. Conduct Consultations

After a curriculum change has been correctly categorized and proper documentation has been prepared, thorough consultations are essential to assess its full impact. Even a seemingly simple modification, such as changing a course prerequisite (a Category 1 Minor Modification), can have unintended consequences, like restricting student access to a Minor or other required courses, potentially delaying their path to graduation. More complex changes, such as modifying program admission requirements, require broader consultations to evaluate their effects on recruitment, admissions, and alignment with program objectives and learning outcomes.

The table below details the consultation process and key contacts who can assist in accurately categorizing curriculum changes and providing comprehensive guidance throughout the planning process.

It is expected that during the consultation process, feedback is incorporated into the documentation prior to seeking approvals.

5. Obtain Approvals

After completing the necessary consultations and preparing the required documentation, formal approvals must be secured. Calendar changes must first be approved by the teaching department or school council before proceeding with the approval process. Once endorsed by the department or school council, the proposed changes are submitted to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (UCC) for review. The UCC reviews the proposed changes and votes on recommendations to the TRSM Faculty Council. Category 3 Minor and Major Modifications must also be submitted to the Academic Standards Committee and receive approval from the TMU Senate.

A diagram that summarizes the required approvals is provided below.

6. Submit Documentation for Calendar Publications

Once approved by the Faculty Council, the changes are submitted either to the Undergraduate Calendar Publications Office (for Category 1 and 2 Minor Modifications) or to the Academic Standards Committee (for Category 3 Minor and Major Modifications). For Category 3 Minor and Major Modifications, calendar change forms must still be submitted, but only after receiving Senate approval.

It is recommended that once you reach the stage of the process that you coordinate with your Department Administrator to ensure that the appropriate forms are submitted to the Publications Office.

Page updated

Report abuse