Major Modifications

Overview

Major modifications are integral to the continuous improvement of our programs. The overarching definition of what constitutes a major modification is provided by the University of Toronto Quality Assurance Process (UTQAP) (PDF).

According to the UTQAP (section 1.2), the “Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs consults with divisions on the development of proposals for major modifications to existing programs. The Office receives copies of approved program modifications and compiles an annual report of all divisional modifications.”

Examples of major modifications to existing programs are the creation of a:

• new major or specialist in an undergraduate program where there is already a specialist or major
• new field or concentration within an existing graduate degree program
• new stream within an undergraduate program
• freestanding minor (a minor where there is no existing major or specialist)
• combined degree program
• double degree program
• dual degree program
• collaborative specialization.

Development of the Major Modification

When a new idea emerges, it is not always clear whether it will take the form of a minor modification, a major modification or a new program. Faculties/divisions should work closely with the VPAP Office to determine the appropriate proposal category. Major modification proposals are then developed within Faculties in consultation with the relevant Dean’s Office, and with the VPAP Office.

All major modification proposals are reviewed by the VPAP Office, which will coordinate with other administrative offices as appropriate, before they are approved through governance. The purpose of the review is to ensure that a proposal benefits from all possible institutional expertise, to ensure compliance with our quality assurance process, and to pave the way for smooth implementation of the change.

Approval of the Major Modification

Faculty councils are the final approving body of major modifications. Following approval, all major modifications are reported to the VPAP Office.

Major modifications that affect graduate programs should be completed prior to the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Calendar deadline (March 24, 2023) to ensure any program requirement changes are accurately reflected in the SGS Calendar.

Major modifications that affect undergraduate programs should be completed by April 29, 2023.

VPAP is responsible for annually reporting all major modifications to the Committee on Academic Policy and Programs (AP&P) and the Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance (the Quality Council) (see a diagram of the process for major modifications [PDF]).

Resources

• Changing mode of delivery of courses and programs for 2022-23 and later (March 2021)
• Diagram: academic change processes: key characteristics and examples
• Template: significant modifications to existing undergraduate and graduate programs
• Template: add program structure (freestanding minor, specialist or major where one exists, stream, field or concentration)
• Template: new combined degree program, dual degree or double degree program (coming soon)
• Template: new collaborative specialization
• Template: closure of an existing program or program structure (graduate or undergraduate)
• Overview of dual degree programs

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