| Policy Number: ACAD 101 | Policy Title: Academic Program Lifecycle |
| Supersedes Existing Policy? No | Policy Sponsor: Senior Vice-President Academic |
| Associated Procedure: Yes | Policy Owner: Dean, Leadership, Learning, and Academic Excellence |
| Next Review Date: April 2028 | Date Last Approved by the CET: April 9, 2025 |
| Related Documents and Links |
1. Purpose
Loyalist College is committed to ensuring the continuous improvement, quality, relevance, and responsiveness of its academic programs to meet the needs of our learners and local communities. This policy governs the lifecycle of all academic programs, ensuring that programs are strategically developed, regularly reviewed and updated, and, if necessary, suspended or cancelled consistent with the College’s mission and strategic goals.
2. Application
This policy applies to all approved programs of instruction at Loyalist College, including certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, graduate certificates, apprenticeships, and degrees. It encompasses all stages of the program lifecycle, including inception, monitoring, improvement, and potential suspension or cancellation.
3. Definitions
Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU): The provincial body responsible for overseeing post-secondary education in Ontario, setting standards for colleges and universities, and approving programs of instruction.
Ontario College Quality Assurance Service (OCQAS): The provincial body responsible for overseeing the quality assurance processes for Ontario’s public colleges. The OCQAS validates non-degree programs offered by colleges to ensure they meet established quality standards in areas such as curriculum design, program delivery, and student outcomes.
Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB): The regulatory body that reviews and approves college degree programs in Ontario to ensure they meet established quality and academic standards.
Program: The structured, academic post-secondary courses of study offered by Loyalist College, designed to prepare students for careers or further education in specific fields.
Program Advisory Committee (PAC): Groups of external volunteers who provide strategic advice and insights to ensure that academic programs remain relevant, responsive, and aligned with industry and community needs.
Program/Vocational Learning Outcomes (P/VLOs): Defined outcomes that each program must achieve, ensuring alignment with program or industry standards and ministry frameworks.
4. Policy
Each Loyalist College program will comply with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and the OCQAS directives, including the Minister’s Binding Policy Directive: Framework for Programs of Instruction. This ensures that all programs align with mandated vocational learning outcomes and standards for post-secondary education. Degree programs will follow specific requirements from PEQAB, while apprenticeship programs will comply with regulations from Skilled Trades Ontario and the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act. In cases where vocational programs are subject to external occupational regulatory bodies (e.g., nursing programs regulated by the College of Nurses of Ontario), programs must meet any relevant regulatory standards and reporting requirements.
4.1 New Program Development
The development of new programs will align with market demand, community need, and the college’s strategic priorities. A formal environmental scan will inform the development process. Consultation with relevant stakeholders, including Program Advisory Committees, will ensure that new programs are designed to meet current and future workforce requirements.
4.2 Monitoring Program Quality
Program quality is continuously monitored through regular data collection, consultation, and alignment with institutional goals to ensure programs remain relevant and effective. Annual reviews and comprehensive evaluations ensure that curriculum, student outcomes, and industry alignment are consistently assessed, with action plans developed to drive ongoing improvements. Each program will be monitored to ensure its quality, relevance, and alignment with industry and community needs.
4.2.1 Annual Program Quality Review (APQR)
All programs will undergo an annual review to ensure ongoing alignment with academic standards. The review will focus on curriculum relevance and student outcomes to identify areas for improvement and development. A formal follow-up action plan will be created based on the findings of the APQR to ensure continuous program improvement.
4.2.2 Comprehensive Program Quality Review (CPQR)
Every five years, a comprehensive review will be conducted for each program. This review will assess the program’s overall effectiveness, including its relevance to industry trends, alignment with P/VLOs, and its ability to meet the needs of students and employers. The resulting action plan will be used to inform long-term improvements for the program.
4.3 Program Modification
Program modification, including changes to curriculum, delivery methods, and course offerings, must adhere to institutional standards and regulatory requirements. These modifications will be guided by the college’s commitment to academic excellence and compliance with Ministry directives. Major modifications, such as significant shifts in program hours or outcomes, will undergo an extended review process, while minor changes will be streamlined for efficiency. PAC input will be sought for major program revisions to ensure industry alignment.
4.4 Program Suspension or Cancellation
Programs may be suspended (intake suspension or full program suspension) or cancelled if they no longer meet the college’s strategic objectives or if there is insufficient demand. Intake and program suspensions are a temporary state, allowing time for reassessment and potential redesign, while program cancellation refers to the closure of the program. Decisions regarding any suspension or cancellation will be made following an evaluation of program performance, market relevance, institutional alignment, or other related factors. Students currently enrolled in a suspended or cancelled program will be provided with academic and administrative support to complete their credential if required.