Programs of Study Regulation

Programs of Study Regulation, M.R. 134/2015 The Advanced Education Administration Act , C.C.S.M. c. A6.3 Regulation 134/2015 Registered August 13, 2015 bilingual version (HTML) Table of Contents 1 Definitions 2 Alterations that are not significant 3 Exclusions 4 Proposal for changes 5 Content of proposal 6 Implementing changes 7 Considerations 8 Effect of approval 9 Reporting Definitions 1 The following definitions apply in this regulation. "Act" means The Advanced Education Administration Act . (« Loi ») "approved characteristic" means, in respect of a program of study that was established after the coming into force of this regulation, any of the following characteristics of the program that formed part of the program's establishment being approved: (a) the site or sites, or the number of sites, from which the program is offered; (b) the capacity of the program, in terms of the seats within the program; (c) the time reasonably necessary for a student to complete the program; (d) the mode of delivery of the program, being online or in-person; (e) the program being, or not being a joint program; (f) the credential conferred; (g) the capital or operating resources needed to provide the program. (« caractéristique approuvée ») "change" means, in respect of a program of study, a decision by a university or college to establish, make a significant modification to or cease to provide the program of study. (« changement ») "program of study" means a program of study that is subject to subsection 9.7(1) of the Act. (« programme d'études ») "proposal" means a proposal submitted by a university or college under section 4. (« demande ») "significant modification" means, in respect of a program of study, altering an approved characteristic of the program, except as provided in section 2. (« modification importante ») Alterations that are not significant modifications 2(1) Altering a particular location from which a program of study is offered to another location within the same city, town or other community is not a significant modification in the site from which the program is offered. 2(2) In respect of the mode of delivery of a program of study, altering its approved mode of delivery is not a significant modification unless there is an alteration in the mode of delivery of more than one-third of the group of credit courses that make up the program of study, measured in terms of (a) the total number of courses in the program; or (b) the total number of credit hours required to complete the program. Exclusions 3(1) The following decisions of a university or college are excluded from sections 4 to 9: (a) a decision to establish, modify or cease to provide a program of study, if (i) the program will be, or was, established and provided under an agreement or arrangement that the university or college entered into with another person or entity, (ii) the program does not, or did not, lead to the granting of a degree, and (iii) the direct costs incurred by the university or college in the delivery of the program will not, or has not been, paid for using money granted to the university or college under section 9.1 of the Act; (b) in respect of a program of study for which a major or equivalent is offered, a decision to establish, modify or cease to provide a minor or its equivalent in the same program of study, provided there are no capital or operating resources needed to do so. 3(2) The minister may direct a university or college to provide information respecting a decision it makes under subsection (1), in the form and at the time directed by the minister. Proposal for changes 4(1) A university or college that seeks to make a change in respect of a program of study must submit a proposal respecting the change to the minister. 4(2) The proposal must be submitted at least 120 days before the university or college intends to make the change, unless the minister agrees to accept the proposal after that. Content of proposal 5(1) A proposal must be submitted in the form specified by the minister and include the information required under this section, as applicable. 5(2) If the intent is to establish a new program of study, the proposal must include the following: (a) the name of the university or college making the submission, and if the intended program is to be a joint program, the name of the other education provider that will participate in the program; (b) a general description of the program and its objectives, and the degree, diploma or certificate to be granted in respect of the program; (c) a general description of the following in respect of the program: (i) an assessment of how the program will serve and advance the academic, cultural, social and economic needs and interests of students and of the province, (ii) the proposed start date for the program, (iii) the site or sites of program delivery, (iv) the availability, if any, of similar programs in Manitoba and in other Canadian jurisdictions, (v) the anticipated credit transfer arrangements for the particular courses to be included in the program, and any anticipated articulation agreements to be established in respect of the program, (vi) the tuition fees for the program; (d) the program's mode of delivery; (e) the anticipated program capacity, both when the program is first offered and when it reaches maturity; (f) a detailed account of the funding requirements and sources for the program, including any capital requirements; (g) a statement of the manner in which students and faculty have been informed of the intent to establish the new program; (h) copies of any evaluations done respecting the intended program, including internal and peer evaluations done by other post-secondary institutions in and external to Manitoba. 5(3) If the intent is make a significant modification to a program of study, the proposal must (a) set out which of the program's approved characteristics will be altered, and how each is proposed to be altered; and (b) be accompanied by copies of any evaluations done, if any, in respect of the intended significant modification. 5(4) If the intent is to cease to provide a program of study or to cease enrolling students in a program, permanently or temporarily, the proposal must set out (a) the name of the university or college making the submission, and if the proposed program is to be a joint program, the name of the other education provider participating in the program; (b) the rationale for the intended cessation; (c) the plans for students currently enrolled in the program, if any, to complete it; (d) a statement of whether the students, the faculty or both have been informed of the intent and if so, the manner in which they were informed; and (e) how the provincial funding and any other funding used to provide the program previously is intended to be reallocated. 5(5) If a university or college temporarily ceases to provide a program of study, it must, at least 120 days before any subsequent academic year begins, advise the minister of its intentions respecting provision of the program for the academic year. 5(6) A university or college may include in a proposal any other information it determines to be relevant for the minister to consider. Implementing changes 6 A university or college may implement the change set out in a proposal only after the minister approves the proposal in writing. Considerations 7(1) In considering a proposal, the minister is to have regard for how the proposal (a) addresses and responds to existing and anticipated post-secondary learning needs of students; (b) aligns with the government's direction and priorities for government support; (c) aligns with the mandate of the university or college; (d) addresses issues identified in evaluations, if any, provided under clause 5(2)⁠(h); (e) supports appropriate quality assurance processes and procedures for the program, as it is proposed to be changed; (f) impacts on affordability and accessibility; (g) impacts on the coordination and integration within Manitoba's post-secondary education and advanced learning system; (h) strengthens the ability of the system to meet and respond to Manitoba's labour market opportunities; (i) impacts upon previous graduates of the program, if the proposal is to cease to provide the program; (j) demonstrates operational sustainability; and (k) generally, addresses the social, economic and cultural needs in Manitoba. 7(2) For a proposed change to a program of study that leads to employment in a field regulated by a professional college, association or other similar entity, the minister is to have regard for the position of the professional college, association or other entity respecting the change. Effect of approval 8(1) An approval of a proposal under section 6 is valid for three years from the effective date of the approval. If the university or college fails to implement the change in that time, it must resubmit a proposal for the intended change. 8(2) For certainty, the minister's approval of a proposal does not obligate (a) the university or college to implement the change; or (b) the change to be funded under subsection 9.1(1) of the Act. Reporting 9 It is a condition of every program of study being established or significantly modified that the university or college provide the minister with the enrolment and graduation information, in the form and at the time, specified by the minister.