Guide - Major Modification of Existing Graduate Program

Guide - Review of Existing Graduate Program

Graduate Diploma - Guidance - Quality Control

Graduate Diploma Western Regulations

Template for Minor Modification of Existing Graduate Program

Template for Major Modification of Existing Graduate Program

Template for Review of an Existing Collaborative Specialization

Template for Review of an Existing Graduate Program

Template for External Reviewers' Report for Existing Graduate Programs

Letter of Intent - New Graduate Programs

Process of Initiating Proposal for New Program

Template for Submission of a New Graduate Diploma Program

Template for Submission of a New Professional Master's Program

Template for Submission of a New Collaborative Graduate Program

Template for Submission of a New Graduate Program

Template for External Reviewers' Report for New Graduate Programs

2023-2024 Graduate Program Review Process and Timelines

Nomination/Selection of External Reviewers

Graduate Program Review Site Visit

Example of Itinerary for Site Visit

Template - Dean's Response to External Reviewers

Template - Program's Response External Reviewers

Instructions to External Reviewers

Western's Doctoral Learning Outcomes

Template for Volume 2 - Faculty CVs

Template for Volume 3 - Proposed Reviewers

Principles for Graduate Study at Ontario’s Universities - Ontario Council on Graduate Studies,  January 2023

Self-Study Template

Proposed External Reviewers Form

External Reviewers' Report Template

 Program/Module Proposal Submission Process

Step 1

Discussion of the proposed Program/Module/Certificate by appropriate key partners and Academic Unit, Faculty and/or Affiliate University College committees. For instance, a completed letter of intent could be shared for information and preliminary consultation, as relevant.

Step 2

Submission of a letter of intent (using the following form) to the Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs (Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Program Review – Undergraduate [SUPR-U]) via Alicia Kemp at ahitchc2@uwo.ca, for a preliminary determination regarding the protocol under which the submission applies. Namely, 1- New Program Approval or 2- Major Modification of an existing program.

• The new program approval protocol involves the following form and leads to external reviewers participating as part of a site visit. 
• The more expedited major modification protocol involves the following form.

Factors that determine whether the proposal falls in the former or latter protocol relates largely to:

1. if the proposed module(s) has requirements and learning outcomes that are substantially different from those of any existing module; and
2.  if the proposed module(s) comprises primarily existing courses and is offered with existing faculty expertise and resources; and
3. if exisitng module(s) in this area of offering have been externally reviewed when created.

Step 3

Use of supports to complete the proposal documentation (as needed). Please contact the Office of Academic Quality and Enhancement (OAQE) at OAQE@uwo.ca for aid with any aspect of the templates or materials requested therein. For questions about calendar copy or the governance process for proposals, please contact the University Secretariat at academic_submissions@uwo.ca.

Following completion of the relevant proposal template, approval at a Faculty-level committee (e.g., EPC or equivalent) is required.

Step 4

The proposed program/module/certificate is submitted by the Dean to SUPR-U for consideration via the University Secretariat. E-mail submissions to academic_submissions@uwo.ca. Note: meetings generally take place monthly with a submission deadline typically 10-14 days ahead of each meeting.

Step 5

Following deliberation at SUPR-U, if deemed to proceed as a major modification, it will need to be approved by ACA and Senate following a recommendation by SUPR-U. If deemed to proceed as a new program approval, an external review will be setup. These reviewers will produce a report with recommendations, the program and faculty will respond and then the resulting documents will be presented back to SUPR-U. If recommended for approval, it will be sent to ACA, Senate and the province’s Quality Council for approval.

Note: The ideal time to submit a letter of intent for a new program proposal is in late spring/early summer so that the program can be informed of which submission form to use in the development of the proposal over the summer period. In this case, proposals can be presented to SUPR-U in the fall when the workload of the committee is often lower. This would equally provide sufficient time for all elements that are part of step 5 to take place during the academic year (e.g., site visit, responses to external reviewers’ report, presentation back to SUPR-U, approval processes).

Templates and Forms

Letter of Intent Template for a New Undergraduate Program/Module Proposal

New Undergraduate Program Proposal Template

Major Modification Template for New Modules

Other Relevant Documents

Proposed External Reviewers' Nomination Form - New Undergrad Programs

External Reviewers' Report Template - Undergrad New Program

• Proposed modifications to existing undergraduate programs/modules that will be evaluated as part of the “Major Modifications” protocol in Western’s Institutional Quality Assurance Process (IQAP) document. For a comprehensive description of major modifications and the process for approval, please visit the dedicated webpage on the Office of the Academic Quality and Enhancement (OAQE) website. 
• Proposed changes to the admission requirements of programs/modules that relate to course averages. 
• A change in program/module name and/or degree nomenclature. 
• Changes to subject areas as part of Western’s breadth requirements for degrees.

Please note that there are separate templates for:

• New undergraduate program/module proposals (when evaluated as a new program or major modification). 
• The closure of an undergraduate module/program. 
• Proposals for new/revised/withdrawal of undergraduate courses (SOC submission template). 
• Undergraduate module/program revisions that constitute a minor modification (SOC Submission template).

Before completing the form linked below, it is advised that you reach out to the University Secretariat (at academic_submissions@uwo.ca) to determine the routing for the review and approval of your proposed modifications. This check-in will confirm which form/template is most appropriate in your context.

Undergraduate Academic Modification Submission Template

Guide for Internal Reviewers (Faculty Internal Reviewer)

Student Reviewer Role (Student Internal Reviewer)

Ideal Self-Study Preparation Timeline

Template IQAP Review Site Visit Schedule

Preparing for an IQAP Site Visit

The pilot version of this short resource aims to outline common examples of how academic programs can embed the principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion – Decolonization, Indigenization & Accessibility (EDI-DIA) into their design, learning outcomes, procedures, and operations. Program review serves as one strategic opportunity to bolster equitable, inclusive, and accessible policy and practice, to decolonize curriculum and pedagogy, and to integrate Indigenous perspectives, scholarship, and ways of knowing into our programs.

The resource has been shared with programs in recent review cycles. Based on feedback received and further collaboration amongst Western groups such as the Libraries, Centre for Teaching and Learning, Office of Indigenous Initiatives and Office of Equity Diversity and Inclusion, an updated version is currently being drafted. We are hopeful to replace the version linked below, with the updated resource in the spring of 2025.

EDI-DIA Support Resource