Academic review and quality assurance Academic program review

To ensure academic excellence and quality of academic programming, all undergraduate and graduate programs at UM undergo a process of periodic formal reviews. These reviews are conducted through Senate-mandated academic program reviews.

All undergraduate and graduate academic programs shall be reviewed at least once every eight years, on a schedule set by the Provost and Vice-President (Academic). Where appropriate, undergraduate and graduate programs may be reviewed concurrently.

Each academic program review consists of the following: the preparation of a self-evaluation report; an external peer assessment, an opportunity to respond to the external assessment and an assessment by the Provost and Vice-President (Academic).

All reviews are considered by the Senate Committee on Academic Review (SCAR) who – in turn – reports to Senate on the status and progress of academic program reviews at UM.

In some cases, program accreditation may be used in lieu of a formal academic program review.

Please visit the Office of the Provost's intranet site (password required) for more information on the academic program review process including access to sample templates.

Academic Program Review Schedule, 2022-23 to 2029-30

Governing documents for academic program review
Policy, procedures and related documents

Academic review and quality assurance Academic program accreditation

The following UM programs hold accreditation by provincial, Canadian and/or international professional accreditation bodies.

Academic units should refer to the Senate-approved guidelines for communicating external program accreditation to ensure consistency in the communication of accreditation results.

UM accredited programs

Program Accrediting body
Agricultural and Food Sciences
Food Science, BSc Institute for Food Technologists (IFT)
Human Nutritional Sciences, BSc Partnership for Dietetic Education and Practice (PDEP)
Architecture
Architecture, MArch Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB)
City Planning, MCP Professional Standards Board (PSB) for Planning in Canada
Interior Design, Professional, MID Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)
Landscape Architecture, MLA Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA)
Arts
Clinical Psychology, PhD Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
Asper School of Business
BComm (Hons) 
MBA
MSc
PhD
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)
Actuarial Mathematics, BComm (Hons) Society of Actuaries (SOA), Centre of Actuarial Excellence (CAE);
Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA)
Co-operative Education Program, BComm (Hons) Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL)
Human Resources, BComm (Hons) Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR)
Dentistry
Dental Hygiene, Diploma, BSc
Dental Medicine, DMD
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, MDent
Pediatric Dentistry, MDent
Periodontics, MDent
Preventive Dental Science (Orthodontics), MSc
Prosthodontics, MSc
Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC)
Engineering
Biosystems Engineering, BSc (Eng)
Civil Engineering, BSc (Eng)
Computer Engineering, BSc (Eng)
Electrical Engineering, BSc (Eng)
Mechanical Engineering, BSc (Eng)
Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board, Engineers Canada (CEAB)
Environment, Earth and Resources
Environmental Science, BEnvSc Canadian Environmental Accreditation Commission; ECO Canada
Kinesiology and Recreation Management
Athletic Therapy, BKin - Athletic Therapy Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA)
Kinesiology, BKin Canadian Council of University Physical Education and Kinesiology Administrators (CCUPEKA)
Law
Common Law, JD Federation of Law Societies of Canada
Medicine
UGME (Undergraduate Medical Education) Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS)
Genetic Counselling, MSc Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC)
Physician Assistant Education Program, MPAS EQual
PGME (Postgraduate Medical Education) Canadian Residency Accreditation Consortium (CanRAC)
PGME (Postgraduate Medical Education), Clinical Biochemistry Training Canadian Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (CACB)
PGME (Postgraduate Medical Education), Clinical Psychology Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
PGME (Postgraduate Medical Education), Post-Doctoral, Genetic and Genomic Diagnostics Canadian College of Medical Geneticists
CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Committee on Accreditation of Continuing Medical Education (CACME)
Nursing
Nursing, BN
Nurse Practitioner Stream, MN
Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN);
College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM)
Pharmacy
Pharmacy, BSc (Pharm.)
Pharmacy, PharmD
Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP)
Rehabilitation Sciences
Occupational Therapy, MOT Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)
Physical Therapy, MPT Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC)
Respiratory Therapy, BRT EQual
Science
Actuarial Mathematics, BSc (Hons) Society of Actuaries (SOA), Centre of Actuarial Excellence (CAE);
Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA)
Biochemistry, BSc (Maj), BSc (Hons)
Chemistry, BSc (Maj), BSc (Hons)
Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC)
Co-operative Education program, BSc (Maj), BSc (Hons) -
Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Genetics, Microbiology, Statistics
Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL)
Physics (Medical Physics), MSc, PhD Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Educational Programs (CAMPEP)
Social Work
Social Work, BSW, MSW Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE-ACFTS)
Student Counselling Centre
Pre-Doctoral Psychology Internship Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)

Academic program renewal Introduction of new academic programs

The introduction of new academic programs at the University of Manitoba encompasses a consultative and robust quality review process and approval by internal governing bodies. New degree and major programs require approval by the Province of Manitoba. Final approval for program implementation rests with the Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) to ensure that any required resources are in place prior to implementation.

During the development stage, all new program proposals should be discussed with either the Vice-Provost (Academic Planning and Programs) for undergraduate programming or the Dean and/or Associate Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies for graduate level programming.

Approval of new degree or major programs

Degree programs are a discrete, structured and sequenced set of courses and requirements that a student must complete to obtain a specific degree or other recognized credential (such as a diploma) at the undergraduate or graduate level. A degree program may also be referred to as a major program.

The approval process for new degree or major programs has two stages:

  • the submission and review of a preliminary Statement of Intent (SOI) initiating the process and triggering the formal development stage of the program proposal
  • the development and submission for approval of a proposal for a new program application.

New degree or major programs require approval by Senate and the Board of Governors, following which, proposals are submitted for review and approval by Manitoba Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration.

If provincial approval is granted, final approval for program implementation rests with the Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic).

During the development stage, all new program proposals should be discussed with either the Vice-Provost (Academic Planning and Programs) for undergraduate programming or the Dean and/or Associate Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies for graduate level programming.

Approval process of new undergraduate programs

Approval process of new graduate programs

Approval of new minors or concentrations

Minors are declared secondary fields of study or specializations at the undergraduate level, typically 18 credit hours and independent of the student's major area of specialization. Consistent with a major, minors are expected to have coherence and increasing sophistication as the program progresses. Minors can be exclusive to a major or degree program or can be available across faculties and disciplines.

Concentrations are declared focuses or specializations, typically 18 credit hours at the undergraduate level, within the student's major field of study. Consistent with a major, it is expected to have coherence and increasing specialization.

Proposals for new undergraduate minors and concentrations require Senate approval.

During the development stage, all new program proposals should be discussed with the Vice-Provost (Academic Planning and Programs).

Please contact the Office of the Vice-Provost (Academic Planning and Programs) for proposal templates.

Approval process for new minors or concentrations

Approval of certificate, diploma and micro-credential programs

UM Certificate and Diploma Framework provides clarity and consistency around non-degree programming at UM, including micro-credential programming. The framework provides units with guidance when developing new programs, including entrance requirements, program requirements, approval processes and recognition for credit.

During the development stage, all new proposals should be discussed with either the Vice-Provost (Academic Planning and Programs) for undergraduate or non-degree level programming or the Dean and/or Associate Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies for graduate level programming.

Please contact the Office of the Vice-Provost (Academic Planning and Programs) for proposal templates.

Certificate and Diploma Framework

Approval and renewal of articulation agreements

Articulation agreements are UM Senate approved agreements between UM and other recognized post-secondary institutions. Students admitted under an articulation may receive established credit within a UM program that shortens the path to the credential they are seeking (typically a three-year or four-year degree).

Units proposing a new articulation agreement must submit a new articulation agreement proposal for review and approval by Senate. Units proposing an articulation agreement with an international partner should also contact UM's International Centre for additional guidance and information.

Articulation agreements are normally renewed through Senate on a five-year cycle unless otherwise stipulated in the approved agreement. Units interested in renewing an articulation agreement must submit an updated articulation agreement proposal to Senate for review and approval. Units are also asked to comment on the success of the partnership and benefits to both students and the institution.

During the development or renewal stage, all articulation agreement proposals should be discussed with the Vice-Provost (Academic Planning and Programs).

Please contact the Office of the Vice-Provost (Academic Planning and Programs) for proposal templates.

Approval and renewal process for articulation agreements

Academic program renewal Significant changes to existing academic programs

Course and curriculum changes to academic programs require Senate approval.

At the undergraduate level, changes to courses and/or curriculum structure are referred directly to the Senate Committee on Course and Curriculum Changes (SCCCC), while changes in the academic regulations and/or assessment of those programs are referred directly to the Senate Committee on Instruction and Evaluation (SCIE).

Guidelines for making changes to undergraduate programs and courses (introduction, modification and/or deletion) can be found under Undergraduate Course Change Forms and Guidelines (SCCCC) on the Governance Forms page.

At the graduate level, the Faculty of Graduate Studies approves course and program change proposals through the Programs and Guidelines Committee and the Executive Committee. Course changes that are directly related to program changes, new program streams, or new programs also require Graduate Studies Faculty Council approval.

Major amendments to undergraduate and graduate programs, nominally defined as a change to an existing program involving a net increase of nine credit hours, require review by the Senate Planning and Priorities Committee (SPPC). Depending on the nature of the proposed change, the amendment may be reviewed by additional committees as recommended.

Significant modifications to an undergraduate and graduate program may also require approval by Manitoba Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration. The province defines a significant modification as the alteration of an approved characteristic of a program of study. Approved characteristics include:

  • the site(s), or number of site, from which a program is offered
  • the capacity of the program, in terms of the seats within the program
  • the time reasonably necessary for a student to complete the program
  • the mode of delivery of the program, being online or in-person
  • the program being (or not being) a joint program;
  • the credential conferred
  • the capital or operating resources needed to provide the program

Please refer to the Advanced Education Administration Act: Programs of Study Regulation for details.

Internal approval processes for a significant modification will vary depending on the approved characteristic being modified.

Any significant changes to academic programs should be initially discussed with the Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic).

Academic planning Academic partnerships

Articulation agreements

Articulation agreements are UM Senate-approved bilateral or multi-lateral agreements between UM and other recognized post-secondary institutions. Articulation agreements define the terms and conditions for consideration of admission and recognition of prior learning within the context of specific programs or credentials.

Students admitted under an articulation may receive established credit within a UM program, which shortens the path to the credential they are seeking (typically a three-year or four-year undergraduate degree).

Recognition of prior academic achievement may be in the form of UM advance standing or credit recognition, reducing the total credit hours required for credential completion.

Please refer to Introduction of new academic programs for information on the approval process for new articulation agreements and the renewal process for existing agreements.

Current articulation agreements at the University of Manitoba

Here are the current articulation agreements between the University of Manitoba and local and international post-secondary institutions

Provincial agreements

Assiniboine Community College - BComm (Hons), Asper School of Business, Faculty of Management

Red River College Polytechnic - BSc (Human Nutritional Sciences), Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences

Red River College Polytechnic - BComm (Hons), Asper School of Business, Faculty of Management

University College of the North - BComm (Hons), Asper School of Business, Faculty of Management

University College of the North - BEnvSc, Clayton H. Ridell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources

Université de Saint Boniface - BComm (Hons), Asper School of Business, Faculty of Management

International College of Manitoba (ICM)

In partnership with UM since 2007, ICM delivers pathway programs for primarily international students who do not qualify for direct entry to UM. ICM students who successfully complete the ICM program are eligible to apply for admission to UM and – if they meet prescribed admission criteria – will be granted transfer credits for any UM courses completed while studying with ICM.

The Vice-Provost (Academic Planning and Programs) acts as Chair of the joint UM-ICM Academic Advisory Council, which advises on academic programming matters and manages the academic relationship between the two partners.

Inter University Service (IUS)

The IUS program is a collaborative arrangement between UM, Brandon University, University of Winnipeg and University College of the North. IUS allows students to complete a course offered in Northern communities by instructors from one of the four partner universities, and earn course credit for that course should they later proceed to enrol in one of the four universities. By bringing university-level instruction into northern and remote communities, UM and partners provide a supportive environment for learners seeking a pathway to multiple undergraduate programs, including nursing, social work, education and other bachelor's degrees.

The Vice-Provost (Academic Planning and Programs) serves as the UM representative on the Inter Universities Advisory Committee, the governing body for IUS.

Academic planning Resource alignment

The Office of the Vice-Provost (Academic Planning and Programs) provides leadership and advice on resource planning to ensure that the budgeting process for academic units supports and aligns with UM strategic plans. Thoughtful planning, continued engagement and collaboration is critical to achieving institutional priorities and maximizing existing resources.

The Office provides support in the annual budgeting process for academic units and in managing internal approval processes in respect to tuition and student fees.

Academic planning Strategic enrolment management

The University of Manitoba operates in an environment characterized by considerable change. With limited resources, UM must be strategic to realize objectives of providing high quality programs and an exceptional student experience.

Strategic enrolment management (SEM) provides an opportunity to reflect as an institution and enable the planning of the size and composition of the student body to enhance the student experience and support student success.

UM Strategic Enrolment Management Plan 2018-2023

Contact us

Office of the Vice-Provost (Academic Planning and Programs)
Room 208 Administration Building
66 Chancellor's Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada