Academic planning and programs

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

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.

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.

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.

• Learn more about graduate program changes

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).

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

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.

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.

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