Academic Program Development Policy

To ensure that academic programming is developed in alignment with Seneca’s strategic priorities, ministry, regulatory and external quality assurance requirements, and the current and anticipated demands and needs of students, industry, employers and the broader community.

This policy applies to all postsecondary academic credentials to be delivered by Seneca.

A certificate II under the Ontario Qualifications Framework that is approved by Seneca’s Board of Governors for delivery at Seneca. 

The Minister’s Binding Policy Directive governing the minimum provincial requirement for credentials to be awarded and applies to all programs of instruction, regardless of funding, except for ministry-funded apprenticeship training (Minister’s Binding Policy Directive, 2009).

A group of related courses, along with the descriptive, identifying and delivery information, leading to a credential awarded by the Board of Governors.

Other programs in a funding category including the program title, vocational learning outcomes, essential employability skills, and general education but have some flexibility to include differentiating elements.

A ministry/funding categorization of programs. Each program standard identifies the essential learning that graduates must achieve. Programs must be in full alignment with the binding elements articulated in the standard including the program title, vocational learning outcomes, essential employability skills, and general education.

• Minister's Binding Policy Directive, Framework for Programs of Instruction
• Seneca Strategic Mandate Agreement 2020-2025
• Seneca Strategic Plan 2017-2022

• Appendix A - Academic program development procedures

• Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB)
• Ontario Qualifications Framework
• Ontario College Quality Assurance Service (OCQAS)

These procedures support the Academic Program Development Policy and provide guidance to ensure the quality of academic credentials developed at Seneca, and the alignment of new academic program development to Seneca’s strategic priorities, ministry, regulatory and external quality assurance requirements, and the needs and expectations of students, industry, employers and the broader community.

A certificate II under the Ontario Qualifications Framework that is approved by Seneca’s Board of Governors for delivery at Seneca. 

The Minister’s Binding Policy Directive governing the minimum provincial requirement for credentials to be awarded and applies to all programs of instruction, regardless of funding, except for ministry-funded apprenticeship training (Minister’s Binding Policy Directive, 2009).

A group of related courses, along with the descriptive, identifying and delivery information, leading to a credential awarded by the Board of Governors.

Learning or training program that objects to deliver specific content or skills in a relatively short period of time (e.g., recognition of achievement, microcredentials).

• 1.1 Ideas for new academic programs are discussed within and among academic faculties and brought forward for broader discussion with internal stakeholders by the academic chair and dean. Alignment with current and strategic priorities, and opportunities for collaboration should be discussed at the Deans’ Committee before proceeding with academic program development.
• 1.2 The chair and/or dean will develop a business case for new academic program ideas. The information gathered for the business case includes a high-level description of the key characteristics, focus and intended audience of the academic program. The business case also includes:
  • the anticipated occupational areas
  • an analysis of the current and prospective labour market and industry demand
  • a description of the alignment with Seneca’s strategic plan and commitments to sustainability, equity, diversity and inclusion and innovative and virtual approaches to program and service delivery
  • a description of the alignment with Seneca’s Strategic Mandate Agreement with the ministry
  • a scan of comparable programs and relevant financial and performance metrics
  • an analysis of internal resources and capacity
  • a preliminary analysis of the transfer pathway opportunities.
• 1.3 A business case for local college certificates and short courses includes information aligned with relevant internal and external requirements and may not include all the elements identified in 1.2.
• 1.4 Development of the business case will involve formal and informal consultation with relevant academic, student and operational support and service areas across Seneca. Feedback from support and service areas will be incorporated in the business case to inform decision making.
• 1.5 Development of the business case will incorporate any feedback received from consultation with students, alumni, external stakeholders and industry collaborators as appropriate.
• 1.6 The academic dean will seek approval from the Vice-President, Academic to proceed.
• 1.7 The business case will be presented by the academic chair and/or dean to the Enrolment Management Committee for review and approval to proceed.

• 2.1 Once a business case is approved to proceed, the chair will develop a program proposal.
• 2.2 The program proposal will build on the business case and include:
  • the vocational learning outcomes and program curriculum
  • the proposed delivery methods
  • evidence of alignment with provincial standards or provincial descriptions, if relevant
  • evidence that the program requirements including the title, description, curriculum, and work-integrated/experiential learning are derived from the vocational learning outcomes, regardless of the location or method of delivery
  • evidence of alignment with the Minister’s Binding Policy Directive, Framework for Programs of Instruction
  • an in-depth analysis of pathway and transfer opportunities
  • an analysis of the learning outcomes and key performance indicators for comparable programs
  • the alignment of the program with certification or accreditation bodies
  • evidence of review and endorsement of an ad hoc or established Program Advisory Committee
  • letters of support from industry and academic institutions
  • the financial framework.
• 2.3 Program proposals for local college certificates and short courses include information aligned with relevant internal and external requirements and may not include all the elements identified in 2.2. These program proposals may also include additional information relevant to the credential type.
• 2.4 Development of program proposals will be an iterative process involving formal and informal consultation with relevant academic, student and operational support and service areas across Seneca. Feedback from support and service areas will be incorporated in the program proposal as appropriate.
• 2.5 Development of the proposal will incorporate any feedback received from consultation with students, alumni, ad hoc Program Advisory Committee members, external stakeholders and industry collaborators as appropriate.
• 2.6 Program proposals may be brought forward to the Deans’ Committee for academic review and feedback. The academic dean will seek approval from the Vice-President Academic to proceed.
• 2.7 Proposals for programs of instruction will be presented by the academic chair and/or dean to the Enrolment Management Committee for review and approval to proceed. If feedback is received, the program proposal may need to be presented to the Enrolment Management Committee more than once.

• 3.1 Programs of instruction approved by the Enrolment Management Committee will proceed through internal approvals as follows:
  • Senior Executive Committee
  • Academic Planning and Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Governors
  • Board of Governors.
• 3.2 Proposals for programs of instruction approved by the Board of Governors will proceed through relevant external validation and approval processes with quality assurance bodies and the ministry.
• 3.3 Internal and external approvals for short courses and Seneca credentials that are not Board of Governors approved programs of instruction will follow a process appropriately designed for the course and credential type, which may differ from the processes identified in 2.7, 3.1 and 3.2. The approval process for these courses and credentials meets ministry and quality assurance body requirements and is approved by the Senior Executive Committee.
• 3.4 Progress on program proposals and final approvals will be communicated to internal and external stakeholders as needed in a timely manner to support preparations for program launch and promote successful program implementation.

• Minister's Binding Policy Directive, Framework for Programs of Instruction
• Seneca Strategic Mandate Agreement 2020-2025
• Seneca Strategic Plan 2017-2022

• Academic program development policy

• Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB)
• Ontario Qualifications Framework
• Ontario College Quality Assurance Service (OCQAS)

Approval Date: August 2021