*There is a freeze on all new program development. Please contact your Dean's Office for additional information.
New Credit Program
- Degree Programs: master, bachelor, a new major or field of specialization, or a new minor for which the institution does not already have approval to offer a major.
- Non-Degree Credit Programs: graduate diploma, graduate certificate, post-degree diploma, post-degree certificate, advanced diploma, advanced certificate, associate degree, diploma, or certificates with 12 or more academic credits.
- Honours Program: Honours degrees can be developed from existing Majors and follow a simplified approval process.
- Degree Minor from an Existing Major follows a simplified approval process.
Contact the Office of University Planning and Analysis
New Micro-credential
- Micro-credentials are formal, short-duration learning experiences that are competency‐based, reflect an emerging need or interest, and respond to industry, employer, and/or community needs.
- Less than 288 hours of vocational instruction or fewer than 12 academic credits
- Maybe credit-bearing or not credit-bearing or a combination of both
- Collaboration with industry, employer, community and/or Indigenous communities
Contact the Provost Office
New Non-Credit Short Program or Program Change
- Changes to Existing Credit Programs: Minor changes to an existing program follow the processes outlined in the Request for Program Change form. Significant changes to an existing program may qualify as a new program. Please review VIU’s Policy 97.21: Major/Minor Program Change to determine whether the proposed program changes are major or minor in nature
- New Non-Credit Programs: Short non-credit programs that do not meet the criteria for a micro-credential follow the non-credit approval process. Refer to the Curriculum Committee website for information on developing and implementing New Non-Credit Programs.
Contact Curriculum Committee
Process for New Credit Programs
The process for developing and approving a new degree or non-degree program for implementation may take up to two years and consists of five key phases:
- Phase I: Planning and Prioritization
- Phase II: Development
- Phase III: Internal Review
- Phase IV: External Review
- Phase V: Implementation
The process described above is provided as a flowchart: Approval Process of New Credit Programs
New Programs Approved
- Historical List of New Credit Programs Approved.
More information
Email Program Planning from the Office of University Planning and Analysis.