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Curriculum Planning for New Programs
This page is intended for new programs who need to develop a program vision. If you are a previously established program, please refer to the Curriculum Review page.
Strategic Planning for Curriculum Visioning
When creating a new program, departments are asked to engage in “curriculum visioning” for the program. Curriculum visioning is a form of strategic planning for curriculum review and renewal. Together, faculty articulate the strengths and outcomes of the undergraduate or graduate program, and to generate materials that can be included in the self-study. The majority of departments choose to accomplish these goals through curriculum retreats.
Strategic planning for curriculum visioning may include:
- identifying the mission/goals of the program
- brainstorming the characteristics of an ideal graduate at each degree level
- identifying program strengths and opportunities for improvement/growth
- writing program learning outcomes
- mapping the achievement of learning outcomes across the curriculum
- mapping program outcomes and learning activities
- mapping program outcomes to the Western Degree Outcomes (WDOs)
New Program Design and Program Renewal Consultation
Western’s Institutional Quality Assurance Process stipulates the process for new program proposals.
The Centre for Teaching and Learning regularly supports this process through individual consultation. Please contact us to collaborate at curriculum@uwo.ca
Book a Retreat
To support new curriculum planning for new programs, the Centre for Teaching and Learning offers various retreats including the Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results (SOAR) Retreat and the Program Learning Outcomes Retreat. To view descriptions and sample retreat agendas, and for information on how to book a retreat, please visit our Retreats page.
Now What?
Once you have developed a vision for your program, you can proceed to the Curriculum Review page to prepare the remainder of the IQAP self-study.
Questions?
If you would like to discuss this topic further, please contact a member of the CTL curriculum team.