Program Assessment Prior to Implementation (Publicly-funded universities)
A key function of the Commission is to assess academic programs prior to implementation to ensure that institutional offerings meet established regional standards. To this end, the Commission coordinates and leverages internal and external expertise to assess proposals for new and modified programs. The program assessment process includes two stages.
- Stage I (SI) Assessment - is an expedited staff-led analysis based on established assessment standards.
- Stage II (SII) Assessment - is an iterative process with institutions and the joint QA Committee of the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) and the MPHEC. The Committee works collaboratively with institutions to address proposals that do not readily meet the established criteria.
An overview of the assessment process is provided below:
For the status of proposals under review:
The MPHEC’s policy, Academic Program Assessment Prior to Implementation, provides further detail on the program assessment process.
Note: The MPHEC is updating its policy documents; to facilitate timelier updates, and with a view to making relevant documentation more user-friendly and accessible, the updates are being made in phases.
Please contact us at proposals@mphec.ca or 506-453-2844 to discuss policy updates (complete and forthcoming) or other questions you may have.
Program Assessment Standards & Criteria / Information Requirements for Proposals
In July 2025, the MPHEC released updated Assessment Standards & Criteria. Included with this update are: (1) revised Information Requirements for New Degrees and (2) revised Information Requirements for New Certificates and Diplomas. These documents replace the assessment standards and information requirements included within the policy, Academic Program Assessment Prior to Implementation.
Note: Although we expect most programs are already aligned with these standards and criteria, any existing programs not currently aligned should be reviewed and modified as part of, or prior to, their next cyclical review.
- Information Requirements for Proposals for New Degree Programs
- Information Requirements for Proposals for New Certificates and Diploma Programs
Note: Proposals using the previous information requirements will be accepted until March 31, 2026. After that, all proposals must follow the revised (2025) information requirements.
Revised definitions for new and modified programs, and Information Requirements for Proposals for Program Modifications, are under development. In the meantime, the following information requirements and associated tables can be used:
- Information Requirements for Proposals to Modify Programs (2013 version)
- Tables: Modifications (note that Table 2.8 has been removed as it is no longer required)
Associated Frameworks and Guidelines
The documents below are also provided to guide program development and proposal submission:
- Maritime Degree Level Qualifications Framework*
- Guidelines for the Selection of External Program Assessors*
- Generic Terms of Reference for External Consultants*
* published in Academic Program Assessment Prior to Implementation; update forthcoming - Maritime University Certificate and Diploma Framework (released February 2023)
- Expectations for Quality Assurance – University Certificates and Diplomas
Note: All credit-based programs using the terms “certificate” and “diploma” are expected to meet the credit thresholds and other parameters outlined in the MUCDF from this point forward. For existing MPHEC-approved programs, universities have until 2029 to update their programs to ensure alignment with the framework. Modifications can be recorded in the form below (i.e., proposals for modifications to align with the MUCDF do not need to be submitted following the standard program assessment process; this simplified approach has been developed to streamline the transition).
We want your feedback!
The MPHEC’s assessment standards and criteria as well as the associated information requirements are intended to be living documents. Users are encouraged to complete the brief survey embedded within each set of information requirements following the submission of their proposal.
MPHEC staff will compile the feedback received and communicate clarifications and changes, or consult on possible changes, to improve its program assessment process.
We welcome other feedback on our program assessment process. Please feel free to submit your comments any time to proposals@mphec.ca.
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