Background
As a public post-secondary institution in British Columbia, UNBC is required to have policies and procedures in place for the periodic review of degree programs and academic services. The Degree Program Reviews Policy and Procedures reflect the University's mandate, mission and values, assess the effectiveness of its programs, services, and responsiveness to student, labour market, and social needs, and contribute to the continuous improvement of the University.
As a Member of Universities Canada, UNBC is required to have robust degree quality assurance policies and procedures and be in compliance with applicable provincial Ministry quality assurance standards.
Purpose
The Degree Program Reviews Policy and Procedures support the commitment of the University and its faculty and staff to the quality, accountability, sustainability, and continuous improvement of the degree programs and academic service units. Degree program reviews strengthen the academic rigor of the degree programs and support the vision, mission, and values of UNBC.
Steps Involved in the Degree Program Review Process
I. Initiation and Self-Study
- Initiate and announce Degree Program Review.
- Appoint members to the External Review Committee and develop Terms of Reference for the Committee.
- Complete the Self-Study.
II. External Review
- Visit from External Reviewers.
- Complete and submit External Review of Degree Programs Report to the University.
- Respond to the External Review Report and develop an Action Plan.
III. Governance
- Present Executive Summary, Responses, and Action Plan to SCAAf and Senate upon request or recommendation of the SCAAf (open session).
- Present the Self-Study, Appendices, and External Review of Degree Programs Report to the SCAAf and Senate upon request or recommendation of the SCAAf for information (closed session).
- Post the Executive Summary, Responses, and Action Plan on the Provost and Vice President, Academic website.
IV. Follow-up
- Submit 12, 24, and 32-month Action Plan Progress Reports to the Dean and the Provost and Vice President, Academic
- Submit the 36-month Progress Report to the SCAAf and Senate for information (open session)
- Post the 36-month Action Plan Progress Report to the Provost and Vice President, Academic website
References and Support
- Degree Program Reviews Policy and Procedures (S-201906.19)
- Degree Program Self-Study Template
- Terms of Reference for the External Review Committee Template
- External Review of Degree Program(s) Report Template
- Respones to the External Review of Degree Program(s) Report, Action Plan and Progress Reports Template
If you have any questions about the degree program review process, including questions about any completed reviews, please contact our UNBC Degree Quality Assurance team at degree.qa@unbc.ca.
Degree Program Review Schedule
Reviews in progress and a schedule of future reviews can be found in the Program Review Schedule.
Each academic year below can be expanded to view a list of academic units and degree programs having undergone review. Completed degree program reviews will include a link to the documents associated with the review for each academic unit as they become available, and where required by the degree program review policy in effect at the time of the review.
| Academic Unit/Degree | Review Status |
|---|---|
| Business | In progress |
| Conservation Science and Practice / Nature-Based Tourism Management (Combined) | In progress |
| Mathematics and Statistics | In progress |
| Nursing (NBNP) | In progress |
| Women's and Gender Studies | Paused |
| Academic Unit/Degree | Review Status |
|---|---|
| Biology / Wildlife and Fisheries (combined) | In progress |
| Anthropology | In progress |
| Engineering | In progress |
| Forest Ecology and Management | In progress |
| Chemistry | In progress |
| Nursing (NCBNP, PDBNP, RNCP) | In progress |
| History | In progress |
| Political Science | In progress |
| Psychology | In progress |
| Natural Resources and Environmental Studies | In progress |
| Academic Unit/Degree | Review Status |
|---|---|
| English | Completed October 2023 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | Completed May 2024 |
| Global and International Studies | Completed June 2024 |
| Academic Unit/Degree | Review Status |
|---|---|
| Northern Studies | Completed August 2022 |
| Academic Unit/Degree | Review Status |
|---|---|
| None |
| Academic Unit/Degree | Review Status |
|---|---|
| None |
| Academic Unit/Degree | Review Status |
|---|---|
| None |
| Academic Unit/Degree | Review Status |
|---|---|
|
Health Sciences (BHSc Biomedical Studies, BHSc Community and Population Health - Aboriginal and Rural Health, BHSc Community and Population Health - Environmental Health, BHSc Disability Management, MSc Health Sciences, PhD Health Sciences) |
Completed July 2019 |
| Physics | Completed February 2022 |
| Academic Unit/Degree | Review Status |
|---|---|
|
Chemistry (BSc Chemistry, BSc Honours Chemistry, BSc Chemistry/Computer Science Joint Major, BSc Chemistry/Mathematics Joint Major, BSc Chemistry/Physics Joint Major, BSc Chemistry Minor, BSc Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) |
Completed July 2019 |
|
Enivronmental Science (BSc Environmental Science, BSc Environmental Science Minor, BSc Aquatic Science Minor, BSc Atmospheric Science Minor, BSc Soils and the Environment Minor) |
Completed July 2019 |
|
First Nations Studies (BA First Nations Studies, BA First Nations Studies/Women's Studies Joint Major, BA First Nations Studies Minor, BA Indigenous Ecological Knowledge Minor, Dipl. Aboriginal/Indigenous Health and Healing, Dipl. First Nations Language, First Nations Studies Certificate Programs, MA First Nations Studies) |
Completed July 2019 |
|
Mathematics and Statistics (BSc Mathematics, BSc Mathematics/Chemistry Joint Major, BSc Mathematics/Computer Science Joint Major, BSc Mathematics/Economics Joint Major, BSc Mathematics/Physics Joint Major, BSc Mathematics and Statistics Minor, BSc Mathematics, Computer and Physical Sciences Minor) |
Completed July 2019 |
| Academic Unit/Degree | Review Status |
|---|---|
|
Anthropology (BA Anthropology, BA Anthropology Minor, BA Honours Anthropology, BA Anthropology/Geography Joint Major, MA Interdisciplinary Studies) |
Completed May 2017 |
|
English (BA English, BA English/Environmental Studies Joint Major, BA English/History Joint Major, BA English/Political Science Joint Major, BA English/Women's Studies Joint Major, MA English) |
Completed May 2017 |
| Academic Unit/Degree | Review Status |
|---|---|
| None |
| Academic Unit/Degree | Review Status |
|---|---|
| MSc Mathematical, Computer, Physical and Molecular Sciences | Completed May 2017 |
|
Geography (BA Geography, BA Public Administration and Community Development, BSc Geography, BA Anthropology/Geography Joint Major, BA Anthropology/Geography Joint Major, BA Geomorphology Minor, BA Geography Information Systems Minor, BA Physical Geography Minor, BA Human Geography Minor) |
Completed July 2019 |
|
History (BA History, BA Honours History, BA History/Political Science Joint Major, BA History/Women's Studies Joint Major, BA History Minor, MA History) |
Completed May 2017 |
|
School of Business (BComm Accounting, BComm Finance, BComm General Business, BComm Human Resources Management, BComm International Business, BComm Marketing, BComm Honours, BComm General Business Minor, MBA - Prince George and Langara, MSc Business Administration) |
Completed July 2019 |