STAGE 1: HONOURS PROGRAM CONCEPT
Program Name:
Honours degrees can be developed from existing Majors. Honours degrees are not to be confused with a
“Distinction” designation. The addition of Honours degrees from existing majors does not require approval from
the Ministry. Honours programs have all the requirements for a Major, plus an additional 12 credits (minimum) in
the discipline.
Stage 1 Honours Program Concept Form must be reviewed and supported by Faculty Council, Provost and VicePresident Academic, and Provost Council before moving forward to Stage 2 - Honours Program Planning. See
Coversheet at the end of document.
1.
a)
CREDENTIAL SUMMARY
Faculty(s):
Select from list
b) Dean(s) and Proponent(s):
c)
Total number of credits:
d) Maximum number of students
admitted per year to Honours:
2.
a)
PROGRAM HISTORY
Year the Major was approved by the Ministry:
b) Last date the program was reviewed:
c)
Select a date.
2012/13
2013/14
Major
Minor
a)
Go to the Approval and Consents
page on the Ministry site
Contact the Office of University
Planning & Analysis
Graduate Data by Academic Year for Major and Minor1 Contact the Office of University Planning & Analysis (OUPA)
2011/12
3.
Select a date.
1. Source: OUPA General Enrolment DataPoint (dp5). Students
may be counted more than once if they complete more than one
declaration. For example, a student graduating with a BA minor
in Anthropology and a minor in History will count twice.
RESOURCES
Indicate how the addition of the Honours program
will affect your program budget: (provide evidence of
consultation with your Dean and Finance Department)
4.
a)
RATIONALE
Program readiness:
Target implementation date (if approved):
Select a date.
Estimated curriculum development time:
b) Program purpose and
key/unique features:
5.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Please append the Curriculum Vitae of teaching faculty involved in the Honours program.
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STAGE 2: HONOURS PROGRAM PLANNING FORM
Program Name:
Curriculum development is prepared at Stage 2 for review by Curriculum Committee and Senate. Please contact
the Office of University Planning and Analysis if you have any questions.
1.
CURRICULUM/PROGRAM CONTENT
Honours programs have all the requirements for a Major, plus an additional 12 credits (minimum) in the discipline.
These 12 credits are typically made up of a methods/theory course at the upper-level, and include a graduating
essay or major project (where such courses and projects are not already required for the Major). Individual
departments shall specify the courses that meet this additional requirement for students within their Honours
program. Study in a foreign language will not be a university-level requirement for an Honours degree, but an
individual department may include such a requirement as part of its program.
All Honours degrees must adhere to criteria described in the Institutional Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements,
Undergraduate Degree English Requirements, and Breadth in Degree Programs Policy.
1.1
EXISTING AND NEW COURSES FOR HONOURS PROGRAM
Identify which courses already exist at the institution and which new courses will be implemented as a result of the
program.
Click here to enter text.
Action Required: All new courses and course changes must be submitted to the Course Management System
(CMS) prior to Curriculum Committee submission deadline. If new courses are not submitted, the proposal cannot
move forward in the approval process. For questions regarding the Course Management System, please contact
Curriculum Committee support.
2.
REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS
2.1
SELECTING QUALIFIED APPLICANTS
Describe how the department will review and select qualified applicants. How often will applications be reviewed?
Click here to enter text.
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3.
PROGRAM MATRIX
Years 3 and 4:
Fall Semester
Name and Number
Credits
Semester Total:
Spring Semester
Hours
Name and Number
Credits
Hours
Semester Total:
Years 3 and 4 Total:
Program Total:
4.
CALENDAR COPY (SAMPLE)
4.1
B.A. WITH HONOURS
4.1.1 General Description
General information on the discipline, what are the major advantages of an Honours degree, why students may be
interested in the discipline, how it’s taught, research opportunities, estimated time spent outside of class, etc.
Areas of employment that graduate might wish to explore, or employment that graduates have been able to
secure after completion of the program.
Click here to enter text.
4.1.2 Graduate Opportunities
Include options for graduate studies.
Click here to enter text.
4.1.3 Eligibility for Admission
Grade Standard: The general requirement for admission is a GPA of at least a 3.67 (A-) on the most recent 45
credits of study. Departments may set additional requirements. Click here to enter text.
If a student meets the minimum requirements for the Honours Program, are they guaranteed admission into the
Honours Program or do students compete for a limited number of spaces?
Submitting an Application: Click here to enter text.
Do students apply through a Program Chair, Degree Advisor, or other? How will the Degree Advisor be notified?
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Application Deadlines: Click here to enter text.
When do students apply? Are there application deadlines?
Residency Requirement: Students are expected to complete all additional 12 credits at Vancouver Island
University. With the approval of the appropriate Dean and under exceptional circumstances, this amount may be
reduced.
4.1.4 Requirements for a Honours/Major/Minor
Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. requirements as outlined in the Calendar, including Degree English
Requirements and courses listed below:
Years 1 and 2: Click here to enter text.
Years 3 and 4: Click here to enter text.
4.1.5 Recommended Electives:
Click here to enter text.
4.1.6 Graduation Requirements
Honours students need an average GPA of 3.67 (A-) on all 3rd and 4th year courses taken within the discipline in
order to graduate from an Honours program.
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HONOURS PROGRAM COVERSHEET
Program Name:
Stage 1: Honours Program Concept Review
Stage 1 has been reviewed by, and is supported by, Faculty Council, Provost and Vice-President Academic, and
Provost Council.
FACULTY COUNCIL
Program concept has been vetted and
supported at Faculty Council.
Dean / date
PROVOST AND VICE-PRESIDENT ACADEMIC
Program concept is supported by the
Provost and Vice-President Academic:
Provost and Vice-President Academic / date
PROVOST COUNCIL (completed by the Office of University Planning and Analysis)
Program concept is supported by the
Provost Council.
Date of approval: (Attach approval email from Provost Office)
Stage 2: Honours Program Planning Review
Stage 2 has been reviewed by, and is recommended by Curriculum Committee and granted educational approval
by Senate.
CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
Program proposal has been reviewed
and recommended at Curriculum
Committee.
Chair, Curriculum Committee / date
SENATE
Program proposal has been reviewed
and granted educational approval at
Senate.
Chair, Senate / date
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