Bachelor of Arts Degrees:
A Development and Implementation Odyssey
Robert Fleming
Associate Vice President, Learning
Kwantlen University College
Surrey, BC, Canada
Who Are we?
Where Are we?
What Is Our Mandate?
History and Mandate
• In 1970 Douglas
College was formed
to serve 15 locations
in the Lower Mainland
of British Columbia,
Canada
History and Mandate
• In 1981 Douglas College was split–one
half remained Douglas and the other
became Kwantlen College
• Kwantlen retained 4 campuses: Surrey,
Newton, Richmond and Langley
History and Mandate
• In 1995, Kwantlen was designated a University College
and given degree granting status by the BC Ministry of
Advanced Education
• Kwantlen’s mandate was to provide comprehensive
programming: from Trades and Vocation programs to
Applied Degrees
• In addition to offering the first 2 years of general
university study and existing college programs, Kwantlen
began offering 4 year undergraduate degrees
• The first degrees were in Business, Nursing, and Design
Current Program Offerings
• Kwantlen currently offers well over 100
programs in addition to 10 four-year
undergraduate degrees
• We are Canada’s largest University
College
– approx. 17,000 students—10,000 FTE’s
– Over 800 faculty and 500 staff
Degree Areas
•
•
•
•
•
•
Nursing
Applied Psychology
Interior Design
Graphics Design
Fashion Design
Applied Journalism
• Entrepreneurial
Leadership
• Business
Administration
• Information
Technology
• Community
Criminal Justice
Current Mandate
• Kwantlen offers comprehensive programming
ranging from trades and vocational programs to
baccalaureate and applied masters degrees
• Over 75% of our programs, including those in
the trades areas, ladder into degree programs
• A new trades campus is planned for
Cloverdale—opening in 2006
Expanding Our Mandate
Expanded Mandate
• The BC Ministry of Advanced Education
determined that Kwantlen would not be
restricted to offering only Applied Degrees
• Anticipated demographic pressure for
access to post secondary education over
the next 10 years requires more degree
programs in our region
Demographic Pressure
British Columbia faces significant challenges
over the next decade in providing access to quality
post-secondary education for B.C. students and
expanding the capacity of its post-secondary
sector. The South Fraser region in particular,
where Kwantlen is located, is in critical need of
new access opportunities given demographic
characteristics of the areas (At Our Doors: The
Demand for Post-Secondary Education in the
Fraser Region of Southwestern B.C.).
Demographic Pressure
Additional FTE Enrollment Demand
From 2003 Levels
Source of
Demand
2011
2016
North
Fraser
South
Fraser
3,400
4,200
10,500
12,700
13,900
16,900
Total Fraser
Region
Labour Market Pressure
“Recent occupational projections on the
Ministry of Advanced Education website,
those of May 2003, show that 72 per cent of
the projected job openings in BC over the
next decade will require some form of postsecondary education. In contrast, only 66
per cent of employment in 2001 required
post-secondary education” (Our Doors 19).
Shortage of Student Seats
Between the years 2002/03 to 2003/04,
1149 to 1179 students who began their
studies at Kwantlen applied to B.C.
universities for degree completion. Of these
qualified applicants, 65.9% to 70% were
made offers of acceptance and 78% to 80%
of these applicants followed through with
registration.
Program Selection
• Kwantlen has focused on Bachelor of Arts
Degree programs for the following reasons
– High student demand
– Employer demand
– Relatively low resource and delivery costs
– Faculty expertise
– External Accreditation
Existing Bachelor of Arts Degrees
• Bachelor of Arts, Applied Psychology
• Significant emphasis on research, practicum, stats
• Over 80% of our graduates who apply are
accepted at Grad School
• Bachelor of Arts, Community Criminal Justice
• Emphasis on research, practicum, stats
• Launched in September, 2004
New B.A. Degrees: Fall, 2005
• Bachelor of Arts degrees with majors and
minors
– Major and Minor in Criminology
– Major and Minor in Psychology
– Major in General Studies
– Minors in English and History
– Double Minor
Program Structures
B.A. Curriculum Framework
• Students will achieve a B.A. degree at Kwantlen
by completing a minimum of 120 credit hours
with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0,
plus a minimum grade of ‘C’ in all required
courses.
• In addition to satisfying all the essential
requirements listed, students must complete at
least 65 of the 120 credits in arts subjects, and
at least 45 credits at the upper levels.
B.A. Curriculum Framework:
Essential Requirements
• 6-credit writing requirement including ENGL 1100 and
one of either ENGL 1202 or 1204 to be completed within
the first 60 credits taken
• A minimum 9-credit (3 courses) quantitative requirement,
at least 6 credits of which are to be completed within the
first 60 credits taken
– To be listed as quantitative for the purposes of the
Bachelor of Arts degrees, courses must have
quantitative reasoning, or formal reasoning, or
scientific reasoning as a basic principle in their
primary subject matter
– At least 3 credits of the above 9 quantitative credits
must be taken from courses offered by the Faculty of
Science
B.A. Curriculum Framework:
Essential Requirements
• 24-credit breadth requirement, consisting of a minimum
of one 1000-2000 level course in at least four separate
social science or humanities disciplines outside of the
main program area and one 3000-4000 level course
outside the main area of study. These may include UNIV
1001, a first-year foundational course, and UNIV 4001, a
fourth year capstone course.
• Second language to grade 11 or 6-credit post-secondary
language requirement to be completed within the first 60
credits. Students who can demonstrate competency in a
second language may have this requirement waived.
B.A., Majors
• Follow the Curriculum Framework
• Required courses specific to the major
• 30 upper level credits in the area of the
major
B.A., Major in General Studies
• Follow the Curriculum Framework
• A selection of courses from and between
departments of most interest to student
• Coherent program: Themes, Topics, Skills
• Each individualized program must have
prior approval of advisor
B.A., Minors
• Follow the Curriculum Framework
• Required courses specific to each distinct
minor
• 15 upper level credits in the minor area
• 18 upper level credits in the minor area for
an extended minor
– Preferred for teachable subject areas by most
education programs
B.A., Double Minor
• Follow the Curriculum Framework
• Required courses specific to each distinct
minor
• 15 - 18 upper level credits in each of the
two areas of the minors  total 30 - 36
credits
Admissions and Registration
Protocols
Admission: Kwantlen Students
• To be admitted to year one of the B.A. program new and
continuing students must meet the following criteria
– B in ENGL 12 (or equivalent)
– C in Principles of Math 11 (or equivalent)
• Students who do not meet the criteria may be admitted
to a Qualifying Studies Year as non-program students
– Academic upgrading in writing and/or quantitative skills courses
– Students may enroll in university courses that do not require B.A.
level writing and quantitative skills
– Upon successful completion of the Qualifying Year, students are
guaranteed admittance to the BA program
Admission: Transfer Students
• Transfer students must meet the same
general and program-specific entrance
criteria as Kwantlen students
• Guaranteed student FTE allocations are
limited by Memorandum of Understanding
with specific transferring institutions
Registration: Kwantlen Students
• Program students get registration priority
– Guaranteed seats for full-time students only
– Registration order is determined by CGPA
• In future, the criteria are likely to include
– Preset CGPA to be admitted to the B.A.
program
Registration: Transfer Students
• Follow the same protocols as the existing
Kwantlen program students until the
transfer institution’s FTE allocation for B.A.
program students is depleted
• Additional transfer students can register as
new students
• We are exploring dual registration options
with institutions in our region
Development and Implementation
Process and Timeline
Timeline
Spring-Summer
2003
Activitiy
B.A. Degree Advisory Group established under the leadership of Dr. Bob
Brown, former Dean of Arts at Simon Fraser University
Consultations with students, faculty, staff, and the community regarding
viability and curriculum
Draft a “Curriculum Framework” discussion paper
September 2003
Fall 2003
Submission of “Curriculum Framework” paper to the internal Kwantlen
community
Series of open forums and meetings with stakeholders
Revisions to the “Curriculum Framework”
B.A. Degree Implementation Committee structure established: Curriculum;
Admissions, Registration and Enrollment; Human Resources; Library;
Marketing; Counseling and Advising
Spring-Summer
2004
B.A. Degree Implementation Committees meet and continue do so
throughout the year
“Curriculum Framework” prepared for submission to internal governance
authorities: Degree and Program Assessment Committee (DPAC),
Educational Council, Board of Governors
April 2004
“Curriculum Framework” approved by DPAC
Degree Proposal Writing Group starts developing the required
“Notices of Intent” (NOIs) and “Full Program Proposals” (FPPs)
May 2004
“Curriculum Framework” approved by Education Council and the
Board of Governors
Consultations with other colleges and universities
Requests for letter of comment for inclusion in NOIs and FPPs
June 2004
Four NOIs and four FPPs are submitted to and approved by DPAC
and Education Council
Department Curriculum Committees begin developing necessary new
upper levels course outlines
August 2004
NOIs and FPPs revised in preparation for mid-August posting on the
Post Secondary Institution Proposal System website for external
commentary
NOIs approved by the Board of Governors
September 2004
October 2004
NOIs and FPPs revised and submitted to the Degree Quality
Assessment Board (DQAB)
NOIs and FPPs approved by DQAB
Curriculum Development Continues
Admissions, Registration, and Enrollment Management protocols
Marketing plan implemented
Advising protocol established
Library purchase of B.A. degree resource materials accelerated
November 2004
Spring 2004
Application process begins
New upper levels courses approved by Education Council
Admission decisions made
Summer 2005
September 2005
Student Orientation
Programs Begin
Identifying Strengths
and
Addressing Challenges
Student and Employer Demand
• Ministry of Advanced Education increases in FTEs
targets for the South Fraser Region to respond to
Demographic Pressure
• Labour Market expectation for undergraduate-educated
employees
• Shortage of seats for transferring students
• Internal and community surveys indicating preference for
degree completion programs at Kwantlen
– Most degree program options are a .5 to 1.5 hour commute
away: UBC, SFU, UCFV
Budget and Facilities Resources
•
Strategic Planning
– Long Term Education Plan
• FTE Distribution through 2009/10
– Ministry of Advanced Education Service Plan
•
Operational Budget
– Managing FTE allocation for the BA programs
•
Capital Building Projects
– Classrooms, Offices, Library Expansion, Cloverdale Campus (TradesFine Arts
Renovation in Langley)
•
Program Consolidation by Campus
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–
–
–
Surrey Campus = Upper Level Undergraduate Academic
Langley Campus = Horticulture, Fine/Performing Arts
Richmond Campus = Design/Professional Degrees
Newton/Cloverdale = Trades
Divisional Structures / Support Services
• Consolidation of Divisions
– Current Structure
• 8 Academic Areas, each headed by a Dean
– Trades, Science/Technology/Horticulture, Business, Health, Design,
Access, Library/Student Services, Humanities and Social Sciences
– Proposed Structure
• 4 Academic Areas, each headed by a Dean and supported more
comprehensively by Associate Deans, Chairs with expanded
authority and responsibilities, and program assistants
– Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of
Professional Programs, Access Programs
– First Steps for 2005:
• Faculty of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences
– 220+ faculty, 20+ disciplines and 30+ programs
Divisional Structures / Support Services
• Service Area Support Requirements
– Advising
• dedicated program/division advisors to deal with specialized needs
of program students
• expanded high school liaison activity
– Marketing
• focused program/division marketing plans
• expanded high school recruitment activity
– Admissions
• more proactive and timely application approval protocols
• Development and implementation of enrollment management plans
by program/division
– HR
• dedicated HR specialists responsive to program/division issues:
recruitment, retention, workload
Student Access and Enrollment
• From Open Access to Selective Entry
– Competency Based Criteria not CGPA
– Several Years of Success Rate Data Reports
• Literacy: English 12 ‘B’
• Numeracy: Principles of Math 11 ‘C’
• Maintaining Access for Under-prepared Students
– BA Qualifying Year
– Upgrading in English and Math
– University 1100—Preparation and Skills Course
Student Access and Enrollment
• Guaranteed Seats for Full-Time Students
– Allows us to manage the program efficiently on very limited resources
by only running one section of required upper level courses during the
initial implementation of programs
– Access to seats for qualified part-time students based on availability and
CGPA
• Seats for Qualified Transfer Students from Two-Year Colleges
– Memoranda of Understanding give us and them enrollment predictability
– Allows the colleges to develop their programs and retain their students
based on the certainty of transfer spaces
• Dual Registration and 75% Transfer Credit Possibilities
– Allows us to build on each other’s expertise and expand upper level
course options for students
Curriculum Development / Delivery
• Focus on programs/departments with existing faculty
expertise
– Psychology, Criminology, English and History
– New Hires for expertise are minimal
• Curriculum development occurs simultaneous with
program proposal submissions
– 50+ new formal outlines developed and approved by expert
faculty and/or departmental curriculum development groups
– New course outlines proceed through the regular approval
stages: Department, Division, Education Council, Board of
Governors
– Most new curriculum is approved by the spring of 2005
Curriculum Development / Delivery
• Support new course offerings with project time
assignments
– Major Resource Commitment
• Faculty teaching load reduced by one course
• Department course materials are developed
• New courses taught the first two times by the faculty developing
curriculum
• BA Curriculum Committee established to oversee
Curriculum Framework implementation issues and
assess new minor and major proposals
– Quantitative Credit Assessment Subcommittee
– Writing Credit Assessment
– Second Language Credit Assessment
Institutional Credibility
• Hire the Appropriate Consultant
– Dr. Bob Brown, Dean of Arts, SFU (Retired)
• Faculty Expertise and Credentials
– Existing Strengths: Psychology, Criminology, English and History
– Focused Hiring for Four Year Programs
• Workload: Teaching, Research and Scholarship
– Project Time Assignments for Curriculum Development
– Preferential Scheduling
– Expanded R+S Funding and Support
Institutional Credibility
• Liaising with Sending and Receiving Institutions
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Transfer Agreements
Program Review and Articulation
Graduate School Access
Support Letters: Chairs, Deans, VPs, and Presidents
• Peer Reviewed Program Proposals
• Degree Quality Assessment Board Endorsement
and Ministry Approval
Moving Forward
Kwantlen University College–BA Degrees
BA Degrees Press Release