The intent of this Policy is to guide the development of new programs, revision of existing programs, and decision-making processes for program suspension and termination. This Policy reflects the Justice Institute of British Columbia’s (“JIBC” or the “Institute”) desire and commitment to ensure relevant and responsive programming consistent with its mission, mandate, and values, and aligned with labour market needs.
JIBC offers a variety of applied education programs that meet the complex and evolving needs of public safety professions and the education training requirements of their personnel. Through experiential learning environments, innovative educational technologies, and research, the Institute prepares Students for real-world challenges.
New program development at JIBC is evidence-informed through labour market analysis, consultation with stakeholders, and quality assurance standards set by the Institute, Ministry, and professional governing bodies. Programs provide flexible education pathways for learners; reflect current and emerging trends, technologies, and practices; and are designed to meet the needs of Students, employers, government, and communities. Programming is culturally responsive and inclusive with emphasis on Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation within program content, pedagogical approaches, and learning environments.
Programs are reviewed regularly to ensure quality and relevance, and are revised accordingly. Factors that may necessitate changes to, or suspension and termination of, programs include, without limitation, input received from consultation with stakeholders, program performance and evaluation data, resource requirements, changes in labour market needs, and changes in Institute and government priorities.
Decisions are made and communicated to affected stakeholders in a respectful, considered, and timely manner. Any decision to suspend or terminate a program will include a program completion plan to minimize impact on Students enrolled in the program. Program suspensions should last no longer than two years at which time the decision to suspend the program will be revisited, and the program will be either reinstated or terminated.
This Policy applies to all programs offered at JIBC.
APQA – Academic Planning and Quality Assurance.
Board – The Board of Governors of the Institute.
Course – A formal, organized learning experience, usually taught by an instructor from a prepared outline of content and/or learning outcomes.
Credential Program – A program of studies leading to a certificate, diploma, or degree as per JIBC Policy 3306 Program Completion and Credentials.
Credit – A numerical value assigned to a Course as per JIBC Procedure 3309-002 Establishing Credit Value for JIBC Courses.
Degree Programs – Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees.
Dean – The administrative head of a JIBC School.
DQAB – British Columbia's Degree Quality Assessment Board.
Graduate Certificate – See Policy 3306 Program Completion and Credentials.
Ministry – B.C. Ministry responsible for post-secondary institutions.
Non-Degree Credential Programs – Include all Credential Programs as described in Policy 3306 Program Completion and Credentials, except for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
Non-Substantive Change – Revisions to an existing program that do not meet the threshold for a Substantive Change.
Professional Programs – Programs developed and delivered under a service contract where learning is evaluated but no Credits are granted.
Program – A collection of Courses, practica, and evaluation activities that have been identified as requirements for a credential, or collection of Courses aggregated to meet the business practices of the Institution.
Program Council – Committee to which the Board has delegated some of the functions and responsibilities of an Education Council, as described in the Program Council Terms of Reference.
Program Reinstatement – Opening admission for new Student registration and enrolment to a previously suspended Program and returning the Program to the JIBC active program directory.
Program Suspension – A temporary measure to suspend admission for new Student registration and enrolment to a Program and remove the Program from the JIBC active program directory for a specified period, normally not to exceed two years.
Program Termination – A permanent removal of a Program from the JIBC active program directory.
PSIPS – British Columbia's Post-Secondary Institute Proposal System.
Registrar – The Registrar of the Institute.
School – The educational entity within JIBC headed by a Dean.
School Curriculum Committee – A sub-committee of Program Council that provides leadership and oversight on all curriculum and education matters within a School.
Student – A person the Registrar recognizes as being enrolled in a Course or program of studies at the Institute.
Substantive Change – Modifications that result in a significant impact on the program as designed and previously approved. These include changes to credential type, program goals and outcomes, program Credit value and/or contact hours, and graduation requirements.
Vice-President, Academic (VPA) – The person responsible for all education programs at the Institute.
Vice-President, Finance & Operations (VPFO) – The person responsible for finance and operations management at the Institute.
Governance
Pursuant to the College and Institute Act, the Board “determine[s]… programs to be offered or cancelled at the institution.” The Board delegates powers and duties for approval of program development, change, and termination as described below.
With respect to the development of, and changes to, programs offered by JIBC:
1. The Board will consider and approve the development of, and Substantive Change to, Credential Programs comprising 20 or more Credits, and Graduate Certificates. Final approval for Degree Programs is granted by the Ministry.
2. Program Council will consider and approve:
a. Non-substantive Change to Credential Programs comprising 20 or more Credits and all Graduate Certificates; and
b. development of, and Substantive Change to, Credential Programs comprising fewer than 20 Credits.
3. The VPA will consider and approve the development of, and Substantive Change to, programs that do not meet the criteria of a Credential Program.
4. School Curriculum Committees will consider and approve Non-substantive Change to programs that do not meet the criteria of a Credential Program and will notify Program Council of all approvals.
Program Council and/or the VPA, as applicable, will notify the Board of all approvals under items 2 through 4 above.
With respect to the suspension and termination of programs offered by JIBC:
1. The Board will consider and approve the termination of Credential Programs comprising 20 or more Credits, and all Graduate Certificates.
2. Program Council will consider and approve the termination of Credential Programs comprising fewer than 20 Credits.
3. The VPA will consider and approve the termination of programs that do not meet the criteria of a Credential Program.
4. The VPA will consider and approve the suspension and reinstatement of all JIBC programs.
Program Council and/or the VPA, as applicable, will notify the Board of all approvals under items 2 through 4 above.
Employee Awareness
Employees are required to make themselves aware of all JIBC policies and procedures. Lack of awareness of this or any other JIBC policy does not excuse an employee from responsibility for their actions.
Related Policies and Procedures
- 3306 Program Completion and Credentials Policy
- 3311-001 Program Development for Non-Degree Credential Programs Procedure
- 3311-002 Program Development for Degree Programs Procedure
- 3311-003 Program Development for Professional Programs Procedure
- 3311-004 Program Change Procedure
- 3311-005 Program Suspension, Reinstatement, and Termination Procedure