The intent of this Policy is to guide the development of new courses, revision of existing courses, and decision-making processes for the suspension and termination of courses. This Policy reflects the Justice Institute of British Columbia’s (“JIBC” or the “Institute”) desire and commitment to ensure relevant and responsive courses consistent with its mission, mandate, and values, and aligned with labour market needs.
JIBC offers applied educational programming that reflects current and emerging trends and practises in justice and public safety. New course development is evidence-informed and aligned with labour market needs and student demand. The Institute regularly reviews and updates courses to ensure they meet standards of academic quality, and industry and student needs.
Course change is integral to the continuous improvement of JIBC’s curriculum. Course change may be required for reasons including, but not limited to, changing academic, industry and/or community needs; changing pedagogy or instructional methodologies; changing student needs; changing national, provincial and/or professional association standards; and/or new directions and initiatives from government.
As part of JIBC’s regular review of, and updates to, courses and programs, circumstances may arise that require suspension or termination of a course. Decisions to substantively change, suspend, or terminate courses consider the impacts on students, other programs, and the Institute, and are communicated to affected stakeholders in a respectful, considered, and timely manner.
This policy applies to all courses offered at JIBC.
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.
Course Outline – An approved document that provides a description of the course including learning outcomes, instructional methods, and evaluation, and serves as the principal education agreement between students and the Institute.
Course Suspension – A temporary removal of a Course from the JIBC active course directory.
Course Termination – A permanent removal of a Course from the JIBC active course directory.
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.
Dean – The administrative head of a JIBC School.
Non-Substantive Course Change – Revisions to an existing course that do not change the nature or essence of the course, its goal, or outcomes.
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.
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.
Stand-Alone Course – A course that is not part of a program.
Substantive Course Change – Modifications that result in a significant impact on the course as designed and previously approved.
Vice-President, Academic (VPA) – The person responsible for all education programs at the Institute.
Governance
With respect to the development of, and changes to, courses offered by JIBC:
1. Program Council will consider and approve:
a. development of, and substantive change to, courses within Credential Programs; and
b. non-substantive change to courses within Credential Programs comprising 20 or more credits, and all Graduate Certificates.
2. The VPA will consider and approve development of, and substantive change to, courses within programs that do not meet the criteria of a Credential Program.
3. School Curriculum Committee will consider and approve:
a. development of courses that are not part of a program;
b. substantive and non-substantive change to courses that are not part of a program;
c. non-substantive change to courses within Credential Programs comprising fewer than 20 credits; and
d. non-substantive change to courses within programs that do not meet the criteria of a Credential Program.
The School Curriculum Committee and/or the VPA, as applicable, will notify Program Council of all approvals under items 2 and 3 above.
With respect to the development of new tuition courses, the Deputy Chief Financial Officer will consider and approve all fees, including tuition.
With respect to the suspension and termination of courses offered by JIBC:
1. Program Council will consider and approve termination of courses within Credential Programs.
2. The VPA will consider and approve termination of courses within programs that do not meet the criteria of a Credential Program.
3. School Curriculum Committee will consider and approve:
a. suspension of all courses; and
b. termination of courses that are not part of a program.
The School Curriculum Committee and/or the VPA, as applicable, will notify Program Council of all approvals under items 2 and 3 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
- 3309-001 Course Development, Change, Suspension, and Termination Procedure
- 3309-002 Establishing Credit Value for JIBC Courses Procedure
- 3310 Directed Studies and Special Topics Courses Policy