Program Sustainability Worksheet

The Program Sustainability Worksheet (PSW) is required prior to developing a new program proposal and during the program review process. This worksheet incorporates institutional and government criteria for new program approvals. The following documents guided the questions asked in the PSW. Please refer to these documents as you develop your program and complete this worksheet:

  • TRU Academic Plan
  • TRU Strategic Priorities
  • TRU GraduateAttributes
  • BC Degree Quality Assessment Board (DQAB)Stage 1 Review requirements for New Degree proposals.

Proposed Program Name
Faculty/School and Department Name
Anticipated Start Date
Delivery Method(s)
Institutional Contact
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Summary Description of Program:
Briefly describe in general terms the nature of the program and any aims/goals/objectives.
List all new and existing courses that the program will require and proposed program structure. Include courses slated to be deleted (as applicable).
2 page maximum including program structure
Include:
  • Number of program credits
  • Expected time to completion
  • Program concentrations
  • Targeted students
  • Learning outcomes
  • Employment prospects
  • Implementation schedule

Institutional Mandate/Capacity
How does the proposed program fit within the mandate of TRU as per the TRU Act?
TRU’s mandate is the following:
(1) The purposes of the university are
(a) to offer baccalaureate and masters degree programs,
(b) to offer post-secondary and adult basic education and training,
(c) to undertake and maintain research and scholarly activities for the purposes of paragraphs (a) and (b), and
(d) to provide an open learning educational credit bank for students.
(2) The university must promote teaching excellence and the use of open learning methods.
(3) In carrying out its purposes, the university must serve
(a) the educational and training needs in the region specified by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, and
(b) the open learning needs of British Columbia.
How does the proposed program support or contribute to the current Academic Planand Strategic Priorities of the institution?Describe how the program supports the TRU Strategic Priorities and Academic Plan, relative to other competing priorities. Do not limit your comments to describing how your program relates to the Strategic Priorities/Academic Plan, rather, please describe how your program strategically advances the University’s goals.
Increasing Student Success:
Increasing Intercultural Understanding:
Increasing Research Capacity:
Increasing Entrepreneurial Capacity:
Increasing Sustainability:
Graduate Attributes
Describe how the TRU Graduate Attributes are incorporated into overall program structure and learning outcomes?
  1. Knowledge (Depth and breadth of knowledge; Knowledge acquisition and application):
  1. Skills (Creative thinking and expression; Critical thinking, analysis, problem solving and research; Communication; Teamwork and leadership):
  1. Values and Commitments (Social responsibility and ethical behavior; Sustainability and entrepreneurship; Intercultural understanding; Lifelong learning):

Describe how and why your faculty/school selected this program as a priority.
How does the program support the specific outcomes of your faculty/school strategic plan?
Why did you choose this program over enhancing an established program?
Capacity
To what extent does the program build on the institution’s existing infrastructure, resources and experience from offering programs in related fields? Describe whether TRU has had successful past performance in related program areas over the past three years and provide supporting evidence, such as student outcome surveys or other relevant information that demonstrate satisfaction of students, employers, graduates and receiving institutions.
To what extent has the institution assessed the resources required and identified funding sources needed to implement the program?Describe the possible impact the program may have on existing programs, resources, services and capacity at TRU. Identify plans for reallocating internal resources.
To what extent does the Library have the resources to support the program? Library Curriculum Consultation form must be completed and attached as an appendix. Please allow 6 weeks lead time for the Library Liaison to complete the form.
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFIT
Please demonstrate that the proposed program will serve the social and economic needs of BritishColumbians*.
*New degree programs require approval from the Ministry of Advanced Education. The information requested in this section will be required by the DQAB following the complete internal review process. Please refer to the DQAB Stage 1 guidelines as you are completing this section.
  1. Priority of Program Focus

Is the program focus primarily on meeting social benefit(s) or economic benefit(s)?Prioritize whether the degree primarily provides social benefits or economic benefits.
  1. Social Benefit

What social, cultural, regional, community, environmental, institutional and/or intellectual benefits would the proposed program provide?Describe the potential social, cultural, regional, community, environmental, institutional and intellectual benefits of the program. If the program advances one or more social goals, policies and/or government priorities, provide details. Provide references to documents that support these statements.
How would the proposed program advance social goods or government priorities?Reference the most up to date BC Jobs Plan () within your comments.
  1. Economic Benefit

What direct and/or indirect economic, industrial or labour market benefits would the program offer the student, community, region or province?Describe the direct and indirect economic or industrial benefits of the proposed degree program to the student, the community, region or province.
How would the proposed program support economic growth and/or government economic priorities?If the program advances one or more economic goals, policies and/or government priorities, provide details.
What labour market needs would the proposed program meet for the province?Describe the labour market demand for the credential. Provide supportable evidence, such as relevant statistical/census employment data relevant to the field, dated employment ads, current employer letters of support, labour force projections from government, industry and professional associations, and employer surveys.
Labour market analyses should use the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada whenever possible to specify relevant occupation destinations of program graduates. Please identify 3-5 National Occupation Codes (NOC).
Reference the most recent BC Labour Market Outlook Report within your comments.
Do potential employers require a degree for graduates to gain employment in the field?Provide evidence that potential employers require a degree to gain employment in the field.
Describe the potential earnings for graduates and provide evidence such as student outcome surveys.
If the main employer will be government or another public agency, what support does the program have from relevant ministry/public employers?If the main employer is the provincial or federal government, provide evidence of the relevant ministry’s or department’s support for the program. Provides letters of support in an appendix.
  1. Consultation

What feedback from relevant community groups, employer groups, and professional organizations was incorporated into the proposed program?Provide evidence of consultation with applicable community groups, employer groups and professional organizations as well as the findings resulting from such consultations. Provide letters of support in an appendix.
If the program relates to a regulated profession, what feedback did the regulatory or licensing bodies and the responsible Ministry provide? Indicate whether the proposed degree is preparatory to work in a regulated field. If this is a regulated field, state whether the proposed degree represents a change in the “entry to practice” standard and provide evidence of consultation with and support from pertinent regulatory/licensing bodies. Use appendix for evidence.
SYSTEM COORDINATION / PROGRAM DUPLICATION
Please establish that the proposed program fills a need within the postsecondary system and that there is no unnecessary duplication with existing programs.
  1. System Context

What differentiates the proposed program from all other related programs in the province?
Identify degree programs with similar learning objectives offered by other post-secondary institutions in British Columbia and briefly explain how or whether this degree will differ from the others.
  1. Consultation

To what extent has the institution consulted other institutions in British Columbia offering similar programs and responded to their feedback?Describe the consultation that has occurred with other institutions in British Columbia offering similar programs. Include a list of institutions that were consulted and include letters of support (in the appendix).
  1. Rationale for Duplication

If programs with similar learning objectives are currently available in the region or online within the province, what is the rationale for establishing another program?If there are programs with similar learning objectives or outcomes available in the province, explain why an apparent duplication in programming is warranted (e.g. demand for graduates exceeds system capacity; the program is unavailable online or within reasonable commuting distance; etc.).
  1. Collaboration

To what extent has the institution explored appropriate ways to collaborate and/or share resources with other institutions offering related programs?Outline any plans for collaboration and/or sharing resources and identify the prospective collaborating institutions/organizations.
STUDENT DEMAND AND OUTCOMES
STANDARD: The institution must demonstrate that the proposed degree program will have sufficient ongoing student interest and provide benefit to students.
A. Student Demand
How robust is the demonstrated potential student demand to sustain the proposed program?Provide evidence of student demand for the program, such as:
  • The results of a survey indicating current student demand for the program. If a survey is used, describe the survey instrument used and questions posed.
  • Student waitlists of comparable programs offered in British Columbia.
Provide Market Analysis in an appendix.
B.Benefit to Students
To what extent will students be able to transfer to and from other post-secondary institutions in the province?Describe what plans and/or arrangements are in place to establish articulation agreements with other post-secondary institutions in the province. Provide a website link to the institution policy on admissions and transfer(
If relevant, provide anticipated enrolment figures from other institutions that may have students wishing to articulate into the proposed program.
What opportunities are available to program graduates for further study in the field or in professional fields?Describe the opportunities that graduates of the program have for progression to further study in this field or in professional fields. Provide evidence of consultation with graduate/professional post-secondary programs.
What added value will the proposed program offer graduates in terms of employment opportunities?If non-degree and/or degree programs in the same field are offered at TRU, explain the expected added value for students taking this proposed degree program (e.g., promotion or employment opportunities) and provide evidence that these anticipated benefits are justified.
INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAM SUSTAINABILITY

Projected Headcount

Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / Year 4 / Year 5
Domestic Student Headcount / New
Continuing
Redistributed from other TRU programs
International Student Headcount / New
Continuing
Redistributed from other TRU programs
Total Headcount
Comments:
Provide an enrolment plan for the program, identifying the projected number of students (full-time and part-time), minimum viable enrolment, and anticipated number of credentials awarded each year.
Provide the timeframe required to implement the program and the anticipated launch date.
Referencing your market analysis, describe the basis for headcount projections.
Attach current enrollment trend report for the department.

Financial Sustainability

Proposals that will include a request for Strategic Investment Funds must attach the SIF Budget Template. Proposals for a program that will not require SIF investment may use the summary templates below.

Projected Revenue

Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / Year 4 / Year 5
Domestic Course Enrollments
Domestic Tuition Rate
Total Domestic Revenue
International Course Enrollments
International Tuition Rate
Total International Tuition
Grant Revenue
Other Revenue [specify]
Total Revenue
Comments:
Referencing your market analysis, describe the basis for revenue projections.
If applicable, describe how you determined your tuition level.

Projected Expenses

New programs require a financial assessment by your division’s Budget Officer. Please allow

3 weeks lead time for the assessment.

Enter all expenses applicable to your program. Add lines as necessary.

Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / Year 4 / Year 5
Faculty Salaries
Instructional Materials or Equipment
Program Administration
Classroom Space
Additional Facilities
Library
Student Services
Institutional Overhead
Total Expenses
Net Surplus (Deficit)
Financial information verified by Associate Vice President Finance (or designate)
Attach comments from Budget Officer
Comments:
Summarize and provide plans detailing resources (i.e. infrastructure including library, classrooms/labs, equipment, faculty hiring, enrolment plans, etc.) in an appendix.

Staffing Model

  1. Describe the need for faculty and administrative support.
  2. What are the minimum qualifications required for faculty?
  3. Will there be extra pressure on other non-academic divisions?

Consultation and Competition
Briefly review related programs at TRU and consultation
Risk Assessment
It is important that TRU is aware of risks when making strategic investment decisions. Early recognition and planning for risk reduces the likelihood of unanticipated issues arising.
If you need to consider the risks associated with this initiative in more detail please contact the Risk Management Office for support with completing a formal risk assessment.
Please complete the following sections which will help assess whether this initiative could affect the university’ risk profile in the following three areas:
  1. This program will [significantly reduce/ reduce / have little to no impact on/ raise / significantly raise] the level of risk in the area of student success.
Provide a brief description of any risks (focus on the impact to student access, safety and well-being or academic success, and whether TRU is seen as an attractive place to study).
  1. This program will [significantly reduce/ reduce / have little to no impact on/ raise / significantly raise] the level of risk in the area of learning and growth.
Provide a brief description of any risks (focus on the impact to staff performance, access to skills/knowledge, morale and well-being and whether TRU is seen as an attractive place to work).
  1. This program will [significantly reduce/ reduce / have little to no impact on/ raise / significantly raise] the level of risk in the area of stakeholder benefit.
Provide a brief description of any risks (focus on the impact to compliance with regulations or contractual requirements, relationships with partners and the public and whether TRU is seen as an ethical organization that meets the needs and expectations of its communities and partners).
GUIDE

Student and Labour Market Demand

Provide the date of data collection; data should be current to within a year of the anticipated program approval.

The extent of market analysis should be scaled to the nature and scope of the program (as demonstrated by the anticipated expenditures below).

Programs that require a substantial investment of resources are encouraged to obtain a full market analysis, either from a third-party or from TRU’sIntegrated Planning and Effectiveness (IPE) unit. If you prefer to personally conduct the market analysis, any assertions of student interest or labour market demand should be supported by evidence. Examples of acceptable evidence are listed below. Please attach all supporting documents as appendices.

Possible sources of evidence include:

Revised January 24, 2018

  • Industry advisory board recommendation
  • Secondary research about industry trends (e.g. news or trade journal article)
  • Popular course enrollments among current students
  • BC Labour Market Outlook Report
  • BC Jobs Plan
  • Consultation with a TRU division (TRU World, Integrated Planning & Effectiveness, etc.)
  • Expert advice from alumni industry leaders
  • Enrollment data at peer institutions
  • Phone interviews with peer institutions
  • Analysis of online job postings
  • Surveys of the program’s target market

Revised January 24, 2018

APPENDICES

Include all that are applicable:

  • Supplementary market analysis data
  • Enrollment trend report
  • Strategic investment fund budget template
  • 3-year departmental workload plan
  • 3-year facilities allocation plan
  • Comments from Finance Client Services Representative
  • Library Curriculum Consultation
  • Comments from any affected faculty/school/division
  • Letters of support from industry partners, other post-secondary institutions in BC, etc.
  • Comments from Budget Officer

Approvals[1]
Dean: / Date:
Chair, APPC: / Date:

[1]Once the PSW is approved by the Academic Planning & Priorities Committee (APPC) of Senate or Provost and Vice-President Academic (or designate), Faculties and Schools have 2 years to complete implementation of the proposed course through the TRU internal approval process.