# BACKGROUND Northern College is committed to ensuring that its academic programs meet and exceed the Ontario College standards and expectations for quality and relevance. All academic programs leading to a Northern College credential must reflect the College's values focusing on quality, student success, and va | | | |---|---| | Type | PDF | | Size | 162 KB | [Open original PDF →](https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/07/A-25-New-Academic-Program-Development-Policy.pdf) Referenced from: [Policies & Procedures](/pages/academics/policies/) ## Document text SUBJECT ## BACKGROUND Northern College is committed to ensuring that its academic programs meet and exceed the Ontario College standards and expectations for quality and relevance. All academic programs leading to a Northern College credential must reflect the College's values focusing on quality, student success, and value to the student and the community. ## POLICY New academic programs must align with Northern College's mission, vision, and values, strategic mandate agreement, the objectives in its strategic and academic plans. The development of all new academic programs must conform to the New Academic Program Development Procedure, which includes consideration for educational pathways, availability of qualified faculty, teaching and evaluation methods, physical space and resource requirements, program cost and sustainability, integration of experiential learning, and incorporation of applied research. Program development must be an evidence-informed and collaborative process with all appropriate stakeholders. ## SCOPE This policy applies to the development of any new academic program delivered by any Northern College individual or entity initiating the development of a new academic program. ## DEFINITIONS ## Program Standards for Ontario College Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, and Graduate Certificates: The published provincial program standard for postsecondary programs includes the following elements: - a) Vocational Learning Outcomes (VLOs): the career-specific learning outcomes that apply to the program, as well as elements of performance. - b) Essential Employability Skills (EESs): are general learning outcomes that are critical for success in the workplace, in daily life, and for lifelong learning, regardless of a student's | ISSUE DATE | SUPERSEDES | MANDATORY REVIEW DATE | REFERENCE | SECTION | PAGE OF | PAGE OF | | --- Source: [https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/07/A-25-New-Academic-Program-Development-Policy.pdf](https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/07/A-25-New-Academic-Program-Development-Policy.pdf)