Programs

Programs and projects approved by the Council include the following:

Strategic Programs 2009-10

Brandon University

• Bachelor of Arts (Creative Arts), 3 and 4-Year Minors in Creative Writing

The Council approved Brandon University’s proposal to expand its existing Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) Program to include an 18 credit hour 3-Year and 24 credit hour 4-Year Minor in Creative Writing.  The program helps meet student demand for a broader Creative Writing program, enhances and develops the Creative Writing stream, and prepares students for writing-related careers, teaching and further studies.  Graduates will have a strong base of professional skills for work in the arts, including film, theatre, music, poetry, media arts, performance art, writing, fine arts and other professional areas.
 
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (4-Year General)

To offer an alternative exit option within its existing 4-Year Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) Program, the Council approved the implementation of an additional exit route to the University’s existing Bachelor of Fine Arts (4-Year) Degree Program.  The additional option will enable students completing the present program requirements including the Thesis Exhibition, and a Grade Point Average of lower than 3.0, to graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (4-Year General) Degree.
 
• Bachelor of Science (Biology)

Brandon University received approval to establish a new Biology Degree Program including a 4-Year Major in Biology, a 4-Year (Honours) Major in Biology, a 3-Year Major in Biology, and a Minor in Biology to replace the existing Botany and Zoology Majors and Minors currently offered.  The restructured Biology program allows for improving and modernizing the curriculum, provides high-quality training in the biological sciences, and accomplishes a level of professional preparation for graduate studies not currently available.  The program is designed for Science students seeking to proceed into medical and related professional programs, graduate programs and academic careers in the life sciences, Education after-degree programs, and those seeking employment upon graduation in the life science and biotechnology sectors.
 
• Bachelor of Arts 4-Year Minor in English

The Council approved expansion of the University’s Bachelor of Arts 3-Year Minor in English to a 4-Year Minor in English to better serve the needs of students taking a 4-Year Honours Major or a 4-Year Major in English.  The expansion will add substance and strength to the English program, offers the option to take a more extended program, and is expected to draw a significant number of students who would otherwise take the 3-Year Minor, especially as the University’s 4-Year Bachelor of Arts enrolment numbers continue to grow.

• Bachelor of Indigenous Health and Human Services

Brandon University received approval to revise its Bachelor of First Nations and Aboriginal Counselling Program, including a name change to the Bachelor of Indigenous Health and Human Services.  The degree program, unique in Canada, meets a growing demand for the culturally sensitive preparation of individuals to work in a variety of health and human service settings with and for Indigenous people.  Instruction is provided in Indigenous perspectives of health and wellness, and traditional approaches to healing with Western intervention theories and skills.  Graduates will be prepared to engage in activities that include counseling, that promote the health and well-being of Indigenous people, families and communities by helping people become more self-sufficient; preventing dependency; strengthening family relationships; and restoring individuals, families, groups or communities to successful social functioning.
 
• Masters of Psychiatric Nursing

The Council approved Brandon University’s request to establish a two-year, 33 credit hour Masters of Psychiatric Nursing (MPN) Program, including a thesis requirement, the first of its kind to be offered in Canada.  Foundational courses in advanced practice are complemented by a focus on selected streams in advanced clinical practice, administration and education.  In view of acute shortages of mental health professionals in a range of settings, the program helps meet the need for clinical specialists in mental health, skilled leaders and administrators in mental health services and programs, and for psychiatric nursing educators.  It is expected to attract students with an undergraduate degree in psychiatric nursing, or undergraduate degree in nursing and experience in provision of mental health services who are seeking to advance their practice in psychiatric nursing.  
 
Establishing the MPN Program also increases the capacity to recruit and retain faculty and the number of qualified educators to teach in the program thereby ensuring sustainability of psychiatric nursing programs at the University.  Graduates will be prepared to be leaders in psychiatric nursing and health care who promote excellence in advanced clinical practice, serve as teachers, mentors and role models; engage in independent practice; and undertake doctoral studies.
 
 
Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface
 
• Diplôme en administration des affaires – option Gestion de bureau, année II

Business Administration Diploma Program, Office Management Option, Year II
 
The Council approved the re-instatement of the Office Management Option, Year II in the Business Administration Diploma Program in the 2009/10 year, following a temporary suspension last year due to insufficient enrollment.  The Collège requested approval to re-instate the program based on results of a follow-up survey conducted with students indicating strong interest in pursuing the Option, as well as the high demand for bilingual office administrators in the workplace.
 
 
University of Manitoba

• Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, Degree Completion Option

The School of Dental Hygiene received approval to offer a 19 credit hour degree completion option for those who graduated from the Diploma in Dental Hygiene Program after 2008.  The degree completion program enables dental hygienists to more effectively meet the demands of contemporary dental hygiene practice, and prepares students for future roles in teaching, administration, research, and industry.  It also removes barriers by preparing those with the baccalaureate degree in dental hygiene to pursue graduate education without leaving the province.  Graduates are expected to help address the need for oral health care in community health agencies especially in rural and northern Manitoba, and for aging and special populations.  A growing critical need to develop future dental hygiene educators can also be addressed by the degree program offering.

• Master of Nursing – Program Expansion – ($111,000 in ongoing funding from Government’s New Initiatives)

As part of the Government’s Nursing Strategy to increase nurse training capacity, the Council approved $111,000 in ongoing funding to support a seven seat expansion to the UM’s Master of Nursing program, as part of an overall  expansion of nursing education seats by 2011/12.  The expansion to graduate programming in nursing contributes toward development of future faculty for colleges and universities and nurse specialists (Clinical Nurse Specialists, Clinical Educators and Administrators in addition to Nurse Practitioners).  With the expected retirement of many nursing faculty as well as administrators and managers in the province, the program expansion will greatly assist with preparing adequate faculty to educate the future workforce, to maintain continuing education in the workplace, and training Nurse Specialists to ensure quality patient care.

• Master of Fine Arts

As the first graduate degree in the University’s School of Art, the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) Program builds on the strong undergraduate reputation, intellectual and creative capital, technical resources and artistic expertise at the School of Art.  The M.F.A. Program emphasizes contemporary art creation, requires mastery of a core curriculum in studio art, thesis statement and visual thesis (studio exhibition) with a strong foundation in art history, theory, and practice.  Additionally, as Winnipeg has become known nationally and internationally as an urban centre that produces some of the most imaginative creative artists on the international scene, the Program provides a research centre for interdisciplinary investigations as well as explorations of connections between materiality, art, design and visual culture.  
 
The M.F.A. Program encourages creative collaboration between faculty and students within the School of Art, as well as across other faculties at the University.  It is also intended to help recruit and retain qualified professionals in the cultural industries in Manitoba.  Graduates will be well prepared for careers in areas such as university teaching, artistic practice, gallery/museum work, publishing, advertising, design, media and communications, and positions in public and private sector art venues.

• Bachelor of Jazz Studies

In 2007/08, the Council approved the University of Manitoba’s request to establish a four-year Bachelor of Jazz Studies Program in the Faculty of Music.  In 2009/10, the Council approved the University’s decision to allocate permanent funding in support of ongoing implementation of the program.

• Ph.D. in Native Studies

As the second of its kind in Canada, the Council approved the establishment of a Ph.D. Program in Native Studies based on interdisciplinary approaches.  The program is considered a logical step in the continued growth of UM’s Department of Native Studies, one of the foremost academic units of its kind in Canada.  In view of the growing needs and potential contributions of Aboriginal people to Manitoba, the doctoral program responds to the need to increase Aboriginal academic human resource capacity, for high quality research in a range of areas, and for Aboriginal scholars with advanced graduate level training.  Students are expected to have or to acquire at least basic knowledge in an Aboriginal language, or to take at least six credit hours of appropriate language instruction relevant to their dissertation research.  Graduates are expected to find employment in the post-secondary education system, in a variety of government agencies, in the private sector, and in non-governmental organizations.
 
• Integrated Doctor of Dental Medicine and Ph.D. in Dental Medicine

Unique in Canada, and building upon the foundation of the successful undergraduate dental research experience of the B.Sc. (Dentistry) program, UM received approval to offer the Integrated Doctor of Dental Medicine and Ph.D. in Dental Medicine Program.  Students displaying capacity to undertake high level research training will follow an extended program of clinical dental education and concurrently train in a research laboratory to a Ph.D. level of expertise.  The program helps to address a significant shortage of trained clinical researchers required to address relevant issues and to translate advanced dental research from the laboratory and clinical testing phases of development to private practice.  In addition to supporting the renewal of dental research and teaching at the undergraduate level in the province, the program will help stimulate interest in academic/research careers, particularly in view of the expected critical faculty shortage in dental schools in both Canada and the United States.


University of Winnipeg

• Interdisciplinary Bachelors Degree in Disability Studies

As the only undergraduate program of its kind in Manitoba, among the first of its kind in Canada, and consistent with its accessibility mandate and commitment to innovative education, the University of Winnipeg received approval to offer the Interdisciplinary Bachelors Degree in Disability Studies Program comprising six undergraduate degrees: B.A. in Disability Studies (3 year, 4 year, Honours), and B.Sc. in Disability Studies (3 year, 4 year, Honours).  The program will attract students with and without disabilities, and focuses on the critical analysis of disability in society and includes the study of disability as a social, scientific, cultural, historical and political construct.  All degree programs balance theory, methods and practice so that graduates will have both a broad education in the liberal arts and sciences, and in-depth study of Disability Studies.  
 
Students entering the program who have completed the two-year Diploma in Disability and Community Support at Red River College will receive 45 credit hours toward a B.A. or B.Sc. and have the advantage of graduating with both a diploma and degree.  Graduates have the option of progressing to the Interdisciplinary Master of Disability Studies at the UM.  Employment opportunities are expected in fields such as teaching, research, policy work in various levels of government, social services, the non-profit sector, and the health-care sector.
 
University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg
 
• Joint Master of Arts Degree Program in Peace and Conflict Studies

The University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg received approval to internally reallocate funds to establish an interdisciplinary Master of Arts Degree Program in Peace and Conflict Studies, the sixth of its kind in Canada.  Based on a collaborative partnership, the program is housed within the Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice at St. Paul’s College at the UM, and also involves the College of Arts and Sciences and the Global College, and the Conflict Resolution Program of Menno Simons College (Canadian Mennonite University), home to the UW’s undergraduate program in Peace and Conflict Studies, and will be administered in the form of a Joint Discipline Committee. The program encompasses the analysis and resolution of social conflicts; peace research that examines the structural roots of social conflicts, divisions and inequalities; and strategies for building community and promoting social justice.   The program offers opportunities for collaborative research and practice among students and faculty and will strengthen relationships among Manitoba’s universities and between post-secondary education and government, business and community groups that will serve to foster future research and practice. 
 
Graduates will be well prepared to work on problems of international significance, in diverse cultural settings with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds.  Employment opportunities are expected to be found in the professional, consulting, teaching and research domains in non-profit and advocacy organizations at the community, national and international levels, businesses, institutions, corporations, governmental and non-governmental agencies and departments.
 
The following existing programs which were approved in previous years, received ongoing funding from the Strategic Programs Envelope in 2009/10.
 
Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface

• Bachelor of Social Work (Baccalauréat en Service Social) – ($428,000 in total; $56,000 in 2009/10)

University of Manitoba
 
• Internationally Educated Engineers Qualification Program (IEEQ) – ($1,039,200 in total; $207,900 in 2009/10)

University College of the North

• Certificate in Teaching Aboriginal Languages (CTAL) – ($142,100 in total; $131,100 in 2009/10)

System Restructuring Projects 2009/10

All projects received one-time only funding unless otherwise indicated.
 
Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface
 
• Staff-Year Position (Instructor) for Bachelor of Science Programs – ($80,000)

As a result of changes to the academic requirements of the UM’s Faculty of Science programs, the Collège received one-time funding of $80,000 to modify its Bachelor of Science programs to conform to the same requirements.  This included funds to hire one Staff Year position (Instructor) on a term basis towards fulfillment of new credit requirements in the General Bachelor of Science (3-year) and the Joint Microbiology-Biochemistry Major (4-year) in the Collège’s Bachelor of Science programs.
 
University of Manitoba
 
• Funding Support for Deaf Student Attending Medical School – ($800,000 over four years; $100,000 in 2009/10) 

The Council approved a total of $800,000 over the next four years to augment support already provided by the UM for a deaf student attending the Faculty of Medicine.  Funding primarily covers the significant costs for sign language interpreters.  Funding sources included $300,000 from System Restructuring, $300,000 from the Council which commenced in 2008/09, and $200,000 from the Department of Family Services and Consumer Affairs.
 
• Inter-Professional Education (IPE) Initiative Communications Strategy – ($30,000) 

The Council approved one-time funding of $30,000 towards development of a communications strategy for the Inter-Professional Education (IPE) Initiative.  In 2007/08, the Council provided funding to enable the UM to begin an IPE Initiative (IPE for Collaborative Patient Centred Practice), committed to developing, implementing and evaluating IP learning opportunities within and across the curricula of 12 health and social care faculties/departments, leading to increased collaborative relationships between health care professionals.  The communications strategy is expected to address the lack of awareness and understanding of the IPE Initiative and the rapidly emerging developments in the area.  The strategy includes development and implementation of several communications activities in collaboration with the University’s Public Affairs Department.
 
University of Winnipeg
 
• Master of Science in Bioscience, Technology and Public Policy, Program Expansion – ($127,613)

In 2007/08, the Council approved the two-year thesis based Master of Science Program in Bioscience, Technology and Public Policy.  In 2009/10, the Council approved one-time funding for laboratory equipment to offer courses in molecular biology as an alternate stream to the program.  The new course content offers hands-on advanced training in molecular biology and biotechnology, a four month technology co-op placement, and training in the role and conflicts associated with the development of public policies to guide development and implementation of biotechnology in society.  Graduates will be well prepared to work in academia, government and industry in biology-related fields including the emerging biotechnology and biomedical sectors.
 
Assiniboine Community College
 
• Active Campus Initiative – ($118,000) 

The College received funds to purchase two new web technology products: One component is the ActiveCampus Content Management System College Edition which includes the a) ActiveAdmissions which integrates the existing Student Information System (Colleague) enabling use of information collected from the website for other communications such as targeted emails or direct mail campaigns, and b) ActiveApply, an easy-to-use online application solution, with secure electronic payment capabilities, that is fully integrated with the Student Information System (Colleague). 
 
The second component, ActiveCampus Portal, consolidates all web systems into a fully integrated communications and collaboration solution for post-secondary education.  The Portal’s advanced search capabilities enables students, faculty, staff and alumni to easily find information – greatly improving productivity and increasing user satisfaction.
 
Red River College
 
• Enhanced Student Support Pilot Program – ($45,000) 

Building on the success of Phases 1 and 2, the Council approved funding for the third and final Phase of the Enhanced Student Support Pilot Program (ESSP) at Red River College.  In addition to increasing student retention and success rates, the final phase of the project is expected to help create new assessment tools and processes, expand the understanding of the role of assessment in student success, create new teaching materials for workshop delivery on a variety of study skills, integrate delivery of academic supports into programming, establish highly productive working relationships focused on student success within the College, implement a research and planning process to assist with evidence-based decisions related to service provision for student success, and provide experiential professional development for all staff involved with the project.

Other Council-Approved Programs 

Other programs funded by the Council in 2009/10 include the following:
 
University of Manitoba
 
• Funding Support for Deaf Student Attending Medical School – ($800,000 over four years; $100,000 in 2009/10) 

See description under System Restructuring Projects.

• Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation (Respiratory Therapy) Program – ($338,000 in total; $63,000 in 2009/10 and $43,000 in 2010/11 in one-time funding from COPSE and $189,000 in 2009/10 and $43,000 in 2010/11 in one-time funding from Manitoba Health)

In response to the need to increase full-time equivalent (FTE) faculty members from 4.5 to 6.5 in the three-year Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation (Respiratory Therapy) Program with a full admission quota of 16 students annually, the Council approved one-time only funds of $63,000 in 2009/10 and $43,000 in 2010/11, as well as $189,000 in 2009/10 and $43,000 in 2010/11 in one-time funding from Manitoba Health.  The approved funds cover salaries and benefits for two additional FTE’s and rent, supplies and equipment required for approximately 600 hours of sessional teaching in the program.  
 
The Respiratory Therapy Program trains therapists to respond to chronic or acute respiratory illnesses, and helps provide front-line treatment against moderate to severe afflictions such as Tuberculosis, Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the H1N1 (Swine Flu), and the H5N1 (Avain Flu) pandemics, as well as emphysema and asthma.
 
University of Winnipeg
 
• Relocation of Urban and Inner -City Studies Program – ($28,800 one-time only in 2009/10; $110,000 in 2010/11, and $130,500 in ongoing funding in 2011/12)

The Council approved UW’s request to relocate its Urban and Inner-City Studies Program from the University’s Politics Department to Selkirk Avenue in Winnipeg’s North End to improve its ability to attract and graduate “non-traditional” students – Aboriginal students, newcomers and inner-city residents.  The relocation is intended to create a warm, welcoming, personalized educational environment and provide academic and personal supports to students.  It will also further develop partnerships with North End educational organizations such as Urban Circle Training Centre, UM’s Inner-City Social Work Program, Winnipeg School Division and North End high schools, and Adult Learning Centres, as well as with community-based organizations to learn how to better meet the needs of “non-traditional” students.
 
The relocated program is also expected to attract increasing numbers of “traditional“ students to learn about urban and inner-city issues from an inner-city vantage point, and to learn alongside those who traditionally have not attended university, and to do so within Winnipeg’s dynamic inner-city community.  Graduates will help to fill the staffing needs of Winnipeg’s inner-city community-based organizations, and those of the three levels of government in departments and programs with an urban and/or inner-city focus.
 
University College of the North
 
• Bachelor of Midwifery – Program Expansion – ($400,000 to flow in 2010/11 and ongoing)

In view of the success of the Kanáci Otinawáwasowin (Aboriginal Midwifery) Baccalaureate Program (KOBP) established in 2006 in northern communities, as well as increasing demand for midwifery services across Manitoba, the Council approved an eight-seat expansion to the four-year Bachelor of Midwifery Program in southern Manitoba.  Unlike the northern-based program, with an intake every four years, the southern program will commence an intake every two years to address the shortage of maternal care providers.  Graduates will be eligible to apply to the College of Midwives of Manitoba for registration as Registered Midwives, serve as instructors for both the southern and northern midwifery programs, as well as work in a variety of settings such as regional health authorities, government, hospitals, homes or birth centres.
 
Council Approvals Funded by Other Sources

• Partnerships for Labour Market-Driven Post-Secondary Bridge Programs in Manitoba’s Post-Secondary Institutions – ($130,000 in 2009/10, $80,000 in 2010/11, and $87,500 in 2011/12 from the Manitoba Opportunities Fund; and $546,500 in 2009/10, $642,000 in 2010/11, and $74,000 in 2011/12 from the Foreign Credentials Recognition Fund)

The Council approved the distribution of funds in support of the Labour Market-Driven Post-Secondary Bridge Programs, a federal-provincial initiative that builds capacity in Manitoba’s post-secondary institutions.  The Initiative assists colleges and universities with delivering high-quality bridge programs to help internationally trained professionals gain access to the education, training and work experience they need to find jobs appropriate to their previous training and education.  It not only encourages the movement of highly skilled immigrants into employment in high demand sectors of the economy, but also enhances post-secondary institutions’ capacity to deliver additional bridge programming in the future.  Specific pilot projects will be selected in a few months.

Historical Funding of Programs

Approved Programs 2008-09 (59 KB)
Approved Programs 2007-08 (44 KB)
Approved Programs 2006-07 (27 KB)
Approved Programs 2005-06 (26 KB)
Approved Programs 2004-05 (26 KB)
Approved Programs 2003-04 (30 KB)
Approved Programs 2002-03 (17 KB)
Approved Programs 2001-02 (48 KB)
Approved Programs 2000-01 (51 KB)

Program Approval Process

The following forms are used by Manitoba’s colleges and universities as part of the program approval process.

Statement of Intent Form (22 KB)	Financial Form (24 KB)
Program Proposal Form (31 KB)	Financial Form Description (17 KB)
Program Expansion Form (13 KB)	College Degree Program Submission Form (70 KB)