The Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning ensures quality by maintaining annual and comprehensive program review frameworks that systematically facilitate continuous improvement and compliance of academic programs.

This policy applies to all Ontario College Certificates, Ontario College Diplomas, Ontario College Advanced Diplomas, Ontario College Graduate Certificates, Baccalaureate Degrees, Honours Baccalaureate Degrees, Local College Certificates and Certificates of Achievement granted by Conestoga. 

Conestoga College maintains a glossary of terms specific to the institution. The terms in use for this document are defined below.

1. All academic programs will be formally reviewed on a regular basis collaboratively with the academic team and the IQM Department/Program Planning & Pathways Department.
1. Programs may be reviewed individually or in small clusters of related programs.
2. These processes are designed to consider the institutional mandate, Conestoga's community's feedback and needs, and to meet or exceed professional bodies' and Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) / Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB) requirements. 
3. Programs with General Education and Breadth requirements will be reviewed in consultation with, and changes implemented in partnership with, School of Interdisciplinary Studies.
4. Programs with work integrated learning components will be reviewed in consultation with, and changes implemented in partnership with, service areas responsible for supporting Experiential and Work-Integrated Learning.
5. Programs that have been suspended and made inactive for one academic year are required to undergo an APR for renewal.
6. Programs that have been suspended and made inactive for two or more years, and have not been canceled, are required to undergo an CPR for renewal.

Annual Program Reflections (APR)

1. All academic programs are required to undergo an Annual Program Reflection (APR).
   1. Ontario College Certificates, Ontario College Diplomas, Ontario College Advanced Diplomas, Ontario College Graduate Certificates, and Local College Certificates are exempt from an APR if they are completing an MPR during the applicable academic year.
   1. Degree programs are required to complete an APR annually regardless of their comprehensive review schedule.
   2. The APR cycle begins on May 1st and/or the first Monday in May and ends August 31st of that year.
   3. Academic Teams are required to complete all applicable sections of the APR application.
   4. Program suspensions, adjusted program mapping, program design changes, and action plans are recommended to be proposed through the APR system.

Comprehensive Program Reviews (CPR)

2. Comprehensive reviews of active programs will be conducted every 5 to 7 years, or more frequently as required based on internal /external changes that may affect the program's performance or based on a request from the Dean or Chair.
   1. Major Program Review
   1. Ontario College Certificates, Ontario College Diplomas, Ontario College Advanced Diplomas, Ontario College Graduate Certificates, and Local College Certificates are required to complete Conestoga's MPR meeting framework for their comprehensive review. New programs are required to undergo an MPR after three consecutive years of delivery.
   2. Other Conestoga College document programs such as Certificates of Achievement and Micro-credentials, are exempt from CPRs.
   3. The IQM department manages the college's MPR schedule. 
   4. Where an appropriate external accreditation or program recognition process exists, this may be used in lieu of major program review process, provided a gap analysis is completed and any gaps are addressed by the IQM department.
   2. Degree Consent Renewal
   1. Degrees are required to complete a degree self-study on a cyclical basis per Ministry requirements and timelines
   2. The Program Planning & Pathways department manages degree self-study process and schedule.
   3. Where an external accreditation process exists, this may be used in lieu of or in conjunction with the degree self-study, provided a gap analysis is completed and any gaps are addressed by the Program Planning & Pathways department to meet all external review requirements.