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External Program Pathways Process – When Fanshawe is Receiving Institution

Development

Identification of Potential Pathway

  1. Identify the potential pathway and partner institution(s). Fanshawe is likely to initiate a potential pathway where we are the receiving institution.
    OPTIONAL: Initiate informal discussions with the potential partner institution(s) to gauge interest. Contacts at the partner institution should include a faculty member and an employee with knowledge of or responsibility for articulation agreements.
  2. Discuss the potential pathway with the Academic Manager.
  3. With approval from the Academic Manager, proceed to the feasibility assessment.

Feasibility Assessment

  1. Contact the Pathways Coordinator to initiate a feasibility assessment.
  2. Complete the Program Pathway Feasibility Assessment (Appendix D) in consultation with the Pathways Coordinator.
  3. If the potential pathway is deemed feasible by the Academic Manager, proceed to the planning stage.

Planning

The Pathways Coordinator, who is the official liaison with the partner institution, contacts the institution to determine next steps.

  1. Working with the Pathways Coordinator, create a simple work plan (Appendix E) that identifies key deliverables, stakeholders, and timelines.
  2. Share the work plan internally.

The Pathways Coordinator facilitates consultation with relevant stakeholders, as applicable:

  • Office of the Registrar
  • International Centre

Curriculum Mapping

The Pathways Coordinator arranges for a Curriculum Consultant from the CAE to work with the Academic School for curriculum mapping.

  1. In consultation with a Curriculum Consultant from the CAE, map the curriculum of the programs. See Appendix F for more information on curriculum mapping, including requirements for comparable content.
  2. Based on the curriculum map, determine the following details of the agreement:
    • Eligibility requirements (e.g., minimum acceptable grade, minimum GPA, currency requirements, bridging studies, language requirements, etc.)
    • Amount of external credit transfer to be granted (ensuring residency requirement is met)
    • Recommended point of entry in the receiving program(s)
    • Program progression plan (e.g., bridging courses, reach-back courses)
    • Anticipated time for completion of the receiving credential(s)
  3. Share the results of the mapping and agreement details with the partner institution.
  4. Revise the mapping and pathway details as necessary, based on partner feedback.
  5. If the mapping results in a favourable transfer credit opportunity for students, proceed to approval.

Implementation

Approvals

The Pathways Coordinator drafts an agreement using Fanshawe’s Articulation Agreement Template and forwards the draft to the Academic Manager and Program Coordinator. The agreement can vary in format and content depending on the needs of the participating institutions; the agreement may also be preceded by an MOU.

  1. Secure approvals for mapping and proposed credit recognition from all relevant external agencies (e.g., PEQAB for degree bridging programs) and/or professional regulatory bodies.
  2. Review the draft agreement and make recommendations, as necessary.
  3. Review revised drafts, as necessary, before the final draft is shared with internal and external parties for review and input.

The Pathways Coordinator manages the drafting process, ensuring all internal and external parties are satisfied with the final draft:

  • Senior Associate Registrar, Enrollment Services
  • Partner institution

The Office of the Registrar will advise on the procedure to set up the inbound pathway, as well as student application and admission processes.

  1. Review and approve revised drafts, as necessary, before the agreement is forwarded to the Dean for final approval.

The Pathways Coordinator prepares a briefing note and forwards the agreement and note to the Dean for approval. With the Dean’s approval, the Pathways Coordinator then forwards the agreement to the Senior Vice-President, Academic, and partner institution for electronic signatures.

Communication

  1. Develop a Communications Plan, in collaboration with the Pathways Coordinator, considering the following resources, roles, and events:
    • Fanshawe’s Pathways Search Tool
    • ONTransfer database
    • Program Teams
    • Admissions and Pathways Advisors
    • School Academic Advisor
    • Reputation and Brand Management (e.g., program webpages, social media, FanMail, and/or media advisories)
    • Brochures, flyers, etc.
    • Virtual and in-person events (e.g., secondary school guidance counsellor symposiums, Ontario College Fair, Pathways Fair, program orientation, information sessions)

Maintenance

Curriculum Modifications

  1. When the curriculum of programs that are part of an articulation agreement is modified either at Fanshawe’s initiative or because of a revision to the Program Standard, indicate the relevant articulation agreements in the Curriculum Modification Request Form (submitted to the CAE).

The CAE notifies the Pathways Coordinator, who will review any curriculum modifications that affect the articulation agreement and contact the School if action is required.

  1. If necessary, remap the curriculum, and adjust transfer credits awarded.
  2. Renegotiate the agreement if the external program pathway remains favourable to students.

Periodic Review

Quality Partnerships contacts the Academic School for a periodic review of the School’s articulation agreements. This review may be scheduled annually or biennially, depending on the type and volume of agreements.

  1. Collaborate with Quality Partnerships to review the status of the articulation agreement, including curriculum.
  2. Collaborate with Quality Partnerships to evaluate pathway success by reviewing pathway data (e.g., pathway enrollment, student demographics, graduation rate, labour market demand) and pathway students’ feedback.
  3. Determine whether the external program pathway should be maintained as is, revised, or discontinued.

Agreement Expiration

The Fanshawe Pathways Search Tool sends an automated notification six months prior to the expiration of an articulation agreement to the Pathways Coordinator and the Students Records Process Coordinator.

The Pathways Coordinator, in collaboration with the Academic School, will follow up with the partner institution to coordinate agreement review and renewal.

  1. Collaborate with the Pathways Coordinator to review and renew the agreement, which will require updated curriculum mapping and approvals as described above.
  2. Review pathway data (e.g., pathway enrollment, student demographics, graduation rate) and overall feasibility.
  3. If the external program pathway remains feasible, renew the agreement.

Email IconQuality Partnerships in the Centre for Academic Excellence is your in-house resource for program pathways. Whether you have questions or suggestions, we would like to hear from you. Email the Pathways Coordinator or contact us at pathways@fanshawec.ca.

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