Regulation - LGIC
College Master's Degrees in Applied Areas of Study
Regulation Number(s):
O. Reg. 279/02: GENERAL
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Post-secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000
Summary of Proposal:
The Ministry of Colleges and Universities is proposing a Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC) regulation amending O. Reg. 279/02 (under the Post-secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000) to allow the Minister authority to grant consent to publicly-assisted colleges meeting certain conditions to offer degrees that are otherwise precluded by the Act.
Under the Act, the Minister may only grant consent for a college of applied arts and technology to grant degrees that are baccalaureate degrees in an applied area of study. This precludes publicly-assisted colleges from offering graduate-level degrees. However, regulations may exempt colleges from this requirement. This proposed regulatory amendment would set out conditions that must be met for a college to be exempted.
The ministry is undertaking this regulatory change to achieve the following objectives:
• To introduce new, carefully developed programs at the graduate level in Ontario
that will produce graduates in key sectors with the targeted skill sets that
employers are looking for;
• To offer students new choices when it comes to graduate programs in Ontario;
and,
• To recognize colleges' expertise in offering programs which focus on applied study
and applied research and are different from master's degree programs in the
university system.
The ministry's intent is that master's degree programs offered at colleges are differentiated from those offered in the university system and contain applied elements like work-integrated learning opportunities.
Under the Act, the Minister may only grant consent for a college of applied arts and technology to grant degrees that are baccalaureate degrees in an applied area of study. This precludes publicly-assisted colleges from offering graduate-level degrees. However, regulations may exempt colleges from this requirement. This proposed regulatory amendment would set out conditions that must be met for a college to be exempted.
The ministry is undertaking this regulatory change to achieve the following objectives:
• To introduce new, carefully developed programs at the graduate level in Ontario
that will produce graduates in key sectors with the targeted skill sets that
employers are looking for;
• To offer students new choices when it comes to graduate programs in Ontario;
and,
• To recognize colleges' expertise in offering programs which focus on applied study
and applied research and are different from master's degree programs in the
university system.
The ministry's intent is that master's degree programs offered at colleges are differentiated from those offered in the university system and contain applied elements like work-integrated learning opportunities.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
Colleges may incur administrative costs and fees related to developing and submitting proposals to seek consent from the Minister to offer new degree programs.
Further Information:
O. Reg. 279/02: GENERAL
Proposal Number:
24-MCU002
Posting Date:
February 26, 2024
Comments Due Date:
April 11, 2024
Contact Address:
Ministry of Colleges and Universities, 16th Floor, 315 Front Street, Toronto, ON M5V 3A4