Breadth Policy (Degrees)

On this page:

1. Purpose
2. Application and Scope
3. Definitions
4. Principles
5. Accountability and Compliance
6. Requirements
7. Policy Revision Date
8. Specific Links

1. Purpose

This policy outlines a framework to ensure that College degree programs delivered by Mohawk College comply with the breadth requirements as specified by the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB: 2022, Manual for Ontario Colleges: Applying for Ministerial Consent under the Post-Secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, pp.27-28).

2. Application and Scope

This policy applies to all degree programs delivered by Mohawk College, with the exception of collaborative degrees. 

3. Definitions

“Breadth Course” refers to a non-core course that is distinct from the main discipline for a particular degree program and relates to at least one of the following five fields: humanities, sciences, social sciences, global cultures (including Indigenous cultures), and/or mathematics. All breadth courses are classified as lower-level or upper-level, based on the degree of complexity in course learning outcomes, content, and/or evaluative assessments.   

• Lower-Level breadth courses are introductory, providing broad foundational knowledge of a given discipline. 
• Upper-Level breadth courses are advanced, providing specialized knowledge of a given discipline, emphasizing critical analysis, applied learning, and/ or research. 

“Breadth Elective” refers to a non-core course selected by the student from the breadth offerings in a particular semester. 

“Breadth Requirement” refers to the portion of a degree program that enables a student to explore topics that are distinct from their core courses, as specified in the Program Quality Review Standard for Program Content (PEQAB: 2022).            

“Collaborative Degree” refers to a degree offered jointly by Mohawk College and a partnering University or College.

“CPQC” refers to Curriculum and Program Quality Consultants in the Center for Teaching & Learning Innovation, who provide support for curriculum and program quality- related activities.

“Degree Program” refers to a program that has been approved by the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) and Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB) that leads to a degree qualification, as defined by the Ontario Qualifications Framework.

 “Mandated Breadth Course” refers to a non-core course that a student is required to complete as part of the breadth requirement for a particular degree.

“PEQAB” refers to the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board, which makes recommendations to the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) on proposals for consent to deliver degree programs according to quality standards dictated by the Ontario Qualifications Framework (OQF).

4. Principles

Mohawk College’s breadth curriculum will meet or exceed all PEQAB standards and benchmarks for the delivery of Ontario College degree programs.

1. Breadth curriculum will foster knowledge in at least two of the following curricular fields that are distinct from the student’s core program of study humanities, sciences, social sciences, global cultures (including Indigenous cultures), and/or mathematics. 
2. Breadth courses will contribute to a student’s development of critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, communication skills, civic engagement, and social/cultural awareness.

5. Accountability and Compliance

5.1 Accountability Framework

This policy has been approved by the Senior Leadership Team.

5.2 Compliance

The Vice President, Academic is responsible for monitoring compliance with this policy and updating the policy as required.

The Associate Dean of Liberal Studies and/or designate(s), in consultation with the Curriculum and Program Quality Consultants in the Centre for Teaching & Learning Innovation, is responsible for reviewing all new breadth courses and for ensuring that the breadth curriculum complies with PEQAB standards for Ontario College degree programs.

6. Requirements/Rules

6.1 Degree Breadth Requirements

• In alignment with PEQAB’s Program Content Standards, breadth curriculum will constitute 20% of a given 4-year degree program’s hours of study, and 15% for a given 3-year degree program.
• All degree programs will include mandated breadth courses in Communications and Critical Thinking as part of their breadth requirements. For some programs, these courses may be considered part of the core curriculum and would not qualify as breadth courses. 
• Up to two (2) additional non-core courses can be identified as mandated breadth courses for a given degree program. 
• At least one (1) non-core course will be a breadth elective, freely chosen by the student.
• Students must complete breadth courses from at least two (2) of the following fields of study: humanities, sciences, social sciences, global cultures (including Indigenous cultures), and/or mathematics.
• Students must complete a minimum of two (2) upper-level breadth electives in a 4-year degree program and one (1) upper-level breath elective in a 3-year degree program. 
• Ideally, students should complete at least one (1) lower-level breadth elective before taking any upper-level breadth electives. 
• Some breadth courses may be excluded from the breadth requirements for certain degree programs, if the course(s) is/are closely related to the program’s core curriculum, as determined by the Associate Dean of Liberal Studies, and/or designate(s), in consultation with CPQC.

6.2 Breadth Course Exemptions/Credit Transfer

• The Associate Dean of Liberal Studies and/or designate(s) is responsible for evaluating requests for breadth course transfers and exemptions based on prior credit(s) from recognized postsecondary institutions.
• To be eligible for breadth transfer of credit/exemption, postsecondary credits must meet the following requirements:
  • The course is assigned a minimum of 3.0 credit hours. 
  • The course is distinct from the main discipline of the student’s degree program.
  • The course is related to at least one breadth field of study: humanities, sciences, social sciences, global cultures (including Indigenous cultures), and/or mathematics.
  • For a degree-level course, a minimum grade of 60% (or equivalent letter grade) is achieved.
  • For a diploma-level course, a minimum grade of 70% (or equivalent letter grade) is achieved. 
• Diploma-level courses are only eligible for lower-level breadth transfer/exemption.
• For mandated breadth courses, credit transfer/ exemption may be granted if the transfer course meets similar course learning outcomes, as determined by the relevant academic area. 
• Courses used for breadth credit transfer/exemptions cannot be given credit consideration towards the student’s core degree program of study. 

7. Policy Revision Date

7.1 Revision Date

February 2029

7.2 Responsibility

This policy will be reviewed and updated every five years or earlier if required.

8. Specific Links

• AS-2007-2016 Academic Hiring (Degrees)
• AS-2008-2016 Technology Based Delivery
• Academic Employees Collective Agreement

The Post-Secondary Education Quality Assessment Board, “Handbook for Ontario College”: Manual for Ontario Colleges Four Year Degrees

The Post-Secondary Education Quality Assessment Board, “Handbook for Ontario College”:Manual for Ontario Colleges Three Year Degrees

The Post-Secondary Education Quality Assessment Board, “Manual for Ontario Public Organizations (Including Ontario Colleges): Applying for Ministerial Consent under the Post-secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000”:  

Breadth Capacity Review Manual

Ontario Qualifications Framework