The Program Development Office is responsible for the development and revision of College programs. Programs may be revised when converting to the competency-based education approach, or when specific recommendations are made as part of an ongoing evaluation process. It is the Program Development Office’s mandate to ensure that program design and structure adhere to Ministerial guidelines, provincially formulated competencies and strong pedagogical standards. Revision of a program is conducted by the Program Development Office in conjunction with an Internal Advisory Group comprised of Dawson faculty and staff, an external Advisory Group consisting of outside experts, the Program Committee, a Writing Committee, consultation with representatives of the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, and ongoing consultation with all disciplines associated with the Program.  These groups will participate in varying degrees to:

•    Review the competencies of the program
•    Create a profile of the skills and knowledge base a graduating student should have (Exit Profile)
•    Develop the program ensuring horizontal and vertical integration of learning activities
•    Produce a final document describing the entire program

Recent projects include: Professional Photography - Program revision Interior Design - Program revision Video Game Level Design (AEC) - New Program 3D Animation and Computer Generated Imagery - New Program

Upcoming projects include:

• Electronics Technology - Program revision - for implementation in Fall 2009
• The Program Development Office is currently working with the First Nations Education Council (FNEC) and Cégep de l’Abitibi Témiscamingue to develop a First Nations Social Science Program to be offered beginning in Fall 2009.