Flow: Curricular Transformation
Flow: Curricular Transformation is a university-wide initiative designed to renew OCAD University’s curriculum. It will create a more open and inclusive, interdisciplinary and learner-directed educational experience for our students, while at the same time allowing the university to build a more financially sustainable model of curriculum delivery. Embedded in the University’s already well-established curricular review and renewal processes, Flow also provides direction for aligning our programs with the goals of our Academic Plan. Changes to program curricula as a result of the Flow process begin in the 2020-21 academic year, and then continue over the next three years.
This process of curricular renewal will:
- Create a more learner-centred studio-based learning experience
- Make accomplishing a degree a more flexible, interdisciplinary, self-directed and equitable process across programs and Faculties by reducing program requirements
- Continue to refine program curricula by grounding them in program learning outcomes and Degree-Level Expectations rather than pathways of courses
- Embed principles of Universal Design for Learning in course design, which will ensure that OCAD U’s curriculum is accessible and inclusive for diverse learners
Flow is intended to improve student experience by allowing more opportunity for movement across programs and Faculties. OCAD U will not be eliminating courses as a result of this process; rather, students will have more flexibility and choice in selecting courses, because their programs will require fewer program-specific courses. OCAD U will also lift restrictions to courses, enabling greater access to them. Flow will result in more stability to studio learning, and ultimately will ensure that Faculties have the required resources to provide a high-quality program and experience.
Program Renewal Timeline
2020-2021
Integrated Media
Graphic Design
Indigenous Visual Culture
Advertising
Digital Futures
Creative Writing
Printmaking*
Publications (Cross-Disciplinary Art)*
* Note: A new merged program, Printmaking & Publications, took effect in 2020-2021; current students were able to transfer into it.
2021-2022
Life Studies (Cross-Disciplinary Art)
Photography
Industrial Design
Environmental Design
Illustration
Sculpture/Installation
2022-2023
Criticism & Curatorial Practice*
Drawing & Painting (including Expanded Animation - DPXA, IMXA)
*Note: Criticism & Curatorial Practice was initially scheduled for renewal in 2021-2022.
2023-2024
Material Art and Design
Visual and Critical Studies
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): For Current Undergraduate Students (PDF; March 3, 2020)
If you have questions about a new program guide for the 2020-2021 academic year, you can contact the Student Advising Centre: MCA 266, 100 McCaul St. (drop in hours: M to F, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.); contact: 416-977-6000, Ext. 4022 or advising@ocadu.ca.
Questions about your degree audit or program changes should be directed to the Office of the Registrar at regservices@ocadu.ca.
Your Program Chair can advise you on upcoming curricular renewal engagement opportunities for your program if it is scheduled to go through Flow in the future.
If you have questions about Flow process, please email us at flow@ocadu.ca.
