ASSOCIATE DEGREES

In most university programs, the first year is a general year in which students choose a broad range of courses in addition to courses in their area of specialization. Specialization does not usually begin until the second year. Depending on the university to which a student may go, a one-year transfer program at Columbia College usually fulfills requirements for the pre-professional degree program (such as Commerce) or for the first year of a four-year degree program (such as Economics).

Program Description

The University Transfer program will be of interest to students who seek transfer to a degree program at a Canadian or American university. Many students transfer after completing between 24 and 30 credits at Columbia College. Students can complete two years of a bachelor’s degree in a variety of concentrations at Columbia College.

Most first year Arts and Social Science courses are introductory and require no subject prerequisite in the subject area. All Science courses for Science majors have secondary level Science prerequisites, and in some circumstances, a post-secondary Science foundational pre-requisite. University courses usually earn three or four credits, and a full semester course load may consist of 9 to 15 credits. A minimum of two semesters will be required to be eligible to transfer to the second year of an undergraduate degree program at a university.

Admission Requirements

The University Transfer Program is open to students who have completed the course requirements for any of the four High School options at Columbia College or a BC Certificate of Graduation with a minimum average grade of C in four academic Grade 12 subjects, including English 12. Applicants who have completed High School in another province in Canada must have equivalent results. Overseas candidates must present Senior or High School Matriculation results with a C or better average. For specific requirements of a particular curriculum, please contact the Admissions office for details. Students who require College Preparatory English courses (English 097, English 098 or English 099) should be prepared to spend one or more additional semesters to complete minimum transfer requirements.

Students applying through the Student Direct Stream (SDS) Program from:

• Antigua and Barbuda • Brazil • China • Colombia • Costa Rica • India • Morocco • Pakistan • Peru • Philippines • Senegal • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines • Trinidad and Tobago • Vietnam

are required to have an IELTS overall score of 6.0 plus a minimum of 6.0 in each band to qualify under SDS. The college encourages students applying from SDS countries to apply through the SDS program for expedited entry.

For more information on the SDS program, please visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugeescitizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/studentdirect-stream.html

Higher Level International Baccalaureate (IB) courses

with a grade of 5 or above will usually be granted first-year transfer credit in the appropriate subject area, so long as Columbia College offers courses in this area. Details are available from an Admissions Officer.

This program is offered under the written consent of the BC Minister of Advanced Education. Prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate to their needs (e.g. acceptable to potential employers, professional licensing bodies, or other educational institutions). Students who have obtained an Associate Degree are eligible to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), an open work permit allowing holders to work in Canada for up to 3 years.

Program Description

An Associate Degree is a credential that may be awarded to students who have completed two full years of study at the first and second-year university levels including completion of certain specific requirements. Two full years is usually viewed as completion of 20 university-level courses; these courses may be 3 or 4 credits each, so