AA 15 College Credentials - Algonquin College

AA 15College CredentialsClassification:Academic AffairsResponsible Authority: RegistrarExecutive Sponsor: Vice President, AcademicApproval Authority: President’s Executive CommitteeDate First Approved: 1998-01-30Date Last Reviewed: 2011-08-15Mandatory Revision Date: 2016-08-15PURPOSETo document the credentials issued to graduates as stipulated in the Ministry of Training, Colleges andUniversities (MTCU) guidelines on program certificationSCOPEAll students who have achieved the approved program learning requirementsDEFINITIONSWord/TermBachelor’s DegreeGraduateOntario CollegeCredential ProgramsMTCUDefinitionBachelor’s degree conferred by Algonquin CollegeStudent who has achieved the approved program learning requirementsOntario College Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma and GraduateCertificate programsMinistry of Training, Colleges and UniversitiesPOLICY1. The Registrar has responsibility for certifying graduates who have achieved the approvedprogram learning outcomes established by the Vice President, Academic, as stipulated In theMTCU guidelines on program certification.2. The program title which appears on the credential is to be the same one used in the originalprogram documentation submission to MTCU or the Credentials Validation Service. Only withthe Registrar’s approval can another program title appear on the certificates, diplomas andbachelor’s degrees.

AA 15 Certificates and Diplomas 23. Within the Credentials Framework, MTCU has established requirements for credentials to beawarded. Within these guidelines, the Registrar designates the appropriate certificate for eachCollege program and draws to the attention of the Vice President, Academic any changes inMTCU guidelines or program hours that might affect the designation. The type of certificationdesignated for each program is included in the College Calendar.4. All forms of certification are official only when the College seal is affixed by the Registrar'sOffice.5. Each certification copy includes the full program name, the signatures of the President andRegistrar, and where appropriate, the designation of Honours status.6. Prior to September 2004, the College awarded six levels of certification for which it had soleresponsibility for issuance, and two levels of joint certification with an outside organizationunder pre-defined understandings. These are described in Appendix 1.7. Since September 2004, the College awards seven levels of certification for which it has soleresponsibility for issuance, and two levels of joint certification with an outside organizationunder pre-defined understandings. These are described below:7.1 Bachelor’s DegreeThis certification is awarded to graduates upon successful completion of all the requirements ofan approved bachelor’s degree program; the usual duration to achieve this credential is fouryears.7.2 Ontario College Graduate Certificate (OCGC)This certification is awarded to graduates upon successful completion of all the requirements ofan approved graduate certificate program; the usual duration to achieve this credential is oneyear or two academic semesters.7.3 Ontario College Advanced Diploma (OCAD)This certification is awarded to graduates upon successful completion of all requirements of anapproved advanced diploma; the usual duration to achieve this credential is three years or sixacademic semesters.7.4 Ontario College Diploma (OCD)This certification is awarded to graduates upon successful completion of all requirements of anapproved diploma program; the usual duration to achieve this credential is two years or fouracademic semesters.7.5 Ontario College Certificate (OCC)

AA 15 Certificates and Diplomas 3This certification is awarded to graduates upon successful completion of all requirements of anapproved certificate program; the usual duration to achieve this credential is one year or twoacademic semesters.7.6 Certificate (College Approved)This level of certification recognizes successful completion of specific courses, prescribed as apackage of courses by an academic department and designated as leading to a CollegeCertificate. These offerings must follow the regular curriculum approval process and beapproved by the Vice President Academic and reported to the Board of Governors.7.7 Statement of AchievementThis level of certification is awarded to students who attend non-credit courses. The student isexpected to have attended eighty percent of classes to qualify for this form of recognition.7.8 Joint CertificationTo qualify for joint certification by the College and another institution or agency, curriculum ofthe program (whether funded or non-funded) must follow the regular curriculum approvalprocess and be approved by the Vice President, Academic and the Board of Governors.7.9 Joint Statements of Achievement with Outside OrganizationsThis statement is issued upon satisfactory completion of an academic activity co-sponsored byan approved agency and the College. The student is expected to have attended eighty percentof classes to qualify for this form of recognition.8. The format of College credentials, along with regulations regarding their validation and issuance,is the responsibility of the Registrar's Office.PROCEDUREAction1. Certify, each term, those students who have achieved theapproved program learning outcomes.2. Prepare all forms of certification for graduates using the officialprogram titles and affix the College seal.3. Present graduates their official certification at the spring or fallConvocation.ResponsibilityRegistrar’s OfficeRegistrar’s OfficePresidentSUPPORTING DOCUMENTATIONAppendix 1 Certification Categories prior to September, 2004.

AA 15 Certificates and Diplomas 4RELATED POLICIESAA 14 Grading SystemAA 30 Program Progression and Graduation RequirementsRELATED MATERIALSMinistry of Training, Colleges and Universities’ Binding Policy Directive: Framework for Programs ofInstruction. Revised: 31/07/09http://www.algonquincollege.com/programDevelopment/Documents/Framework%20ProgramsOfInstructionJuly2009.pdf

AA 15: APPENDIX 1CERTIFICATION CATEGORIES PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER, 2004:1. Bachelor Degree in Applied StudiesGraduates of approved four-year programs that meet the knowledge and skill requirements of theBaccalaureate degree in Applied Area of Study.2. Diploma ofGraduates of approved 3-year programs in Applied Arts, Business, Health Sciences and Technologyreceive a diploma designated Diploma of *.Graduates of these 3-year prescribed programs may use the designations Dipl. A.A., Dipl. B., Dipl. H.S.,Dipl. T., behind their names.3. DiplomaThe Ministry guidelines indicate a diploma may be awarded to graduates of prescribed approvedprograms of two-year duration.Conventional use of this designation indicates it should be written in full as "Diploma" behind agraduate's name.4. Certificate (Ministry-Approved)Ministry guidelines indicate a certificate is awarded to graduates of prescribed programs of one-yearduration or less that is approved as such. This includes post-secondary programs less than two years orequivalent, programs approved as short programs, post-basic programs, and apprentice programs.Conventional use of this designation indicates it is written in full as "Certificate" after a graduate's name.5. Certificate (College-Approved)This level of certification recognizes successful completion of specific courses, prescribed as a package ofcourses by an academic department and designated as leading to a College Certificate. These offeringsmust follow the regular curriculum approval process and be approved by the Vice President Academicand reported to the Board of Governors.6. Statement of Achievement

AA 15 Certificates and Diplomas 2This level of certification is awarded to students who attend non-credit courses and programs. Thestudent is expected to have attended eighty percent of classes to qualify for this form of recognition.7. Joint CertificationTo qualify for joint certification by the College and another institution or agency, curriculum of theprogram (whether Ministry-approved, College-approved, funded or non-funded) must follow the regularcurriculum approval process and be approved by the Vice President Academic and the Board ofGovernors.8. Joint Statements of Achievement with Outside OrganizationsThis statement is issued upon satisfactory completion of an academic activity co-sponsored by anapproved agency and the College. The student is expected to have attended eighty percent of classes toqualify for this form of recognition.