Undergraduate Alternate Pathways Policy - Ontario Colleges

Purpose

The purpose of this Policy is to provide a framework to guide the effective administration of transfer credit granted to undergraduate students of the University who have previously completed work at an Ontario College of Applied Arts & Technology where no articulation or other agreement between the University and that institution applies.

Definitions

For the purposes of this Policy the following definitions apply:

“GPA” means grade point average.

“ONCAT” means the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer.

“Ontario College of Applied Arts & Technology” means a college established by the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002, or a subsidiary of such a college.

“Transfer Credit” means academic credit granted towards an Ontario Tech University program of study based on work completed at an institution other than the University.

Scope and authority

This Policy applies to all Transfer Credit granted, or to be granted, by the University, whether granted individually or as a block of credit, to undergraduate Ontario Tech University students who have previously completed work at an Ontario College of Applied Arts & Technology, unless an articulation agreement or other agreement between the University and that institution applies.

The Provost and Vice-President Academic, or successor thereof, is the Policy Owner and is responsible for overseeing the implementation, administration and interpretation of this Policy.

Policy

The University will award qualifying students with credit for relevant learning already demonstrably completed at the appropriate level of mastery. The University will maintain fairness and equity for students who began their studies at Ontario Tech University and students who began their studies at another institution.

The University subscribes to the general policy on the transfer of course credits adopted by the Council of Ontario Universities and is a member of ONCAT. The University aims to (a) deliver quality post-secondary programs and services, (b) create opportunities for students, (c) improve accessibility to, retention in, and graduation from post- secondary programs, and (d) develop further communication and relationships for the development and delivery of high affinity and innovative programs.

General Principles

1. Candidates for admission to programs of study at the University must apply in the manner prescribed by the University.
2. Admission of transferring students is not automatic, even if all requirements are satisfied. Applicants are assessed in competition with other applicants, taking into consideration academic requirements, enrolment limitations, and other relevant factors.
3. Transfer Credit assessments are made on an individual case basis following issuance of an offer of admission.
4. Transfer Credit grants are at the sole discretion of the University. The University reserves the right to grant, or not grant, Transfer Credit.
5. Transfer Credit grants are subject to all applicable University policies and regulations. These include, and are not limited to, the University’s residency policy and faculty-specific regulations.
6. If a student transfers from one program of study to a second program of study after admission to the University, Transfer Credit grants assessed for the first program of study may be re- assessed or not apply to the second program of study.
7. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of, and adhere to, all applicable academic regulations and program requirements.
8. Transfer Credit granted to a student will be indicated by a “T” on the student’s transcript and will not be used in that student’s GPA calculation.
9. Transfer Credit assessments will be considered final one year after date of admission to the University. Requests for Transfer Credit will not be accepted after that time.

Articulation Agreements

1. The University has established articulation agreements and other agreements with many Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts & Technology.
2. If the University has an articulation agreement or other agreement with an applicable institution, the terms of that agreement supersede the terms of this Policy.

Where No Articulation Agreement

1. The University will consider Transfer Credit grants in respect of Ontario College of Applied Arts & Technology courses and programs of study even if it does not have an articulation agreement or other agreement with the applicable institution.
2. Individual courses and programs which are academic in nature will be considered for Transfer Credit.
3. As a general guide, if the University has an articulation agreement or other agreement with an Ontario College of Applied Arts & Technology regarding specific courses and/or programs of study, the University will consider the same Transfer Credit grants in respect of equivalent courses and programs of study at any Ontario College of Applied Arts & Technology.
4. Specific Transfer Credit may be granted if there is an Ontario Tech University equivalent to the individual course being considered.
5. Non-specific Transfer Credit may be granted if there is no Ontario Tech University equivalent to the individual course being considered.
6. A minimum course grade (as determined by the program) is required for an Ontario College of Applied Arts & Technology course to be considered for course-by-course Transfer Credit assessment. The minimum grade required is subject to all applicable University policies and regulations including, and not limited to, program requirements and faculty-specific regulations.
7. Block Transfer Credit may be granted with respect to a program of study. As a general guide, graduates of a highly academic program of an Ontario College of Applied Arts & Technology will be eligible for the grant of Transfer Credit equivalent to a maximum of 60 credit hours.

ONCAT Transfer Guide

1. The University may, from time to time, provide details of degree pathways and credit equivalencies to ONCAT through the ONTransfer.ca portal. As changes to transfer opportunities may occur at any time, the University recommends that all ONCAT information be verified with the University before application to any program of study at the University.

Monitoring and review

This Policy will be reviewed as necessary and at least every three years. The Provost, or successor thereof, is responsible to monitor and review this Policy.

Relevant legislation

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Related policies, procedures & documents

Undergraduate Academic Calendar