Glossary

a

Aboriginal Students: Learners from Aboriginal communities (First nations, Metis and Inuit); Many institutions provide specialized programs, facilitated admissions, or targeted support services for Aboriginal students; Related Documents: Ontario Government Aboriginal Postsecondary Education and Training Strategy
Accelerated Program: Modified delivery model of a regular college postsecondary program, which enables students to complete the program in a shorter time period by granting credit for previously achieved credits or credentials; also referred to as a compressed intensive or fast track program.; May also describe a diploma program delivered in a continuous 12 month format without extended vacation breaks and sometimes increased classroom hours per week; See: Advanced Standing, Fast Track Program, Intensive Program, Compressed Program, Academic Discipline
Academic Discipline: Grouping of related fields of study in the college or university sector e.g., engineering, arts, architecture, business, technology, health, science and many others; See: Major, Faculty
Academic Standing: Statement of a student's overall academic performance in an institution; generally used to determine student eligibility for honours, promotion and graduation, etc.; usually expressed as a Grade Point Average (GPA)
Academic Term/Semester: The period of time (usually between 12 to 18 weeks) during which classes are in session at a college or university. At the end of a term, students are evaluated, and awarded credits for successful completion of each course.; See: Semester/Term
Academic Year: A period of time from the beginning of one fall term in September to the beginning of the next fall term, divided into terms or semesters; See: Semester/Term
Accreditation: Certification by an external agency or professional regulatory body that an educational program meets its standards; In Canada, educational programs are accredited; institutions are not accredited
Admission Preference: Under certain conditions, graduates of specific programs have priority to be admitted to other programs, for example, students in collaborative programs (programs offered jointly by two or more partner institutions); See: Collaborative Program
Admission Requirements: An institution's specific academic and supplementary requirements for entry to the institution or to a specific program within it; May include secondary or postsecondary grades or grade point average, standardized test scores, portfolios, or other criteria depending on the institution and program; See: Grade, Grade Point Average, Competitive program, Ontario Secondary School Credits, Portfolio
Advanced Standing: A student who gets advanced standing is admitted to a second or higher term or year of a program because of transfer credits granted for courses completed at another institution; See: Exemption, Transfer Credit, Equivalent Credit
Application Fee: Charge made for the processing of applications to colleges and universities
Apprenticeship: Apprenticeship is a process for learning a skilled trade in the construction, industrial/manufacturing, motive power and service sectors; Apprenticeship programs include classroom learning and on-the-job experience under the direction of more experienced workers; Apprentices are employees and earn a salary while they are training; Related Websites: Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities: I want to work in the Trades
Articulation Agreement: Official agreement between two (bilateral) or more (multilateral) postsecondary institutions that defines the terms and conditions enabling students to transfer between specific programs; May also determine which courses or programs taken at the sending institution will apply to graduation requirements at the receiving institution
Audit Student: Learner who attends classes out of interest. An auditing student is not required to complete assignments, tests or examinations normally required by the course. Students who are auditing a course receive no formal evaluation, grade or credit for the course and therefore are not eligible to apply for transfer or equivalent credit for the course.

b

Bachelor's Degree: Credential granted by a university in recognition of a student's successful completion of a program of study in a broad discipline area such as arts, science, engineering, or business
Bachelor's Degree in an Applied Area of Study: Degree offered by colleges in Ontario combining theory and analytical skills with advanced training and education to the standard of a bachelor's degree; Developed in program areas with emerging employment needs, in specialized areas not generally offered at universities; Sometimes called Applied Degrees
Block Transfer: Advanced standing for a group of credits or courses at one institution based on their equivalence to a defined set of course or program learning outcomes at another institution; Block credit enables students to enter a program at a receiving institution at an advanced level; See: Degree Completion Program, Transfer Credit, Advanced Standing, Exemption, Learning Outcomes
Bridge Course/Program: Also referred to as Bridging courses or programs; Course or set of courses that students take to fill gaps in their learning from one program in order to enter another program, for example from a diploma to a degree program in the same area of study; Some bridging course/programs are designed to prepare internationally educated professionals to write certification examinations to practice in Canada
Bursary: A bursary is an amount of money awarded to students to finance postsecondary education; Bursaries are usually based on financial need and are non-repayable. They are provided by postsecondary institutions, government programs, and private donors.

c

Calendar: Print or electronic information describing the schedule of courses for a specific college or university as well as describing institutional programs, services, rules, regulations, and policies; Typically available annually for the September to August academic year
Challenge Test: Assessment used by colleges and universities to evaluate a student's prior learning or skills related to a course or program
Collaborative Program: An academic program offered jointly by university and college partners; The partners have agreed on a defined sharing of responsibility for curriculum that is recognized by both institutions as earning credit toward one or more credentials; Some collaborative programs offer graduates a diploma and a degree; See: Joint/Integrated Program
College of Applied Arts and Technology: Postsecondary institution focusing on career programs in a wide range of professional and technical fields leading to certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, graduate certificates, and sometimes, degrees in applied areas of study; College programs may prepare students for immediate employment, further college study, or transfer to a university or another college; Colleges also offer programs in adult basic education and literacy, adult retraining, customized training for industry, professional training, pre-employment, pre-apprenticeship and Continuing Education; See: Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, University
Colleges Ontario: Organization of Ontario's Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology and Institutes of Technology and Advanced Learning; Provides communications, advocacy, and professional development in support of Ontario colleges and their contribution to employability, economic development and technological innovation; Related Websites: Colleges Ontario: The Voice of Canadian Colleges
Competitive Program: Postsecondary program receiving more applications than the program can accommodate; Applicants are selected based on criteria such as grades/grade point average, portfolios, or other supplemental information or procedures, depending on the institution; Sometimes called an oversubscribed program; See: Grade, Grade Point Average, Portfolio, Admission Requirements
Compressed Program: Modified delivery model of a regular college postsecondary program, referred to as an accelerated, intensive or fast track program which enables students to complete the program in a shorter time period through recognition of previously achieved credits or credentials; also referred to as an accelerated, intensive or fast track program.; May also describe a diploma program delivered in a continuous 12-month format with increased classroom hours per week and shorter vacation breaks than other programs; See: Accelerated Program, Fast Track Program, Intensive Program
Compulsory Credit/Course: Credit or course that a student is required to take in order to complete a specific program; Sometimes called a core course; See: Elective Credit/Course
Continuing Education: A course or courses taken on a part-time basis at an Ontario college, university or secondary school; Includes courses, workshops and seminars offered for credit toward a postsecondary credential or for general interest; In an institutional context, a division within an institution offering part-time courses and programs, seminars, workshops, distance education and online learning; See: Distance Education
Cooperative Education Program: College or university program including both academic credit and formal workplace experience; In-school learning usually alternates with paid program-related employment in the public or private sector
Co-requisite: A course which must be taken at the same time as another course
Council of Ontario Universities: Organization of Ontario's publicly-funded universities, providing communications, advocacy, and professional development in support of Ontario universities and their contribution to research, international relations and accessibility; Related Websites: Council of Ontario Universities
Course: Single unit of study, identified by a title, description and credit value, as well as a unique course number and/or code; See: Credit, Credential
Course Transfer: Individual course(s) which you may receive credit for when transferring
Course Transfer Maps: Course Transfer Maps are comprised of a list of courses you have completed, and how they transfer to other institutions
Credential: Official document recognizing completion of a program or course of study; In postsecondary education, issued by the individual college or university; In Ontario, includes certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, graduate certificates, bachelor's degrees in applied areas of study and bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees; May also be issued by professional or government organizations for licenses or other certifications, qualifications or memberships
Credit: A unit of value assigned to a course for the purpose of counting its value towards a credential such as a certificate, diploma or degree; The number of credits received by students for a course varies widely among institutions; See: Course, Credential
Credit Transfer: Acceptance or recognition of credit by an institution for courses or programs completed at another institution; See: Block Transfer, Degree Completion Program, Transfer Credit, Advanced Standing, Exemption
Curriculum: Defined academic program plan for a course, program, major, specialization or other academic designation; The term curriculum may be used to describe learning outcomes, course descriptions and content, learning activities, teaching and learning methods, assessment, and evaluation

d

Degree Completion Program: A program offered by a college or university that awards transfer credit to graduates of a college diploma or advanced diploma program in order to enter a degree program at a specified level; May require completion of bridge courses where applicable; Specifies additional credits necessary to qualify for a degree; Subject to conditions such as academic standing or minimum grades; Example: College Advanced Diploma in Chemical Engineering Technology to Bachelor of Science in Chemistry; See: Transfer Credit, Bachelor's Degree, Bridge Course/Program, Academic Standing, Grade, Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma
Degree Completion Program (Specially Designed): Program designed to enable students to complete a bachelor's degree program following graduation from a diploma program; Usually offered in a field of study not closely related to the diploma program
Disabled Students: Learners with physical, medical, mobility, sensory, learning or other disorders who may access special services and facilities to promote success; Related Websites: OSAP: Bursary for Students with Disabilities
Discipline: See: Academic Discipline
Distance Education: Courses taught online, over satellite or local television, by video tape or CD ROM, through self-study or by correspondence; Timeframe for completion and/or sessions with teachers may be fixed or flexible; Designed for diverse populations of students whose schedules or personal circumstances make it difficult for them to study on campus
Doctoral Degree (Doctorate): Highest level of academic degree; Normally require a minimum of three years of study and research, including the completion of a dissertation, after a master's degree; A doctoral degree may be granted as a PhD, or in particular fields of study such as music (DMus) or education (EdD)
Dual Credit: Credit that may be applied to a credential at more than one institution, sometimes between secondary school and college programs or between college and university programs

e

E-Learning: See: Distance Education
Elective Credit/Course: Course taken in addition to compulsory or core courses to enhance breadth of knowledge and skills and encourage continuous learning; In colleges, usually referred to as General Education or Breadth courses; Normally included in requirements for graduation; See: Compulsory Credit/Course
Equivalent Credit: Transfer of course credit from one postsecondary institution to another where courses are considered equal in content or academic value; See: Transfer Credit, Exemption, Advanced Standing
Exemption: Students may request a waiver of the requirement to take a specific course at a college or university if it is comparable to a course previously taken elsewhere. Waivers may be granted based on an assessment by the receiving institution that a course already taken is equivalent in level and scope to the required course.; See: Transfer Credit, Equivalent Credit, Advanced Standing

f

Faculty: Academic division of an institution, such as arts or business, sometimes called a School; Academic teaching staff of the institution; See: School, Academic Discipline
Fast-Track Program: Modified delivery model of a regular college postsecondary program which enables students to complete the program in a shorter time period through recognition of previously achieved credits or credentials; also referred to as an accelerated, compressed or intensive program.; May also describe a diploma program delivered in a continuous 12 month format without extended vacation breaks and sometimes with increased classroom hours per week; See: Advanced Standing, Accelerated Program, Intensive Program, Compressed Program
Financial Aid: See: OSAP
French Language Colleges or Universities: Colleges or universities where French is the language of instruction

g

General Bachelor's Degree: A General Bachelor's degree is typically completed in three years of full-time study and often involves more generalized study of a broadly defined area
General Education Courses: See: Elective Credit/Course
General Education Diploma (GED): Credential certifying that a person has achieved academic skills equivalent to a secondary school graduate; Related Websites: Independent Learning Center: Ontario Distance Education High School
Generic Skills/Essential Employability Skills: Skills considered essential for personal and career success including literacy, numeracy, communication, computer, interpersonal, work and study, effective thinking and problem solving; May be developed through elective or compulsory credits, or through seminars and workshops, or as part of non-credit college or employment preparation programs
Grade: Measure of a student's academic performance; May be expressed as number (percentage) or letter or on a ranking scale from unsatisfactory to excellent; Varies widely among institutions
Grade Point Average: Measure of a student's academic achievement at the end of a semester, year, term or program, usually calculated using the numeric value of grades earned divided by the number of credits attempted; May include other factors, such as weighting of specific courses or credits

h

High School: See: Secondary School
Honours Bachelor's Degree: An Honours bachelor's degree is typically completed in four years of full-time study and usually focuses on a particular area of study; Usually requires a higher level of academic standing than a General degree

i

Independent Study Course

Customized learning experience under the supervision of a faculty member

Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Name used by certain Ontario colleges

See: College of Applied Arts and Technology

Intensive Program

Modified delivery model of a regular college postsecondary program which enables students to complete the program in a shorter time period through recognition of previously achieved credits or credentials; also referred to as an accelerated, compressed or fast track program.

May also describe a diploma program delivered in a continuous 12 month format without extended vacation breaks and sometimes increased classroom hours per week

See: Accelerated Program, Compressed Program, Fast Track Program

International Baccalaureate

Internationally-accepted qualification for entry into higher education, recognized by colleges and universities worldwide, offered in English, Spanish and French

Related Websites: International Baccalaureate

International Student

Learner from a country outside of Canada

Websites of interest to international students in Canada include:

Internship

Some college and university programs include a student internship where the student gets workplace experience in their field

This workplace experience may be full or part-time, paid or unpaid

Develops essential professional and general skills, provides practical experience and networking opportunities

May be completed at a college or university campus or with an external employer

See: Placement - Clinical/Field, Cooperative Education Program, Practicum

j

Joint/Integrated Program: A program offered co-operatively by university and college partners; May integrate two or more distinct programs also offered independently by partner institutions; Students study at both institutions either sequentially or concurrently; Graduates receive one or more credentials from partner institutions, for example, a student might receive both diploma in media arts and a degree in communications; May sometimes describe an educational program developed and delivered by two different academic programs or departments at the same institution, or concurrent programs offered within the same institution; See: Academic Discipline, Credential

k

l

Learning Outcome: Description of knowledge, skill and ability achieved by students through an academic course or program; May also describe knowledge and skills acquired through personal and work experience
Letter of Permission: Document issued to a student by the postsecondary institution where the student is enrolled verifying that one or more specific courses taken at another institution will be recognized for credit equivalency upon successful completion
Level: Specific point in an academic program, usually expressed in semesters, terms or years; Measure or description of a postsecondary credential, such as a diploma or baccalaureate (first level), master's (second level) or doctorate (third level); May also describe a measure of complexity or difficulty; See: Semester/Term, Program of Study, Curriculum

m

Major: Focused and specialized area of study, such as geography or mathematics; Usually specified in credential, e.g., B.A. Psychology; See: University
Master's Degree: Degree following Bachelor's degree which provides intensive study of a particular field, for example, English Literature, History, Physics; Master's degrees normally require one or two years of study after an honours bachelor's degree
Mature Applicant: College or university applicant without the required academic qualifications, and meeting the minimum age required by the institution; May describe an applicant who has been away from school for a specific period of time; Also known as adult applicants or special applicants; May be required to complete admission tests or preparatory courses, and other conditions for admission; Each school sets its own policies and procedures - most have a variety of options and pathways for mature applicants
Minor: Focused area of study with less emphasis than a major; Not usually specified in credential; See: Major

n

o

ONCAT

A member organization with participation of all 45 publicly funded colleges and universities in Ontario, ONCAT was established in 2011 to enhance academic pathways and reduce barriers for students looking to transfer among those institutions.

Online Learning

See: Distance Education

Ontario College Application Services (OCAS)

Central processing centre for applications to Ontario college programs

Related Websites: Ontario Colleges: Your Future Starts Here

Ontario College Certificate

Credential awarded by an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology or Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning on successful completion of an approved one-year program (two or three academic terms)

Requires secondary school diploma or mature student status for admission

Ontario College Diploma

Credential awarded by an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology or Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning on completion of an approved two-year program (four academic terms)

Ontario College Advanced Diploma

Credential awarded by an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology or Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning on completion of an approved three-year program (six academic terms)

Ontario College Graduate Certificate

Credential awarded by an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology or Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning on completion of an approved one-year (two or three academic terms)

Requires a college diploma or university degree for admission

Colleges may also consider an equivalent combination of education and related work experience, with each college setting its own specific requirements and equivalencies

Ontario Ministry of Education

Ontario government ministry that administers the system of publicly-funded elementary and secondary education in Ontario

Related Websites: Ontario Ministry of Education

Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities

Ontario government ministry that administers the system of publicly-funded postsecondary education in Ontario, including Apprenticeship

Ontario Secondary School Credits

Grades 9 and 10

Academic courses emphasize theory and abstract problems
Applied courses focus on practical applications and concrete examples
Open courses prepare for further study in some subjects

Grades 11 and 12

University preparation (U) courses prepare students for degree programs at a college or university
University/college preparation (M) courses prepare students for specific programs offered at universities and colleges
College preparation (C) courses prepare students for most college certificate, diploma or advanced diploma programs or for apprenticeship and other training programs
Workplace preparation (E) courses prepare students for employment
Open courses (O) broaden knowledge and skills in a subject area, and may not be designed for specific requirements of universities, colleges, or the workplace
Locally developed (L) courses are offered by individual Ontario School Boards

Although there are general requirements for entry to college and university programs, each postsecondary institution determines specific subject requirements, minimum grades, and selection procedures for admission to each of its programs.

See: Ontario Secondary School Diploma

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)

Official Ontario credential awarded on completion of 18 required and 12 optional secondary school credits, community involvement activities and the secondary school literacy requirement

Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

Government loan, grant, scholarship and bursary program

Assistance is based on circumstances and/or academic achievement

Available to full-time and part-time postsecondary students

Ontario Student Record

Confidential record of a student's educational progress through elementary and secondary school in Ontario

Accessible to students, parents/guardians (for students under the age of 18), principals and educators

Ontario Student Transcript

Official record of a student's academic achievement at the secondary school level in Ontario, required for admission to a postsecondary program

See: Ontario Secondary School Diploma

Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC)

Central processing centre for applications to Ontario university undergraduate programs

Related Websites: Ontario Universities' Application Centre

ONTransfer.ca

ONTransfer.ca is a website provided by the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) that connects current and prospective students to transfer opportunities.

Oversubscribed Program

See: Competitive Program

p

Performance Assessment: Evaluation of a student's knowledge, skill and ability related to a course or program of study; May be a written demonstration or performance of a task or activity; May be based on the work of an individual student or a team; Usually measured within a defined and controlled setting such as a laboratory or a classroom, or in work environments such as field or clinical placements or internships
Placement - Clinical/Field: Work experience related to an academic program; Supervised and assessed by the institution; Scheduled as a block of time within the program at a company, agency, institution, hospital or organization; Typically included in health, arts, media, and business programs, and usually unpaid or paid by honorarium; See: Cooperative Education Program, Internship, Practicum
Portfolio: A portfolio documents a student's formal and informal learning history and achievements, work experience, autobiographical background, career aspirations and personal goals; Most commonly used for prior learning assessment and recognition; Sometimes required for admission into a postsecondary institution, particularly for the performing and visual arts; Post-diploma program; See: Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Postsecondary Institution: College, university, institute, or school, either private or publicly funded, requiring secondary school completion or equivalent for admission
Postsecondary Program: Educational program offered by a public or private college or university requiring secondary school graduation or equivalent for admission
Practicum: Workplace experience offered as part of an academic program under the direct supervision of an educator or workplace mentor; The practicum helps students develop job-related skills; Practicums are a required component of programs such as teacher education; See: Placement - Clinical/Field, Internship
Prerequisite: Course or credit that must be completed before a more advanced course can be taken
Prior Learning Assessment: Process to evaluate learning from work experience or independent study and translate into academic credit; Usually accomplished through portfolios or challenge tests/exams; Sometimes called Learning Assessment Recognition (LAR), Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Priority for Admission: For entry to college programs in semester one, a process granting first consideration to residents of Ontario, followed by other Canadian provinces and International applicants; For entry to semester two or later in college and university programs, a process granting first consideration to graduates or students of specific programs, particularly when partner institutions have a formal articulation agreement
Professional Degree: A Professional Degree meets the accreditation standards of a particular professional association or college; Professional degrees may require some undergraduate study prior to admission to the program and generally include an internship or other work experience
Program of Study: Approved set of credit courses leading to a credential such as a certificate, diploma, or degree; See: Curriculum
Program Transfer: Program Transfer is for students who have completed a credential at a college or university and would like to get credit for that credential at another institution
Program Transfer Searches: Searches you have saved when using our Block Transfer guide

q

r

Receiving Institution: Institution to which a student transfers during a program or level of study; not the first institution where the student enrolled; See: Sending Institution
Required Course: See: Compulsory Credit/Course
Requirements for Graduation: Courses and conditions that must be successfully completed before a credential is awarded, with terms and standards specific to the institution; Includes successful completion of compulsory and optional subjects, general education requirements, and academic standing at a defined minimum level; May include other factors, such as the payment of any outstanding debt
Residency: For admission purposes, the status of an applicant as a resident of Ontario for a prescribed period of time, particularly for oversubscribed programs; For graduation from college and university programs, the requirement that a learner must complete a specific amount of the program at the institution awarding the credential; For example, a university might have a 50% residency requirement, meaning that students must complete 50% of their courses there in order to receive a degree from that institution

s

Scholarship: Monetary award for academic achievement either before or during postsecondary studies; Awarded by institutions, by government programs and by private donors
School: Institution of learning, or sometimes an academic division within an institution; See: Faculty
Second Career: Government sponsored program that provides career planning and financial support to help Ontario residents who have been laid off from their jobs to participate in training for a new job or further education; Related Websites: Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities: Second Career
Sector: Division or segment of postsecondary education; for example, in Ontario there is the college sector and the university sector; Division or segment of business or industry, such as finance, health or manufacturing; Division or segment of employment or economy, such as public sector or private sector
Semester/Term: Defined period of time, usually twelve to eighteen weeks, during which classes are in session at a postsecondary institution, ending with evaluation and awarding of credits; See: Academic Year
Sending Institution: Institution from which a student is transferring, or in a transfer agreement, the institution where course work was completed; See: Receiving Institution

t

Transcript: Document issued by a college or university or other authorized body that legally reports a student's cumulative academic record, courses and credits taken, grades or achievement levels obtained, and credentials earned
Transfer: The movement of a student from one postsecondary institution to another with credit granted by the receiving institution for courses taken at the sending institution; Provides academic mobility for students while maintaining the quality of educational programs and credentials; See: Equivalent Credit, Transfer Credit, Transfer Agreement, Transfer Student
Transfer Agreement: Formal agreement between postsecondary institutions that specifies how courses and credits completed at the sending institution will be accepted and applied at the receiving institution; See: Block Transfer, Advanced Standing, Transfer Credit, Articulation Agreement
Transfer Credit: Credit granted by one program or institution for courses taken at another program or institution; May apply to core courses deemed equivalent in content or may be used to fulfill optional elective course requirements; See: Equivalent Credit, Exemption, Transfer
Transfer Pathway: Defined route from one program or institution to another program or institution that specifies eligibility requirements and how transfer credits will be accepted and applied at the receiving institution; Usually applies to multiple sending institutions and one or more receiving institutions; Does not require formal signed agreement between institutions; See: Transfer, Transfer Agreement, Transfer Credit, Transfer Student
Transfer Student: Student who moves from one institution to another and receives credit at the receiving institution for work completed at the sending institution

u

University: Postsecondary institution focusing on teaching, theory and research leading to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees; Universities offer academic and professional programs in a wide range of disciplines; Other programming includes specialized professional certificates and diplomas, continuing education, distance education, and collaborative/joint programs with colleges
Upgrading: Courses and programs that prepare learners for further education, usually offered by colleges; Not typically included as part of a postsecondary program, and not generally applicable for postsecondary or transfer credit; Also called Academic Upgrading, College and Career Preparation, Academic and Career Entrance; Related Websites: Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities: Adult Learning; See: Secondary School Credits