Post-Secondary Education

Post-Secondary Education Programs

Education Programs

If you are wondering which program you can take and at what institution, visit Alberta Post-Secondary Education Information (EDinfo) where you can search programs offered by Alberta's post-secondary institutions. Please find below a list of program descriptions available in Albeta.  Below you will find descriptions of the types of programs offered in Alberta.

Certificate

  • Prepares students for entry into specific occupations
  • One year or less of fulltime study at a college or technical institute
  • Completion of some high school studies (often specified minimum grades and subjects)
    Exception: University-level certificate programs may require high school graduation, some post-secondary education or mature student status
    Note: Successful completion of a certificate can sometimes earn you credit and admission into a diploma program. Consult the Online Alberta Transfer Guide at www.transferalberta.ca for a complete list of transferable courses and programs.

Diploma

  • Prepare students for employment in a particular field or group of occupations
  • Generally involve two years of full-time, applied study at a college or technical institute
  • Require high school graduation (often with specified grades and subjects) for admission
    Exceptions: Many colleges also offer general studies or liberal arts programs at the diploma level.
    University-level diploma programs require one year of academic study or equivalent beyond a bachelor's degree and may be applicable to related master's degree programs.

Applied Degree

  • Combines theoretical approaches to learning with elements of practical application, providing a broader range of career and employment opportunities beyond entry-level in an industry.
  • Are offered by some public colleges and technical institutes
  • Four-year programs consisting of six semesters (about three years) of academic studies and at least two semesters  (about one year) of related paid, supervised work experience in the industry 
  • Admission requirements may be similar to those of diploma programs. Completion of a related diploma program  may be a prerequisite for admission to the third year of an applied degree program
    Note: Students graduating from an applied degree program may not have direct access to graduate studies.
    However, in some circumstances, students may be admitted after completing a bridging program.

University Transfer

  • The first two years of a degree-level program can be completed at many colleges before transferring to a university or  private college with an accredited degree program for the last two years of study. Consult the Online Alberta Transfer Guide at www.transferalberta.ca for a complete listing of transferable courses and programs
  • Some of the benefits of university transfer programs include smaller class sizes, lower tuition fees, less competitive admission and the opportunity to choose from a greater number of program providers
  • Many colleges also offer two year general studies or liberal arts programs to prepare students for further studies

Bachelor’s Degree

  • Provide a more theoretical or academic approach to learning with direct access to graduate studies
  • Are offered by universities, select colleges, and private university colleges with approved degree programs
    Usually involve the equivalent of three or four years of full-time study (program length may vary by discipline and by institution)
  • Have entrance requirements such as a minimum grade or average in five specified Grade 12 subjects, including English 30-1.  Admission to faculties with enrolment limits may require marks higher than the specified minimum average required for application (this higher average is generally referred to as competitive average)
    Exception:  Athabasca University has an open admissions policy (few or no specific entrance requirements) for students 16 years of age and older

Master’s Degree 

  • Generally involve two years of full-time university study beyond the bachelor’s degree level (there are time limits for completing degree requirements and program lengths may vary)
  • Require a completed bachelor’s degree for admission. Applicants who have a three-year undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree are generally required to complete an additional qualifying year
  • here are generally two routes within a Master’s program:
     • thesis based, or
     • course-based (non-thesis)

Doctoral Degree

  • Require two or three years of full-time university study and research beyond the master’s degree level (there are time limits for completing degree requirements)
  • Involve planning and carrying out high quality research to advance knowledge in the student’s major field of study
  • Include the preparation and defense of a dissertation on an approved topic