Post-Secondary Education Programs

Education Programs

If you are wondering which program you can take and at what institution, Alberta Post-Secondary Education Information (EDinfo) is 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.

Planning for Graduate Studies?

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 http://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 http://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

Professional Master's Degree

Normally require completion of an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree
Some programs may accept applications from students with only part of their undergraduate bachelor's degree completed, however admission is highly competitive and most students will have completed their degree prior to successful admission
Professional Master's Degrees in Alberta include: Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Dentistry, Law, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine. Although Optometry is also a Professional Master's Degree for which students in Alberta may complete pre-professional years of study, the program is not currently offered at an Alberta post-secondary institution.

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

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