Belleville, Ontario, November 26, 2014 – Ontario’s 24 colleges have signed the colleges’ first-ever province-wide agreement that grants recognition for entire previous years’ credits when a student in a business diploma program transfers to the same program at another college.
“This exciting agreement will enable business students to complete the last year or two of their diploma or advanced diploma at Loyalist by seamlessly transferring full years’ credits from other Ontario colleges,” said Loyalist College President and CEO Maureen Piercy. “For those learners coming to or from the College, this streamlined pathway will provide a seamless and cost-effective opportunity for students who need or wish to move between our excellent colleges. Loyalist is proud to be a signatory to this agreement.”
The agreement, announced by Colleges Ontario and the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) on November 25, applies to students in accounting, business administration, human resources and marketing programs.
This unique universal college agreement allows students to easily transfer among all college business programs across Ontario, including Loyalist’s Accounting, Business and Business Administration programs.
The agreement means that business students who transfer at the end of their first or second year will receive full credit for their completed courses. Given the high enrolment of business programs, these pathways provide additional flexibility for a significant number of students.
“Ontario’s colleges and universities continue to strengthen their systems for transferring credits among post-secondary institutions,” said Glenn Craney, the executive director of ONCAT. “We are pleased that all of the province’s 24 colleges have signed this agreement which demonstrates their high level of commitment to institutional collaboration on student mobility.”
Expanding credit-transfer options and helping students make informed decisions about their post-secondary education is a priority for the Wynne government. Ontario is investing $73.7 million towards credit-transfer improvements between 2011 and 2016.
“Our government knows a strong credit transfer system will lead to a more effective and cost-effective post-secondary education for students across the province. That’s why we continue to work with our sector partners to make Ontario’s post-secondary education system more seamless, flexible and affordable,” said Reza Moridi, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.
Colleges Ontario is the advocacy organization for the province’s 24 public colleges.
ONCAT was created to enhance academic pathways and reduce barriers for students looking to transfer among Ontario’s publicly funded institutions. More than 21,500 students transfer within Ontario each year. ONCAT’s support for those students includes producing the Course-to-Course Transfer Guide, which can be found at ONTransfer.ca.
Ontario’s colleges are working to develop similar province-wide agreements for other program areas.
About Loyalist College
Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, Loyalist College is a close-knit community where students and their success come first. Internationally renowned for its enriched student learning and living experiences, Loyalist provides personalized attention in small classes, rewarding field placements and superior success services. To prepare students for in-demand careers, Loyalist offers 65 full-time programs; apprenticeships; and more than 500 online, distance and in-class courses, as well as opportunities for continuing education through more than 70 university transfer agreements. The College’s wide selection of advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates aligns with market-driven disciplines including applied sciences, biosciences, building sciences, business and management studies, health sciences, human studies, justice studies, media, arts and design, and skills and technology. In Ontario, the College’s new Digital Media Centre and the LEED® Silver certified Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre are training centres of choice for students, as well as College business and industry partners. For more information on the College’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses, visit loyalistcollege.com.
– 30 –
Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing and Communications, Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistc.on.ca, 613-969-1913 ext. 2536