Toronto, Nov. 25, 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 is a breakthrough agreement among all colleges that will help eliminate duplication and cut costs for students,” said David Agnew, the president of Seneca College and chair of Colleges Ontario. “For transfer students in business, this represents a substantial savings of time and money.”
The agreement, announced by Colleges Ontario and the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT), 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 Seneca’s leading business 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 postsecondary 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 postsecondary education is a priority for the Wynne government. Ontario is investing $73.7 million toward credit-transfer improvements between 2011 and 2016.
“Our government knows a strong credit transfer system will lead to a more effective and cost-effective postsecondary education for students across the province. That’s why we continue to work with our sector partners to make Ontario’s postsecondary 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.
With campuses across the Greater Toronto Area, Seneca offers degrees, diplomas and certificates renowned for their quality and respected by employers. Combining the highest academic standards with practical, hands-on learning, expert teaching faculty and the latest technology ensures Seneca graduates are career-ready.