AA05: Advanced Standing

Policy #: AA05
Responsible Authority: Dean, Academic Development
Approval Authority: President's Executive Committee
Executive Sponsor: Vice President, Academic
Approval Date: 1995/07/19
Last Reviewed: 2011/02/02
Mandatory Revision Date: 2016/02/02
Downloadable Version: Advanced Standing

PURPOSE

This policy sets out the process used by the College to give students recognition for previous postsecondary education and /or experiential learning.

SCOPE

Any full-time or part-time student with previous postsecondary and/or experiential learning

DEFINITIONS

Word/Term	Definition
Academic Administrator	Program Chair, Course Chair or Academic Manager
Advanced Standing	Credit given to a student on admission for all or most of the courses of a program level(s) on the basis of previous academic achievement at another postsecondary institution and/or experiential learning
Curriculum	A statement of the intended aims and learning outcomes, content, length and organization of the program, and the expected methods of learning, teaching, and evaluation
OCAS	Ontario College Application System

POLICY

The College believes that previous education and/or experiential learning can provide an equivalency to one or more courses or levels of the program curriculum.

1. Diplomas and Certificates

1.1. Advanced standing will be granted, upon admission, to a student who provides official transcripts and related program/course documentation, and/or demonstrates prior learning achievements which are equivalent to the learning outcomes in one or more levels of a prescribed curriculum.

1.2. A review of past transcripts and program/course information, and/or an evaluation of prior learning will be required.

1.3. On the basis of the review/evaluation, a modified program of study will be prescribed, identifying the entry point within the program and the courses which must be successfully achieved to attain graduation status in that program.

2. Bachelor’s Degrees

2.1. In all cases where advanced standing is requested in a bachelor’s degree, a detailed gap analysis is conducted of the program content and learning outcomes for which the transfer credit is being awarded.

2.2 Respecting the guidelines set by the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board, there is a limit on the number of credits to be awarded to diploma level study toward the degree program (excluding any work experience or internship requirements) such that the advanced standing is not to exceed:

65% degree level credit for a 4-year degree program from a completed 3-year diploma program; and

40% degree level credit for a 4-year degree program from a completed 2-year diploma program.

2.3 All exemptions granted will meet the degree level standards and the program learning outcome of the degree program.

2.4 Where a student is granted advanced standing, a notation of “Advanced Standing” to a particular level will be placed on the students’ Algonquin College Student Information System (ACSIS) Program Summary.

PROCEDURE

	Action	Responsibility
1.	Advanced Standing Request
1.1	Request formal review of previous learning when applying for admission to a program through OCAS or the Registrar’s Office.	Student
1.2	Submit official transcripts and other relevant documents including course outlines with the request.	Student
1.3	Pay assessment fee to the Registrar’s Office.	Student
1.4	Refer student to the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Coordinator if the review requires an evaluation of prior learning from experiential learning.	Registrar’s Office
2.	Review of Advanced Standing Request: Certificates and Diplomas
2.1	Assess student’s documents and/or learning achievements.	Academic Administrator and professors with appropriate expertise in subject area(s)
2.2	Based on the assessment, determine the appropriate entry level of the student.	Academic Administrator and professors with appropriate expertise in subject area(s)
2.3	Design a modified educational plan identifying the courses required to complete the program.	Academic Administrator and professors with appropriate expertise in subject area(s)
2.4	Forward the modified educational plan to the Registrar’s Office, with copies to the Program Coordinator, the department file and the student.	Academic Administrator
3.	Review of Advanced Standing Request: Bachelor’s Degrees
3.1	Conduct a gap analysis of the program content and outcomes of the studies for which the transfer credit is being awarded.	Academic Administrator and professors with appropriate expertise in subject area(s)
3.2	Retain gap analysis for review by the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board.	Academic Administrator
3.3	Design a modified educational plan identifying the courses required to complete the degree.	Academic Administrator, professors
3.4	Forward the modified educational plan to the Registrar’s Office, with copies to the Program Coordinator and the department file.	Academic Administrator
3.5	Notify the student of the results of the assessment and share the modified educational plan, if indicated	Registrar’s Office
3.6	Note on the student’s transcript the advanced standing to a particular level, and include the official transcripts and/or PLAR assessments used to substantiate the advanced standing	Registrar’s Office

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Appendix 1: Application for Advanced Standing Forms

RELATED POLICIES
AA 04                    Admissions
AA 06                    Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
AD 04                    Fees
AA 12                    Changes to Original Registration – Course Drop/Add
AA 11                    Registration
AA09                     Transfer of Academic Credit (Internal)
AA10                     Transfer of Academic Credit (External)

RELATED MATERIALS
None