Kwantlen recognizes that many of its students may wish to be granted formal recognition for knowledge and skills already acquired. This recognition may be in the form of transfer credit for courses completed in high school (e.g. Advanced Placement Program, International Baccalaureate Program) or at another post-secondary institution or as a result of prior learning assessment where there has been no formal coursework at a recognized post-secondary institution. Through transfer credit or prior learning assessment, students may be granted credit that can be applied toward the admission requirements of a program, toward the graduation requirements of a program or to meet the prerequisite requirements for advanced courses. Forms for requesting transfer credit or prior learning assessment are available at Admissions Offices on all campuses.

Note: up to 75% of the credits required for graduation in a program may be obtained through a combination of transfer credit and prior learning assessment (currently under review).

Advanced Placement (AP) Program

For further details visit www.bccat.bc.ca or see policy B.8 which can be viewed at the Library or on-line.

Applicants who have completed Advanced Placement Program examinations with a minimum grade of 4 are eligible to receive advanced standing at Kwantlen University College. An official transcript must be submitted together with a Request for Transfer Credit form. The applicant will be granted either transfer credit or exemption without credit in accordance with established equivalencies.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Program

For further details visit www.bccat.bc.ca or see policy B.9 which can be viewed at the Library or on-line.

Applicants who have completed International Baccalaureate Program courses with a minimum grade of 5 are eligible to receive advanced standing at Kwantlen. An official transcript must be submitted together with a Request for Transfer Credit form. The applicant will be granted either transfer credit or exemption without credit in accordance with established equivalencies.

Transfer Credit and Advanced Placement

See policy B.15 which can be viewed at the Library or on-line.

A student who has completed courses at another post-secondary institution may request that these credits be transferred to Kwantlen University College. Where Kwantlen offers an equivalent course to that taken at the sending institution, the student will be granted transfer credit for the Kwantlen course. Where Kwantlen does not offer an equivalent course, the student may be granted unassigned credit at the appropriate year level in the subject area (e.g. 3 credits in Anthropology at the second year level). Although transfer credit may be granted, a further decision on the applicability of the credits toward program admission or graduation requirements may be required. An official transcript from each institution at which the courses were taken must accompany a request for transfer credit. Courses transferred from another post-secondary institution are not included in the calculation of the institutional grade point average. The transfer of credits and the transfer grade point average become part of the student's permanent record at Kwantlen University College.

A student who has successfully completed course work at a post-secondary level at another post-secondary institution in a program that is similar, but not necessarily identical, to a program offered at Kwantlen University College, may be granted advanced placement. In this situation, the student will be granted block transfer rather than course-by-course transfer. The student will generally be granted advanced placement into the second or higher semester of the program or into second or third year of the program.

Any student planning to transfer to a university or other post-secondary institution should be aware that transfer credits granted by Kwantlen University College are not binding on another post-secondary institution.

Letter of Permission

A letter of permission is requested by Kwantlen University College students who wish to take a course(s) at other post-secondary institutions but have been unable to find the course transfer equivalency from the BC Transfer Guide (www.bccat.bc.ca) or by students wishing to take upper division courses to help satisfy third and fourth year level courses required in their degree programs at Kwantlen University College. A Letter of Permission ensures that courses successfully completed at another institution can be transferred to the student's program at Kwantlen University College. Before applying for a Letter of Permission, a student must have completed nine semester credit hours of study at Kwantlen University College and have a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.00.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

See policy B.14 which can be viewed at the Library or on-line.

Kwantlen University College recognizes that students may attain significant learning at a post-secondary level through work, training, and informal experiences outside the formal post-secondary system or from institutions with whom Kwantlen does not have course transfer and articulation agreements. Through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), Kwantlen will grant credit toward a certificate, diploma, or degree for this learning if it fulfills the requirements of the program to which the student has applied.

Note: Kwantlen accepts PLA credit awarded at other public post-secondary institutions in the same manner as Transfer Credit.

Applications for PLA credit are available at Admissions. Before applying for PLA, a student must meet with the PLA Advisor in his or her program area for detailed information regarding requirements and process. The student may also wish to consult with the PLA Coordinator or the Counselling and Advising department for support and preparation.

Fees for PLA are the same as tuition fees for regular classroom registration. Qualified faculty according to the learning objectives and outcomes of the course or program provides assessment and reflective of the level of achievement expected of any student.

Methods of Prior Learning Assessment

The following methods of assessment may be used, independently or in combination, to determine if the PLA applicant has met the required standards:

Challenge Exam: A test or exam (written or oral) that is designed to validate the knowledge of the candidate as it relates to course requirements. A challenge exam may be the same test or exam given to students who formally attend the course. It is limited to questions that are directly related to the learning objectives/outcomes of the course-not to information that would be available only by regular attendance in the classroom.

Standardized Test: Similar to a Challenge Exam. However, someone usually develops this test or exam other than the assessor. It is focused around widely recognized standards (as set by a department or professional/sectoral organization) that are equivalent to the course objectives.

Products/Portfolio: Documents or objects that have been produced by the candidate and demonstrate tangible proof of accomplishment. These may include-but are not limited to-reports, computer printouts, videos, illustrations, prototype models, or an artist's portfolio. Students may be asked to demonstrate abilities or answer questions about the portfolio by the assessor.

Demonstration: Simulation or actual presentation of candidate's abilities, which may be live, recorded, or videotaped. The demonstration may include-but is not limited to- such activities as presenting a speech, role-playing a situation, creating a document on computer, giving a musical performance, performing a lab experiment, interviewing a client, operating equipment, or completing a procedure.

Interview: Oral questioning. The PLA interview is focused around course objectives and may include techniques such as open-ended questions, case studies, and prepared analyses. The interview is used to clarify areas of learning, and may be used in parallel with other methods, as a sole method of assessment, and/or as a means to ensure authenticity of products.

Worksite Assessment: Similar to a demonstration. The candidate is observed performing tasks as a part of normal work routine, or as specifically assigned, in the place of work. Assessment is normally done by faculty assigned to a candidate, but may also be made by a work supervisor or field expert. If performed by an external assessor, may be followed up by a self-assessment and/or interview with a faculty assessor.

Self-assessment: Assessment performed by the candidate, usually with the aid of an established form or questionnaire. Normally requires a parallel assessment by a field expert and/or faculty assessor.

External Evaluation: Assessment provided by an expert other than Kwantlen faculty. Assessment method may include-but is not limited to-performance evaluation, letter of validation, or worksite assessment, and may require follow-up by faculty.

Exemption

In some instances, a student does not have formal course work that is equivalent to courses taught at Kwantlen, but does have a combination of education and experience that would permit her or him to be granted an exemption from an introductory or prerequisite course. A student who is granted an exemption must still complete the required number of courses and credits for a degree, associate degree, diploma, certificate or citation. However, the number of elective courses and credits will be increased. A student who has been granted exemption from a course may not subsequently enrol in that course for credit.

Transfer from Kwantlen University College

Kwantlen endeavours to provide complete and accurate information to students who plan to transfer to other institutions. Students are, however, responsible for obtaining assurances from the receiving institution that they will meet the specific entrance requirements for the program of studies that they plan to pursue.

For more information on the transferability of Kwantlen's courses to other post-secondary institutions please refer to the BC Transfer Guide on-line.