Refer to policy number AC (Recognition of Prior Learning Policy).

Transcription

1 Procedures Title: Transfer Credit Procedures Type: Academic Policy #: AC Responsibility: Centre for Academic Quality Approved by: Executive Team, June 2014 Revised: Review date: June Policy Refer to policy number AC (Recognition of Prior Learning Policy). 2. Purpose Centennial College recognizes that many learners arrive at the College having completed prior formal learning at other institutions. The purpose of these procedures is to define and outline the conditions and steps for awarding transfer credits. 3. Definitions 3.1. Articulation Agreement is an academic partnership activity between two or more institutions or organizations that recognizes learning achievement, facilitates learner progress, minimizes curriculum duplication, and eases the transition from one institution to the other Advanced Standing refers to the granting of admission to a program at an entry point beyond Semester One based on the prior formal learning of a learner through a postsecondary education program Fast-Track Progression is the awarding of advanced standing through a separately established Centennial College program, where admission is partly based on prior completion of a relevant post-secondary credential Gap Analysis is the process of identifying gaps between sets of program or course curricula and learning outcomes for the purpose of constructing an articulation agreement or assessing for transfer credit, respectively Online Recognition of Prior Learning (ORPL) is the transfer credit system accessible through mycentennial for application submissions and transfer credit assessments Qualification Recognition (QR) is the assessment of a foreign post-secondary credential that determines the credibility, validity, learning value and grade equivalencies of a learner s academic history Transfer Credit is the awarding of course credit for previously completed credit obtained at a recognized post-secondary institution or through a dual-credit program. Page 1 of 6

2 3.8. Universal Transfer Credit is the automatic awarding of transfer credit based on previous approval of transfer credit using the same Centennial and non-centennial courses. 4. Roles and Responsibilities 4.1. Academic/program advisors in each school (RPL Advisor) Provide front-line contact for learners, faculty and staff for general inquiries and support through the transfer credit process; Assist learners in determining transfer credit possibilities; Direct learners through the process of completing a transfer credit application, when required; Provide timely information to potential learners and others regarding available articulation agreements leading to advanced standing or transfer credit Centennial College employees tasked by the Chair with assessing transfer credit applications (RPL Assessor) Offer additional advising and support to learners regarding transfer credit application decisions; Conduct transfer credit application assessments by means of a gap analysis; Establish universal transfer credits that align with the established College transfer credit standards Academic Manager (Dean or designate) 4.4. Learner Assume responsibility for transfer credit assessments of their School/program(s) and compliance with College policies and procedures; Review requests for secondary reviews Initiate discussion with appropriate school or RPL Advisor regarding transfer credit process; Strategize movement through the RPL process, determining which prior learning is appropriate for a transfer credit application; Accumulate all materials required for a complete transfer credit application, submitting through the Online Recognition of Prior Learning system; Be available to answer any supplementary questions by the RPL Assessor Pathways Advisor, as part of the Academic Excellence Unit, will offer advising to College faculty and staff regarding transfer credit policy, procedure and best practices. Page 2 of 6

3 4.6. Manager, Pathways & Academic Partnerships (RPL Administrator), as part of the Academic Excellence Unit, will address and resolve challenges associated with day-today transfer credit administration and operation, as well as clarify policy when required. 5. Procedures 5.1. Learners who have been granted admission to Centennial College under articulation agreements should contact their respective program advisors to ensure receipt of eligible advanced standing or transfer credit Learners interested in applying for transfer credits shall meet the appropriate RPL Advisor to discuss the requirements and process for awarding transfer credit. The program shall work with learners to ensure that they are aware of supplementary materials required for a complete transfer credit application Learners who intend to apply for transfer credit using prior formal learning from an institution outside of Canada and are not at Centennial through an articulation agreement are required to obtain Qualification Recognition Complete information regarding Centennial articulation agreements, including pathways into Centennial programs, shall be available on the Centennial website Learners requiring Qualification Recognition shall obtain one of the following credential evaluation reports to support their transfer credit application: A course-by-course report through World Education Services; or, A post-secondary comprehensive report through International Credential Assessment Service of Canada Enrolment Services and the RPL Assessor shall use the report to determine institutional credibility, key aspects of the former program of study, and Canadian-equivalent GPAs Learners applying for transfer credit using prior formal learning through an articulation agreement will have their GPAs converted by Enrolment Services. 5.4 All transfer credit applications are to be submitted through ORPL and received by the published deadline. These applications will include: General information pertaining to the student, College course, other institution and course, and grade received; An electronic copy of the official transcript from the institution; Course outline or syllabus from the year in which the learner received credit for course completion; and, If required, a credential evaluation report. Page 3 of 6

4 5.5 Learners who have applied for transfer credit shall hold onto all original copies of submitted materials through the entire program duration. Random audits will be conducted on a semester basis. 5.6 Enrolment Services shall ensure that all required materials have been received and comply with College transfer credit standards before forwarding to the appropriate school. 5.7 Enrolment Services shall check Banner to see if previous transfer credit approvals exist for the same course. Should precedent already exist for transfer credit approval, as shown on Banner, Enrolment Services will approve the application and notify the learner. In these cases, Enrolment Services need not notify the program of this decision. 5.8 Enrolment Services shall forward the complete transfer credit application to the appropriate school within two (2) business days of receipt of any complete transfer credit application. Dean-appointed contacts in each school are responsible for notifying the appropriate RPL Assessor of received transfer credit. 5.9 The RPL Assessor shall complete the transfer credit assessment: No later than fifteen (15) business days after school receipt of the transfer credit application; or if the application is received less than sixteen (16) business days prior to the transfer credit deadline, No later than five (5) business days after school receipt of the transfer credit application All transfer credit assessments submitted by the transfer credit deadline shall be assessed with results communicated to the student no less than one (1) business day before the following course change deadline For transfer credit to be granted in Centennial certificate, diploma and advanced diploma programs; Transfer credit can be approved on the basis of an existing universal transfer credit, if the learner has received in the previous course a minimum grade equivalent to a Centennial College C-grade or the passing grade for the Centennial course, whichever is greater; or, The RPL Assessor has identified a minimum 80% affinity of learning outcomes or content between the previously completed course and the Centennial College course and the learner has received in the previous course a minimum grade equivalent to a Centennial College C-grade or the passing grade for the Centennial course, whichever is greater Centennial College C-grade shall be defined as: 1) a recognized Canadian postsecondary institution-issued numerical grade of 60-69%, letter grade of C-, C or C+ or GPA of ; or 2) an international institution grade that has been converted to a C- grade or higher using the WES GPA conversion formula. Page 4 of 6

5 5.13 For transfer credit to be granted in Centennial degree programs: Transfer credit can be approved on the basis of an existing universal transfer credit, if the learner has a minimum grade equivalent to a Centennial College B-grade in the previously completed diploma-level course; or, Transfer credit can be approved on the basis of an existing universal transfer credit, if the learner has a minimum grade equivalent to a Centennial College C-grade in the previously completed degree-level course; or, The RPL Assessor has identified a minimum 80% affinity of learning outcomes or content between the previously completed course and the Centennial College course and the learner has received in the previous course a minimum grade equivalent to a Centennial College C-grade in a previously completed degree-level course or B-grade in a previously completed diploma-level course Centennial College B-grade shall be defined as: 1) a recognized Canadian postsecondary institution-issued numerical grade of 70-79%, letter grade of B-, B or B+ or GPA of ; or 2) an international institution grade that has been converted to a B- grade or higher using the WES GPA conversion formula To determine learning outcomes or content commonality, the RPL Assessor shall conduct a gap analysis, comparing the previous course learning outcomes or course content to that of the Centennial College course; Satisfactory affinity between two particular learning outcomes requires evidence that they are of the same domain and same level of learning at a minimum of 80%; or, Satisfactory affinity between two sets of curricula requires evidence that topical outlines are reasonably similar in content for a minimum of 80% of the course; or, Satisfactory affinity of outcomes or competencies at a higher level if part of a related accreditation requirement For cases whereby an RPL Assessor is uncertain if a clear determination can be reached, they shall consult with the Pathways Advisor for guidance The transfer credit decision shall be made through ORPL and automatically recorded in Banner with instant notification to the learner. 6. Secondary Review and Appeals Process 6.1 A secondary review may be granted in cases whereby a learner identifies grounds for appeal, as per the Grade Appeals Policy and Procedures. 6.2 Following the request for secondary review, and the supplementary transfer credit assessment if applicable, learners may submit in writing an appeal of the secondary review decision or results to the College Appeals Board (CAB). Appeals will only be heard by CAB if they satisfy CAB appeal criteria. Eligible appeals will be heard within ten (10) business days of a denial of secondary review or receipt of secondary review results. Page 5 of 6

6 7. Cross Reference to Other Existing Policies, Appendices or Regulations Academic Partnerships Policy Admission Standards Policy Admission Standards General Procedures for Students Grade Appeals Policy and Procedures Grading Policy Recognition of Prior Learning Policy Post-secondary Education Quality Assessment Board, Handbook for Ontario Colleges Minister s Binding Policy Directive, Admissions Criteria Page 6 of 6