Higher education in Newfoundland and Labrador

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Province of Newfoundland and Labrador
Memorial University of Newfoundland Motto: Provehito In Altum Established: 1925 Type: Public Endowment: $56 million[1] President: Dr. Eddy Campbell (acting) Faculty: 1144 full-time 850 sessional Undergraduates: 14,789[2] Postgraduates: 2,509[2] Location: St. John's, NL, Canada Website: www.mun.ca	College of the North Atlantic Motto: We`re so much more. Established: 1997 Type: Public college President: Jean Madill Students: 750 full time, 100 part-time, 1000 continuing education Location: Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada Campus: 17 urban/suburban Website: http://www.cna.nl.ca

Newfoundland and Labrador has had the same growing pains as other provinces in developing its own form of education and now boasts a very strong, although relatively small, system. The direction of Newfoundland and Labrador’s policy has evolved rapidly since the late 1990s, with increased funding, participation rates, accessibility and transferability. Many of the directives the government has been acting upon in the past 3 years have been a result of recommendations that stemmed from a 2005 white paper: Foundation for Success: White Paper on Public Post-Secondary Education^[3] It set the course for furthering the strategic directives of the provincial post-secondary education sector. Some of the recommendations aimed to:

• Strengthen the base of the post-secondary education system
• Improve the capacity of the university and college
• Provide greater support services to students
• Maintaining adequate and stable funding for the students and the institutions
• Improve accountability and collaboration within and between the post-secondary institutions

Contents 1 History 1.1 Early policy 1.2 The roots of higher education 1.3 The road to confederation 1.4 Late 20th century changes 2 Structure 2.1 Main laws/decrees governing higher education 2.2 Memorial University of Newfoundland 2.3 The College of the North Atlantic 2.4 Private career colleges 3 Associations 3.1 Council on Higher Education (CHE) 3.2 Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) 3.3 Council of Atlantic Ministers of Education and Training (CAMET) 3.4 Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) 3.5 Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada(AUCC) 4 Funding 4.1 Federal Transfers to Newfoundland and Labrador 4.2 Research Funding 4.3 Tuition 4.4 Student Aid 5 Participation 5.1 An aging population 5.2 Net out migration of youth 5.3 Graduate migration 5.3.1 Memorial University (MUN) Enrolment Summary (2007-2008)[48] 5.3.2 College of the North Atlantic (CNA) Enrolment Summary (2005-2006)[49] 6 Accessibility 6.1 Adult learning 6.2 Rural participation 6.3 Apprenticeship training 6.4 Discrimination and Special Needs 6.4.1 Women’s participation 6.4.2 Aboriginal participation 6.4.3 Students with disabilities 7 Transferability 7.1 Articulation, Transfer and Admission Committee (ATAC) 7.2 Atlantic Provinces Community College Consortium (APCCC) 7.3 Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transfer: College-University 8 Glossary 9 References

[edit] History

[edit] Early policy

The first Education Act in Newfoundland in 1836 inaugurated the existing schools in its public education system, most of which had remained non-denominational. This was the first direct government involvement with education.^[4] Despite this seemingly secular policy, an anti-Catholic campaign at the time was causing rising opposition to many of Newfoundland’s Catholic population, which numbered half the colony, and as a result, its Catholic-run schools. Similar sentiments in England resulted in the Protestant backed Education Act of 1843, which saw Catholics share education grants equally with Protestants, thus setting up a denominational system of education. From this point on, religion, as well as the largest economic sector, fisheries, would be the driving factors behind Newfoundland’s education system.

The next decades saw much infighting among many of Newfoundlanders around the allocation of grant money. Government revenue was based mainly on customs’ dues, so this grant money would wax and wane with the state of the economy resulting in schools which were smaller than needed that lacked sufficient equipment and teachers who were both under-educated and underpaid. The Education Act of 1876 set up Superintendents for each of the denominational schools: Catholic, Church of England, and Methodist, which made up 90% of the population.^[5] The situation only worsened as money was spent on building new schools rather than increasing teacher salaries, which continued to fall.

[edit] The roots of higher education

The colony began to turn its attention to higher education and in 1893 the Council of Higher Education (CHE) was formed, which crossed all denominations. The main purpose of the Council was to test students from grades 6 through XII, who were deemed to have an academic disadvantage when trying to enter universities outside the colony. Teaching to exams had drawbacks, but established a set curriculum and guidelines for instruction. The CHE encouraged students to enter university and formed many agreements with outside institutions to recognize CHE exams, which followed existing, accepted British exams, as prerequisites.^[6] Unfortunately, universities, especially Oxford, which was accepting Rhodes Scholars, were dissatisfied with the results of Newfoundlanders. As a result, the CHE decided to follow their recommendations and began planning to set up an institution in St. John’s which could provide the first two years of university to students.^[7] By 1920, a full Department of Education was set up in Newfoundland (now a self governing Dominion) and by 1925, Memorial University College (MUC) was founded. MUC offered two year programs, continued to build relationships with universities elsewhere and prepared Newfoundlanders for degree completion.

[edit] The road to confederation

Not soon after its formation, MUC had to weather the Great Depression and the budget rollercoaster that came with it. From 1934, after a stint of independence from Britain, Newfoundland increased expenditure in education to revitalize the system and improve conditions. Recovery was made, but by 1949, when the Dominion became a Province, it was in much the same condition as 25 years before. Facilities were still outdated and the terms of Confederation ensured that schools would remain run by denominational Boards of Education. On a positive note, MUC became the Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), capable of granting full degrees, and new money from the federal government began to arrive after 1957 in the form of equalization payments. Enrollment increased dramatically and by the 1970s, standards at MUN had reached those of most comparable Canadian universities.

[edit] Late 20th century changes

In 1997 a number of independently run colleges throughout the province amalgamated into the College of the North Atlantic.

[edit] Structure

Each province in Canada is responsible for its higher education. Newfoundland and Labrador has a small but effective system of higher education institutions. Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN)^[8] is categorized as a comprehensive, degree-granting university, and the College of the North Atlantic (CNA)^[9] provides diverse technical and career-oriented certificates, apprenticeship and diploma programmes with university-level transfer courses. The Fisheries and Marine Institute (MI)^[10] is linked to MUN and provides fisheries and marine technology training. Several health-related programs are also offered through regional health authorities. There are also 31 provincially-registered private training institutions. MUN is a more autonomous institution largely dependent on government for funding, whereas the College of the North Atlantic is more closely tied to government given its history, nature of programming, and strong rural presence.

[edit] Main laws/decrees governing higher education

• Memorial University Act (Amended 1991) - Memorial University of Newfoundland^[11]

• College Act 1996 - College of the North Atlantic^[12]

• Private Training Institutions Act 1997 - Private Training Institutions^[13]

• The Degree Granting Act 1998 - Memorial University of Newfoundland^[14]

• Apprenticeship and Certification Act 1999 - Apprenticeship programs of the skilled trades^[15]

[edit] Memorial University of Newfoundland

Established in 1925 as a two-year university preparation school, the Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) was granted full degree-granting status in 1949 and now has approximately 17,000 students, 1000 faculty members and 1,500 support staff, making it the largest in the region. More than 100 undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered throughout six faculties (arts, science, education, medicine, engineering and applied science, business) and seven schools (continuing education, music, human kinetics and recreation, nursing, pharmacy, social work, graduate studies). The government deals directly with the university on budgetary and policy matters, however the Board of Regents has a wide latitude in most operational areas and is responsible for the management, administration, and control of the property, revenue, business and affairs of the university.^[16]

Mission Statement of Memorial University

Memorial University is an inclusive community dedicated to creativity, innovation and excellence in teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and to public engagement and service. We recognize our special obligation to the citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador. Memorial welcomes students and scholars from all over the world and contributes knowledge and shares expertise locally, nationally, and internationally.^[17]

[edit] The College of the North Atlantic

In the mid-1990s, the provincial government closed four public college campuses. Shortly afterward, in 1997, the remaining 18 campuses were amalgamated to create the College of the North Atlantic, which provides diploma and certificate programs throughout the province. Now on 17 campuses in the province and one campus in Qatar in the Middle East, the college offers over 100 full-time certificate and diploma programs and 300 part-time courses in areas such as Business, Engineering Technology, Industrial Education/Trades, Information Communications Technology, and Tourism. The college's programs are developed in cooperation with industry to ensure graduates have the skills that are in demand in the job market, and are constantly updated to meet current industry standards.^[18] Government's role with respect to the college is to develop and enforce legislation; provide necessary resources, leadership, direction and support through the development of clear policies and priorities; and to implement provincial strategies. The Board of Governors for the College of the North Atlantic is responsible for directing the affairs of the institutions, determining courses and programs and enacting bylaws for the conduct of business.^[19]

Mission Statement of College of the North Atlantic

College of the North Atlantic is Newfoundland and Labrador's public College. We are committed to providing accessible, responsive, quality learning opportunities which prepare people to become self-sufficient contributors to social and economic development in a global context.^[20]

[edit] Private career colleges

The 31 privately operated career colleges in Newfoundland and Labrador provide career oriented education and training. Courses are reviewed internally, and approved by the Department of Education to ensure program quality and integrity. All programs are kept current with industry demands through meetings with industry personnel, and taught by instructors approved by the Department of Education. Over 175 programs are offered, that focus on helping students prepare for their chosen profession, which can range from flight training to welding to computer training to business administration. Programs are recognized and approved by the relevant regulating bodies, ensuring students receive a recognized diploma. ^[21]

[edit] Associations

[edit] Council on Higher Education (CHE)

The Council on Higher Education (CHE), which was originally established in Newfoundland and Labrador in 1992, was recognized in legislation through the Council on Higher Education Act in 2006 as a result of a directive outlined in a 2005 White Paper on Public Post-Secondary Education. The CHE promotes collaboration in the public post-secondary education system by providing recommendations to Memorial University (MUN), the College of the North Atlantic (CNA) and the Minister of Education. The legislation enables the Council to function as the mechanism for cooperation among its members in joint planning and coordination of common activities within the public education system. The legislation also requires the institutions to demonstrate greater connectedness with each other and strong accountability to the public. Furthermore, the legislation facilitates the institutions in establishing new operational alignments in support of an integrated approach where all parts of the education system work closely together.^[22][23]

The Articulation, Transfer and Admissions Committee (ATAC) is mandated by Council to coordinate the articulation process at the College of the North Atlantic and Memorial University, optimize student accessibility and enhance student mobility through the transfer of credits.^[24]

[edit] Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU)

Established in 1964, the Association of Atlantic Universities is a voluntary association of the 17 universities in the Atlantic region and in the West Indies which offer programmes leading to a degree or have degree-granting status. One of the fundamental roles of the association is to create greater awareness and understanding of the important contribution of universities to the social and economic development of the Atlantic Provinces. The Association's business is conducted by the AAU Council, which consists of the executive heads of all the member institutions. The AAU currently meets two times a year and is served by a permanent secretariat. The activities of the Association are funded principally through annual membership fees based on the operating income of the member institutions.^[25]

[edit] Council of Atlantic Ministers of Education and Training (CAMET)

The Atlantic ministers responsible for education and training signed an agreement in April 2004 under which the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island agreed to collaborate on joint undertakings to respond to the needs identified in public and post-secondary education. CAMET is dedicated to further enhancing the level of cooperation in public and post-secondary education by working on common issues to improve learning for all Atlantic Canadians, optimize efficiencies and bring added value to provincial initiatives and priorities.^[26]

[edit] Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC)

The Council of Ministers of Education, Canada was founded in 1967 to provide leadership in education at the pan-Canadian and international levels and contributes to the fulfillment of the constitutional responsibility for education conferred on provinces and territories. Post-secondary education is an important element of CMEC's mandate to coordinate activities and projects that are of collective priority and interest to the provinces and territories.^[27]

[edit] Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada(AUCC)

Since 1911, The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada has represented Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities and university-degree level colleges. Currently there are 92 members. Its mandate is to facilitate the development of public policy on higher education and to encourage cooperation among universities and governments, industry, communities, and institutions in other countries. Each member institution is represented by its executive head. The association's business is conducted by a 13-member board of directors, made up of 12 university presidents and the president of AUCC.^[28]

[edit] Funding

As with many Canadian public colleges and universities in the 1990s, those in Newfoundland experienced a huge drop in government funding and had to deal with budgeting challenges. Newfoundland’s provincial revenues dropped significantly during this decade, falling 30% from 1992 through 1998 alone, equaling $3,500 per student.^[29] Since 1999, after years of funding cuts, program closures and skyrocketing tuition fees, access to and quality of post-secondary education have greatly improved in Newfoundland and Labrador. Freezing and reducing tuition fees, improving student financial aid, and increasing funding to the province’s two post-secondary institutions have resulted in increased enrolment. Even in this environment, however, Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic have turned increasingly to private funding in the form of corporate donations or short-term training contracts.^[30]

[edit] Federal Transfers to Newfoundland and Labrador

The Government of Canada provides financial support to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador through Canada Health Transfer and Canada Social Transfer payments as well as other arrangements, such as Offshore Accords. The transfers are distinct from equalization payments that go to some provinces to reduce disparities in provincial revenues and in the provinces’ capacity to fund the full range of government services in those provinces. The current system makes it difficult to discern any link between the transfers and provincial funding of postsecondary institutions.^[31] Funding for post-secondary through government Canada Social Transfers has increased fairly steadily from $251,000,000 in 2005-06 to $281,000,000 for 2008-09, a rise of 12%. Social Transfers have also increased as a part of total federal transfers from 14.5% to 17.3% during the same period.^[32] For Memorial University, government grants made up 70% of funding in 2002-03 and this increased to 75% by 2006-07 while at the same time, funding from student fees decreased from 23% to 19%.^[33]

[edit] Research Funding

Memorial University has been associated more and more with its research and has experienced a surge in research expenditures and activity over the past 10-15 years. From 1995 to 2005 there was a 182% increase in research expenditures, which is 5 to 6 times the increase over other areas during the same period.^[34] In 2005-06, over 30% of research funding came from Canadian (22.4%) or foreign (8.2%) businesses or individuals.^[35] Government provided $3 million funding in 2006-07 to match, dollar-for-dollar, private sector contributions made to Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic to support various infrastructure projects. In order to receive the funding, both institutions had to submit all eligible receipts to the Department of Education. This was year two of a three-year, $9 million initiative contained in the White Paper.

[edit] Tuition

Since the early 1990’s, average Canadian tuition fees have increased nearly three times for undergraduate students from $1,464 in 1990-1991 to $4,347 in 2006-2007.^[36] In order to keep post secondary education affordable, and in an effort to keep enrollment high, the government of Newfoundland began a program to freeze tuition fees in 1999-2001. Since then, the provincial government has steadily increased core funding to the College of the North Atlantic and Memorial University. After funding cuts over the previous years, these increases have resulted in both institutions now receiving nearly the same funding they had at the beginning of the 1990’s.^[37] In an even bigger move, from 2002-2005, tuition was lowered each year for a total decease of 22.7%, then frozen again through 2008-09.^[38] It was announced that the freeze will continue for a further four years.^[39] Funding was increased from $4.3M in 2005-06; to $8.9M in 2006-07; and $12.4M in 2007-08^[40]and the 2008 Budget announced a further increase to $27.2M for 2008-09. Of this, $5 million will be invested this year and $56 million over four years specifically to continue the tuition freeze at Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic, benefiting almost 25,000 students.^[41] As a result, Newfoundland and Labrador’s public post-secondary tuition has been second only to Quebec’s in Canada for some years. For 2007-08, Quebec’s average tuition per student stood at $2,025 compared to $2,633 for Newfoundland and Labrador. Manitoba ranks third at $3,384 and P.E.I. fourth at $4,400.^[42]

[edit] Student Aid

Based on actions taken in the 2007 Budget, significant improvements to the student aid program saw Newfoundland and Labrador at the national forefront in reducing provincial student loan debt. The budget provided for a $14.4 million investment to help current and former students reduce their debt-load. Interest charged on student loans was reduced from prime plus 2.5 per cent to prime, at a cost of $3.7 million annually. An up-front, needs-based grant program was introduced, providing financial assistance of approximately $10.7 million annually. The grant split the maximum weekly allowance of $140 into a $70 a week repayable loan and a $70 a week non-repayable grant. This provides the same level of funding, yet reduces the amount of money students with the highest need will borrow. It is also the first time that students in one- and two-year programs at the College of the North Atlantic and private colleges will qualify for a non-repayable grant.^[43][44]

[edit] Participation

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Higher Education Institutions are impacted by a changing demographic profile. They need to be able to adapt to demographic and labor market trends and respond to changing training needs. Some of these trends include:

[edit] An aging population

Western industrialized nations are experiencing a shift in demographics such that there is an increased, disproportionate aging population. This is evident in Newfoundland and Labrador from 1951 through projections into 2020. Overall population is expected to have increased from 361,400 in 1951 to 490,700 in 2020; however, whereas in 1951 there were 39.1% aged 0-14 and 6.5% aged 65+, by 2020 those numbers are expected to jump to 12.6% and 23.1% respectively.^[45]

[edit] Net out migration of youth

The youth population has declined by almost half from 1986 to 2007, more in rural areas. The number of university-age students (18-24) in Newfoundland and Labrador dropped 27% between 1990 and 2000 and another 6% between 2000 and 2005. Comparatively there was a less than 1% drop in the number of 18-24 year olds in Canada between 1990 and 2000 followed by a 7% increase between the years 2000 and 2005.^[46]

[edit] Graduate migration

For the class of 2000, Newfoundland and Labrador experienced a net out-flow of university graduates equal to 5.2% of the size of the university graduating class, and a net out-flow of college graduates equal to 15.4% of the size of the college graduating class. However, the 23% tuition decrease from 2000-01 to 2003-04 and subsequent tuition freeze at Memorial University has resulted in a 50% decline in the number of undergraduate students from Newfoundland and Labrador leaving to attend other universities in Atlantic Canada. Only 2% of Newfoundland and Labrador students now make up the undergraduate population of Maritime universities.^[47]

Overall, participation in post-secondary education in Newfoundland and Labrador is higher than the national average at approximately 32% in 2005. This represents an 8% increase since 2000.

[edit] Memorial University (MUN) Enrolment Summary (2007-2008)^[48]

Undergraduates		Graduates
Full-time:	13,105	Full-time:	1,545
Part-time:	2,184	Part-time:	851

[edit] College of the North Atlantic (CNA) Enrolment Summary (2005-2006)^[49]

Full-time:	7,781
Pert-time:	1,297
Cont. Ed.:	8,957

[edit] Accessibility

[edit] Adult learning

The aging population of Newfoundland and Labrador requires that Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) promote and raise the profile of adult learning among the general public. Its Division of Lifelong Learning offers an extensive selection of credit and non-credit courses and programs available online and on-campus.^[50] Consideration of adult learners is also of key interest at the College of the North Atlantic, which has all 17 campus locations offering some level of Adult Basic Education (ABE).^[51] The Comprehensive Arts and Science Transition program is designed for high school and ABE graduates who would like to improve their general employability skills or who are lacking either the academic courses or required grades for admission into their chosen college program.^[52]

[edit] Rural participation

Memorial University is an example of an innovative approach to education delivery from remote communities. It offers courses online (around 250), through correspondence, teleconferencing and satellite links. It has also partnered with the community college system to offer first year university studies at select college campuses throughout the province. Accessibility to rural areas is also facilitated through Cohort programs available through the university that combine distance and local delivery. The College of the North Atlantic has a Distributed Learning Service (DLS)^[53] in each of the college’s 17 campuses. It offers programs and services through on-campus instruction, correspondence, mobile teaching units, distance education and community outreach. Students from rural areas have the opportunity to visit educational facilities such as Memorial University through the Intra-Provincial Travel Program. This program allows these students to realize the potential for opportunities beyond high school.^[54]

[edit] Apprenticeship training

The 2007 Budget allocated $300,000 for apprenticeship training to allow apprentices to be hired by health boards, school boards, and Newfoundland and Labrador Housing. In addition, Memorial University is being provided with $200,000, allowing them to hire an additional seven individuals through this initiative. Overall, almost $10 million was provided in 2007 to improve the apprenticeship system at different levels.^[55]

[edit] Discrimination and Special Needs

[edit] Women’s participation

Memorial University is working to create opportunities for women in non-traditional fields. An example of this is its recent application to and permission granted by the Human Rights Commission to hire as many female apprentices as possible in the next round of hiring.^[56] Although general gender equity has been satisfied in Atlantic Canada’s higher education institutions, areas such as technology, science and engineering are still working towards achieving it. Memorial University's ‘Women in Science and Engineering’ is one such program offered to help attain this goal.^[57]

[edit] Aboriginal participation

Although the aboriginal population is growing, Newfoundland and Labrador faces challenges recruiting aboriginals because of low education attainment levels and low literacy rates among the Innu and Inuit adult populations. The Labrador institute of MUN and the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Campus of the College of the North Atlantic provide a College-University Transfer year option. This program is co-designed between the two institutions to promote better success for aboriginal students. Post-secondary offerings in Labrador include Adult Basic Education, transition and university transfer courses, business, applied arts, and trades and technology programs offered at the Labrador West and Happy Valley-Goose Bay campuses of the CNA. The 2008 Budget allocated $60,000 to establish an Aboriginal Literacy Development Consultant in Labrador. An additional $250,000 was allocated to assess facility requirements necessary to accommodate aboriginal enrolment at the College of North Atlantic in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.^[58] Memorial University continues to secure access to the Post Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) for members of the federation of the Newfoundland Indians and Labrador Metis Nation. The Aboriginal Human Resource Development Agreement (AHRDA) has helped to fund over 100 students in Newfoundland and Labrador in the 2007-08 school year. In mid November of 2007, thirty bursaries were given to Metis students attending university.^[59] Memorial University's Faculty of Education has developed a distance education program for Nunavut students as well as a professional development certificate program for their teachers.^[60] The College of the North Atlantic’s new Integrated Nursing Access Program allows Inuit students to stay in Labrador for the 3-year access program and the 2nd year of the BN (Collaborative) Program. Students will then do the 3rd and 4th years of the program at Corner Brook.^[61]

[edit] Students with disabilities

Memorial University, through The Glenn Roy Blundon Centre, established in 1992, is committed to providing and coordinating programs and services for students with disabilities so that they can achieve their maximum academic potential.^[62] The College of the North Atlantic received funding in 2006 to hire six new Disability Service Coordinators to assist students with needs. The College has invested in initiatives to improve access to a range of services for students with disabilities at increased campus locations.^[63] To ensure all learners have the opportunity to succeed, the College of the North Atlantic’s Access for Success (AFS) initiative is designed to improve both student access and student retention. AFS involves the assessment of students’ strengths and needs, the development of personal career plans, the use of a student success tracking computer program, and structured academic advising to ensure students are well suited to their program of choice, even prior to attending the college.^[64]

[edit] Transferability

While there is a common application process for individual community college campuses within each provincial community college system, there is no common application across provinces or across universities. The Community College system partners with the University to offer first year university courses at a number of campuses as well as credit transfers within provinces across Atlantic Canada which have been maintained through individual articulation agreements.^[65]

[edit] Articulation, Transfer and Admission Committee (ATAC)

The committee’s main objective is to maximize student accessibility and enhance mobility among post-secondary institutions. It accomplishes this by coordinating the articulation process between public schools, Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic as well as addressing province-wide issues that related to articulation practices, transfer and admission. ATAC compiles and distributes a print and on-line transfer guide, listing course-by-course and program block transfers.^[66]

[edit] Atlantic Provinces Community College Consortium (APCCC)

The APCCC comprises the four provincial college systems; Nova Scotia Community College, the College of the North Atlantic in Newfoundland and Labrador, Holland College in Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick Community College. Its responsibility is coordinating activities among the four provincial college systems and sharing resources and expertise among the 50 education and training community colleges across the whole of the Atlantic Canada region. The APCCC produced a “Guide to Block Transfer Agreements” in 2006. These ‘blocks’ usually refer to a semester, year, diploma or certificate transferred from a college to a university. The Guide includes approximately 250 potential credit transfer arrangements. Students can choose from several course delivery mechanisms, including distance e-learning.^[67][68]

[edit] Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transfer: College-University

The College of the North Atlantic (CNA) offers the CAS Transfer: College-University program (formerly known as the College-University Transfer Year) at their five campuses in Burin, Carbonear, Grand Falls-Windsor, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and Labrador West. CAN and Memorial University of Newfoundland (MU) developed this program to provide university credit for specific College courses. Currently there are 36 courses which are transferable. The program provides students with the opportunity to complete a suite of courses for which they will gain credit from CAN as well as from MU. It has been developed through an agreement with Memorial; courses identified in this section are developed in collaboration with Memorial's respective departments. This enhances student access to courses that earn both University and College credits. It provides an opportunity for students to gain University course credit at locations close to their home communities. It allows students to choose career paths with maximum recognition of credit for work completed.^[69]

[edit] Glossary

ABORIGINAL STUDENT: A student who has reported him/herself as being of Aboriginal ancestry (First Nations: status and non-status, Metis, and Inuit).

ACCREDITED: to recognize at a post-secondary institution as maintaining standards required for its graduates to gain admission to other post-secondary institutions or qualify for credentials from a professional organization.

ACADEMIC YEAR: the period of time usually from early September to late April, includes two consecutive semesters or terms (i.e., four months each).

ADMISSION: Being allowed into an institution, faculty or program once the entrance requirements are met. Some admission is limited by spaces available, and by selection criteria.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: a set of rules that each post-secondary institution outlines for students to follow in order to gain acceptance into the institution. These can include specific courses, portfolio work, first aid certification etc.

ADULT BASIC EDUCATION (ABE): allows students to upgrade their education to an equivalent of Grade 12 academic completion.

ADULT STUDENT: a student 20 years of age or older as of June 30 in the school year July 1- June 30.

APPLIED PROGRAMS: programs that are designed to lead to employment in a relatively specific field. These programs usually lead to 2-year diplomas, or are less than a year's duration and lead to certificates.

APPRENTICESHIP: a systematic program of on-the-job training supplemented by in-school instruction. Students must be employed in a trade area and become registered through their employer.

BURSARY: is a non-repayable award given on the basis of assessed financial need.

CONTINUING EDUCATION: non-credit courses, lectures, workshops, and seminars, usually offered in the evening or on weekends in a variety of areas, such as: general interest, employment, language skills, vocational, and business.

CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM: an education program offered by school districts, primarily for adults, leading to either secondary school completion or the upgrading of a current graduation certificate.

CREDENTIALS: evidence of an individual's qualifications (i.e. certificate, diploma, degree).

CREDIT: a value assigned by an institution to a course, to represent the quantity of work accomplished during a particular period of study.

CURRICULUM: a grouping of courses prescribed or outlined by an institution for completion of a program of study.

DEGREE: an academic credential awarded by a university or university-college to students who have successfully completed a program of study. A Bachelor's degree is awarded for completion of undergraduate studies; a Master's degree or PhD is awarded for completing advanced studies beyond the undergraduate level.

DIPLOMA: a formal credential issued to a student who has successfully completed a program that is usually not less than two academic years of full-time study.

DIPLOMA PROGRAM: a program that is one or two years long and leads to a diploma rather than a degree. They are usually geared toward employment in a particular field.

DISTANCE EDUCATION: any instruction which does not involve face-to-face interaction between the student and the instructor using primarily the Internet.

DISTRIBUTED LEARNING: a method of instruction that relies primarily on indirect communication between students and teachers, including internet or other electronic-based delivery, teleconferencing, or correspondence.

GRADUATE SCHOOL: post-secondary programs students may wish to take after completion of a bachelor's degree.

GRADUATE STUDENT: a student who is completing a master's or doctoral degree.

HIGHER EDUCATION: a level of education that follows secondary school and normally taken at the college or university.

INSTITUTE: a post-secondary school that provides specialized training in technologies, trades, art and design, law enforcement or indigenous studies.

INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES: a group of courses combining studies and research from different subject areas.

INTERNSHIP: a period of apprenticeship when students work off campus, under supervision, in a school, factory, hospital, business, laboratory, or government agency.

MASTER'S DEGREE: the degree after a bachelor's degree. Students studying for a master's degree are referred to as graduate students.

MATURE STUDENT: a category of admission generally for students who may not meet the academic requirements, but who qualify for entry based on previous work experience, existing skills, or age. Often there are residency requirements as well.

NON-CREDIT: courses that do not comprise part of a program of study leading to a credential awarded by a post-secondary institution.

ON-LINE LEARNING: an option for students who wish to learn in their own environment and within their own work schedules using computer and internet technology.

PART-TIME STUDENT: an undergraduate student who is enrolled in fewer than 12 credit hours a term.

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION: any education that occurs after the completion of high school(i.e. college, university college, university, career and technical training etc)

PROGRAM: a combination of course work leading to a specific credential.

REGISTRAR: the official at a post-secondary institution who is responsible for maintaining student records, and the application, admission and graduation policies.

SKILLED TRADE: an occupation, especially one requiring labor in a trade area such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing and electrical etc.

SPECIAL NEEDS: students who have a disability of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional or behavioural nature, have a learning disability or have exceptional gifts or talents.

STUDENT FEES: a fee or combination of fees that is paid to the student associations or the institutions for services such as student activities, parking, recreation fees etc.

STUDENT LOAN: a major source of need-based financial assistance provided by the federal and provincial governments. The governments pay interest on the students’ loans while the borrower is engaged in full-time study but the borrower must begin repaying loan principal and interest 6 months after he/she ceases to be registered in at least 60% of a full course load.

TRANSCRIPT: an official record of all courses taken with credits and grades documented. A transcript for each student is maintained by the Admissions Office or Registrar's Office at all post-secondary institutions.

TRANSFER CREDIT: credit given at an institution for work successfully completed at another institution.

UNDERGRADUATE: a university or college student who has not yet received a first degree or diploma

UNIVERSITY: an educational institution that offers degrees at the bachelors, masters and doctoral levels.

UNIVERSITY-COLLEGE: institutions that offer their own university degrees, or degrees affiliated with other BC universities, in addition to offering college diploma, certificate, upgrading, and distance education programs.

UNIVERSITY TRANSFER (UT): credit programs of study, usually in arts, social sciences, and science courses, which are transferable toward degree programs at universities.

VOCATIONAL AND TRADES TRAINING: a variety of vocational, trades, and health education training and upgrading designed to meet employment needs.

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