We must achieve greater transparency and fairness regarding credit recognition and transfer between institutions. Students deserve this, and so does the government as a key financial partner. It is simply wasteful of public resources to require students to repeat courses covering the same material because of an exaggerated sense of self-reference by any college or university.
-- Ontario: A Leader in Learning (The Rae Report), February 2005
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning and the Brantford centre of Wilfrid Laurier University have signed an agreement which will allow graduates of two Conestoga programs - Journalism - Print and Broadcast, and General Arts and Science - to apply for advanced standing at Laurier Brantford towards a baccalaureate degree in Contemporary Studies.
Holders of a diploma in either of the the two Conestoga programs who are accepted for admission with the required level of academic grades at the Brantford centre will receive one year of credit if they have completed the full two years of study at Conestoga. Graduates of the three-year option in Journalism - Print and Broadcast will receive nearly one and one-half years of credit.
The B.A. program in Contemporary Studies is an interdisciplinary major that emphasizes a broad range of skills in areas such as communication, problem-solving, information technology and cultural/historical contexts. The general B.A. is a three-year program; the honours program is four years.
"This agreement further underscores Laurier Brantford’s aim of providing students with the opportunity to combine a strong liberal arts education with practical skills training,” says Leo Groarke, Dean of Laurier Brantford.
Jal Wadia, Conestoga’s Director of Strategic Initiatives, adds, "I believe this agreement is a strong step forward, providing clear pathways for students between Laurier and Conestoga that will benefit our students.”
CONTACT: Leo Groarke, 519-756-8228, ext. 5702 or Jal Wadia, 519-748-5220, ext. 2240