No. For Diploma and 1 year Certificate programs, students must complete a minimum of one semester or 25% of the courses, whichever is greater, in order to receive our credential.

For certificate of achievement and recognition of successful completion part time programs, normally comprised of 6 courses, you must complete 75% of the program.

For co-op programs, in addition to the above, you must complete a minimum of one co-op in your program at Georgian College.

At the Office of the Registrar (C170), the office at your campus, through your student Banner account or by calling 705-728-1968 ext. 1698.

You can find course outlines here: http://www.georgiancollege.ca/outlines/RNRS_1005.pdf

• To change course outlines change the course code in the address bar (the course code is shown in organge above)
• For example, if you want to switch from the “RNRS_1005” course outline above, change “RNRS_1005” in the link (above) to the course you are looking for (i.e. COMM_1016)

Once the Program Co-ordinator has evaluated/assessed the exemption request, it has been sent to the Credit Transfer Centre for processing and all documentation has been provided, it should take approximately one week.

Learners may obtain up to 75 percent of their 1 year Certificate or Diploma program courses and 50 percent for a college Degree program through PLAR exemptions.

A course is challenged using PLAR based on life and work experience gained through: employment, training programs, non-credit courses, travel, volunteer and community work or, special skills and interests for example.

You can view whether your exemptions have been processed in your student Banner account under your unofficial student transcript. Course exemptions will be marked with an “EX”, PLAR exemptions will be marked with a “P” and, a grade will be entered for challenge exams.

PLAR exemptions can be viewed in a student’s Banner account under their unofficial transcript. They will be marked with a “P” and will not count toward the overall average of a student. Unsuccessful PLAR challenges are not recorded on the transcript.

PLAR exemptions that are stricktly gained through Challenge Exams can also be viewed in a student’s Banner account under their unofficial transcript. They will show the grade achieved on the Challenge Exam and will count toward the overall average of a student. A failed Challenge Exam will not be recorded on the student’s transcript.

Course exemptions can be viewed in a student’s Banner account under their unofficial transcript. They will be marked with a “EX” and will not count toward the overall average of a student. Unsuccessful credit transfer attempts are not recorded on the transcript.

A form must be filled out for any new exemption request. For course exemptions the fee is $50 per course up to a cap of $100 per semester. If you are applying for the additional exemption(s) in a new semester you will have to pay the fee. If it is the same semester and you have capped at $100, you will not have to pay the fee again. For PLAR the fee is $125 per course with no cap.

Yes. You must go through the exemption process to be exempt from any pre-requisites to the course you are going to take on your Letter of Permission. Otherwise you will not be able to register for your course. For information on the exemption process please visit the Credit Transfer Centre website: http://www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/service-information-sheets-fees

Or email CTCRegistrar@GeorgianCollege.ca

Yes. If there is not enough evidence that a student has met at least 80% of the learning outcomes of the course for which they are seeking exemption. In this case a challenge can be deemed unsuccessful.

Benefits to students:

• validates learning gained through learning/work/life experience
• encourages applicants to pursue education
• eliminates duplication of learning
• may reduce the cost of education: tuition, books, supplies, etc.
• may shorten the time to complete a college program
• increases access
• helps with career development and future educational planning

Benefit to college:

• increases student recruitment and retention
• increases accessibility to a wide range of learners
• allows for opportunities for faculty to improve connections with business and industry

Benefit to society:

• fosters workplace partnerships with industry and institutions
• acknowledges lifelong learning and the importance of continued growth

If you have completed a minimum of five university credits, you will be granted your college COMM 1016. If you have been awarded a unversity degree, you will receive both your COMM 1016 and COMM 1017.

Note:

Your university credits and/or degree must be from an English speaking institution in a country where English is the primary language.

You must still fill out a Request for Assessment of Previous Learning form and go through the exemption process. For information on the exemption process please visit the Credit Transfer Centre website: http://www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/service-information-sheets-fees

Or email CTCRegistrar@GeorgianCollege.ca

PLAR is for learners with significant learning/work/life experience that may be equivalent to a college credit. It involves the assessment and evaluation of acquired comparable knowledge and skills that match at least 80% of the learning outcomes of a Georgian College course.

The focus of assessment is on evaluation of learning using a variety of techniques. Learning is assessed on an individual basis and, should be current and relevant to the program with sufficient depth to meet college level learning.

Individuals gain college-level learning and skills through learning, work and life experiences like:

• Work experience
• Community involvement
• Professional associations
• Volunteer experience
• Self-directed study
• Travel
• Non-credit courses
• Hobbies
• Etc.

For an evaluation, Program Coordinators may ask you to provide evidence of your experiences like:

• A portfolio of experiences
• Course/workshop outlines
• Job descriptions outlining duties and activities
• A letter from your employer
• Certification
• Writing a Challenge Exam
• Etc.

Providing such evidence will contribute to a proper evaluation of your experiences.

You must have a minimum grade of 60%, or C if you are in a Certicifate or Diploma Program and a minimun of 65% if you are in a Degree Program.

There could be a number of reasons your exemption request is taking a long time to process. It could be due to outstanding fees, providing your consent to process and/or missing documentation (i.e. official transcript).

You are welcom to check with your Program Co-ordinator and/or the Credit Transfer Centre. If the Credit Transfer Centre is missing something for processing the exemption request, your student account will be e-mailed with the outstanding item(s).

Advanced standing involves using a number of post-secondary credits from a reccognized and accredited institution and/or PLAR experience (life/work/learing) toward exemptions in a student’s Georgian College program that would place the student in a semester beyond their first.

While exemption(s) involve course exemption(s) granted through credit transfer and/or PLAR experience and do not necessarily place a student in advanced standing.

Prior learning/life/work experience can be assessed in a number of ways. Some methods include examination, performance observation, skills demonstration, documentation review, interview and/or, portfolio evaluation.

Failed credit courses do not qualify for PLAR challenge unless documentation to support learning/life/work experience is provided and the acquired learning has taken place after failing the course.

You should get started on the exemption process as soon as you think you might be able to receive exemptions. Ideally, this would be before you start your entire program. If you have not done this, you should do your best to go through the process before the last day to add/drop courses. If the course you are seeking an exemption from applies to a future semester, get started as early as possible.

Note:

The exemption process may take longer in the summer semester.

The Credit Transfer Centre provides information about course exemptions and credit transfer, and facilitates the process. Program Co-ordinators (sometimes with the assistance of instructors) evaluate and assess whether a course exemption is warranted.

General & Process Inquiries

• Credit Transfer Centre – Office of the Registrar C170
  CTCRegistrar@GeorgianCollege.ca

 Barrie COMM exemptions

• Andrea Lovering – Room B228F
  Andrea.Lovering@GeorgianCollege.ca 

Orillia COMM exemptions

• Susan Stott-Hood – Room C214GG
  Susan.Stott-Hood@GeorgianCollege.ca

Barrie GNED exemptions

• Terry Heittola – Room B228K
  Terry.Heittola@GeorgianCollege.ca

Orillia GNED exemptions

• Steve MacDonald – Room C214
  Steve.McDonald@GeorgianCollege.ca

Owen Sound GNED exemptions

• Steve Miller
  Steve.Miller@georgiancollege.ca

 Barrie Summer Term GNED & COMM exemptions

• David Perryman – Room B228
  David.Perryman@georgiancollege.ca

Program specific exemptions

• Contact your Program Coordinator
  • Find your Program Coordinator by following the link and going to your program webpage:
    georgiancollege.ca/programs
  • Or find your Program Coordinator by contacting the Credit Transfer Centre

The person signing off depends on who is a subject expert in the course(s) from which you would like to be exempt. At times Program Co-ordinators will rely on course instructors for their expertise in assessing an exemption.