Transfer Credit
Through Open Learning's Transfer Credit options, your previously earned credits can count towards your credential, which means you don't have to start from square one when enrolling in a program. Get a head start on your post-secondary credential by transferring credit and expediting your program completion.
Anyone can apply for their past credits to be transferred to their program by arranging for all official post-secondary transcripts to be sent to TRU-OL admissions. Transfer Credit gives you recognition for your past post-secondary work.
Transferring Credit to an Open Learning Program from Other Institutions
Program Plans
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
Transferring Credit to Other Institutions
SFU, UVic Transfer Credit
Transferring Credit to an Open Learning Program from Other Institutions
As part of the admission process, students who want to apply to receive formal transfer credit for courses and programs they have completed elsewhere, should follow these procedures:
- Identify the program to be completed through TRU-OL. Applicants can refer to program information and discuss choices with Student Services advisors.
- Read all the rules and regulations pertaining to transfer credit and admission requirements of the selected program.
- Apply for program admission by completing and submitting the Program Admission/Transfer Credit form, with the program plan fee and credit assessment fee. [Students may also apply online.]
- Arrange to have official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended sent, by the institution's registrar's office, directly to TRU-OL Admissions. Documents from international institutions may require assessment by an accredited international credential evaluation service such as www.bcit.ca/ices .
- Provide additional supporting documentation with the application, particularly if the coursework is over seven years old or if courses were completed outside BC.
TRU-OL commences formal education assessment upon receipt of all of the following:
(1) Completed Program Admission/Transfer Credit form.
(2) Full payment of the program plan fee and assessment of transfer credit fee.
(3) Official transcripts of all post-secondary studies.
(4) Any additional program admission requirements, such as criminal records search documents.
Results of the assessment and outline of a program plan are sent to students.
Once you are fully admitted to a program, if you wish to take courses elsewhere to meet some of your TRU-OL program requirements, you will need to discuss choices with your program advisor and request a Letter of Permission.
Refer to transfer credit policies .
Program Plans
A program plan is a personalized record of a student's progress toward a credential (certificate, diploma, degree). Upon application to a program, a program plan is prepared by a TRU-OL program advisor when the applicant’s official transcripts and applicable fees have been received and transfer credits have been assessed (minimum of four weeks is required for processing). Students pay a fee for each program plan prepared.
A personalized program plan shows the following:
(1) Requirements for the program.
(2) Student's transfer credit.
(3) Remaining credits required for program completion.
Remaining credits may be earned through coursework or prior learning assessment and recognition ( PLAR ) (by course challenge or portfolio-assisted assessment) or a combination of both.
In order to ensure that a course satisfies program requirements, students should consult their program plan or their program advisor, when appropriate, prior to registering in a course. Students registering in courses without prior approval bear the responsibility for taking courses that may not be applicable to program requirements. Students self registering in external courses are also responsible for credit assessment fees.
Students admitted to a program offered through TRU-OL who want to request permission to take a course from an institution other than TRU-OL must first apply for a Letter of Permission, using the Letter of Permission Request form. One Letter of Permission per semester, per institution is required for such courses.
A student’s record and program plan are updated when TRU-OL receives official transcripts detailing course completion from the external institution. Students are responsible for ordering these transcripts, directed to TRU-OL Admissions.
Students wanting to change to a different program must consult with their program advisor. Intention to change programs must be confirmed in writing (email is acceptable). Upon written confirmation, a program plan for the new program is prepared. Credit assessment and program planning fees may apply.
Program Completion
All program students must fulfill all requirements, including residency, in order to graduate from programs offered through TRU-OL. Residency requirements are the minimum number of TRU courses or credits that must be completed, including credits earned through PLAR, as specified in program descriptions. Program advisors are available to asssist you with program completion details. Once all requirements have been met, students are required to apply to graduate. TRU-OL courses delivered by SFU or UVic appear on TRU-OL transcripts and are applicable in meeting the residency requirements for programs offered through TRU-OL.
Advanced Placement Advanced Placement is a program of college-level courses and examinations, administered by the College Entrance Examination Board in New York, with a Canadian office in Kelowna, BC. Unless stated otherwise, TRU-OL requires that students have a minimum grade of 3.0 in the Advanced Placement program to receive transfer credit.
Refer to admissions and transfer information .
International Baccalaureate The International Baccalaureate program, sponsored by a Swiss foundation in Geneva, is a comprehensive curriculum, including languages, science, mathematics and humanities. Unless stated otherwise, TRU-OL requires that students have a minimum grade of 4.0 in the International Baccalaureate program to receive transfer credit.
Refer to admissions and transfer information .
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
Students may be eligible for credit based on an assessment of their informal prior learning. Prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR) credit may be used to complete a TRU-OL credential or for other external purposes. Prior learning includes the skills and knowledge gained through learning experiences such as industry-based training, professional development workshops and seminars, private study and paid and/or volunteer work experience. Program students who have completed formal courses and programs must apply for transfer credit assessment before having their prior learning assessed. Normally, TRU-OL assesses prior learning by challenge examination or a process that includes a portfolio. PLAR credit can also be awarded for pre-assessed training from selected employers, private training organizations and/or Continuing Studies programs.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
Earn academic credits for knowledge, training and skills you have gained through work and life experience.
Challenge Examination
Students in programs offered through TRU-OL may write one or more challenge examinations to demonstrate knowledge of the content of a particular TRU-OL course or of a first language. The amount of credit awarded is the same as completing the course as a registered student and PLAR grading applies.
Program students are required to complete and submit the Course Registration form and pay the tuition, course administration and technology fees to be considered for a course challenge examination. Contact Student Services for more information.
Portfolio-Assisted Assessment
Students may be eligible to demonstrate that their prior learning has provided them with a series of “competencies” (such as communication abilities or problem-solving abilities), which are critical for success in completion of program requirements. Students are required to prepare and submit a learning portfolio with written documents and other materials and may be required to have an oral interview. The non-refundable PLAR fee is required in advance.
Note
Refer to PLAR policies.
Transferring Credit to Other Institutions
BC’s post-secondary education system has a well established transfer credit system, particularly designed for students planning to take individual courses or a partial university program through various institutions.
Students planning to register in TRU-OL courses and planning to complete a program offered by another institution are advised to refer to that institution’s admission information to determine initial program requirements. Admission and transfer information is available on the web.
Visiting students planning to take courses through TRU-OL for transfer to another institution can register in courses without submitting transcripts.
Although a Letter of Permission is not required by TRU-OL, it is recommended that students obtain one from their home institution to ensure that the course(s) selected applies to their program of study.
Courses listed in this calendar and on the TRUOL website delivered by SFU or UVic are TRU-OL university-level courses for which students receive TRU-OL credit on TRU-OL transcripts. Students are responsible to be aware of transfer credit policies prior to registration for courses they plan to transfer to other institutions.
Refer to transfer credit policies .
SFU, UVic Transfer Credit
Students are advised that registration in TRU-OL courses delivered by SFU or UVic may not automatically be accepted for transfer credit to a specific program of studies by the institution delivering the course.
Students who take SFU-delivered courses that are designated W, Q or B and apply to SFU and receive an offer of admission will receive credit under the new W, Q, B curriculum requirements, subject to transfer credit regulations. Students considering transferring to SFU should refer to the admission requirements on the SFU website for more information.
Note: SFU's admission and curriculum requirements changed in 2006.
Students planning to take courses through TRU-OL and then transfer the credit to another institution should refer to admission and transfer information .
Students should note that registration in a TRU-OL course delivered by SFU or UVic does not mean they are admitted to the institution delivering the course. Students are advised to refer to the individual institution's admission policies.
Refer to transfer credit policies .