BC Open University (now known as Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning), 2003-04
The BC Open University (BCOU)is now operated as Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning. Any references to BCOU or Open College now refers to TRU-OL.CONTENTS:
Transferring Credits from other Institutions to
Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning
Visiting Students
Block Transfer Credit towards the Bachelor of Business Administration
and Bachelor of Tourism Management
Block Transfer towards Other Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning Degrees
Transfer Credit Regulations
Second Credentials
Multiple Degrees
Application for Transfer Credit Procedures
Transfer Credit for Master's Degree Programs
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
Definitions
For More Information...
Detailed policy on transfer credit is provided in the Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning calendar. The following notes may be of assistance to users of this guide.
Unless indicated otherwise, all courses in the BC Transfer Guide transfer to the Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning at the lower level.
Transferring Credits from other Institutions to Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning
Students with partially completed programs may receive transfer credit for previous studies taken through a recognized institution. Transfer credit is evaluated on the basis of program requirements, and is awarded in recognition of the level and type of studies taken.
Visiting Students
If you are taking courses from Open College or B.C. Open University for transfer to another institution at which you are already a student, you should have written approval in advance from the Registrar of your institution, and/or the Dean of your faculty. Although your registration with Open College or B.C. Open University does not depend on this document, it will ensure that credits earned from Open College or B.C. Open University will be transferable to your home institution.
For further information, please contact Student Services at the B.C. Open University or a counselor at your home institution.
Block Transfer Credit towards the Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Tourism Management
Students who have successfully completed a related two year diploma at BCIT or at a B.C. community college may receive block transfer credit toward the B.C. Open University's Bachelor of Business Administration or Bachelor of Tourism Management. For further information, please contact Student Services at 431-3300, in the Vancouver area, or 1-800-663-9711, toll-free in Canada.
Block Transfer towards Other Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning Degrees
B.C. Open University, in collaboration with the following institutions, offers degree completion programs (other than Business Administration and Tourism Management) whereby students who successfully complete specialized programs receive block transfer credit towards a B.C. Open University degree.
Capilano University
Capilano University's Music Therapy program transfers towards a Bachelor
of Music Therapy degree (BCOU), the Jazz Studies diploma transfers
towards a Bachelor of Music (Jazz Studies) (BCOU).
DOUGLAS COLLEGE
A diploma in Nursing or Psychiatric Nursing plus completed Douglas
College Advanced Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing transfer towards
a Bachelor of Health Science (Psychiatric Nursing) (current RPN
or RN license required).
VANCOUVER ACADEMY OF MUSIC
The VAM's Music Performance program transfers towards an Associate
in Music diploma or a B.Music (Performance).
THE COLLEGE OF PHYSICAL THERAPISTS OF B.C. (CPTBC)
An acceptable diploma in Physiotherapy transfers towards a Bachelor
of Health Science (Physiotherapy) (current CPTBC license or letter
of eligibility required at time of entry to program).
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF THE CARIBOO (now known
as Thompson Rivers University)
A diploma in Respiratory Therapy transfer towards a Bachelor of
Health Science (Respiratory Therapy). Registration number with
CSRT and minimum work experience required at time of entry to
program.
Transfer Credit Regulations
Transfer credit is evaluated for all studies taken through an accredited or similarly recognized educational institution.
Transfer credit will be awarded to all qualifying courses passed according to the standards of a sending institution that is recognized by BC Open University (BCOU) or Open College (OC). In BC, accredited institutions include those which are listed in the BC Transfer Guide, are members of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, or are publicly funded. Outside Canada, institutions that are recognized by accrediting bodies within the country of origin are considered on an individual basis.
The applicant must declare all formal studies from all previously attended post-secondary institutions and professional associations at the time of initial application for transfer credit, and arrange for official transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions and professional associations in support of the application to be sent to BCOU. If all formal studies are not declared at the time of initial application, a further documentation fee will be levied. Further penalties may be imposed, such as: (a) invalidation of the previously issued university program plan; (b) refusal of admission into BCOU programs; or (c) requirement to withdraw from a course or program.
Transfer credit will only be awarded on the basis of official transcripts sent directly to BCOU by the institution, or appropriately authenticated copies. All documents submitted, unless considered irreplaceable, will become the property of BCOU.
Authenticated translation will be required of documents (official transcripts) in a language other than English or French.
Other formal studies may be considered for credit on an individual basis.
Credit may be granted on a course-by-course basis or for a combination of courses. Credit granted for a group of courses or an entire program is known as "block transfer".
Assessed transfer credit will be applied to Adult Basic Education (ABE) certificates and diplomas, OC certificates and diplomas, and BCOU post-diploma certificates and degrees on the basis of its applicability to a specific program.
Students changing programs or requiring information about how credits earned and transferred apply to another BCOU credential must apply in writing for a re-evaluation of their transfer credit. An additional reassessment fee will be levied.
Normally there is no time limit on the transfer of courses. However, in some subject areas and for some programs, courses taken over seven (7) years previously will not automatically be awarded transfer credit. The currency of the subject matter will be taken into account.
Past courses from another post-secondary institution will be given credit provided they were transferable in the year taken.
In cases where there is an equivalent course offered by BCOU, the current course number will be assigned. In cases where the course is no longer offered by BCOU, unassigned credit will be given, as appropriate.
BCOU will assess requests by individuals for transfer credit for college or university courses completed at high schools in the same manner as any other requests. There will be no penalty for dual credit, that is, credit which is used toward completion of both a high-school and a college or university program.
Grades for courses that have received transfer credit will be transcripted on the student's BCOU transcript. For block transfer awarded, no grades will be transcripted.
Second Credentials
Credits used to meet the requirements of an undergraduate credential with OC or BCOU or elsewhere may be used to meet a maximum of 50 per cent of the total requirements of a second undergraduate qualification at the same or lower level provided the second qualification is in a different subject area. All requirements for completion of the second qualification must be met.
Multiple Degrees
A minimum of 120 credits will be required for the first degree, and a minimum of 60 credits will be required for all subsequent degrees. The student can use credits only once toward a further degree. The degrees taken must be in different areas, approved by the program director. There should be no limit to the number of degrees taken under these rules.
Application for Transfer Credit Procedures
Students applying for transfer credit are required to complete and submit the Program Admission form and arrange to submit supporting documents (official transcripts). Completed Program Admission forms may be submitted to BCOU electronically, by mail, or by fax. Forms are available on this Website, on the Post-Secondary Application Service of BC (PASBC) Website, and from Student Services.
If application for credit is being made for courses taken outside British Columbia, a course syllabus or calendar from the institution should be included. Course syllabus or calendars in a language other than English must be provided in English at the student's expense.
The appropriate transfer credit assessment fee must accompany all requests for assessment of transfer credit involving documents originating both within and outside BC. Documents from Yukon institutions listed in the BC Transfer Guide will be treated as being from BC. (Permanent residents of BC who have completed secondary/high-school courses in BC and are applying for transfer credit toward an ABE credential are exempt from this fee.) Assessment of transfer credit will not commence until all required fees have been received along with all transcripts indicated on the Application for Transfer Credit.
Students submitting documents from institutions outside Canada may be required to have their documents evaluated by the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES).
No further transfer credit assessment fees will be charged to registered students who have been issued a Letter of Permission or where prior agreement has been reached between institutions, except for cases in which a student requests to have transfer credit assessed against a different credential.
Fees are non-refundable and cannot be applied toward any other assessment fee charged by BCOU.
Transfer Credit for Master's Degree Programs
There is no limit on the amount of credit to be used from an uncompleted and expired master's degree program toward the completion of an Open College or B.C. Open University credential.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
B.C. Open University accepts credits earned through both portfolio-assisted assessment and course challenge from all BC post-secondary institutions that have formally adopted the provincial PLA standards and guidelines. Such credit is applied in the context of Open College and B.C. Open University program requirements.
B.C. Open University may reassess PLA credit awarded by other institutions on an individual basis.
Website: www.bcou.ca/services/policies/pla
Definitions
COURSE CHALLENGE:
Course Challenge is a mechanism for assessment candidates who have
acquired knowledge other than by formal study to receive credit
for specified courses by examination.
Depending on the course, a challenge examination may be a scheduled examination written at an examination centre or it may be a project completed at home or at the workplace.
PORTFOLIO-ASSISTED ASSESSMENT:
Portfolio assisted assessment allows an assessment candidate to
document and demonstrate his or her knowledge of a given discipline
and placement-related skills appropriate to an educational goal
by presenting a personal learning portfolio - either as a stand-alone
document or as a set of documents or in combination with, for
example, a performance tape, a demonstration of skills, or a
personal interview. The assessment method will depend on the
subject area and the program requirements.
For More Information
Student Services
Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning
Box 82080,
Burnaby, BC V5C 6J8
Telephone: (604) 431-3300;
Toll-free in Canada: (800) 663-9711
Web site: www.bcou.ca/services
Email: student@bcou.ca
June 2003