TRU Open Learning
900 McGill Road
Kamloops, BC V2C 5N3
tru.ca/distance
Thompson Rivers University - Open Learning
This information applies to the 2010-11 Academic year.
CONTENTS: Transferring Credits from other Institutions to TRU Open Learning
Visiting Students
Block Transfer Credit towards the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Tourism Management
Block Transfer towards Other TRU Open Learning Degrees
Application for Transfer Credit Procedures
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
Definitions
For More Information
Detailed policy on transfer credit is provided in the TRU 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 TRU Open Learning at the lower level.
Transferring Credits from other Institutions to TRU 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 TRU Open Learning for transfer to another institution at which you are already a student, you should have written approval in advance from your institution. Although your registration with TRU Open Learning does not depend on or require a copy of this document, it will ensure that credits earned from TRU Open Learning will be transferable to your home institution.
For further information, please contact Student Services at TRU Open Learning or an advisor at your home institution.
Block Transfer Credit towards the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Tourism Management
Students who have successfully completed a related two year diploma at BCIT or at a BC college may receive block transfer credit toward the TRU Open Learning's Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Tourism Management. For further information, please contact Student Services at 250-825-7000, in the Kamloops area, or 1-800-663-9711, toll-free in Canada.
Block Transfer towards Other TRU Open Learning Degrees
TRU Open Learning offers degree completion programs (other than Business Administration and Tourism Management) whereby students who successfully complete specialized programs receive block transfer credit towards a TRU Open Learning degree. If transfer credit is not available, it may be possible to assess the learning through prior learning assessment, and apply the PLAR towards a TRU-OL credential. Check with your home institution, or contact TRU-OL for further information.
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 TRU-OL 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 a credential evaluation service.
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 TRU-OL. For further information, please refer to the TRU-OL calendar.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
TRU Open Learning 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 TRU Open Learning program requirements.
TRU Open Learning may reassess PLA credit awarded by other institutions on an individual basis.
Website: www.tru.ca/distance/services/plar-ol.html
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
TRU Open Learning Student Services
4th Floor, BCCOL Building
Box 3010 900 McGill Road
Kamloops, BC V2C 5N3
Telephone: (250) 852-7000;
Toll-free in Canada: (800) 663-9711
Web site: www.tru.ca/distance
Email: student@tru.ca
June 2010