Academic Pathways Guidebook 2021 Edition

ACADEMIC PATHWAY
noun | path-way | \’path-,wa, ‘päth-\
A route between two programs or institutions allowing students to complete multiple
credentials by recognizing and transferring learning that’s already taken place. Credits
and courses from one institution or program are honoured at another institution to
minimize the time it takes to advance a student’s education.
ADVANCED STANDING
The recognition of credits earned at the home institution, applied towards a credential
at the host institution. Students enter a second or higher semester/term or year of the
host program.
ARTICULATION AGREEMENT
A formal, legally-binding agreement between two or more institutions, allowing students
to transfer between the institutions. In some cases, an articulation will include
transferable courses.
BLOCK TRANSFER
The transfer of a group of credits or courses from the home institution based on its
equivalency with the host program’s credits or courses. This transfer often results in
students being granted Advanced Standing in their host program.
BRIDGING COURSES OR PROGRAM
Courses or programs students can take to fill in gaps of their learning from their
previous program in order to complete their new one.
DEGREE COMPLETION
An undergraduate academic program, allowing students who have previously
completed a college diploma or advanced diploma to complete a degree in shorter time
without repeating content.
GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)
A method used to measure academic achievement based on the average of the grade
point values earned for credit courses. This average can be calculated per semester,
year or the entire program. Each institution may have different scales to measure a
student’s academic achievement. Contact the institution for more information.
PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT AND RECOGNITION (PLAR)
A process which provides students the opportunity to gain credit for formal or
informal learning. Learners follow a process that allows them to identify, describe and
demonstrate past learning that was obtained through a collection of study, life and
work experiences.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
A minimum number or percentage of credits students need to complete at the host
institution to fulfill program requirements.
TRANSFER CREDIT
The awarding of credit for previously completed course(s) obtained at a recognized
post-secondary institution.
*The definitions above are informed and guided by ONTransfer’s Glossary of Pathways
related terms
centennialcollege.ca/pathways 7