In addition to satisfying all course requirements for a specific degree, the student must also satisfy all other academic requirements set by the department granting the degree. This includes but is not limited to: Graduation, program and residency requirements as listed in this calendar.
Requirements for a Second or Subsequent Baccalaureate Degree:
The College currently offers the following baccalaureate degrees:
If the College has previously conferred a baccalaureate degree on a student, the College may confer a second or subsequent baccalaureate degree on the same student provided that:
the second or subsequent baccalaureate degree is a baccalaureate degree from the above list, but different than the degree(s) that was (were) formerly conferred upon the student by the College.
the student has satisfied the entrance requirements of the baccalaureate program of the second or subsequent degree.
the student has successfully completed a minimum of 60 credits of course work toward the second or subsequent baccalaureate degree, beyond and in addition to the course credits required for any former baccalaureate degree.
the student has successfully satisfied all other requirements for the second or subsequent baccalaureate degree.
Requirements for the Annotation of a Second or Subsequent Honours Designation on a Baccalaureate Degree Previously Conferred:
If a student who has previously received an Okanagan College baccalaureate degree subsequently returns and successfully completes the requirement for an honours designation relevant to and within the same baccalaureate degree, then the student will be issued an updated certificate of the baccalaureate degree. The updated degree certificate will include an annotation specific to the second or subsequent honours designation. The student will be required to surrender the degree certificate previously conferred upon the issuance of the updated certificate for the baccalaureate degree.
Second or Subsequent Associate Degree or Diploma:
The College may confer a second or subsequent diploma or associate degree provided that the student has satisfied all program and residency requirements. The College may accept up to 30 credits from the student's previous diploma or associate degree toward satisfying the specific requirements of the second or subsequent diploma or associate degree.
In the event that the first diploma or associate degree conferred by the College is in general studies, the student will be required to complete only the outstanding requirements of the second or subsequent diploma or degree. If the outstanding requirements total less than 30 hours of credit the student will be required to surrender the Diploma in General Studies.
The College will not confer a Diploma in General Studies as a second of subsequent diploma, nor will the College confer a Diploma in General Studies concurrently with any other diploma.
Refer to the respective program descriptions in this calendar for specific requirements of each certificate program.
A student's graduating grade average (GGA) is the weighted average of grades for those courses, as specified in the regulations below, taken at Okanagan College which are used to satisfy the graduation requirements for a degree, associate degree, diploma, or certificate conferred by the College. For a given course the weight is the number of credits and the value is the assigned grade.
The GGA shall be calculated according to the following regulations:
Note: A minimum GGA of sixty percent (60%) is required to be eligible for graduation in a baccalaureate degree, an associate degree, diploma or non-vocational certificate program.
A minimum GGA of seventy percent (70%) is required to be eligible for graduation in a vocational certificate program.
For more information, please see Academic Requirements for Program Completion and Graduation.
Please also see Transfer Credit Requests.
Courses taken at Okanagan College will not be Transfer Credit. Please see Course Equivalency.
Transfer credit will be granted for a course taken at a post-secondary institution recognized by the College provided that the course grade is at least 50% and provided that an equivalent Okanagan College course exists. General or unassigned credit may be granted, at the discretion of the department, in the event that no equivalent Okanagan College course exists.
Transfer credit awarded for courses completed 10 years or more prior to the request for transfer may not be used as credit towards a degree or diploma at the College unless specifically approved by the Registrar after review and recommendation by the Dean or designate. Programs may, with the approval of Education Council, specify a shorter time period for courses to apply to a specific degree or diploma. Consult the appropriate program section in this calendar for detailed information.
The granting of credit for a transfer course does not guarantee that the transfer course will meet a particular program requirement. For courses completed at out-of-province institutions ($50 charge), course descriptions sufficiently detailed to facilitate comprehensive evaluation may be requested by the College's Admissions Office.
a. Residency Requirements
For all Bachelor Degree programs, a minimum of 25% of the program including a minimum of 30 credits at the 300-level or higher must be completed through OC.
For the Commercial Aviation diploma program, 100% of the program must be completed through OC.
For the Culinary Management diploma program, a minimum of 50% of the academic courses in the program must be completed through OC. 100% of the culinary training must be completed through OC.
For the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Marketing and Data Analytics program, 75% of the program must be completed through OC including a minimum of 15 credits of 200-level courses or higher. 25% of the program may be previously articulated transfer credit from B.C. institutions excluding coursework from the qualifying degree used for the purpose of admission or any other completed credential.
For all Other Diploma and Associate Degree programs, a minimum of 50% of the program must be completed through OC including the following additional requirements:
Human Kinetics diploma: completion of a minimum of 15 credits of 200-level courses or higher;
Human Service Work diploma: completion of all semester 3 and 4 courses including practica and preceptorships;
Early Childhood Education diploma: completion of all semester 3 and 4 courses including practica and preceptorships;
For all Certificate programs including those offered through Continuing Studies, a minimum of 50% of the program must be completed through OC.
b. Program Completion under Special Circumstances
Notwithstanding the Okanagan College Residency Requirement, a student who lacks one or two courses for graduation, and who is no longer a resident of the College region, may be granted transfer credit for up to two courses taken at another institution. Requests for special consideration may be directed to the Registrar.
The College reserves the right to determine whether transfer credit for courses completed at other institutions will be accepted. Students are strongly advised to contact the Registrar's Office in advance to ensure that the courses they intend to take are appropriate to the College's specific associate degree, diploma or certificate requirements.
c. Limitation on Course Acceptability
Okanagan College reserves the right not to accept courses as satisfying degree, diploma or certificate requirements when the courses were completed at the College 10 or more years before the College year in which application is made for a degree, diploma or certificate.
The College does not allow transfer credit for courses that were completed at another institution 10 or more years before the College year in which application is made for transfer credit.
d. Transfer Credit for Adult Academic and Career Preparation
The following transfer credit guidelines from the Ministry of Advanced Education apply toward an Adult Basic Education certificate or diploma.
Fundamental Certificate: At the Fundamental Level, transfer credit will not be given for work completed in the public school system. Transfer credit may be given for courses at the Fundamental level with a 50% (C) grade or better from British Columbia colleges.
Intermediate Certificate: Transfer credit may be given for previous study for up to two courses, with a 50% (C) grade or better, at the Intermediate or Grade 10 level or higher.
Advanced Certificate: Transfer credit may be given for previous study for up to two courses, with a 50% (C) grade or better, at the Advanced or Grade 11 level or higher.
Provincial Diploma: Transfer credit may be given for previous study for courses, with a 50% (C) grade or better, at the Provincial or Grade 12 level or higher.
In addition to the courses listed, transfer credit may be approved for courses chosen from (but not limited to) such programs as entry-level occupational trades training; business administration; administrative assistant (formerly applied business technology); consumer education; university courses; education and career planning; visual graphic and performing arts; and appropriate Continuing Studies certificate programs.
Okanagan College Calendar: Printed 04/05/2020