Admission Requirements

General Admission Requirements

Note: The following information applies to general College entrance only; see the previous sections on Limited Enrolment Programs and General Admission Programs for additional program-specific admission requirements.

1. General Requirements

All applicants for admission to the College must satisfy at least ONE of the following criteria:

Applicant has completed BC secondary school graduation in any program, or the equivalent in another school system; OR
Applicant has completed all but one required course for BC secondary school graduation in any program, or the equivalent in another school system; OR
Applicant will be at least 19 years of age by the end of the first month of the first semester of attendance; OR
Applicant will be at least 17 years of age on the first day of the first semester of attendance and has not been enrolled at a school for at least one year; OR
Applicant is a special needs student, has completed a certificate or equivalent from a special program, and has been in school for 12 years.

2. Language Proficiency Requirement

All applicants for admission to the College must demonstrate English-language proficiency by providing proof of ONE of the following:

a minimum grade of "C" in English 12 (based on both the course grade and provincial exam mark); OR
a minimum grade of “C” in English Literature 12 (based on both the course grade and provincial exam mark); OR
a minimum grade of “B” in Communications 12 (based on both the course grade and provincial exam mark); OR
a minimum grade of “C” in English 12 First Peoples (based on both the course grade and provincial exam mark); OR
a minimum grade of "C" in Technical and Professional Communications 12 (based on both the course grade and provincial exam mark); OR
a minimum grade of 3 or “C” on Advanced Placement (AP) English Language or Literature; OR
a minimum grade of 3 or "C" International Baccalaureate (IB) English Language A (Standard Level); OR
a minimum Essay Level score of 4 on the Language Proficiency Index (LPI) exam; OR
a minimum score of 450 on the GED Language Arts Writing & Reading; OR
a minimum score of 220 (computer-based) or 83 (internet-based) or 560 (paper-based) TOEFL; OR
a minimum overall band test score of 6.5 on IELTS (academic module only); OR
a minimum placement of Grade 1 on the EIKEN Test in Practical English (for international students only); OR
successful completion of an ABE (Adult Basic Education) English course equivalent to DVST 0355 or higher; OR
a minimum overall and essay score of "60" on the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) will be accepted as a substitution to English 12 "C"; OR
proof of enrolment in a college-level writing or literature course that transfers as a college level English or a Communications or a Creative Writing course; OR
proof of undergraduate (Bachelor) degree conferral from an English-speaking Post Secondary Institution; OR
completion of the Douglas College writing assessment with a minimum score college level admission. (To book an assessment, please call 604 527 5478, or see Assessment Services. Note: students must have an active Douglas College student number to access assessments through Assessment Services.); OR
DVST 0350 & 0360 – Mastery; OR
DVST 0355 - Mastery; OR
DVST 0356 - Mastery; OR
DVST 0450 - minimum "P" grade and 0460 - Mastery; OR
DVST 0455 - Assessed at or Minimum "P" grade; OR
EASL 0360 - Mastery ; OR
Writing: Mastery in EASL 0375 or EASL 0376 or assessed at EASL 0475 and
Reading: Mastery in EASL 0365 or assessed at EASL 0465; OR
EASL 0460 - Assessed at or Minimum “P” grade; OR
EASL 0820 – minimum “P” grade

New applicants and returning students without this level of English-language proficiency are not admissible to College-level courses and Programs but can be admitted to the Developmental Studies (DVST) or English as a Second Language (EASL) programs.

Note: For certain limited-enrolment programs and for certain individual courses, the English-language proficiency requirement may be different (refer to the particular Program section or the Course prerequisite information for further details).

Note: Students who do not meet any of the above requirements may apply for admission as a "special student.” Students are urged to discuss their situation with the Registrar and/or a College counselor.

Prerequisites/Assessment Testing

BC Secondary students completing the BC Ministry of Education 2004 Graduation Program no longer need to submit provincial exam results for examinations now deemed optional by the provincial government. If a student chooses to write an optional Grade 12 provincial exam, the higher grade (either the school mark or the blended school and provincial exam mark) will be recorded in the student's record and this higher grade will be used for admission and prerequisite compliance.

Students must continue to write provincial exams in any subject where it is mandatory in order to meet BC graduation requirements.

Students completing the BC Ministry of Education 1995 Graduation Program are required to write provincial exams in accordance with the ministry policy for the 1995 Graduation Program.

Students who have taken a prerequisite at Douglas College or another college or university must have a minimum grade of "C-" in the prerequisite course. Some courses or programs require a higher grade.

A number of courses and programs require assessment testing or verification that course prerequisites have been met. Students intending to register in English, Creative Writing, Communications, Office Administration or Math may need to do assessment testing. Many program areas also require assessment testing. Students should contact the Registrar's Office at 604-527-5478 well in advance of registration.

Students intending to register in the following courses need to contact the individual departments, well in advance, to arrange for testing: Modern Languages (604 527 5465), Developmental Studies and English as a Second Language (604 527 5463). Furthermore, many courses in Sciences, and Commerce and Business Administration have high school course prerequisites.

Please review the relevant Programs and Courses descriptions of the Calendar.

Also read the information contained in the Registration Guide, which can be accessed on the web at http://www.douglas.bc.ca/application-services/registration-guide.html, prior to registration.

For further information, please consult an Academic Advisor in the Registrar's Office (604-527-5478).

How to Apply

New Students

Applications are accepted online, by mail or in person.

Mailing address:
Registrar's Office
Douglas College
PO Box 2503, New Westminster, BC, V3L 5B2

Registrar's Office locations:
New Westminster
Room 2700
700 Royal Avenue
604 527 5478
or
Coquitlam
Room A1450
David Lam Campus, 1250 Pinetree Way
604 527 5478

Complete the Application for Admission Form(s) and return it by mail or in person with the application fee and official transcripts. See the program sections for information on program application deadline dates.

Returning Students

Returning students who have been absent for three or more consecutive semesters are required to apply for readmission. A reapplication fee is charged each time a student reapplies. A new student number IS NOT ASSIGNED. Students are not eligible to register for courses until their application for readmission has been processed by the Registrar's Office. Returning students are required to meet all current general admission and/or program specific requirements.

Open Enrolment Programs (General Admission)

Candidates applying to Open Enrolment programs are offered admission on a first-qualified, first-admitted basis.

(Examples of Open Enrolment Programs are General Studies, Criminology, Arts, Sciences etc.)

Applicants to these programs must meet the College's General Admission Requirements.
Open enrolment programs use the general admission process.
New and returning students are assigned a registration time according to their Grade Point Average (GPA). The Douglas College cumulative or overall GPA is used for returning students. New student GPAs are calculated using previous high school or post-secondary education. Early application is still strongly recommended. Late applicants will receive a late registration time.
Students can access registration information on the web at http://www.douglascollege.ca/application-services.html
Admission to these programs does not guarantee course registration.

When To Apply - Open Enrolment Programs

Apply early. Applications are accepted during the 12 months prior to the semester students wish to begin their studies, with the exception of currently enrolled high school students who can apply October 15 for the following Fall intake.

Fall Semester

Sept 1 to May 1
Applications with all documentation will be processed in time for the applicant to register according to College priority.

May 2 to July 15
Applications with all documentation will be processed but the College will assign a late registration priority.

July 16 to August 31
Applications and all documents must be submitted in person only. Applicants applying during this period will receive a registration time in the last priority time slot.

Winter Semester

Jan 1 to Sept 1
Applications with all documentation will be processed in time for the applicant to register according to College priority.

Sept 2 to Nov 15
Applications with all documentation will be processed, but the College will assign a late registration priority.

Nov 16 to Dec 15
Applications and all documents must be submitted in person only. Applicants applying during this period will receive a registration time in the last priority time slot.

Summer Semester

May 1 to Jan 2
Applications with all documentation will be processed in time for the applicant to register according to College priority.

Jan 3 to Mar 15
Applications with all documentation will be processed, but the College will assign a late registration priority.

Mar 16 to April 30
Applications and all documents must be submitted in person only. Applicants applying during this period will receive a registration time in the last priority time slot.

Limited Enrolment Programs

All Limited Enrolment Programs have an application deadline date. In order to be considered for admission, all general and program-specific admission criteria must be complete. Candidates will be selected for admission on a first-qualified, first-admitted basis, except where a program has established an admission process that first ranks each candidate within the pool of qualified candidates, then selects candidates based on their rank order (highest to lowest). Date of qualification is used if rankings are tied. Some programs offer early admission - refer to the program description section for details.

(Examples of Limited Enrolment Programs are Nursing, Early Childhood Education, Chairside Dental Assisting etc. which can accommodate only a limited number of students.)

Applicants to these programs must first meet the College's General Admission Requirements unless a higher or lower requirement is specified in the Program Description section of this calendar.
Some limited enrolment programs have special admission requirements that must be successfully met before an applicant is admitted to the College. Information regarding the special requirements is specified in the Program Description section of this calendar.
Applicants who meet both the general and special admission requirements may be ranked within a pool of qualified candidates and selected in descending order. Spaces for these students who are offered a seat are reserved and must be confirmed by payment of a non-refundable, non-transferable deposit at the time of acceptance, usually four to five months prior to the commencement of classes. If a student does not pay the deposit within the specified deadline, the offer of admission will be withdrawn and the space will be offered to another applicant. (Please see Refund Information concerning refund of deposits.)
A student who is eligible for admission to a limited enrolment program but is not selected must reapply for subsequent intakes.
Students admitted to limited enrolment programs access registration information on the web at http://www.douglascollege.ca/application-services.html
Some, but not all, limited enrolment programs are available to international students. Contact the Office of the Registrar or Douglas College International for current information.

When to Apply - Limited Enrolment Programs

Apply early.

The following limited enrolment programs have different application deadlines. Please consult the Programs and Departments section of this Calendar for individual application deadlines, additional admission requirements, and information on selection.

Animal Health Technology
Associate of Arts Degree (Future Teachers)
Associate of Arts Degree Limited Enrolment Program
Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care
Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Physical Education and Coaching
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing
Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation
Basic Musicianship
Behavioural Interventionist
Child and Youth Care Counsellor
Classroom and Community Support
Community Social Service Worker
Computing Science and Information Systems
Co-Occurring Disorders
Customer Service and Cashier Training
Dental Assisting
Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis
Dispensing Optician
Early Childhood Education
Health Care Support Worker
Health Information Management
Hotel and Restaurant Management
Light Warehouse Training
Nursing (General)
Nursing (Psychiatric)
Office Administration
Print Futures: Professional Writing
Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Marketing
Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Physical Education
Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Psychosocial Rehabilitation
Sign Language Interpretation
Sport Science
Stagecraft and Event Technology
Teaching English as a Second Language
Theatre
Therapeutic Recreation
Youth Justice

International Students

International students with varying educational backgrounds and goals may apply to all open enrolment programs. Some, but not all, limited enrolment programs are available to international students. Contact the Registrar’s Office or Douglas College International for current information regarding limited enrolment programs.

International Students: Admission to Open Enrolment Programs

University Transfer and Career Programs
Applicants must meet the College’s General Admission Requirements.

Notification of Admission or Readmission – International Students

Official notification of admission or readmission is issued by Douglas College International. A Letter of Admission or Readmission is mailed or emailed to all students. This letter confirms eligibility to register for courses.

English as a Second Language Program

Applicants must meet the College’s General Admission Requirements for education and/or age, plus demonstrate English language proficiency by one of the following means:

Minimum TOEFL score of 45 (internet-based), 133 (computer-based) or 450 (paper-based), OR
Minimum IELTS score of 3.0 in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking (Academic Module only), OR
Douglas College ESL Assessment, OR
An official post-secondary transcript showing successful completion of English for Academic Purposes courses as outlined in the Articulation Handbook for English as a Second Language Programs in the British Columbia College and Institute System

Note: Test scores must be sent directly from the respective testing agency to Douglas College. Douglas College's TOEFL code is 9568. The Douglas College ESL Assessment is only available to students who are already living in the Greater Vancouver area at the time of application.

International Students: Application Deadlines

May 31 Fall Semester (September)

September 30 Winter Semester (January)

January 31 Summer Semester (May)

Students are strongly advised to apply early as seats are limited. Applications cannot be processed until all documents are received.

International Application Fee

International applicants are required to pay a non-refundable, non-transferable application fee of $100.

For more detailed information regarding admission procedures and requirements, international students should obtain an International Education brochure by contacting one of the following areas:

Centre for International Education
Douglas College
PO Box 2503
New Westminster, BC
Canada V3L 5B2

Telephone: 604 527 5006 or 604 527 5493 or 604 527 5643 or
604-527 5650 or 604 527 5638 or 604 527 5515
Fax: 604 527 5516
email: cie@douglas.bc.ca
International Education website: www.douglascollege.ca/cie

International Admissions Officer
Centre for International Education
Douglas College
PO Box 2503
New Westminster, BC
Canada V3L 5B2

Telephone: 604 527 5344
Fax: 604 527 5516
email: ieadmissions@douglas.bc.ca

Mature Students

Douglas College is committed to adult students, whether full-time or part-time. Students who are 19 or older by the end of the first month of the first semester of attendance, or who are 17 years of age and have not been enrolled in a school for at least one year and have not completed BC secondary school graduation (or its equivalent from another school system) may qualify for admission to Douglas College.

The College tries to provide courses suited to students' backgrounds and goals. Depending on education and experience, students may be advised to take preparatory courses. These courses may be offered by the local School District or Douglas College itself. Students should consult with an Academic Advisor in order to arrange an appropriate program of study.

Continuing Education

Douglas College offers an extensive Continuing Education program. Students can attend courses, seminars and workshops, attend conferences and events or complete part-time certificate programs covering many subjects. We can also custom design courses for you and your workplace. For more information and to register, see the Continuing Education website.

Transfer Credit

From Another Institution

Students who have attended a recognized post-secondary institution or undertaken special training in a career area may be eligible to receive some advance credit toward a Douglas College credential and to satisfy prerequisite requirements.

Students who receive transfer credit require a reduced number of credits at Douglas College to qualify for a credential.

Students may transfer a maximum of 75 percent of the credits required for a Douglas College diploma, certificate or citation. Transfer credits are entered on a student's permanent record.

Students must complete a minimum of 25 percent of their upper-level courses to receive a bachelor's degree credential at Douglas College.

To receive transfer credit, students must submit an official transcript with their Application for Admission or Readmission along with a Transfer Credit Request form. A detailed course outline may also be required before credit can be evaluated.

Detailed course outlines are required for credit evaluation of courses taken outside of BC Institutions (Note: Calendar descriptions are not adequate for evaluation purposes).

Students are strongly recommended to request transfer credit at least four months in advance of the first semester of attendance. Requests for evaluation of credit received after this time may not be processed in time for registration prerequisite checking.

To Another Institution

Students planning to transfer to another post-secondary institution must consult the calendar and transfer guide of the receiving institution regarding transferability of Douglas College courses. For the most current information visit the BCCAT (BC Council on Admissions and Transfer) website at www.bctransferguide.ca.

Although an articulation agreement exists between the publicly funded BC post-secondary institutions, many variables affect the transferability of courses. The receiving institution may evaluate your courses and calculate your grade-point average in accordance with its own policies and procedures.

It is the student's responsibility to consult an academic advisor or the calendar and transfer guide of the receiving institution for program planning.

Students who intend to pursue studies with any professional organizations are encouraged to contact the relevant organization for current transfer information.

Students planning to transfer from Douglas College to a university or university college should consult with the university registrar's office about the transfer of credits. Credits, transferred to and accepted by Douglas College, are not necessarily transferable to other post-secondary institutions.

Advanced Standing

Douglas College recognizes that many students should be granted formal recognition for knowledge and skills already acquired. Such students may receive advanced standing, which permits them to omit some introductory or prerequisite courses. They must, however, still complete the total number of credits required for a credential, but the total number of optional credit hours of instruction is increased.

The decision to grant advanced standing rests primarily with the teaching department. Application may be made directly to the Registrar, who refers it to the department concerned.

The Department Head and one faculty member from the department evaluate each applicant's knowledge and skills and then notify the Registrar regarding the student's eligibility to receive advanced standing.

Note: For further information contact the Office of the Registrar.

Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) Credit

Challenge Examination, Workplace-based Assessment, Portfolio Assisted

Douglas College offers students who are enrolled in a program of study the opportunity for the assessment of learning that has been acquired through prior formal and informal learning experiences. When learning is assessed as equivalent to the outcomes defined for a course, program or graduate profile, then formal credit is awarded. Individual departments or programs are responsible for determining courses that may not be "open" for PLAR. Similarly, departments and/or programs are responsible for identifying appropriate processes for the assessment of prior learning. Students are not eligible to apply for PLAR credit for courses in which they are currently registered. PLAR at Douglas College is identified as:

Challenge Examination
A written, oral or performance test, as determined appropriate by the department/program, which may include a laboratory experience.

Students must wait one year from the date of their last registration in a course before challenging it and must demonstrate that additional applicable learning has occurred since registering in the course.

Workplace-based Assessment
Assessment of a student's learning (knowledge, skills, abilities and/ or values) in a simulated or real setting. Learning is demonstrated in a naturalistic and comprehensive way, showing learning connections and levels of competence.

Portfolio Assisted Assessment
Assessment of a file or folder of information that systematically documents and provides evidence of an individual's learning experiences and accomplishments in relation to the outcomes for a course, program or graduate profile. Before applying for prior learning assessment, students will find it useful to complete an evidence development course to learn how to document or demonstrate their prior learning.

Students seeking credit for prior learning must make formal application to the Office of the Registrar, the PLAR Service or the relevant department or program by using the Request for Credit Form. Eligibility to proceed with PLAR is determined by the department/program coordinator, chair or designee. Fees for PLAR are based on the number of credits requested and not upon the number of credits awarded.

Normally, credits awarded through prior learning assessment are limited to 75 percent of the total credits required to meet the graduation requirements for the credential to which the credit is applied. Exceptions to this limit may be considered by departments or programs. Students are encouraged to consult with the PLAR Service and with the relevant department program.

Students who intend to transfer credit obtained through prior learning assessment must check with the appropriate receiving institution to ensure that the credit is acceptable for transfer purposes. Contact the PLAR Service at 604 527 5526 for more information.

Note: Transfer Credit
Transfer credit may be obtained for credit courses completed at another recognized educational institution. Credit may be routinely granted by the Office of the Registrar, based on established articulation, or may be referred to the appropriate department/program for individual course assessment or articulation.

Transcripts

BC Secondary School

For university or academic-technical programs up to and including 1973, contact the Ministry of Education, Data Systems Administration Branch, Parliament Buildings, Victoria, BC, V8V 2M4. For non-academic programs up to 1973 and all programs in 1974 or later contact the school or school district.

Other Provinces and Countries - Secondary School

Contact the school or appropriate central agency. If in doubt, contact the appropriate school district authority for advice.

Post-Secondary

Contact the Registrar's Office of the institution. Depending on the agency or institution's transcript policy, there may be a fee assessed for issuing transcripts.

Full-time Students

The College considers students registered for at least 12 credits to be full-time.

Note: A student must be enrolled in at least nine credits to qualify for an education deduction certificate (T2202) for income tax purposes.

Other agencies may define full-time enrolment in terms of number of hours or a different number of credits. Students should understand the definition being used by such agencies. For example, the BC Colleges Athletic Association defines full-time as being registered for at least nine credits. Some other sources of financial assistance require a minimum of 15 credits.

Note: For information on current policies and procedures consult the Financial Aid Office.

Part-time Students

Students who register for fewer than 12 credits per semester are considered part-time students.

Semester System

The calendar year is divided into three academic terms (semesters) of approximately 15 weeks. Each semester is a unit with its own registration and final examinations. In many programs, students may enter at the beginning of any semester and attend one, two or three semesters, as they wish, within a calendar year.

Semester I - Winter: January - April

Semester II - Summer: May - August (some intersession offerings)

Semester III - Fall: September - December

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