Whether you have completed course work at another recognized postsecondary institution or have been in the workforce, you can transfer and earn college-level credits for your studies. Credit can be awarded in a variety of ways, including credit transfer for course-by-course equivalency assessments, advanced standing, and the Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) process.
Transfer Categories
Credit Transfer
Credit Transfer means course(s) that have been completed at a recognized postsecondary institution that are eligible to be transferred to another institution.
Credit Transfer Process
Prospective students are encouraged to apply to semester 1/level 1 of their program of interest first. Our Registrar’s Office will review your application for admission eligibility and look to grant credit transfer where applicable. Where equivalencies are found, they will appear on your offer of admission. If you do not see credit awarded, at any time after you’ve been accepted up until day 10 of classes, you can apply for credit transfer.
Students can use our Sault College Credit Transfer Course Equivalency tool found on your Sault College Student Portal at mySaultCollege to search what courses have been pre-approved for credit. If you don’t see a match, you can still apply for credit transfer by submitting a full application by email to registrar@saultcollege.ca before day 10 of classes.
Eligibility Criteria
- Previously attended postsecondary institution must be a recognized institution.
- Generally, the time limit to transfer a course is seven years from the semester in which the course was successfully completed. The only exception to this is the Student Selected General Education course. Although there is no time limit for GEN110, our Dean’s Office may still decline due to age and content related to today’s general elective themes.
- A final grade of 60% or ‘C’ or better for all certificate and diploma programs and 65% or ‘C+’ or better for our degree program is required for credit transfer.
- Credit transfer eligibility must meet a minimum of 70% of the course learning outcomes.
- Completed applications must be submitted prior to day 10 of classes for each term. For specific deadlines to submit credit transfer applications, please review our Important Dates.
Internationally Educated
Internationally educated applicants applying for credit transfer must submit all official transcripts, course outlines, and completion certificates with a WES evaluation and course-by-course report. Certified English translated copies of each document may be required.
Program Specific Credit Transfer Policies
Some of our programs have additional requirements that restrict or limit transfer credit.
Aviation Technology - Flight
- Credit transfer is not eligible for core flight and ground school courses such as courses that start with AFT, AVT, ATQ.
Bachelor of Engineering – Mechatronics Engineering
- This program is in partnership with Humber College, and Humber is the degree granting institution. Credit Transfer applications must go through their Credit Transfer office.
Bachelor of Science – Nursing (Honours)
- Credit transfer is not eligible for core nursing courses.
Advanced Standing
Advanced Standing is awarded when there is enough credit transfer to begin studying in a Sault College program beyond semester one. Below is a list of programs that have been pre-approved to receive advanced standing. If you do not see your program or a credential listed, you are still eligible to apply for advanced standing.
How to Apply
Prospective students are encouraged to apply to semester 1/level 1 of their program of interest first.
Once you have submitted your application, email pathways@saultcollege.ca to start the process. This can be a lengthy process; it is strongly recommended that you apply and notify the Pathways Office as soon as possible so an evaluation can begin.
Internationally Educated
Internationally educated applicants applying for advanced standing must submit all official transcripts, course outlines and completion certificates with a WES evaluation and course-by-course report. Certified English translated copies of each document may be required.
Pre-Approved Advanced Standing Programs
| Credential Earned | Sault College Program | GPA Required | Entry Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Honours) | Child and Youth Care | 3.0 GPA, 70%, B grade | Semester 4 |
| Computer Programming | Computer Programming and Analysis | 2.0 GPA | Semester 5 |
| Early Childhood Education | Child and Youth Care | 3.0 GPA | Semester 3 |
| Practical Nursing Diploma | Bachelor of Science - Nursing (Bridge) | 3.0 GPA | Semester 5 |
| Social Service Worker Diploma | Child and Youth Care | 3.0 GPA | Semester 3 |
PLAR
The Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) process is open to individuals who are in pursuit of a college credential who feel that they have acquired learning through achievements, experience, knowledge, and skills which fulfill the learning requirements of one or more college courses. The learning may be formal, informal, or experiential.
Examples of where you can acquire learning requirements include:
- Work experience (paid or voluntary)
- Community and family activities
- Seminars/workshops
- Non-credit courses/independent study
- College/university courses that may have exceeded the seven-year rule to be eligible for credit transfer
Assessment Methods
There are two methods that can be used to evaluate your learning requirements before granting credit transfer.
Challenge Process
- This method of assessment is developed and evaluated by subject-expert faculty to measure an individual’s learning achievement against course learning outcomes. The process measures demonstrated learning through a variety of written and non-written evaluation methods for the purpose of awarding credit without requiring enrolment in a course .
Portfolio Assessment
- This method of assessment involves the evaluation of an organized collection of materials developed by a learner that records learning achievements and relates them to personal, educational, or occupational goals, in this case, achievement of stated learning outcomes of college courses or programs.
How to Apply
Students who have already applied or are currently attending Sault College are encouraged to contact the Academic Assistant for your program area. Prospective students are encouraged contact the Pathways Office by email at pathways@saultcollege.ca to initiate the PLAR process.
Please note that the PLAR portfolio can be a lengthy process for the applicant. It is encouraged to start this process 2-5 months in advance of when your program starts, to ensure that a decision is provided before the academic withdrawal date. Review Important Dates for more information on the PLAR deadlines .
For more information about PLAR, email pathways@saultcollege.ca.