Credit for Previous Learning
Kwantlen recognizes that many of its students may wish to be granted formal recognition for knowledge and skills already acquired. This recognition may be in the form of transfer credit for courses completed in high school (e.g. Advanced Placement Program, International Baccalaureate Program), at another post-secondary institution or in the form of prior learning assessment where there has been no formal coursework at a recognized post-secondary institution. Through transfer credit or prior learning assessment, students may be granted credit that can be applied toward the admission requirements of a program, toward the graduation requirements of a program or to meet the prerequisite requirements for advanced courses. Forms for requesting transfer credit or prior learning assessment are available at Enrolment and Registrar Services on all campuses.
NOTE: Up to 75% of the credits required for graduation in a program may be obtained through a combination of transfer credit and prior learning assessment. This applies to first credentials only. In general, a student may not receive two credentials for substantially the same coursework. A minimum of 50% of the course work for a second credential must be from courses or modules not used to satisfy the requirements for the first credential. This requirement does not apply to the additional specialized courses taken for an Advanced Certificate.
TRANSFER CREDIT
Policy B.15 can be viewed at the Library or online at www.kwantlen.ca/policies for further details. A student who has completed courses at another post-secondary institution may request that these credits be transferred to Kwantlen.
Where Kwantlen offers an equivalent course to that taken at the sending institution, the student will be granted transfer credit for the Kwantlen course. Where Kwantlen does not offer an equivalent course, the student may be granted unassigned credit at the appropriate year level in the subject area (e.g. 3 credits in Anthropology at the second year level). Minimum grade stipulations may apply to transfer credit and though transfer credit may be granted, a further decision on the applicability of the credits toward program admission or graduation requirements may be required.
An official transcript from each institution at which the courses were taken must accompany a request for Transfer Credit form. Course outlines must be submitted for all courses taken outside of British Columbia or if they are not listed on the B.C. Transfer Guide (www.bctransferguide.ca/). There is a charge for assessing courses taken outside of British Columbia. Refer to the General Fee Table for cost. Courses transferred from another post-secondary institution are not included in the calculation of the institutional grade point average. The transfer of credits and the transfer grade point average become part of the student’s permanent record at Kwantlen.
The transfer credit articulation process takes approximately 6-8 weeks at Kwantlen. It is strongly recommended that students submit their request for transfer credit and all supporting documentation (course outlines, official transcripts) at least 8 weeks prior to their registration date so that they can make well informed choices with respect to course selection.
A student who has successfully completed course work at the post-secondary level at another post-secondary institution in a program that is similar, but not necessarily identical, to a program offered at Kwantlen, may be granted block transfer rather than course-by-course transfer.
Any student planning to transfer to a university or other post-secondary institution should be aware that transfer credits granted by Kwantlen are not binding at another post-secondary institution.
Request for Transfer Credit forms are available from Enrolment and Registrar Services located on any campus.
LETTER OF PERMISSION
A letter of permission may be requested by Kwantlen students who wish to take upper division courses to help satisfy third and fourth year courses required in their degree program at Kwantlen, or by those students who wish to take a course(s) at other post-secondary institutions but have been unable to find the course transfer equivalency from the BC Transfer Guide www.bctransferguide.ca.
Before applying for a Letter of Permission, a student must be in good academic standing at Kwantlen, have completed nine semester credit hours of study at Kwantlen and have a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.00.
Request for Letter of Permission forms are available from Enrolment and Registrar Services on any campus.
Advanced Placement (AP) Program
Visit www.bctransferguide.ca or see policy B.8 which can be viewed at the Library or online at kwantlen.ca/policies for further details.
Students who have completed Advanced Placement subjects with a standing of 4 or greater will receive advanced standing in accordance with the table of course equivalencies which has been established in consultation with faculty. The table of equivalencies is reviewed and updated by the appropriate Departmental and Divisional Curriculum Committees on or before May 31 each year. To apply to receive Kwantlen credit as a result of completing Advanced Placement examinations, students should submit the Request for Transfer Credit Form together with an official transcript from the College Board to Enrolment and Registrar Services.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Table of Equivalencies
| AP COURSE | COURSE EQUIVALENCIES | MINIMUM GRADE ACCEPTED |
| Art History | ARTH 1120 / 1121 (6 credits) | 4 |
| Aural Musicianship | MUSI 1151 / MUSI 1251 (2 credits) | 4 |
| Studio Art—General | Individual Assessment - See Note 1 | |
| Studio Art—Drawing | Individual Assessment - See Note 1 | |
| Biology | BIOL 1110 / 1210 (8 credits) | 4 |
| Chemistry | CHEM 1110 / 1210 (8 credits) | 4 |
| Computer Science—A | CPSC 1103 / 1204 (6 credits) | 4 |
| Computer Science—AB | No Credit or Advanced Placement | |
| Economics | ECON 1150 (3 credits) | 4 |
| Economics | ECON 1250 (3 credits) | 4 |
| English Literature and Composition | ENGL 1100 (3 credits) | 4 |
| French—Language | Individual Assessment - See Note 2 | |
| French—Literature | Individual Assessment - See Note 2 | |
| German—Language | Individual Assessment - See Note 2 | |
| History—American | HIST 11XX (6 credits) | 4 |
| History—European | HIST 11XX (6 credits) | 4 |
| The Language of Music | MUSI 1150 / MUSI 1250 (4 credits) | 4 |
| Mathematics—Calculus AB | MATH 1120 (3 credits) | 4 |
| Mathematics—Calculus BC | MATH 1120 / 1220 (6 credits) | 4 |
| Physics—B | PHYS 1101 / 1102 (8 credits) | 4 |
| Physics—C | PHYS 1120 / 1220 (8 credits) | 4 |
| Psychology | PSYC 1100 / 1200 - See Note 3 | |
| Spanish—Language | Individual Assessment - See Note 2 | |
| Spanish—Literature | Individual Assessment - See Note 2 |
NOTE 1
Studio Art / Drawing:
The student must show an equivalent of a FINA 1100 portfolio. The portfolio would demonstrate an understanding of formal elements; line, tone, form, proportion, perspective, composition, and use of media. The drawings would be from observation both from the figure and objects. A demonstration of expressiveness and originality would be expected and also a sense of general progress.
Studio Art / Other:
For other Studio Art courses, comparable competencies must be demonstrated for all other areas for which advanced standing is requested. A portfolio must meet the criteria outlined in Studio Art—Drawing, plus various course-specific elements. For example, a demonstrated understanding of:
- Use of colour and paint handling for Painting
- Colour theory and design principles for Design
- Various printmaking techniques (i.e. intaglio, lithography, silkscreen for Printmaking)
- Three dimensional form in plaster or clay for Sculpture
NOTE 2
Individual course specific (standardized) exams have been developed to test student ability at each level in each language discipline. Students are required to write the standard exam for the level in which they wish to receive credit. In addition, students will undergo a brief oral interview to demonstrate their level of linguistic
competence. A ‘C’ grade is required for credit in both instances.
NOTE 3
Students seeking credit for Psychology 1100 and 1200 are required to submit a course outline from the institution where the course was completed. In addition, students will need to submit the Request for Transfer Credit form and an official transcript to the Transfer Credit office.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Program
Visit www.bctransferguide.ca or see policy B.9 that can be viewed at the Library or online at kwantlen.ca/policies for further details.
Students who have completed Higher Level International Baccalaureate subjects will receive advanced standing in accordance with the table of course equivalencies which has been established in consultation with faculty. The table of equivalencies is reviewed and updated by the appropriate Departmental and Divisional Curriculum Committees on or before May 31 each year.
To apply to receive Kwantlen credit as a result of completing International Baccalaureate courses, students should submit the Request for Transfer Credit Form together with an official transcript from the International Baccalaureate Organization to Enrolment and Registrar Services.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Table of Equivalencies
| IB COURSE | COURSE EQUIVALENCIES | MINIMUM GRADE ACCEPTED |
| Biology | BIOL 1110 / 1210 (8 credits) | 5 |
| Chemistry | CHEM 1110 / 1210 (8 credits) | 5 |
| Chinese A1 | Individual Assessment - See Note 1 | |
| Computer Science | CPSC 1103 / 1204 (6 credits) | 5 |
| Economics | ECON 1150 (3 credits) | 5 |
| Economics | ECON 1250 (3 credits) | 5 |
| English (Language A) | ENGL 11XX (3 credits) | 5 |
| English (Language B) | No Credit or Advanced Placement | |
| French (Language A) | Individual Assessment - See Note 1 | |
| French (Language B) | Individual Assessment - See Note 1 | |
| Geography | GEOG 1101 / 11XX (6 credits) | 5 |
| German | Individual Assessment - See Note 1 | |
| History (American) | HIST 1XXX (6 credits) | 5 |
| History (European) | HIST 11XX (6 credits) | 5 |
| Japanese B | Individual Assessment - See Note 1 | |
| Mathematics | MATH 1120 (3 credits) | 6 |
| Further Mathematics | MATH 1120 / 1220 (6 credits) | 6 |
| Music (Higher Level) | Individual Assessment Required | |
| Music (Subsidiary Level) | Individual Assessment Required | |
| Philosophy | PHIL 11XX (6 credits) (Assessment for PHIL 1100 credit on individual basis) | 5 |
| Physics | PHYS 1101 / 1102 (8 credits) | 5 |
| Psychology | PSYC 1100 / 1200 – See Note 2 Exemption from PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1200 — No Credit Granted |
5 |
| Social Anthropology | Two of ANTH 1100 / 1200 / 1300 (6 credits) | 5 |
| Spanish | Individual Assessment - See Note 1 | |
| Visual Arts (Higher Level) | ARTH 1120 / 1121 and FINA 1165 |
NOTE 1
Individual course specific (standardized) exams have been developed to test student ability at each level in each language discipline. Students are required to write the standard exam for the level in which they wish to receive credit. In addition, students will undergo a brief oral interview to demonstrate their level of linguistic competence. A 'C' grade is required for credit in both instances.
NOTE 2
Students seeking credit for Psychology 1100 and 1200 are required to submit a course outline from the institution where the course was completed. In addition, students will need to submit the Request for Transfer Credit form and an official transcript to the Transfer Credit office.
PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT
Policy B.14 can be viewed at the Library or online at www.kwantlen.ca/policies for further details. Kwantlen recognizes that students may attain significant learning at a post-secondary level through work, training, and informal experiences outside the formal post-secondary system or from institutions with whom Kwantlen does not have course transfer and articulation agreements. Through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), Kwantlen will grant credit toward a certificate, diploma, or degree for this learning if it fulfills the requirements of the program to which the student has applied.
Note: Kwantlen accepts PLA credit awarded at other public post-secondary institutions in the same manner as Transfer Credit.
Applications for PLA credit are available from Enrolment and Registrar Services. Before applying for PLA, a student must meet with the PLA Advisor in his or her program area for detailed information regarding level. Although PLA credit may be granted, a further decision on the applicability of the credits toward program admission or graduation requirements may be required.
Any student planning to transfer to a university or other post-secondary institution should be aware that PLA credit granted by Kwantlen is not binding at another post-secondary institution.
METHODS OF PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT
The following methods of assessment may be used, independently or in combination, to determine if the PLA applicant has met the required standards:
Challenge Exam:
A test or exam (written or oral) that is designed to validate the knowledge of the candidate as it relates to course requirements. A challenge exam may be the same test or exam given to students who formally attend the course. It is limited to questions that are directly related to the learning objectives/outcomes of the course, not to information that would be available only by regular attendance in the classroom.
Standardized Test:
Similar to a Challenge Exam. However, someone from the department other than the assessor usually develops this test or exam. It is focused around widely recognized standards (as set by a department or professional/sectoral organization) that are equivalent to the course objectives.
Products/Portfolio:
Documents or objects that have been produced by the candidate and demonstrate tangible proof of accomplishment. These may include, but are not limited to, reports, computer printouts, videos, illustrations, prototype models, or an artist’s portfolio. Students may be asked to demonstrate abilities or answer questions about the portfolio by the assessor.
Demonstration:
Simulation or actual presentation of candidate’s abilities, which may be live, recorded, or videotaped. The demonstration may include, but is not limited to, such activities as presenting a speech, role-playing a situation, creating a document on computer, giving a musical performance, performing a lab experiment, interviewing a client, operating equipment, or completing a procedure.
Interview:
Oral questioning. The PLA interview is focused around course objectives and may include techniques such as open-ended questions, case studies, and prepared analyses. The interview is used to clarify areas of learning, and may be used in parallel with other methods, as a sole method of assessment, and/or as a means to ensure authenticity of products.
Worksite Assessment:
Similar to a demonstration. The candidate is observed performing tasks as a part of normal work routine, or as specifically assigned, in the place of work. Assessment is normally done by faculty assigned to a candidate, but may also be made by a work supervisor or field expert. If performed by an external assessor, may be followed up by a self-assessment and/or interview with a faculty assessor.
Self-assessment:
Assessment performed by the candidate, usually with the aid of an established form or questionnaire. Normally requires a parallel assessment by a field expert and/or faculty assessor.
External Evaluation:
Assessment provided by an expert other than Kwantlen faculty. Assessment method may include, but is not limited to, performance evaluation, letter of validation, or worksite assessment, and may require follow-up by faculty.
EXEMPTION
In some instances, a student does not have formal course work that is equivalent to courses taught at Kwantlen, but does have a combination of education and experience that would permit her or him to be granted an exemption from an introductory or prerequisite course. A student who is granted an exemption must still complete the required number of courses and credits for a degree, associate degree, diploma, certificate or citation. However, the number of elective courses and credits will be increased. A student who has been granted exemption from a course may not subsequently enrol in that course for credit.
TRANSFER FROM KWANTLEN
Kwantlen endeavours to provide complete and accurate information to students who plan to transfer to other institutions. Students are, however, responsible for obtaining assurances from the receiving institution that they will meet the specific entrance requirements for the program of studies that they plan to pursue.
