African Canadian Transition Program

Are you an African Nova Scotian? Did you leave high school before completing your diploma? Do you want to embrace your heritage and culture in the classroom? The African Canadian Transition Program may be for you!

This Africentric program promotes social change by creating opportunities for African Canadian students in accessing college and university. Participants celebrate the rich culture and history of Black people in Nova Scotia, and around the world, in a supportive educational environment. Throughout this program, you will enhance skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, time management, budgeting, communications, and stress management.

High School Graduation Diploma

Program participants work towards their credits in Level 4 courses (Grade 11/12), such as Math, Communications, African Canadian Studies and Science, which can be counted towards their Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma for Adults.

Although the African Canadian Transition Program is a one-year program, most participants will transition into the Adult Learning Program at NSCC the following year to complete the courses needed for their high school diploma. However, this varies depending on previous high school credits completed and progress of the student. For more information on courses required for the high school diploma for adults and transfer credits, please see the Adult Learning Program.

NSCC is committed to building a college that supports the needs of the Black community. We strive to recruit, support and celebrate African Canadians as students, employees, and graduates. We recognize the need to be aware of cultural differences, as well as the racial barriers and challenges African Canadians face in working and learning environments.

Through this Africentric program, we promote unity and community involvement in order to achieve greater strength and healing. In the safety of our classroom, we discuss topics such as racism, power, privilege and politics, as we encourage you to strive for excellence in all that you do. Using the principles of Africentricity, information is presented through the learner's eyes by validating African knowledge and contributions to society. Our participants are exposed to African Canadian role models and mentors and become empowered to embrace a positive self-image, as they explore future post-secondary educational options and resources.

You can apply to this program if you:

• Self-identify as being Black/from the African Canadian community (of African descent).


• Are 19 years of age or older.


• Do not have a recognized high school diploma.


• Have been out of public school for at least one academic year.


• Have literacy and numeracy skills at the Grade 10 level, or above.


• Are mature and committed to learning.


• Intend to complete the Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma for Adults.

Application to the program does not guarantee admission. There are approximately 20 seats available for students across the province. Therefore, assessments, and at least one interview, will follow, pending review of application. The interview panel reserves the right to accept, deny or waitlist any applicant.

• For students who are accepted into the program, it is tuition-free. Some of the required textbooks will be provided at no cost to the students. This is a full-time program and, therefore, regular attendance each day is required.


• This program is offered in partnership with the African Canadian Services Division of the Department of Education.


• Applying – Contact the Akerley Campus at 491-7571 and our staff will tell you more about the program and help answer any questions or concerns you may have.


• African Canadian Transition Application Form PDF (592KB)