College Credentials Policy

Ref. No.	Executive sponsor	Policy steward	Approval authority	First approved	Last reviewed	Effective date	Next review
13.01	Vice President, Academic and Equity	Director, Academic Development	Board of Governors	June 21, 2018	Apr. 23, 2020	Sept. 3, 2020	June 2025

Purpose
1. The purpose of this policy is to describe the level and duration for each of the credentials awarded by Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) through which learning is formally recognized.

Scope
1. This policy applies to all NSCC programs and courses for which a credential is issued.

Definitions

None.

Policy
1. Tier 1 Credentials
  1. Graduate Certificate
    Awarded to students who successfully complete all requirements of an approved graduate certificate program. This usual duration of this program is one year with admission requirements that include successful completion of a college level diploma or university degree. A Graduate Certificate is approved by the NSCC Board of Governors and signed by the President, NSCC and the Vice President, Academic
  2. Advanced Diploma
    Awarded to students who successfully complete all requirements of an approved advanced diploma program. The usual duration of this program is three years with admission requirements that include successful completion of a high school diploma or equivalent; two years with admission requirements that include successful completion of a college level certificate in the same occupational area; or one year with admission requirements that include successful completion of a college level diploma or university degree in the same occupational area. An Advanced Diploma is approved by the NSCC Board of Governors and signed by the President and Vice President, Academic.
  3. Diploma
    Awarded to students who successfully complete all requirements of an approved diploma program. The usual duration of this program is two years with admission requirements that include a high school diploma or equivalent or one year with admission requirements that include successful completion of a college level certificate in the same occupational field. A Diploma is approved by the NSCC Board of Governors and signed by the President and Vice President, Academic.
  4. Certificate
    Awarded to students who successfully complete all requirements of an approved certificate program. The usual duration of this program is one year with admission requirements that include successful completion of a high school diploma or equivalent. A Certificate is approved by the NSCC Board of Governors and signed by the President and Vice President, Academic.
  5. NSCC College Certificate (College approved)
    Awarded to students who successfully complete all requirements of an approved college certificate program. The usual duration of this program is one to two semesters, or greater than 285 and less than 720 instructional hours with admission requirements that include successful completion of a high school diploma or equivalent. A College Certificate is approved by the NSCC Board of Governors and signed by the President and Vice President, Academic.
  6. Certificate of Individual Accomplishment
    Awarded to students who participate fully in a College credential program with modified outcomes. The modified outcomes must be documented on the official transcript. Duration and admission requirements are based on the standard of the program to which students were admitted. A Certificate of Individual Accomplishment is approved by the NSCC Board of Governors and signed by the President and Vice President, Academic.
  7. Nova Scotia High School Diploma for Adults
    Awarded to students who successfully complete all requirements of the Adult Learning Program Level IV as outlined by the Department of Labour and Advanced Education and approved by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. The program duration is contingent on the length of time required for learners to complete all courses required to achieve the Nova Scotia High School Diploma for Adults. A Nova Scotia High School Diploma is signed by the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.
2. Tier 2 Credentials
  1. Certificate of Professional Studies
    Awarded to students who successfully complete all requirements of an approved certificate of professional studies program. The usual duration of this program is less than one semester or greater than 90 and less than 285 instructional hours. A Certificate of Professional Studies is approved by the Vice President Academic and signed by the Vice President, Academic and Assistant Registrar.
  2. Certificate of Completion
    Awarded to students who successfully complete all requirements of an approved certificate of completion program. The program duration and admission requirements may vary based on industry, employer or sector needs. A Certificate of Completion is approved by the Vice President, Academic and signed by Assistant Registrar.
  3. Document of Achievement
    Awarded to students who successfully complete one non-credit course greater than 15 hours which includes formally recorded evaluation of learning outcomes. A Documents of Achievement is approved by the School Dean and signed by Assistant Registrar.
  4. Document of Learning
    Awarded to students who successfully complete one non-credit workshop of less than 15 hours which includes formally recorded evaluation of learning objectives. A Documents of Learning is approved by the School Dean and signed by the Assistant Registrar.
3. Tier 3 Credentials
  1. Record of Participation
    Awarded to students who participate in one non-credit learning event. In order to qualify, the student is required to attend at least 80% of the learning event. A Records of Participation is approved by the School Dean and signed by the Assistant Registrar.

Policy Supports

13.11 Parchment Policy
23.01 Program Progression Policy
24.11 Academic Performance Policy
Credentials Framework Summary