Credentials

We offer many levels of certificate and diploma programs that are designed to meet your career goals. Depending on your goals, your pathway with NSCC may involve a combination of credentials. 

Certificate of Professional Studies

Programs with this credential provide the opportunity for you to develop new or enhance existing skills and knowledge in a focused area, helping to build on previous education and experience to meet your career goals.

Typical length: Up to 1 term, full-time (more than 90 but less than 360 instructional hours)

Admission requirements:

• Often a high school graduation diploma or equivalent
• Some programs may require additional high school course credits

College Certificates

Programs with this credential provide a level of skills, knowledge, and attitudes that allow graduates to gain entry-level work within a prescribed range of functions and activities.

Typical length: 1 to 2 terms, full-time (more than 360 but less than 720 instructional hours)

Admission requirements:

• Often a high school graduation diploma or equivalent
• Some programs may require additional high school course credits

Certificates

Programs with this credential prepare you for entry-level employment and develop the level of skills and knowledge that help graduates perform a defined range of activities within a specific occupation.

Typical length: 2 terms, full-time (720 instructional hours)

Admission requirements:

• Often a high school graduation diploma or equivalent
• Some programs may require additional high school course credits

Diplomas

Diploma programs help prepare you for a specific field of work and include a broad base of study that enable graduates to work within a wide range of technical, administrative, professionally oriented occupations.

Typical length: 4 terms, full-time (1,440 instructional hours)

Admission requirements:

• Often a high school graduation diploma or equivalent
• Some programs may require additional high school course credits

Advanced Diplomas

Programs with this credential help develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enable graduates to work within a broad range of technical and/or management functions across many occupational areas. Graduates gain a deeper understanding of the applications and concepts related to a specific occupational area.

Typical length: 2 to 6 terms, full-time (720 to 2,160 instructional hours depending on the credential required upon admission)

Admission requirements:

• High school diploma or diploma or certificate

Graduate Certificates

Programs with this credential provide graduate-level study. They either deepen knowledge and skills already gained through a diploma or advanced diploma program, provide exposure to an interdisciplinary area of focus, or provide graduates of baccalaureate programs with specific knowledge and skills related to an applied occupational area.

Typical length: 1 to 2 terms, full-time (360 to 720 instructional hours depending on the credential required upon admission)

Admission requirements:

• Diploma or university degree