Advancement Requirement

Academic Standing Requirements

To be in good standing and to register (unconditionally), a student must have passed more than 50% of their courses for the year (excluding Summer School). A student admitted in January must pass more than 50% of their courses in that semester.

A student must also meet the standards of their particular program as outlined in the advancement policy of the program to which they belong. If the program policy is more stringent than the college policy, the program policy takes precedence. Some program advancement policies are outlined below.

For the purposes of this policy, courses with the following remarks do not count as courses passed or failed: EQ, SU, DI, or “authorized absence” (IN).

Advancement Requirements of Programs and Profiles:

Arts, Literature and Communication Program

To be in good standing and to register unconditionally in the Arts, Literature and Communication (ALC) Program:

  • Students must pass at least four (4) of the Specific Education courses in the year.
  • Students must pass at least four (4) General Education courses in the year.
  • Students admitted in January must pass at least two (2) of the Specific Education courses in that semester and at least one General Education Course in that semester.

Advancement is contingent upon meeting the Academic Standing Policy of the College and the Program. Students who do not satisfy the criteria of this Academic Standing and Advancement Policy will be expelled from the program and the college. The expelled student has the right to appeal the expulsion to the Academic Standing Appeals Committee. Students not taking any courses in a semester must reapply to the College by the application deadline.

Social Science Program

To remain in the Program for a second semester, students who enter the program in January must have passed at least two Specific Education (concentration) courses in their first semester.

To remain in the Program for a third semester, students must have passed at least three Specific Education (concentration) courses (any combination of Introductory level courses and Research Methods) and must have passed at least two General Education courses in their first two semesters. Students in the Commerce (300.FB) profile must have also passed Calculus I to remain in the profile.

To remain in the Program for a fourth semester, students must have passed at least five Specific Education (concentration) courses (any combination of Introductory level courses and Research/Quantitative Methods) and at least four General Education courses in the first three semesters.

To remain in the Program for a fifth semester, students must have passed at least seven Specific Education (concentration) courses (including five introductory level courses and Research Methods) and at least seven General Education courses in the first four semesters.

Students will have their status reviewed at the end of the Winter semester. Students who fail to meet the criteria set by this Standing and Advancement Policy will be expelled from the Program and the College. Expelled students retain the right to appeal the expulsion decision to the College Academic Standing Appeals Committee.

Commerce Profile

As well as meeting the Social Science program requirements mentioned-above, Commerce profile students must also have passed Calculus I in their first year to remain in the profile.

Science Program

Students in the Regular Day division must register for, and maintain, a load of at least two specific education courses and two general education courses in a term. (This does not apply to students who have already completed their General Education requirements)

Students enrolled in the Regular Day division must, in the academic year, pass more than 50% of their courses, including:

  • At least three specific education courses; and
  • At least 50% of all general education courses taken

Students admitted in the Regular Day division in the Winter term must, in their first term, pass more than 50% of their courses, including:

  • At least two specific education courses; and
  • At least 50% of all general education courses taken.

Students in the Science Program in Continuing Education must register for, and maintain, a load of at least one specific education course in a term. (Unless all specific education courses have been completed)

Students will have their status reviewed at the end of the winter term. Students who fail to comply with this standing and advancement policy will be expelled from the program and the College.  The expelled student retains the right to appeal the expulsion to the College Academic Standing Appeals Committee.

Technical Programs

A student in a technical (career) program should refer to their program manual for the appropriate advancement policy.



Last Modified: February 14, 2023