Credentials and Programs Offered in Alberta
There are a number of terms related to credentials and programs offered by post-secondary institutions. You can view the specific terms or click View All to see all the definitions.
For more information on programs and degrees offered by sector as outlined in Alberta's Roles and Mandates Framework, please see the credential chart.
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Academic UpgradingAcademic Upgrading programs may lead to a high school equivalency diploma or they may allow students to complete high school equivalency courses required for admission into a post-secondary program.
Academic Upgrading may be offered at
- Baccalaureate and Applied Studies Institutions
- Comprehensive Community Institutions
- Polytechnical Institutions
- Independent Academic Institutions
Check with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program, or learn more about upgrading.
Advanced CertificateAdvanced Certificate programs prepare graduates for employment in specific entry-level positions. To gain admission into an advanced certificate program, students are required to successfully complete a related certificate program. Generally, these programs require students to complete 30 credits (one year of full-time study).
Advanced Certificate programs may be offered at some Comprehensive Community Institutions.
Check with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
ApprenticeshipApprenticeship programs are available in 50 trades. Registered apprentices complete a specified number of hours of on-the-job training, plus periods of technical training followed by examinations. Students who complete the Alberta Journeyman Certificate requirements and pass the Inter-provincial Standards (Red Seal) Program examination are able to work in other Canadian provinces where the designation is recognized. Get more information on apprenticeship programs at TradeSecrets.
Apprenticeship programs may be offered at
Check with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
Applied DegreeApplied Degree programs provide advanced study in career or technical fields to prepare graduates for clearly identified employment opportunities. Generally, these programs have an admission requirement of high school completion. Students with a related diploma may be admitted as third-year students. Applied degrees include six semesters of instruction (90 credits) and two semesters of work experience (30 credits).
Applied Degrees may be offered at
- Baccalaureate and Applied Studies Institutions
- Comprehensive Community Institutions
- Polytechnical Institutions
Check with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
Baccalaureate DegreesBaccalaureate Degree programs, commonly known as bachelor’s degrees, provide broad knowledge including specialized knowledge in at least one discipline or field. These programs prepare graduates for further study and/or employment. Admission requirements include a minimum average in five specified Grade 12 subjects. Baccalaureate degrees typically require student to complete 120 credits (four-year programs) or may be 90 credits (3 year programs).
Baccalaureate Degrees may be offered at
- Comprehensive Academic and Research Institutions
- Baccalaureate and Applied Studies Institutions
- Comprehensive Community Institutions (in collaboration with a degree-granting institution)
- Polytechnical Institutions
- Independent Academic Institutions
Check with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
Post-Baccalaureate CertificatePost-Baccalaureate Certificate programs provide students with the opportunity to study graduate-level coursework without committing to a Master’s degree. These programs recognize specialized education in a particular discipline, and may ladder to a post-baccalaureate diploma or Master’s degree. The admission requirement is a Bachelor’s degree, and students are required to complete a minimum of 9 credits.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate programs may be offered at
Check with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
Post-Baccalaureate DiplomaPost-Baccalaureate Diploma programs provide students with the opportunity to study graduate-level course work without committing to a Master’s degree. These programs recognize specialized education in a particular discipline, and may ladder to a Master’s degree. The admission requirement is a Bachelor’s degree, and students are required to complete a minimum of 18 credits.
Post-Baccalaureate Diploma programs may be offered at
Check with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
CertificateCertificate programs are normally 30 credits (minimum 12 credits) or one year of study and prepare graduates for entry-level employment. These programs usually have an admission requirement of high school completion (which may include specified subjects).
Certificate programs may be offered at- Baccalaureate and Applied Studies Institutions
- Comprehensive Community Institutions
- Polytechnical Institutions
Check with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
Continuing EducationContinuing Education includes professional development and personal interest non-credit programs and courses that may contribute to an individual’s lifelong learning goals.
Continuing Education programs may be offered at
- Comprehensive Academic and Research Institutions
- Baccalaureate and Applied Studies Institutions
- Comprehensive Community Institutions
- Polytechnical Institutions
- Independent Academic Institutions
- Specialized Arts and Culture Institutions
Check with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program, or learn more about Continuing Education.
DiplomaDiploma programs prepare graduates for employment in a broad range of entry-level positions. Generally, these programs have an admission requirement of high school completion (which may include specified subjects), and require students to complete 60 credits (two years of full-time study).
Diploma programs may be offered at
- Baccalaureate and Applied Studies Institutions
- Comprehensive Community Institutions
- Polytechnical Institutions
Check with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
Doctoral DegreeDoctoral Degree programs provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate a high degree of intellectual autonomy, and to implement projects for the generation of significant new knowledge in a discipline. These programs prepare graduates for employment in specialized fields. Doctoral programs vary in length and generally consist of coursework and a dissertation.
Doctoral Degree programs may be offered at
Check with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
Post-Doctoral CertificatePost-Doctoral Certificate programs provide students with the opportunity to continue doctoral-level coursework. These programs recognize specialized education in the discipline, and may ladder to a Post-Doctoral Diploma. The admission requirement is a Doctoral Degree, and students are required to complete a minimum of 9 credits.
Post-Doctoral Certificate programs may be offered at
Check with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
Post-Doctoral DiplomaPost-Doctoral Diploma programs provide students with the opportunity to continue doctoral-level course work. These programs recognize specialized education in the discipline. The admission requirement is a Doctoral Degree, and students are required to complete a minimum of 18 credits.
Post-Doctoral Diploma programs may be offered at
Check with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
Journeyman CertficateJourneyman Certificate programs combine both on-the-job training and post-secondary study to prepare graduates to work as tradespersons in Alberta. Successful completion of apprenticeship training leads to a Journeyman Certificate. Once certified, many trades offer graduates the opportunity to earn a Red Seal, which is recognized in other provinces and territories that participate in the Red Seal program. These programs require students to sign a contract with an employer for the on-the-job component of the program, and depending on the trade, require students to complete 4–12 weeks per year (1–4 years) in technical training at a college or technical institute.
Journeyman Certificate programs may be offered at
Check with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
Master’s DegreeMaster’s Degree programs provide students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate advanced research skills. These programs prepare graduates for employment in a specific field. The normal admission requirement is a four-year Bachelor’s degree. Master’s Degree programs vary in length and may either be course-based or thesis-based.
Master's Degree programs may be offered at
- Comprehensive Academic and Research Institutions
- Independent Academic Institutions (in specific areas)
Check with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
Post-Master’s CertificatePost-Master’s Certificate programs provide students with the opportunity to pursue graduate-level coursework without committing to a Doctoral Degree. These programs recognize specialized education in a particular discipline, and may ladder to a Post-Master’s Diploma or Doctoral Degree. The admission requirement is a Master’s Degree, and students are required to complete a minimum of 9 credits.
Post-Master's Certificate programs may be offered at
Check with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
Post-Master’s DiplomaPost-Master’s Diploma programs provide students with the opportunity to pursue graduate-level coursework without committing to a Doctoral Degree. These programs recognize specialized education in a particular discipline, and may ladder to a Doctoral Degree. The admission requirement is a Master’s Degree, and students are required to complete a minimum of 18 credits.
Post-Master's Diploma programs may be offered atCheck with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
Post-Basic CertificatePost-Basic Certificate programs are typically advanced studies in health-related areas, and prepare graduates for specialized employment. Generally, these programs have an admission requirement of a health-related diploma or degree, and require students to complete 30 credits (one year of full-time study).
Post-Basic Certificate programs may be offered atCheck with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
Post-Basic DiplomaPost-Basic Diploma programs are typically advanced studies in health-related areas, and prepare graduates for specialized employment. Generally, these programs have an admission requirement of a health-related diploma or degree, and require students to complete 60 credits (one year of full-time study).
Post-Basic Diploma programs may be offered at
Check with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
Post-Diploma CertificatePost-Diploma Certificate programs build upon the education acquired in a related diploma program to prepare graduates for employment in a specialized occupation. To gain admission into a post-diploma certificate program, students are required to successfully complete a related diploma program. Generally, these programs require students to complete 30 credits (one year of full-time study).
Post-Diploma Certificate programs may be offered atCheck with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
University CertificateUniversity Certificate programs provide specific skill training at the undergraduate level. These programs recognize a basic level of education in the discipline, and may ladder to an undergraduate diploma or a second baccalaureate degree. The admission requirement is a Bachelor’s Degree, and students are required to complete a minimum of 15 credits.
Athabasca University and The University of Lethbridge also offer University Certificate programs. Generally, these programs have an admission requirement of high school completion (which may include specified subjects), and require students to complete 30 credits (one year of full-time study).
University Certificate programs may be offered at
Check with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
University Diploma
University Diploma programs provide specific skill training at the undergraduate level. These programs recognize an intermediate level of education in the discipline, and may ladder to a second Baccalaureate Degree. The admission requirement is a Bachelor’s degree, and students are required to complete a minimum of 30 credits.
Athabasca University and the University of Lethbridge also offer university diploma programs. Generally, these programs have an admission requirement of high school completion (which may include specified subjects), and require students to complete 60 credits (two years of full-time study).
University Diploma programs may be offered atCheck with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
University TransferUniversity Transfer programs provide students with the opportunity to complete up to 60 credits of courses toward a Baccalaureate degree. Students then transfer to a degree-completion institution (university, college or private university college) to complete their undergraduate studies.
University Transfer programs may be offered atCheck with your preferred post-secondary institution to find out if they offer this program.
