Types of programs and
courses at UCFV
Certificate programs
- A certificate is earned by taking
10 to 12 specified credit courses.
- Certificates can be completed in
one year of full-time study.
- Part-time study is usually
permitted, in which case it takes more than one year to earn a certificate.
- Each UCFV certificate is described
in this calendar, where the required courses are listed.
- Certificate programs are also
offered through Access and Continuing Education (see below).
Diploma programs
- A diploma is earned by taking 20 to
24 specified credit courses usually emphasizing a particular area of study and generally
designed to either “ladder” into UCFV degrees or to provide a credential showing
two years of post-secondary studies.
- Diplomas can be completed over a
two-year period of full-time study.
- Part-time study is usually
permitted, in which case it takes longer than two years to earn a diploma.
- Each UCFV diploma is described in
this calendar, where the required courses are listed.
Associate degree programs
- An associate degree is earned by
taking approximately 20 prescribed and elective credit courses which promote both breadth
and depth of knowledge.
- Associate degrees can be completed
over a two-year period of full-time study; part-time study is usually permitted, in which
case it will take longer than two years to earn an associate degree.
- Designed to provide a credential
after the equivalent of two years of university study.
Bachelor’s degree
programs
- A bachelor’s degree is earned
by taking 35 or more prescribed and elective courses (minimum 120 credits).
- Degrees can be completed over a
four- or five-year period of full-time study. Part-time study is usually permitted, in
which case it takes longer than four years to earn a degree.
- Students can complete some
bachelor’s degrees at UCFV, while others will require transfer to another university
after one or two years.
- Degrees are described in the UCFV
calendar, and in other college and university calendars.
- Transfer guides published by the
universities show which UCFV courses are equivalent to which university courses.
Upgrading — College and
Career Prep and English as a Second Language (ESL) courses
- Scheduled in the fall and winter
semesters.
- Can be taken to fulfill
prerequisites for programs at UCFV and/or other institutions.
Access and Continuing
Education courses and programs
- Advertised in the CE brochure,
delivered twice yearly to Fraser Valley homes, in late summer and the end of December.
- Generally scheduled on evenings and
weekends, and occasionally during daytime hours.
- Courses range from professional
development to business and career training to job skills upgrading.
- Most CE certificate programs
require applications and courses range from several hours to several hundred hours.
- Few prerequisites. Registration for
most courses is in early September and early January (although note: some programs require
advance application).
General Studies courses
This category of
courses is not a true program; it has no structured grouping of courses, but can allow you
to: