Vancouver Community College (VCC; the College) recognizes student achievement by awarding credentials according to established program and course requirements.

This policy establishes the guidelines and definitions for awarding official VCC credentials to students.

This policy applies to all formal credentials issued by the College. The policy and procedures do not apply to non formal recognition, such as Statements of Completion, VCC Awards of Achievement and non-credit courses/programs.

1. The College develops, approves and awards credentials under the authority of the College and Institute Act.
2. In order to maximize student mobility and success, credentials are also guided by:
   1. provincial Ministry guidelines,
   2. professional and industry association requirements,
   3. accreditation bodies, and
   4. postsecondary institutions with which course and programs articulate.
3. All credentials are approved by the Board of Governors on the recommendation of Education Council.
4. Credentials will only be awarded for programs that have been approved by Education Council.
5. The College has approved the following credentials and credit ranges for each credential type. Exceptions to these credit ranges require approval by Education Council:
   1. Short Certificate: Usually less than one year of study. Credit range: 9 to 17
   2. Advanced Certificate: Provides students with specialized knowledge that builds on a previous credential. Usually less than one year of study. A certificate, diploma or Bachelor’s degree is required as a pre-requisite. Credit range: 18 to 45
   3. Certificate: Usually one year of study. Credit range: 18 to 45
   4. Post‐Degree Diploma: Provides students with specialized knowledge that builds on a previous credential. Usually two years. A Bachelor’s degree is required as a pre‐requisite. Credit range: 40 to 75
   5. Advanced Diploma: Provides students with specialized knowledge that builds on a previous credential. Usually one or more years. A diploma or Bachelor’s degree is required as a pre-requisite. Credit range: 40 to 75
   6. Diploma: Usually two years of study. Credit range: 60 to 82
   7. Associate Degree: Two years of university-level study with an Arts or Science focus. It is equivalent to the first two years of a four-year baccalaureate degree. Please see the BC Transfer Guide for specific requirements. Credit range: 60 to 65
   8. Degree: Usually four years of study. Credit range: Diploma + minimum 60 or minimum 120 in total.
6. The Registrar’s Office documents and issues all credentials offered by the College, including the requirements for successful completion.
7. The Registrar’s Office will assess a student’s eligibility for a credential based on the following criteria for the program:
   1. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is achieved. 
   2. All program requirements, approved at the point the student entered the program, have been successfully completed.
   3. Program requirements were met within the maximum program completion timeframe.
   4. The student has no administrative holds, which may include outstanding financial debts to the College.
   5. The residency requirement is thirty-five per cent (35%) of the prescribed program credits completed at VCC within the last half of a program. Credits obtained through PLAR or transfer credit will not be counted towards the residency requirement.

Exceptions to these minimum requirements, and/or additional criteria above the minimum established by the College, must be approved by the Registrar’s Office in consultation with individual Departments.

8. The maximum duration timelines for completing approved program credentials are:
   • Advanced Certificate – three years
   • Certificate – three years
   • Post-Degree Diploma – five years
   • Advanced Diploma – five years
   • Diploma – five years
   • Associate Degree – five years
   • Degree – eight years

Shorter or longer maximum duration timelines must be approved by the Education Council.

9. The College reserves the right to deny credentials.
10. The College may issue honourary or posthumous credentials to eligible recipients.

• College and Institute Act, RSBC 1996, c 52