What is advanced standing?
Advanced standing allows you to start in an upper semester (semester two or higher) of a program based on approved transfer credits. Depending on the credits you’re granted, you may need to follow a customized completion plan and possibly study part-time in some semesters due to course availability.
When should you not apply for advanced standing?
If you have completed courses unrelated to the program you want to enrol in, or have completed less than one semester of study, do not apply for advanced standing. Instead, apply to start the program in semester one and then apply for individual transfer credits.
If your courses were completed more than seven years ago, you should not apply for advanced standing. You are a better candidate for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR).
Advanced standing application process
- Evaluate your eligibility: Review the program requirements and take the self-assessment quiz below, or email pathways@loyalistcollege.com to determine if you are a good candidate for advanced standing.
- Submit your application: Apply for upper semester entry at OCAS. If you need help with your application, please email admissions@loyalistcollege.com.
- Provide your documentation: After being referred to the Pathways Coordinator, pay the $125 non-refundable advanced standing application fee and submit all required supporting documents.
- Await your assessment: The Pathways Coordinator and Program Coordinator will review your application and documents. Be prepared to provide any additional information if requested. If you completed your previous education outside of Canada, you’ll need a course-by-course evaluation from World Education Services (WES).
- Receive your outcome: The Pathways Coordinator will inform you of the decision. If approved, you’ll be admitted into an upper semester and transfer credits will be awarded. You may be referred to a Student Advisor for a custom course load or completion plan.
Advanced standing eligibility self-assessment
If you answer YES to all of the questions below, you are a good candidate for advanced standing:
- Have you successfully completed at least one full semester in a similar program?
- Were your courses completed within the last seven years?
- Were your credits earned from a public post-secondary institution?
- Are the courses you completed at the same level as the program you are seeking admission to (e.g., degree-level to degree-level)?
- Do you have access to an official transcript (and a course-by-course credit evaluation if the courses were completed outside of Canada)?
- Do you have access to detailed course outlines for all previous courses (must include the institution’s name, course code, year taken and learning objectives)?
Important information
- Advanced standing applications should be submitted by August 1 for Fall, December 1 for Winter, and March 1 for Spring. Late applications may be cancelled.
- When applying to OCAS at ontariocolleges.ca, it is recommended to apply to both the first semester and the upper semester of your program of interest, in case advanced standing is not granted.
- To be considered for equivalency, previous courses must meet the passing grade requirements of each Loyalist course.
- A non-refundable fee of $125 will be charged at the time of application.
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