Undergraduate Calendar 2010-2011

Prior Learning Assessment

Introduction

The Royal Military College of Canada recognises that significant university level learning can take place outside of post secondary institutions and as such respects all forms of learning no matter how it is attained.

The aim of RMC Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition is to acknowledge the importance of this learning by providing an accessible, fair and academically rigorous process for assessing this learning to determine whether it meets the standards of university level learning.

The RMC PLAR process involves individual assessment of prior learning by faculty and the awarding of credit when this learning is of the expected range and depth for the particular academic credential requested by the individual.

The purpose of the PLAR process is to recognize all university level learning by ensuring that RMC policies are in line with other Canadian universities.

The goal is to enrich the learning experience of the student and help the student meet his/her academic potential while at the same time maintaining the academic integrity of the Royal Military College of Canada.

Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)

Students applying for admission into a programme of study who have completed programmes or courses at other universities, community colleges, or CEGEP or professional training courses taken either within the CF or through some other organization (whether in Canada or abroad), may seek to have their prior learning at a university level recognized by RMC.

For sponsored students, in order to ensure that prior learning is assessed in time to apply results to first year scheduling, a copy of student transcripts, course descriptions, and outlines for courses for which recognition is being requested must be forwarded to the RMC PLAR section immediately upon acceptance to RMC. Requests, therefore, should be forwarded before leaving for the Basic Officer Training Course.

University Transfer Credits

Credit for University courses taken at a recognized Canadian university may be granted one for one as unallocated credits in any RMC degree, however, in order for credit to be applied to a specific concentration or minor, or to replace specific courses listed as part of a programme, departmental approval is required.

College Transfer Credits

Up to a maximum of 10 transfer credits may be granted for College courses (unless otherwise approved for a specific diploma or programme) based on provincial college to university transfer guides and course reviews completed by faculty and approved by Deans. In order for any college course to be used to meet the requirements of a specific RMC course (equivalency) or to be applied as part of a minor or concentration, approval of the applicable department is required.

CEGEP Transfer Credits
Up to a maximum of 10 transfer credits may be granted for CEGEP courses based on the following PLAR policy:
  • Students who have completed a 2-year CEGEP DEC will earn a total of 10 credits. These will consist of Science and  Arts course equivalencies as recommended by faculty and approved by the Deans, and unallocated Arts credits.
  • Students who have not completed a 2-year CEGEP DEC but have earned at least 12 CEGEP credits (excluding physical education credits) may earn a total of 10 credits. These will consist of unallocated Arts credit based on evidence that the given CEGEP course(s) earns credit at any Canadian University and Science credits as recommended by faculty and approved by the Deans.
  • Students who have not completed a 2-year CEGEP DEC, nor a minimum of 12 CEGEP credits, may earn up to a total of 10 credits consisting of Science and Arts credits as recommended by faculty and approved by the Deans.
  • Students who have successfully completed the Government of Québec Ministry of Education Examination of College English (éprouve uniforme) will be considered to have met their first year literature requirement. Students who have completed at least four CEGEP literature courses in English or French literature with a grade of C or higher in three of the four courses and a C- in the fourth course will earn one unallocated Arts credit. If they have earned a C or higher in all four courses, they will earn 2 unallocated Arts credits. These credits may be used to meet the literature requirements of the BMASc Honours, BMASc, and General three-year degrees. Students in any other Honours degree meeting these criteria may request to write a challenge exam to meet their first year literature requirement.

In order for any CEGEP course to be used to meet the requirements of a specific RMC course (equivalency) or to be applied as part of a minor or concentration, approval of the applicable department is required.

Credit Granted

The Faculty Council of RMC, on the recommendation of a department, the Continuing Studies Committee and the Faculty Board of RMC, may approve university credits based on university level prior learning obtained via any of the following:

  • Military courses and qualifications, whether obtained within Canada or abroad, recognized as learning at a university level;
  • Professional courses or programmes given by an organization other than a post-secondary institution recognized as learning at the university level;
  • The combination of Military courses and RMC courses designated as "top-up" courses to be completed to augment specific military courses and experiential learning to the university-level.

A list of approved courses is found on the RMC Table of Credit Granted

Second Language Credits:

Credits granted based on students achieving the bilingual standard (BBB) and higher on official language tests.

Students completing 4-year degrees achieving the bilingual standard (BBB) on official language tests will be awarded an unallocated junior credit with a mark of 90 percent. For comprehension, writing, and speaking, students will be awarded an additional credit with a mark of 90% for each score indicating fluency or better (C or E). A maximum of four such credits will be awarded for a student's second official language. A further two credits may be awarded on the same basis for other languages, subject to formal testing, for a maximum of 6 second language credits. All BBB and above credits will normally be allocated to the third year in a four year *full-time* program. Credits achieved in forth year will be applied to that year.

Students completing 3-year degrees achieving the bilingual standard (BBB) on official language tests will be awarded an unallocated junior credit on their initial assessment. For comprehension, writing, and speaking, students will be awarded an additional credit for each score indicating fluency or better (C or E). A maximum of four such credits will be awarded for a student's second official language. A further two credits may be awarded on the same basis for other languages, subject to formal testing, for a maximum of 6 second language credits.

Documentation Required for Transfer Credit Review

In order to complete a PLAR review for transfer credits the following documentation is required immediately upon acceptance to RMC for sponsored on site students and as part of the Admissions application for distance learning students:

  • Official Transcripts from the post-secondary institutions, whether universities, colleges or CEGEP, at which programmes or courses have been completed;
  • Course Outlines for CEGEP and College courses as requested;
  • Course Descriptions for University courses to be reviewed.
  • Request for Advanced Standing (Transfer Credits) Application Form

For PLAR review applicants who are not sponsored students please complete the Request for Transfer Credits section of the Request for Advanced Standing Form, including payment information, and FAX to the Admissions FAX number provided on the form.

For sponsored students, in order to ensure that prior learning is assessed in time to apply results to first year scheduling, a copy of student transcripts, course descriptions, and outlines for courses for which recognition is being requested must be forwarded to the RMC PLAR section immediately upon acceptance to RMC. Requests, therefore, should be forwarded before leaving for the Basic Officer Training Course.

Documentation Required for Credit Granted Review

In order to complete a PLAR review for credit granted the following documentation is required immediately upon acceptance to RMC for sponsored on site students and as part of the Admissions application for distance learning students:

  • A Military personnel Record Resume (MPRR) for Regular Force Members;
  • A Record of Service for Reserve Force Members;
  • Course Training Reports for courses listed on the RMC Table of Credit Granted;
  • Course Training Plan and Course Material for DND courses not on the RMC Table of Credit Granted;
  • Certificate of Completion for Professional level courses;
  • Course Manual and Course Material for non-DND Professional level courses not on the RMC Table of Credit Granted.
  • Request for Advanced Standing (Credit Granted) Application Form

For PLAR review applicants who are not sponsored students please complete the Request for Credit Granted section of the Request for Advanced Standing Form, including payment information, and FAX to the Admissions FAX number provided on the form.

For sponsored students, in order to ensure that prior learning is assessed in time to apply results to first year scheduling, a copy of student transcripts, course descriptions, and outlines for courses for which recognition is being requested must be forwarded to the RMC PLAR section immediately upon acceptance to RMC. Requests, therefore, should be forwarded before leaving for the Basic Officer Training Course.

Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) - Undergraduate

Service Standard
Completion of a student requested PLAR review toward an undergraduate degree at RMC 8 weeks
Completion of student requested PLAR review of a course or program of study not taken for credit at a Canadian post secondary institution such as DND courses and professional courses. 8 months