19. Advanced Standing

a.  University and Other Post-Secondary Institutions

Once accepted and after an official transcript has been received by the Registrar, students transferring from other recognized universities or post-secondary institutions to an academic program at Saint Mary’s, or students readmitted to Saint Mary’s, may be given advanced standing credit hours, if appropriate. To obtain a first baccalaureate degree or a diploma, the student must successfully complete a minimum of 50% of the credit hours required for their degree, diploma or certificate program at Saint Mary’s.  Among these credit hours, students must complete a minimum of 50% of the credit hours required for the major, honours or concentration at Saint Mary’s. 

Notes:

(i)   A request for advanced standing will not be considered after one year from the date of the student’s first registration in an academic program at Saint Mary’s.

(ii)  Advanced standing will be given only for courses with satisfactory grades as required by the relevant Saint Mary’s program. All first and second year courses taken and passed at Canadian universities will be considered for credit.  The Dean of the Faculty in which the student is enrolled has the discretion to stipulate a minimum grade which must be attained to receive credit for a specific Saint Mary’s course, otherwise elective credit may be granted.  Advanced standing for third and fourth year courses is at the discretion of the Dean of the Faculty in which the student is enrolled.

(iii) Credits completed more than ten (10) years prior to the students’ admission or readmission to Saint Mary’s will be assessed and considered on a case by case basis, in consultation with the Dean of the Faculty in which the student is enrolled.

(iv) A re-assessment of advanced standing credit will occur if a student changes Faculty.

(v) Normally, for courses completed at universities outside Canada, a minimum grade of C is required for advanced standing.

(vi)  Advanced standing for courses taken at community or private colleges is granted on a case by case basis, except where formal articulation agreements exist.

b.  Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

PLAR recognizes learning acquired outside post-secondary institutional settings when that learning is comparable in scope and extent to University courses. Persons applying for PLAR for advanced standing are required to document that learning to the satisfaction of the academic unit in which the credit is sought and have it approved by the Dean of the Faculty in which the unit is housed.