Certificate and Diploma Programs

Certificate and Diploma Programs

Certificate Programs


(Less than one year, or one to two full-time semesters)

A typical certificate in Canada involves three to eight academic months of post-secondary study in a single subject. Common subject areas include

  • Business
  • Information Technology
  • Health Care Administration
  •  other pre-diploma or pre-degree options.

The aim of a certificate is to give post-secondary students the skills and knowledge for an entry-level vocation. All colleges and universities offer certificate programs of different lengths. A Canadian secondary school diploma or essential subject prerequisites are required for admission into a certificate program.

Diploma Program

(Two years minimum, or four to six full-time semesters)

College/universities Diploma programs are mainly developed to meet specific demands of trades and technical or vocational careers, and – depending on the job required – may span upwards of three of four years. Diploma programs are also likely to have a

  • co-op internship components
  • other apprenticeship options
  • You can also transfer Certificates or Diplomas from a Community College to a Bachelor’s Degree-granting institution for further study.

Admission into a college diploma program requires a completed senior secondary program in Canada (or its equivalent).

However, these programs vary widely from institution to institution, and from province to province.

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