PSE Terms and Acronyms

PSE Terms

Term Definition
Academic Year Institutions vary in terms of their definitions of academic year, but generally, an academic year refers to a 12-month period from September 1 to August 31. (Source: Student FTE Enrolment Reporting Manual, Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills).
Applied Degree A qualification at the baccalaureate or master’s level with a strong vocational/professional orientation. (Source: BC Public Institution Quality Assessment Handbook, Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills)
Associate Degree The associate degree curriculum comprises two years of university-level study in a variety of academic areas. Students are required to complete a broad range of course offerings balanced with in-depth study in specific disciplines. The requirements are sufficiently flexible to enable students to complete the required prerequisites for upper-level course work in their intended major if they wish to pursue a baccalaureate degree. (Source: Quality Assessment Process and Criteria, Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills).
Bachelor Degree A Bachelor’s Degree (also known as a baccalaureate degree) is an undergraduate program. Typical length of study is 4-5 years and generally consists of 120 credits. This credential recognizes the completion of undergraduate courses in an academic specialty, including core degree requirements and electives. (Source: EducationPlannerBC)
Certificate A Certificate is an undergraduate program. Typical length of study is up to 1 year and generally consists of up to 30 credits. This credential recognizes the completion of undergraduate courses in a particular field or area of study (Source: EducationPlannerBC). Please note that not all certificates lead to credit and students should check with their academic advisors at the institution they are attending in order to determine whether the certificate program will provide them with transferrable credits.
CEGEP This is an acronym from the French term Collège d’enseignement general et professionnel, which means General and professional teaching college. In Quebec, Canada, it’s a public school that provides the first level of post-secondary education (Source: CEGEPs Quebec).
College Colleges tend to be smaller institutions and offer a variety of programs including continuing education, and undergraduate programs. Some also offer courses and programs in trades. Students can expect smaller class sizes, more one-on-one interaction with instructors, industry-experienced instructors, hands-on learning, and community involvement. Colleges tend to have lower tuition fees, are regionally accessible, and some offer on-campus student residences (Source: EducationPlannerBC). BC has 11 public colleges, which are listed here.
Co-op Program Provides academic credit by combining classroom-based education with practical work experience. These programs often offer compensation. Co-op programs can support future career prospects. (Source: EducationPlannerBC)
Dual Credit Dual credit courses are taken by secondary school students and result in them being awarded both secondary and post-secondary credit. Dual credit is not considered transfer credit because students are awarded credit directly by the post-secondary institution offering the course. The difference between dual credit courses and Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate  courses is that dual credit courses are designed and delivered by a post-secondary institution. Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses are advanced secondary school courses that may be taught by secondary school instructors. (Source: How to Articulate: Requesting and Assessing Credit in the BC Transfer System, BCCAT).
First Professional Degree A First Professional Degree is an undergraduate program. Typical length of study is 2-4 years. This program prepares students for a particular profession, often by meeting academic requirements of licensure or accreditation. It follows the full or partial completion of a Bachelor’s Degree and requires completion of specific university-level admission prerequisite courses. Some examples of fields requiring a First Professional Degree include law, medicine, education, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine. (Source: EducationPlannerBC).
Full-Time Student Status
  • 60 percent full course load or
  • a student who has a Permanent Disability or a Persistent or Prolonged Disability, is enrolled in courses that constitute between 40 percent and 60 percent of a full course load, and complies with the requirements of the BC Student Assistance Program for Full-Time Student status. (Source: StudentAidBC).

Students who are unsure if they meet full-time status should confirm with their institution’s academic advisors. First Nations may have their own definitions of part-time and full-time students.

Grade Point Average (GPA) The average grade of all credit-based courses/classes completed within a semester, school, or academic year. (Source: EducationPlannerBC).
Graduate Credentials Post-secondary programs which can be completed after an Undergraduate degree. These programs lead to a graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master’s degree, or doctoral degree. (Source: EducationPlannerBC).
Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association (IAHLA) Member Institutes

IAHLA’s member institutes are legal organizations in British Columbia that are governed by an Aboriginal board and offer one or more of the following:

  • Educational opportunities for adults pursuing high school graduation
  • Preparatory or prerequisite courses for post-secondary education

Post-secondary education courses and programs. (Source: IAHLA Website)

Institute Institutes are a type of post-secondary institution which often specialize in job-ready skills training including trades, technology, and applied education. Institutes also offer several academic pathways and offer a variety of programs including continuing education, undergraduate, and higher-level credentials. Students can expect smaller class sizes, industry-experienced instructors, experiential learning, and professional training. (Source: EducationPlannerBC) BC has 3 public institutes, which are included in this list.
Minor Often known as a second subject of interest which students can focus on throughout their undergraduate degree. The subject areas of their minor may also complement their major. A minor [typically] consists of 25% of their course work in the final few years of their program. (Source: EducationPlannerBC).
Online Education/Learning Online education/learning is a program delivery method that involves the course content delivered via the internet, intranet, audio/video files, or satellite. This delivery method includes both in classroom and out of classroom education. (Source: StudentAidBC)
Part-Time Student Status
  • A minimum 20% and less than 60% of a full-time course load; or,
  • has a Permanent Disability or a Persistent or Prolonged Disability,is enrolled in between 40% and 60% of a full-time course load and applies to be considered as a Part-Time Student; and who otherwise complies with the requirements of the BC Student Assistance Program and is a Part-Time Student under the Part-Time Master Student Financial Assistance Agreement (MSFAA) for Canada and British Columbia. (Source: StudentAidBC).

Students who are unsure if they meet full-time status should confirm with their institution’s academic advisors. First Nations may have their own definitions of part-time and full-time students.

Post-Secondary Education In Canada, the term “post-secondary education” encompasses all types of formal instructional programs beyond secondary school, and is roughly analogous to the terms “higher education” and “tertiary education” that are used internationally (Source: Canadian Centre for International Credentials).
Practicum Work experience opportunities that are built into the course plan of a program. These opportunities give students practical hands-on learning, and on the job experience. Practicums are normally not paid, and are common for programs such as Education, Nursing, Counselling, and Social Work majors. (Source: EducationPlannerBC).
Private Post-Secondary Institution Private institutions are post-secondary institutions that do not typically receive funding from the provincial government. In BC, private institutions are regulated under the Private Training Act and require a certificate from the BC government if they provide, or offer to provide, at least one career-related program with 40 hours or more of instructional time, and tuition of at least $4000. Private institutions must be authorized by the government to deliver degree programs (Source: LearnLive BC). The Private Training Institution Branch’s website provides information on certified private training institutions and considerations students are encouraged to take into account prior to enrolling in a private training institution.
Public Post-Secondary Institution Public post-secondary education institutions in Canada receive the largest share of their direct funding from provincial and territorial governments. (Source: Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials). In BC, public post-secondary institutions are authorized under provincial legislation to deliver post-secondary education and training in BC. Currently, there are 25 public post-secondary institutions in the province.  (Source: Find an Institution – Government of BC).
Self-paced programs Programs designed for completion in a specific time frame but may also be delivered at a reduced course load. All students must complete 100 percent of the course work in order to complete the program, though the time required for completion may vary depending on the percentage of course load carried. (Source: StudentAidBC)
Semester A distinct study period, lasting at least 12 to 17 weeks, which forms part of a longer program. (Source: StudentAidBC)
Transcript An official record of all courses students  have taken in high school or post-secondary with credits and grades documented. This is an admission document that is required for any school students apply to.
Transfer of Credits The acceptance or recognition of credits by a host institution on the basis of successful completion of courses at another educational institution within or outside the jurisdiction in order to minimize the duplication of learning. Also called credit transfer (Source: Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials). To find out information on programs/courses transferrable within the BC public post-secondary education system, students can visit the BC Transfer Guide.
Undergraduate Credentials or Programs

These programs lead to a certificate, diploma, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree.

(Source: EducationPlannerBC)

University Universities tend to be larger institutions. They typically offer many undergraduate programs as well as graduate programs including master’s degrees and doctoral degrees, and a wide range of continuing education. Students can expect larger class sizes, expanded course offerings, research opportunities, specialized professors, larger campuses, and most offer on-campus student residences (Source: EducationPlannerBC). BC has 11 publicly-funded universities, which are included in this list.

 

Common PSE Acronyms

Term Meaning
ABE Adult Basic Education
ASP Aboriginal Service Plan
AVED BC Ministry of Advanced Education
CEP Common Experience Payment
CSL Canada Student Loans
FNESC First Nations Education Steering Committee
IAHLA Indigenous Adult Higher Learning Association
ISC Indigenous Services Canada
IEP Individual Education Plans
PSE Post-Secondary Education
PSSSP Post-Secondary Student Support Program
UCEP University and College Entrance Preparation Program

BC Public Institute, College, and University Acronyms

BCIT BC Institute of Technology
CAM Camosun College
CAP Capilano University
CNC College of New Caledonia
COTR College of the Rockies
DGC Douglas College
ECUAD Emily Carr University of Art & Design
JIBC Justice Institute of BC
KPU Kwantlen Polytechnic University
LAN Langara College
NIC North Island College
NLC Northern Lights College
NVIT Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
NWCC Northwest Community College
OKC Okanagan College
RRU Royal Roads University
SEL Selkirk College
SFU Simon Fraser University
TRU Thompson Rivers University
UBC University of British Columbia
UFV University of the Fraser Valley
UNBC University of Northern BC
UVIC University of Victoria
VCC Vancouver Community College
VIU Vancouver Island University