Transfer Credit / Prior Learning & Recognition

You are eligible for transfer credit if you:

• Completed credited courses at a post-secondary institution.
• Are in good standing in your current or previous institution in the last 5 years.
• Have a overall GPA of 2.0 in accordance to Bow Valley College’s 4.0 scale. This includes your current or previous institution within the last 5 years.
• Currently enrolled and accepted into a credited program at Bow Valley College.
• You must pay your confirmation fee before we can release your results.

You are not eligible for transfer credit if you:

• Only completed high school.
• Have not completed post-secondary courses at college or university.

There is no need to apply for transfer credit if you completed a course at Bow Valley College:

• Contact an Academic Advisor for advanced standing at advising@bowvalleycollege.ca

This is not an all-inclusive list and does not guarantee approval of your courses.

• Courses completed with a minimum mark of 'C' or 64% in accordance with Bow Valley College's grade scale. For some programs, the minimum mark may be higher than a 'C'.
• All courses are under time limitations that are specific to each course and program. See the Time Limitation Guide PDF.
• Courses must match 80% of the respective Bow Valley College learning outcomes and course content.
• Your official transcripts must show all final grades and term GPA. If your transcript shows “In Progress” by the start date of the term we will deny your request.
• Coursework must be from a recognized or accredited post-secondary institution.

When you fill out your form, you will have the choice to pick which term you are applying for. If your term is not available, please check back after the upcoming add/drop deadline.

We focus on transfer credit requests for the upcoming term. Requests for future terms will be held for processing once the upcoming term’s add/drop date has passed.

Your Transfer Credit Form, official transcripts, and all requested documents, must be submitted. If your documents are not submitted before the deadline your request may be denied.

Refer to the Transfer Credit & PLAR Process email sent to you for deadlines. This email goes out to all students accepted into a credited programs.

You will need to have ready or complete the following before you apply.

1. Use the Program Course List to compare your previous courses to your current program.
2. Check Transfer Alberta to see if your completed courses were transferable historically. Please read the disclaimer on the Transfer Alberta page.
3. You can still apply if the Transfer Alberta search results did not show your courses. Use Course Outlines to compare the curriculum to your previous courses.
4. Have your detailed course outlines ready. Submitting a course outline with your request can reduce your processing times.
5. All documents submitted must be in English or an official translation.
6.  Declare all your previous education and we need your official transcripts on file. You can declare by emailing registrar@bowvalleycollege.ca.
7. An official transcript is directly sent to Bow Valley College by the degree-granting institution. We can receive transcripts through these channels:
   a. Physical copies must be in a sealed, stamped envelope
   b. Electronic / PDF copies sent by a post-secondary employee through verifiable means. For example, sent by the institution email address.
   c. Authorized transcript/credential distributors for online verification (e.g., MyCreds)

Transfer Credit Request Form

Have the following ready before you apply:

1. Alberta Health Care Aide Directory pdf with issue date and expiry date
   "Substantially Equivalent" health care aides will not be accepted for prior learning recognition for programs effective January 2024.
2. Official transcript from an approved school as per the Alberta Health Care Aide Directory.
   - If you graduated Bow Valley College Health Care Aide program, your transcripts will be on file. We can receive transcripts through these channels:
   a. Physical copies must be in a sealed, stamped envelope.
   b. Electronic / PDF copies sent by a post-secondary employee through verifiable means. For example, sent by the institution email address.
   c. Authorized transcript/credential distributors for online verification (e.g., MyCreds)
3. Letter of Portability and/or Letter of Employment
   - Showing a minimum of 1,000 verified work hours as a Health Care Aide
   The letter should include:
   • Type of facility and where you were placed/employed (long-term care, private home, etc.)
   • Your supervisor’s title and contact information.
   • Breakdown of the hours with start/end date of employment & position held. Only stating 1000 hours is not acceptable.
   • Employer signatory should have a work email and/or a work phone number.
4. Job Description – optional document but recommended
   The document should show:
   • Job Title matching the position in your Letter of Portability and/or Letter of Employment
   • Tasks that you performed
   • Assigned responsibilities
5. All your previous education has been declared. You can declare by emailing registrar@bowvalleycollege.ca

PLAR Request form

• Reviews are assessed on an individual basis by your academic departments.
• Most PLARS have a non-refundable fee that is determined by your department.
• Email transfercredit@bowvalleycollege.ca indicating you would like to attempt PLAR.

• Transfer credit & PLAR approvals are never guaranteed.
• Assessment process can take a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks to complete.
• We process the most current term first. Requests for future terms will be placed on hold until the upcoming drop deadline has passed.
• You must complete a minimum 25% of your program within Bow Valley College to graduate.
• In some cases, approved transfer credit can drop you to part-time status. It is your responsibility to confirm how many credits you need to remain as a full-time student. Student loans or work permits can be impacted by the number of credits awarded.
• All documents submitted become the property of the College. They will not be returned. If you want to keep the original document, please submit certified copies.
• You should attend all your classes that you are seeking to get credit for until you get approved.
• You can appeal a denial by writing to the Associate Registrar. You will have 10 days from the time you were sent the decision letter. The review will be conducted with the Dean of the program area. The decision of the Dean will be final.

If you are accepted to the Business Administration (Certificate and Diploma) programs at Bow Valley College, you may be eligible for transfer credit if you have completed Business Administration coursework at any of the Campus Alberta partners within the last four (4) years.

Campus Alberta partners are:

• Northwest Polytechnic College
• Keyano College
• Lakeland College
• Lethbridge Polytechnic
• Medicine Hat College
• Northen Alberta Institute of Technology
• NorQuest College
• Northern Lakes College
• Olds College
• Portage College
• Red Deer Polytechnic
• Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
• Athabasca University
• MacEwan University