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General Information

VIU Certificates, Diplomas
and Degrees

Successful completion of a program leads to the awarding of a credential. For programs one year or less, the normal credential is a certificate; for programs of two years, the credential is either a diploma or an associate degree. Diplomas are offered for a wide variety of programs, all with different criteria defined by Vancouver Island University. Associate degrees recognize completion of two years of university study with specific course requirements that are common throughout the Province. The University also offers a wide range of 4-year bachelor degrees and selected master degrees.

Certificates

Certificates are awarded to students who successfully complete the required course work for programs that can be completed in one year of full-time study, or less. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 (“C”) is required. A wide variety of certificates is offered, as indicated in the Program Outlines.

Diplomas

Diplomas are awarded to students who complete at least 60 semester credit hours of course work and obtain a minimum overall average of “C” in those courses specifically required for each diploma. Students who qualify for a diploma must submit an application to graduate. Applications are available at the Registration Centre.

General Diplomas

Diploma in Arts and Science: requires 60 semester credits in university program courses, including at least six semester credits in English.

Diploma in Individually Selected Studies: requires 60 semester credits in any University courses, 100-level or higher. Please note that courses with a "T" suffix are eligible for this diploma.

Specific Diplomas

Specific diplomas are offered in a number of program areas, as indicated in the Program Outlines.

Advanced Diplomas

Advanced diplomas are offered in a number of program areas, as indicated in the Program Outlines. These diplomas require prior completion of a degree or diploma.

Associate Degrees (two years of full-time study)

Associate degrees are awarded to students who complete at least 60 credits of university program courses, and obtain an average overall grade of “C” (calculated on all courses counting toward the Associate degree), as well as meeting the additional requirements for each associate degree. Students who qualify for an associate degree must submit an application to graduate. Applications are available at the Registration Centre.

Associate of Arts Degree

General Requirements
  • 60 credits of first and second-year or higher level courses (minimum average overall grade of “C”).
  • A minimum of 18 credits in Arts at the second-year or higher level that include courses in two or more subject areas.
Specific Requirements
  • 6 credits in first-year English.
  • 9 credits in Science, which must include 3 credits in Mathematics or Statistics or Computing Science, and 3 credits in a Laboratory Science.
  • 36 credits in Arts, which must include 6 credits in the Social Sciences, 6 credits in Humanities (including the Creative and Performing Arts) other than English, and 24 additional credits in Arts.
  • 9 credits in Arts, Science, or other areas.

Associate of Science Degree

General Requirements
  • 60 credits of first and second-year or higher level courses (minimum average overall grade of “C”).
  • A minimum of 18 credits in Science at the second-year or higher level that include courses in two or more subject areas.
Specific Requirements
  • 6 credits in first-year English.
  • 6 credits in Mathematics, which must include at least 3 credits in Calculus.
  • 36 credits in Science, which must include at least 3 credits in a Laboratory Science.
  • 6 credits in Arts other than English (excluding Mathematics and Laboratory-based Science courses).
  • 6 credits in Arts, Science, or other areas.

Associate Degrees meet provincial requirements, and the following Definitions and Classifications apply to both the Arts and Science Associate Degrees; these are found at bctransferguide.ca/associate.

Definitions
  • A course is defined by the subject for which transfer credit is granted at SFU or UBC or UNBC or UVic (refer to online BC Transfer Guide).
  • an Arts course is defined as any course in a subject area for which there is a Baccalaureate of Arts Degree at SFU or UBC or UNBC or UVic.
  • a Science course is defined as any course in a subject area for which there is a Baccalaureate of Science Degree or Baccalaureate of Applied Science Degree at SFU or UBC or UNBC or UVic.
  • a course in an “other” area is defined to be any course in a subject area for which there is a Baccalaureate Degree other than in Arts, Science, or Applied Science at SFU or UBC or UNBC or UVic.
  • A first-year course is defined as a course that has assigned or unassigned transfer credit at the 100-level at SFU or UBC or UNBC or UVic.
  • A second-year course is defined as a course that has assigned or unassigned transfer credit at the 200-level or higher at SFU or UBC or UNBC or UVic.
  • A laboratory science is one in which a substantial component of student instruction involves the study of natural phenomena, either in the laboratory or in the field. Each institution granting the Associate Degree will determine which of its courses satisfy this requirement.

Classification of Courses for Associate Degrees

Social Sciences: Anthropology, Child & Youth Care, Criminology, Economics, First Nations Studies, Geography (Human), Global Studies, History1, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Women’s Studies1.

Humanities: Arts, Classics, Creative Writing, English, First Nations Studies, History1, Languages, Liberal Studies 5, Linguistics, Music, Philosophy, Theatre, Women’s Studies1.

Science: Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science2, Geography (Physical)3, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Physical Education4.

Notes:

  1. History, First Nations Studies, and Women’s Studies courses can meet either Social Science or Humanities requirements.
  2. Computing Science courses do not meet laboratory science requirements.
  3. Physical Geography courses include: 211 and 212.
  4. Classification varies for Physical Education courses. See an advisor for further information.
  5. Liberal Studies 111 and 112 each count for 3 credits of English and 3 credits of Humanities; all other Liberal Studies courses count as Humanities.

Contact the Advising Centre for further Information 250-740-6410.

Baccalaureate Degrees

Baccalaureate degrees are awarded to students who successfully complete the requirements of the following programs:

Masters Degrees

Masters degrees are awarded to students who successfully complete the requirements of the following programs:

Updated July 6, 2011