Academic Upgrading
Overview
Get started on a new path. If you’re looking to develop your skills, complete prerequisite courses for entry into college or university, or get your BC Adult Graduation Diploma—the “Adult Dogwood”—upgrading can help you get there. Upgrade in Castlegar, Grand Forks, Kaslo, Nakusp, Nelson (Silver King) or Trail.
Learn in a Supportive Atmosphere
- Take the courses you need to meet your goals.
- Get help with difficult concepts from other courses.
- Attend classes or work on your own.
- Understand the way you learn best.
- Get instruction and support when you need it to improve basic skills, like reading, writing and math.
Pathways to High-Demand Careers
Ready for a change? Our pathways to high-demand careers offer as much or as little support as you need. Access advising, funding, prerequisites, study skills and more to pursue the future you've always wanted.
Tuition Free
Upgrading courses are tuition free. The BC government funds Adult Basic Education. You can also apply for the Adult Upgrading Grant (AUG), a government grant to help you cover any additional costs of returning to school. It can help with transportation, unsubsidized daycare and the cost of supplies and student fees.
For more information, or to register get in touch!
Program Outcomes
Learners participating in Academic Upgrading courses at Selkirk College will finish their studies being able to demonstrate a number of the program outcomes:
- Demonstrate increased self-confidence
- Manage financial matters by applying principles of numeracy, accounting and integration of relevant technology
- Use appropriate verbal, non-verbal and written skills to communicate
- Develop effective learning strategies and adapt them to new situations
- Create realistic personal, work and educational goals and plans to achieve them
- Exhibit positive professional behaviour and employment related skills that maximize opportunities for success
- Demonstrate resilience, creativity and critical thinking in challenging situations
- Participate effectively as part of a team and in society
- Identify personal values, make decisions and balance responsibilities to increase well-being
- Practice appropriate safety procedures
- Use current and emerging technology effectively
Admission Requirements
Students applying to Academic Upgrading are not subject to the general admission requirements for Selkirk College.
- All applicants will meet with an instructor to discuss past education and current academic goals and choose an appropriate set of courses.
The College Readiness Tool is used for advising on course level placement. Students will write the CRT assessment prior to course registration to help instructors determine ideal course level placement. Program Chair or designate, in consultation with Assessment Services, will determine which subtests of the CRT will be required and the cut off scores for each subtest, in order to verify an applicant's potential for success and program admission.
Students must be 18 years of age or over at the time of registration.
- Notwithstanding the above, students 16 or 17 years of age may be considered for admission. Students will be assessed for admission based on referral to the program by a parent/guardian, a secondary school or other professional (e.g., social worker, counsellor).
- In addition, the instructor who met with the student must be satisfied that the underage student can perform in an adult learning environment. Such admission decisions will be made by the intake instructors under the supervision of the school chair.
Note: It is Selkirk College’s intention to work collaboratively with our local school districts to ensure an underaged student’s needs are best met by programming in the post-secondary system.
Before an applicant’s file is considered to be complete, a student must:
- Meet with an instructor (in person or by telephone)
- Complete a Selkirk College Application for Admission Form
- Sign their completed Course Registration Form
- Complete funding paperwork: forms for either an Adult Upgrading Grant, Supplemental Adult Upgrading Bursary or a funding Opt Out form, including any associated documentation required (childcare subsidy form, appendices, proof of income)
Selkirk College awards certificates of completion at the Fundamental, Intermediate and Advanced Levels, and the Adult Dogwood Diploma.
The British Columbia Adult Graduation Diploma (BCAGD) is recognized by colleges, institutes and universities in the British Columbia public post-secondary system. To be eligible to graduate with an "Adult Dogwood," students 18 years of age or over must have completed five courses.
BC Adult Graduation Diploma Requirements
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A provincial-level English or higher |
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An advanced-level or higher mathematics |
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Three additional courses at the provincial level or higher |
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OR |
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Advanced social sciences and two provincial-level courses or higher |
Courses and credits can be counted from post-secondary institutions, secondary schools and often from workplace or other learning establishments.
Upgrading instructors and college counsellors can help to determine which courses count toward the Adult Dogwood.
Selkirk College also awards certificates of completion at the Fundamental, Intermediate and Advanced levels.
A principle of delivery of education at the fundamental and intermediate level is that students must demonstrate mastery of the learning outcomes associated with a section of the course.
1. Fundamental level courses
a) Students in Fundamental Level courses will create an Academic Plan, which includes the student’s education goals and the education pathway, timeline and courses to achieve it.
b) Progress through Fundamental level courses is competency-based and requires the following:
i. achieving 80% or more on formative evaluations
ii. achieving 70% or more on summative evaluations
iii. passing final examination
iv. achieving the learning outcomes set out in each course outline
2. Intermediate level courses
a) Progress through Intermediate level courses is competency-based and requires the following:
i.) achieving 80% or more on formative evaluations
ii. achieving 70% or more on summative evaluations
iii. passing final examination
iv. achieving the learning outcomes set out in the course outline
PROMOTION
Students in good standing are eligible to attempt an Academic Upgrading course a second time without special permission. Third or more course attempts are possible with the approval of the Academic Upgrading School Chair or Dean. Approval is granted based on the rationale provided in the student’s Academic Plan.
In the Academic Upgrading program it is not necessary to obtain a level certificate in order to take courses at the next level. However, some courses in the subject areas are sequential and must be completed in order.
Courses
ADGD60 - Certificate(s) Earned
BIOL60 - Biology - Provincial Level
BIOL 60 Biology - Provincial Level provides an introduction to cell biology and human physiology. Students will learn about cell biology, mitosis and meiosis, bioenergetics, homeostasis, genetics, respiration, excretion, bones and muscles, nerves and immunity. This course is designed to help students build laboratory and field skills, scientific communication skills and critical thinking skills. Upon completion, students are prepared for post-secondary studies in Biology, Physiology and Health Sciences. This course qualifies for the BC Adult Graduation Diploma.
CHEM60 - Chemistry - Provincial Level
CHEM 60 Chemistry - Provincial Level is a study of practical chemistry. Students will study reaction kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base reactions, oxidation-reduction, and gas laws. The lab portion of this course develops student skills in laboratory safety, chemistry lab procedures and techniques, data collection, analysis, and scientific communication. Upon completion of this course, students are prepared for academic post-secondary science studies. This course qualifies for the BC Adult Graduation Diploma.
CPSC60 - Computer Science - Provincial Level
CPSC 60 Computer Science - Provincial Level is designed to prepare students for a career or program of studies where logical thought and structured design processes are required. Students will develop problem-solving skills whereby they are able to analyze a problem, devise an algorithm or process to solve the problem, use this process to write a computer implementation of the solution using the Python (or other as appropriate) Programming Language, and test the solution.
This course qualifies for the BC Adult Graduation Diploma.
*Minimum requirements are listed; higher-level courses may be substituted
**ADGD 60 – Adult Graduation course representing learning completed as an adult that is at least 100 hours in duration and delivers and assesses explicit learning outcomes to determine to what degree the learner has met the learning outcomes (eg. assigned a letter grade, pass or completion). Examples include workplace certifications like Level 3 First Aid and Class 1 Driver’s License, micro-credentials like Anti-racism or Drone operator training.
To acquire this credential, students must
· be a minimum of 18 years of age,
· complete at least three courses after entering an adult learning program (by enrolling in courses or by Prior Learning Assessment. See Policy 8614)
· use no more than two high school-level courses toward the BCAGD.
The BC government oversees adult education and graduation credentials. Information is found here.
BIOL50 - Biology - Advanced Level
BIOL 50 Biology - Advanced Level introduces students to biology: the study of living organisms and life processes. Students will study the diversity of life, plant and animal cells, ecology, and evolution, exploring concepts in the classroom, laboratory and in field. Building upon life experiences, students improve their understanding of the natural world and their role in it. The course is designed to build a student's laboratory and field skills, scientific communication skills, and critical thinking skills. This course prepares the student for further studies in biology, natural resources and earth sciences.
CHEM50 - Chemistry - Advanced Level
CHEM 50 Chemistry - Advanced Level is a course for students with little or no previous experience in chemistry. Students will study basic chemical properties, principles and procedures, nomenclature, and chemical reactions, acids and bases, and an introduction to organic chemistry. Lab experiments provide an opportunity to work with standard lab ware and apparatus, observe a variety of chemical compounds and reactions, and perform some quantitative measurements.
CPST50 - Computer Studies - Advanced Level
CPST 50 Computer Studies - Advanced Level is an introduction to word processing using Word, spreadsheets using Excel, and databases using Access. Students will learn about computer security (viruses and other malware) and critical thinking as applied to computers. Practical exercises and projects are used to apply new concepts throughout the course, including an internet research report project.
Students will develop an understanding of computers and concepts to aid the students’ employment opportunities, personal productivity, and enjoyment. This course will provide students with a survey of the major applications of computers and enable the students to acquire skills to contribute and participate productively in society.
Upon completion of Computer Studies 50, students are ready to enter Computer Studies 60 - Provincial Level or further post-secondary studies in office or business administration, or computer applications.
ENGL50 - English - Advanced Level
ENGL 50 English - Advanced Level is for students to upgrade their English skills. Through reading and writing, students will focus on critical and creative thinking, demonstrate oral and written communication, and develop reading, research, and cooperative learning. This course is designed to help students become natural, confident communicators. Students will engage in discussions and activities which will cover a diversity of topics, including: pre-writing strategies, essay development, summarizing, critical reading, plagiarism, grammar, and dictionary use.
Upon completion of ENGL 50 students are ready to enter ENGL 60: English – Provincial Level.
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