Secretariat Policies

Advanced Standing Policy

Posted on 27 January 2006

Legislative History:

Approved by SCARSA; Approved by Senate: 1982/06/24; Date Effective: 1982/06/24

Approval Authority: Senate

Signature: Malcolm Ransom

Introduction

Advanced Standing policy at York University has developed in the context of the academic programmes offered by individual Faculties and in response to needs of the clientele each serves. In April 1969, the Senate Committee on Admissions submitted to Senate a general statement on advanced standing which provided guidelines detailing the responsibilities of SCAR and the Faculties in such matters. In brief, SCARSA determines:

  1. acceptability of the institution(s) attended;
  2. suitability of programmes or courses taken; and
  3. standard of academic performance required

The Faculties decide the advanced standing credit to be granted in individual cases within the constraints of a), b), and c) above.

Policy

A. Acceptability of Institutions for Purposes of Granting Advanced Standing Credit

Institutions listed below and institutions recognized by the accrediting agencies listed below [shall] be accepted by Senate for purposes of granting advanced standing credit.

  1. Member institutions of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, listed in Universities and Colleges of Canada;
  2. U.S. post-secondary institutions “accredited” by regional accrediting associations listed in American Universities and Colleges and American Junior Colleges;
  3. Overseas institutions listed in the Commonwealth Universities Yearbook ;
  4. Ryerson Polytechnical Institute;
  5. Technical institutions approved on an individual basis by Senate (e.g. Ontario College of Art).

B. Ad Hoc Procedures for Assessing Unaccredited Institutions

In cases where transfer students present completed course work from unaccredited institutions, an ad hoc procedure of assessment [shall] be undertaken. Information to be considered includes:

  1. Various reference guides which offer information such as descriptions of an educational system (or its development), state or privately administered institutions, transfer directives, high school graduation criteria, ministries of education in certain countries:
    1. The World of Learning,
    2. The American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers,
    3. The Joint Matriculation Board (British publication),
    4. Transfer Guides (Western Canadian Colleges publication),
    5. International Handbook of Universities,
    6. Country Index (for high school systems)–(American publication),
    7. Ontario University Council on Admissions publications,
    8. Associations of Registrars of Universities and Colleges of Canada publications.
  1. a. The purpose and programmes of the institution itself (as evidenced by its catalogue/calendar or other publications),
    b. Course descriptions according to the institution’s calendar and a specific course syllabus.
  2. The status of the institution vis-a-vis other accredited institutions in the same country.
  3. The opinions of York faculty members who have knowledge of the purpose and programmes of the institution.
  4. The experience of other Ontario universities with the institution.

In instances where applicants present qualifications other than “course work”, SCARSA will decide whether to grant advanced standing credit depending on the evidence provided in the individual case.

II Suitability of Course Work Taken at Other Institutions

A. Correspondence Courses

  1. Correspondence courses [shall] be accepted for advanced standing credit provided they are offered by institutions deemed acceptable for advanced standing credit and provided they are accepted for credit towards a degree in a Faculty at the home institution which is comparable to a Faculty at York.
  2. It is also the view of SCARSA that there be no limit on the number of such courses acceptable for advanced standing credit except those imposed by residency requirements.