Up to 2 years
The Academic Upgrading program gives adult students an opportunity to
- upgrade academic skills
- acquire High School Equivalency Diploma that is accepted by other colleges and universities in Alberta and by most employers
- upgrade to meet entrance requirements for vocational, career, and university programs
- develop teamwork skills, work with others, practice problem solving, and develop effective study skills
- prepare for entry to the workplace or a chosen career
- create a portfolio of identifiable skills
The Academic Upgrading program offers high school equivalency in all academic disciplines. These courses are accepted in place of Alberta Education courses for admission and prerequisite purposes at RDC. The following describes the course numbering system:
- 40/50 Levels -Pre-high school refresher courses (English, Mathematics)
- 75 Levels -Grade 10/11 in high school
- 85 Levels -Grade 11 in high school
- 90/95/96 Levels -Grade 12 in high school
Visit RDC’s Course Catalogue/Timetable to read detailed course descriptions.
You can learn in a traditional, classroom setting with an instructor.
- Placement Assessments. Upon applying to the Academic Upgrading program, you are required to write a brief assessment in English and Math. These assessments help to place you in the appropriate level of upgrading courses. Please note: there is a fee to access the assessment.
- After completing the assessment, you will be contacted by the Academic Advisor regarding your course registration and funding information.
Note: Transcripts will be required if you have attended high school or another post-secondary institution.
Since most post-secondary programs have special requirements for the admission of mature students, it is strongly recommended that students contact an Academic Advisor to determine how best to meet these entry requirements.
Few programs require mature students to possess a complete high school diploma. For those students who wish to receive a high school equivalency diploma, the Academic Upgrading program will grant a High School Equivalency Diploma if the student has not received one previously. Students must apply to the Office of the Registrar to receive this diploma.
RDC High School Equivalency Diploma Requirements:
- You must have 5 courses in order to qualify (3 of the 5 courses must be completed at RDC).
These must include:
- ENGL 090 or ENGL 095
- Mathematics 075 or higher
- Biology 075, Chemistry 075 or Physics 075 or higher
- Social Studies 090 or 095
- One other course of at least 2 credits that is not a prerequisite to any of the required courses listed above (eg Accounting, Computing).
Note: Students going on to any degree program or to a technical institute are responsible for checking on the Admission Requirements of their future program. Consult with an Academic Advisor.
The Academic Upgrading program at Red Deer College enables individuals to get the pre-requisites needed to enter into a number of post-secondary programs and broaden their career options.
There is a fee to access the Placement Assessment during the application process. You will have to buy your own textbooks. Textbooks range from $80.00 to $150.00 per course. In addition, a graphing calculator is required for your Math 85 and Math 96 courses. It will cost approximately $160.00.
Some courses in our program may be taken as 1-credit modules (Computing).