Prepare for college programs and/or employment by taking Academic Upgrading courses. Study only the courses you need to meet the admission requirements for your college program of choice, or earn the Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate. The ACE certificate is recognized across Ontario as a Grade 12 equivalency for admission to college and by many employers as meeting their minimum employment standard.

Delivered as a continuous intake program, you can start in any month of the year. Full and part-time study options as well as a choice of timetables are offered. Placement tests determine which English and/or mathematics course you start in. Based on your results and preferences, your Orientation team works with you to develop a personal training plan. The time it takes you to complete your plan depends on which course(s) you start in, which course(s) you need to reach your academic or employment goals and your own rate of progress.

To obtain the ACE Certificate you must complete ENL5958 College Preparation Communication or ENL0076 Communications: Preparation for Degree Programs, and MAT5951 Intermediate Mathematics, plus two electives with departmental approval.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for you if:

• You are ready to set goals for the future.
• You are willing to work and show progress.
• You are prepared to attend regularly,whether in person or in a remote setting.
• You are able to work independently.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

Application Information

Registration Note:

This program does not have a typical application process. Unless otherwise stated - you can register for courses online directly by clicking on the course title and selecting “Register Online”. Classes can take place online, or on campus in the evenings and weekends using our modern facilities. Different courses may be available each semester so don’t forget to check back regularly.

Program Resources

The Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate is offered by Algonquin College at the Woodroffe and Pembroke campuses, as well as at the John Howard Society in downtown Ottawa (ACElinks). While the learning outcomes for the Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate courses at all locations are standardized, elective courses vary between campuses.

Academic Upgrading courses are offered in both remote and in-person classroom settings up to 30 students. The courses have set curriculum, and you are expected to meet the learning outcomes within given timelines. In light of this, Academic Upgrading is not recommended if you required a significantly modified or adaptive learning program in high school.

Algonquin College participates in the Literacy Services Planning and Coordination process in Ottawa and Renfrew counties. As such, you may be referred or redirected to other literacy service delivery providers whose programs may better suit your needs.

Academic Planner:
The Academic Planner provides registered part-time students the ability to declare into a program of study. The Academic Planner outlines successfully completed courses to date, as well as courses that need to be completed in order to meet graduation requirements. It is therefore, essential that all part-time students declare to their program of study, allowing administrators to plan course offerings. The tool is available on ACSIS, located under `Part-time Studies` on the left-hand toolbar.

• Academic Upgrading is also offered at Algonquin College's Woodroffe campus during the daytime, the Smiths Falls Centre and Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley (Pembroke).
• Academic Upgrading courses are offered in a classroom setting of up to 30 students. The courses have set curriculum and you are expected to meet the learning outcomes within given timelines. In light of this, Academic Upgrading is not recommended if you required a significantly modified or adaptive learning program in high school.
• Algonquin College participates in the Literacy Services Planning and Coordination process in Ottawa, Lanark and Renfrew counties. As such, you may be referred or redirected to other literacy service delivery providers whose programs may better suit your needs.
• While learning outcomes for the Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate at the Woodroffe, Smiths Falls and Pembroke Campuses are standardized, the program of study at each location is reflective of local circumstances.
• The delivery of the communication and mathematics courses is individualized. The length of time it takes to complete a course depends on your own rate of progress. You may require more than one term to complete all requirements for a communication or mathematics course.
• To obtain the ACE Certificate you must complete ENL5958 College Preparation Communication and MAT5951 Intermediate Mathematics plus two electives with departmental approval.
• Once you have completed the courses to qualify for the ACE Certificate, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the Career and Academic Access Centre to apply for the certificate.