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British Columbia Adult Graduation Diploma


Location(s): Atlin (Access Centre), Chetwynd, ​Dawson Creek, Dease Lake (Access Centre), ​Fort Nelson, ​Fort St. John, ​Tumbler Ridge, and Online

Students who want to earn the equivalent of a high school diploma after turning 18 years old can complete the BC Adult Graduation Diploma. The Adult Graduation Diploma is often called the Adult Dogwood.

Courses in NLC’s Career and College Preparation (CCP) program are specially designed to help students achieve an Adult Dogwood. If you’d like to focus on the CCP program as a pathway to the Adult Dogwood, please refer to the CCP program. Note that the BC government has waived tuition for CCP courses and that other CCP costs may be covered by grants.

The Adult Dogwood is very flexible so pathways may also include courses taken in high school, at other colleges, and in a variety of NLC programs. In fact, the Adult Dogwood can be completed on its own within the CCP program–or while taking another program at Northern Lights College!

All students interested in earning an Adult Dogwood are encouraged to consult with an Admissions Officer or program advisor to discover the right path for them.

Note that the Adult Graduation Diploma (Adult Dogwood) is not the same as a GED (General Educational Development) Certificate. The Ministry of Education discontinued the GED® program at the end of 2014.

Getting Started

Career and College Preparation classes start as frequently as every month, and are available on most campuses. To get started getting your Adult Dogwood, contact an admissions officer or visit your local campus to set up your learning plan. To get started, you just need to be 18 years of age or older!

A Few Definitions

  • ABE Articulation Guide: An annual publication listing all Adult Basic Education courses available from BC Post-Secondary institutions and their equivalencies ( www.bctransferguide.ca/search/abe ).
  • Advanced-Level courses: courses at the level of Grade 11
  • Ministry-authorized courses: courses approved by the BC Ministry of Education and listed on the Course Registry as “Ministry Approved”.
  • Provincial-Level courses: courses at the level of Grade 12
  • Transfer Request Application: a process by which NLC students can request transfer credit for post-secondary courses taken at other institutions.
  • University-transfer courses: courses listed on the BCCAT Transfer Guide

A Few Limitations

  • “Q” courses: Students who completed (or almost completed) a provincially examinable high school course prior to turning 18 but did not write the required provincial exam cannot use the course mark alone toward the Adult Graduation Program. These courses appear on the BC high school transcript with a course code that begins with Q.
  • Use of high-school courses: No more than two courses taken while in high school may be used towards the Adult Graduation Diploma at NLC. (See Appendices  for limitations)

Intakes

CampusStartingType
AtlinFallFull-TimePart-Time
WinterFull-TimePart-Time
ChetwyndFallFull-TimePart-Time
WinterFull-TimePart-Time
Dawson CreekFallFull-TimePart-Time
WinterFull-TimePart-Time
Dease Lake*FallFull-TimePart-Time
WinterFull-TimePart-Time
Fort Nelson*FallFull-TimePart-Time
WinterFull-TimePart-Time
Fort St JohnFallFull-TimePart-Time
WinterFull-TimePart-Time
Tumbler Ridge*FallFull-TimePart-Time
WinterFull-TimePart-Time
OnlineFallFull-TimePart-Time
WinterFull-TimePart-Time

* Courses are generally video-conferenced 


Estimated Program Fees

Program fee type: Career & College Prep
Costs indicated are estimates for a full-time course load.
Book, instruments, supplies, uniforms/clothing and third-party fees are additional.  Domestic students needing assistance with fees, textbooks costs, travel or childcare should ask about the Adult Upgrading Grant.

Domestic Fees

 TuitionStudent FeesInstruction-related
Fees (includes GST)
Total
Semester$ 0.00$ 76.38$ 65.54$ 141.92

International Fees

 TuitionStudent FeesInstruction-related
Fees (includes GST)
International
Medical Insurance
Semester$ 4,626.00$ 74.88$ 64.26$ 828.00

Still have questions?

Contact:


Admission Requirements

  • 18 years of age or older; or
  • 17 years of age and out of school for at least one year; or
  • By special arrangement with the School District.

Note: There is no maximum age.


Program Requirements

To qualify for the British Columbia Adult Graduation Diploma from NLC, you must meet the following four eligibility requirements:

  • Be 18 years or older
  • Complete at least one course towards the diploma at NLC
  • Complete at least three courses towards the diploma after you turned 18
  • Complete at least two course requirements that are not used to satisfy graduation requirements for another credential.

The following course requirements must also be met:

Provincial-Level English

You have successfully completed one of the following:

Advanced-Level Math

You have successfully completed one of the following:

Three Electives

You have successfully completed three electives blended from one or more of the following Groups:

Group 1:

Any of NLC’s Provincial-Level courses as reported in the ABE Articulation Guide:

Group 2:

One of the following Advanced-Level social science courses:

Group 3:

Any courses comprising 3 or more credits each and offered by NLC as part of an NLC certificate, diploma, or associate degree..

Group 4:

Any courses transferred to NLC numbered 100 or higher.

Group 5:

Any levels of apprenticeship technical training delivered by a BC post-secondary institution (must be on transcript). Unfortunately, NLC cannot recognize apprenticeship technical training taken outside the province or at a private training organization.

Group 6:

Any 4-credit, Grade 12-level, Ministry Authorized courses (including External Credential Courses and Work Experience). Grade 12-Level courses completed outside of BC or the Yukon may be permitted, providing NLC can establish the learning outcomes align with learning outcomes for acceptable, Ministry-Authorized, BC Grade 12 courses.

Group 7:

Students who have successfully completed an NLC certificate can receive credit for up to three Dogwood electives. The Certificate must be recognized for dual credit by one of NLCs School District partners or NLC must identify Grade 12 equivalencies for the program.

Group 8:

Selected college-level courses taken at NLC that have zero (0) credits but are listed in the BC Transfer Guide including PNUR 099.

Note:

* If you have completed MATH 050 and either MATH 040 or MATH 044MATH 050 may be used as an elective.


External Links


Credential

British Columbia Adult Graduation Diploma