U of T Scarborough and Centennial College MOU creates new paths to a university degree

Students walking on U of T Scarborough campus.
Three transfer pathways between the University of Toronto and Centennial College provide an academic roadmap, with students focusing on their college coursework as preparation for their desired university degree.<br />
(Photo by Ken Jones)

Shelley Romoff

A Memorandum of Understanding signed by the University of Toronto and Centennial College establishes three separate facilitated transfer pathways between U of T Scarborough and the college’s Liberal Arts diploma program. 

“U of T plays a leadership role in student mobility in the postsecondary system through its transfer pathways,” says U of T Scarborough Vice-Principal Academic and Dean Bill Gough. “It’s in all of our interests that students—particularly those who are otherwise underrepresented in our catchment—keep their options open and have access to a university degree.”

“It’s in all of our interests that students—particularly those who are otherwise underrepresented in our catchment—keep their options open and have access to a university degree," says Gough. 

Each pathway provides an academic roadmap, with students focusing on their college coursework as preparation for their desired university degree

The College to University Pathway provides select qualified students from Centennial College’s Liberal Arts diploma program to seamlessly continue their studies in a degree program with advanced standing credit, at U of T Scarborough. With U of T Scarborough being adjacent to Centennial College’s Morningside campus, the transition may be easier for students as they do not have to relocate.

The Redirect Pathway provides an alternative route for students who did not meet admissions requirements for direct entry to U of T Scarborough degree programs from secondary school, but who did meet the admissions requirements of Centennial’s Liberal Arts diploma program. Select qualifying applicants will receive a firm offer of admission to the Centennial College program, and on completion will have the option to seamlessly continue their studies in a degree program at U of T Scarborough.

A third, the Second Chance Pathway, provides U of T Scarborough low academic performing students the ability to re-gain academic success by transferring to Centennial College’s Liberal Arts diploma program and also allows for the opportunity to eventually re-join U of T Scarborough degree programs upon completion of the college diploma program.  This option will be available to U of T Scarborough students who are on academic probation or suspension, or are otherwise recommended for this pathway.

“Pathways don’t represent the end of our work, they are a significant step in our ongoing efforts,” says Rahim Karim, Associate Vice President, Partnerships, Pathways and Internationalization at Centennial College.  “Every student’s time and money is valuable. Students who successfully complete the Liberal Arts diploma program will be well-positioned for success in their chosen degree program.”

“Pathways don’t represent the end of our work, they are a significant step in our ongoing efforts,” says Karim.

As part of the effort to better serve students, U of T Scarborough and Centennial College have formed a Facilitated Transfer Pathways Committee, with representation from each institution to oversee the administration and curricular integrity of all three pathways. The committee is responsible for establishing measures and assessing success of the pathways.

“These pathways will allow us to better meet students’ needs by making expectations more transparent, while maintaining high academic standards,” says Karim. “We’re also responding to Ontario’s workforce demands by encouraging students to pursue degree programs where they can work alongside renowned leaders in their chosen fields.”

As part of the effort to better serve students, U of T Scarborough and Centennial College have formed a Facilitated Transfer Pathways Committee, with representation from each institution to oversee the administration and curricular integrity of all three pathways.

“The pathways will draw bright, talented students who might not have otherwise considered a university degree program,” says Gough. “This is a clear statement that we want to open the doors to university education even wider.”

Under this MOU, the first cohort of students from Centennial College’s Liberal Arts diploma program will be eligible for admission to U of T Scarborough programs as early as Fall 2018.

This is the second such academic transfer agreement U of T Scarborough has entered into with a college; the first, with Seneca College, was announced in 2012. 

U of T Scarborough also offers Joint Programs with Centennial College in Journalism, Paramedicine and New Media Studies.