Agreement gives students opportunity to earn Seneca diploma and U of T degree in four years
A new partnership between Seneca College and the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) will allow qualified Seneca students to transfer into an honours degree program at UTSC.
The agreement aims to meet a long expressed need for greater recognition of the work college students have completed and to help facilitate a smoother transition when they choose to study at university.
“These types of partnerships are an important driver for innovation and excellence in education and contribute to the range of choices and alternatives for today’s students,” said UTSC Principal Franco J. Vaccarino.
“This pilot project provides students with more options for ensuring a Liberal Arts education at two of the country’s leading educational institutions. By providing a pathway to education we are fueling today’s learners and investing in their success.”
Under the pilot agreement, after two semesters of Seneca’s Liberal Arts program, students will be allowed to take courses at UTSC as non-degree visiting students. Those credits can later count towards a University of Toronto honours bachelor of arts degree enabling students to earn both a Seneca diploma and U of T degree in four years.
“It was a delightful process and that really speaks to the spirit of both schools to find a common purpose in reaching this agreement,” said Seneca College President David Agnew.
“UTSC is an excellent institution and what makes this agreement so exciting is the quality programs you offer especially in environmental studies and co-op. This agreement is a real winner for our students.”
The first cohort of students able to apply under this pilot agreement include those initially admitted to Seneca’s Liberal Arts program in fall of 2011.
This is the first such academic transfer agreement UTSC has entered into with a College and the goal is to keep exploring similar agreements in the future.
“In many ways I can say confidently that this is just the beginning of our partnership that will bring additional benefit to both institutions,” said Rick Halpern, UTSC dean and vice-principal.
To celebrate the agreement, representatives from UTSC, Seneca, the University of Toronto Provost’s Office and Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities met at UTSC’s Ralph Campbell lounge for a special signing ceremony on September 18.
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For more information please contact:
Don Campbell
Media & Communications Assistant
University of Toronto Scarborough
Office: 416-208-2938
dcampbell@utsc.utoronto.ca
