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Career and Academic Preparation

Contact:
Renate Scheelar
Chairperson

Program Information:
Email: inquire@rdc.ab.ca
Phone: 403.342.3400 or 1.888.732.4630 

The Career and Academic Preparation program (CAP) gives adult students an opportunity to:

  1. upgrade academic skills
  2. acquire a High School Equivalency Diploma that is accepted by other colleges and universities in Alberta and by most employers
  3. upgrade to meet entrance requirements for vocational, career, and university programs
  4. develop teamwork skills, work with others, practice problem-solving, and develop effective study skills
  5. prepare for entry to the workplace or a chosen career
  6. create a portfolio of identifiable skills.

Program Delivery

You can learn in a traditional, classroom setting with an instructor, or take courses in the CAP Learning Centre by independent, self-study with instructor guidance and/or tutor support.

Courses by Independent Study

Some courses in our program may be taken as 1-credit modules (Computing).

Most of our academic subjects are available as flexible, accessible and supported learning in the CAP Learning Centre.  

Admission Procedures

  1. Placement Assessments. The Career and Academic Preparation program will arrange testing to help place you in the appropriate level of courses. Assessments are not required for current CAP students or students who have been out of school or college for less than one year.
  2. Placement interview. You will meet with a Career and Academic Preparation advisor to review the assessment results and your career goals. The advisor will help you create a Learning Plan and register you into appropriate courses based on the assessment, your prior learning, and your career goals.

Note: Transcripts will be required if you have attended high school or another post-secondary institution.

Program Content

The Career and Academic Preparation 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

Expenses

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.

Graduation Requirements

Since most post-secondary programs have special requirements for the admission of mature students, it is strongly recommended that students contact an Academic Advisor or Department Chair in specific program areas 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 Career and Academic Preparation program will grant a High School Equivalency Diploma if the student has not received one previously. Students must apply to the Registrar's Office to receive this diploma.

RDC High School Equivalency Diploma Requirements:

  • You must have 5 courses in order to qualify.
    (2 of the 5 courses must be completed at RDC)

These must include:

  1. ENGL 090 or ENGL 095
  2. Mathematics 075 or higher
  3. Biology 075, Chemistry 075 or Physics 075 or higher
  4. Social Studies 090 or 095
  5. 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 in the Information Centre.

Program Cost Estimates