You Already Did the Work. Get Credit for It.
If you have courses from another Ontario college or university, we assess them for transfer credit. Many students enter Elmwood with advanced standing.
How Transfer Credit Works
- 1. Apply to your Elmwood program through ontariocolleges.ca
- 2. Submit official transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions
- 3. We assess them against our curriculum within 10 business days
- 4. You receive a Transfer Credit Report showing what counts and what you still need to take
Cost: The assessment is free. You pay for the program, not the paperwork.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
If you learned skills on the job, in the military, or through non-credit training, you may challenge courses for credit without taking the class.
How it works: You submit evidence (work samples, certifications, resume). A faculty assessor reviews it against course outcomes. You may need to complete a challenge exam or practical demonstration. Fee: $150 per course challenged.
Common PLAR successes: Trades students with Red Seal experience, health care workers with on-the-job training, IT professionals with industry certifications.
Common Pathways
| From | To | What Transfers |
|---|---|---|
| PSW Certificate | Practical Nursing (Bridging) | Up to 1 semester |
| Business Diploma (any ON college) | Business Admin Adv. Diploma | Up to 1 year |
| Graphic Design Diploma | Graphic Design Adv. Diploma | Case-by-case portfolio review |
| University Arts Degree | Graduate Certificate | Full admission; no credit transfer needed |
| Trades Apprenticeship | Construction or Manufacturing Diploma | Up to 2 courses via PLAR |
Articulation Agreements
We have formal transfer agreements with:
- McMaster University — Technology diploma to Bachelor of Technology
- University of Guelph-Humber — Business diploma to Bachelor of Business
- Wilfrid Laurier University — select pathways for Social Service Worker grads