Ministry Policy Site

Adult Graduation Program Policy

The 20-credit adult graduation diploma has been in effect since May, 1999.

Current policy
Note: the 20-credit adult graduation diploma replaced the seven-course adult graduation certificate.

The Ministry of Education funds adults taking courses that lead to secondary graduation. A student is eligible for the adult graduation program if they are 19 years old, or 18 years old and have already been out of school for at least one year. The student must take at least three courses as an adult, either through enrollment or through receiving the credit through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (see below for definition). The student must be on a clear path to graduation and can take the courses they need to reach the diploma requirements for the BC Adult Graduation Diploma.

In 1999, the provincial government recognized that having two adult graduation diplomas, one from the college system and one from the school district system, was a duplication of services. The Ministries of Education and Advanced Education were then given the mandate to create a common credential that would work in both the college and the school district adult programs in an effort to produce a more seamless system. Both ministries worked with field representatives and interest groups to create a more learner-centered diploma known as the BC Adult Graduation Diploma. The result is a seamless credential that allows the learner to take courses from either college or school district programs, or take course from both systems and combine them together to achieve their adult graduation diploma.

The adult program course requirements are defined in Ministerial Order 320/04, British Columbia Adult Graduation Requirements Order, made under the authority of the School Act, section 168 (2) (b) and (5):

168 (2) The minister may make orders for the purpose of carrying out any of the minister's powers, duties or functions under this Act and, without restriction, may make orders…

(b) subject to subsection (5) determining the general requirements for graduation from an educational program…

(5) The minister may, with the minister responsible for public post-secondary institutions, establish the requirements for obtaining the British Columbia Adult Graduation Diploma.

Definition - "Adult:" An adult is defined as somebody older than "school age" as defined in the School Act.

Definition - "Prior Learning Assessment:" A process that enables people to gain recognition and credit for what they already know and can do. Methods of assessment include a portfolio of evidence, projects and assignments, program evaluations, demonstration, oral questioning and course challenge. For further information on additional ways to earn credit, please refer to: Earning Credit Through Equivalency, Challenge, External Credentials, Post-Secondary Credit and Independent Directed Policy and External Courses to recognize other learning experiences (see the Course Information Book for information on External Courses).

Definition - "School Age:" School age means the age between the date on which a person is permitted under section 3 (1) of the School Act to enroll in an educational program provided by a board and the end of the school year in which the person reaches the age of 19 years. (This is relevant because current funding practice dictates that adults are funded differently than students who are school age.)

Definition - "Adult student:" A student 19 years of age or older as at July 1 of the current school year.

See Policy Statement

School districts offering adult programs shall report their adult students on Form 1701. Students who register and do not attend classes cannot be claimed for funding. School districts shall report adults either through the September 30 count or the full-year count at the end of May.

See Chapter 3 in the Handbook of Procedures for additional information.

If you have any questions relating to the Adult Graduation Program Policy, please contact Tanya Twynstra, Coordinator, Adult Education, Student Transitions Unit, Standards Department.