College campuses in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Welland can now offer three-year degrees

The students at the Niagara College campuses in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Welland just got a huge leg-up over students at community colleges in other provinces.

On Monday (April 11), the Ontario government announced that colleges can now develop three-year degree programs, similar to universities.

Calling it a historic breakthrough that ensures more students will acquire the professional expertise to succeed in their careers, Niagara College President Sean Kennedy said he was happy college educations were getting their due.

“This is great news for students, employers, and the community that recognizes the important role that colleges play in providing high-quality academic programs that respond to labour-market needs in key sectors of our economy,” said Kennedy.

Niagara College has been offering four-year Honours Bachelor of Business Administration degree programs in Hospitality, Human Resources, and International Commerce and Global Development but the three-year degree is a new wrinkle.

Currently, most of the programs offered at colleges are diploma programs. Prior to Monday’s announcement, colleges were only authorized to award degrees to graduates of their career-focused four-year programs.

The college said the degree programs will brings true equity to Ontario’s post-secondary system. “It ensures every student whose education fulfils Ontario’s degree-level requirements is awarded a degree upon graduation,” it said in a release.

The expansion of the colleges’ degree programs is sure to open the door to more career options for graduates, especially graduates who are looking to advance into management positions.

As well, this benefits companies that promote themselves and their workforce internationally, as most jurisdictions outside Ontario are not familiar with the diploma credential.

“We are always working closely with industry to identify and create new programs that meet the current and future needs of employers,” said Niagara College’s Vice President, Academic Fiona Allan.

“This announcement adds another important option for us to consider as we look to expand our offering of high-quality, responsive academic programs.”