Mature Entry

Concordia University has a long history of making education accessible to adults with varying academic backgrounds. Through Mature Entry and Bridging Programs, those lacking the regular pre-university requirements can still earn university degrees and certificates.

Section 14.1 Admission as a Mature Student

Section 14.2 Program Requirements

Section 14.2.1 Faculty of Arts and Science

Section 14.2.2 John Molson School of Business

Section 14.2.3 Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science

Section 14.2.4 Faculty of Fine Arts

Section 14.3 Assistance

Section 14.1 Admission as a Mature Student

Conditions for Admission

At Concordia, the term “Mature Entrants” is used to designate students aged 21 and over who have not completed the normal academic admission requirements. The designation does not apply to adult applicants whose academic background qualifies them for regular admission.

Students apply for admission to particular programs within one of the four Faculties of the University. In every respect, with the exception of the 18-credit requirement, Mature Entrants at Concordia are treated as regular undergraduates and are expected to meet the same standards before graduating.

The admission of applicants for Mature Entry is subject to the following conditions:

1. Applicants must have reached the age of 21 by August 1 for the September term, December 1 for the January term, or April 1 for the May term in any given year;

2. Although not meeting the normal academic requirements for admission (Québec Diplôme d’études collégiales or the equivalent), applicants must satisfy the University that they have the potential to undertake undergraduate courses;

3. Applicants must have been out of school — that is not engaged in full-time study — for at least 24 months since attaining the age of 18. Applicants who have been out of school for only 12 months are also admissible provided that they have had no unfavourable academic record in the previous 24 months;

4. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents (landed immigrants). Applicants must submit proof of citizenship and age, together with school records and any material which may indicate ability to pursue university studies. Applicants are expected to arrange for official transcripts of all their previous studies to be sent directly to Concordia; (Section 13 Admission Regulations provides general information on how to apply for admission.)

5. Students who have the Québec Diplôme d’études collégiales or the equivalent are not eligible for Mature Entry. Students who pursued a secondary school curriculum that normally permits entry to the Extended Credit Program (ECP) may be considered for admission on the basis of maturity, but will be required to complete the ECP program.

6. In all programs, some students may require courses in English as a Second Language, as determined by language proficiency testing. See Section 13.4 Language Proficiency of this Calendar regarding language proficiency testing.

Section 14.2 Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Normally, Mature Entrants without any Diplôme d’études collégiales (DEC) or equivalent must complete at least 18 additional credits of preparatory or complementary courses. These additional credits are intended to help them to prepare for their subsequent studies. Students with a partial DEC or equivalent may be awarded transfer credits for some of the additional 18 credits.

When selecting courses to fulfill the additional credit requirements, Mature students are required to consult with advisors in the respective Faculty. When selecting program courses, all students are required to consult with their program advisor. Students in the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science are required to consult only with their Faculty program advisors.

The MEP requirements are not applicable to students applying for admission to microprograms.

Section 14.2.1 Faculty of Arts and Science

Faculty of Arts and Science

For most BA programs, there are no specific program prerequisites. Therefore, within the initial 18 credits, students are encouraged to take courses which will broaden their educational background or help them develop study skills.

Consultation with the departmental advisor is encouraged in the choice of the 18 additional credits required for the degree.

Arts

The programs listed below have specific prerequisites which will take up some or all of the initial 18 credits.

Science

For those Mature Entry students pursuing a degree in Science, the following courses must be included within their 108-credit requirement:

Additional requirement for programs of concentration in:

Note: Students must consult with their departmental advisor to determine the appropriate sequence of the above credits in the BSc degree.
Note: Students not having MATH 201, or the equivalent, must take it in place of one of their elective courses. Some students may also need MATH 200.

Section 14.2.2 John Molson School of Business

Mature Entry — the 108-credit program

In addition to the 90-credit program, Mature Entry students will be required to complete the following 18 credits outside the offerings of the John Molson School of Business. Those credits are:

Requirements for programs are listed with the program descriptions in Section 61 John Molson School of Business of this Calendar.

Section 14.2.3 Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science

Engineering

Mature Entrants to the BEng degree, which requires the completion of a minimum of 120 credits, are also required to complete all outstanding required prerequisites in addition to their program. Prerequisite courses are as follows:

CHEM 205

MATH 203, MATH 204, MATH 205

PHYS 204, PHYS 205

6 credits chosen from Natural Science courses listed below:

BIOL 201, BIOL 202, BIOL 206, BIOL 261, BIOL 266, CHEM 206, CHEM 217, CHEM 221, GEOL 206, GEOL 208, PHYS 206, PHYS 252, PHYS 260, PHYS 273, PHYS 284, PHYS 367, PHYS 385, PHYS 443, PHYS 445

6 credits of courses chosen from the following lists:

Humanities General Education Electives for Engineering and Computer Science Students

Social Sciences General Education Electives for Engineering and Computer Science Students

English as a Second Language Courses and courses that focus on the acquisition of a language may not be used to meet this requirement.

Students should refer to Section 71.110 Complementary Studies for Engineering and Computer Science Students when selecting these courses.

Note: In all programs, students may need one or more of MATH 200 and MATH 201.

Note: Some students may require courses in English as a Second Language, as determined by language proficiency testing.

Computer Science

Mature Entry students accepted to the Bachelor of/Baccalaureate in Computer Science (BCompSc) must include in their degree program (minimum 108 credits) the following courses, depending upon their chosen program:

a) BCompSc Joint Major in Computation Arts and Computer Science:

MATH 203, MATH 204, MATH 205

and six credits chosen in consultation with an academic advisor from the Department of Design and Computation Arts and three elective credits may be chosen as follows.

• General Education Electives found in Complementary Studies for Engineering and Computer Science Students
• Engineering and Natural Science Group: Software Engineering
• Courses not included in the above lists may be taken with prior approval of the undergraduate program director.

b) Bachelor of/Baccalaureate in Computer Science (BCompSc) and BCompSc Joint Major in Data Science:

MATH 203, MATH 204, MATH 205

and six credits chosen from courses in Humanities or Social Sciences as noted in Section 71.110 Complementary Studies for Engineering and Computer Science Students and three elective credits may be chosen as follows. English as a Second Language (ESL) Courses and courses that focus on the acquisition of a language may not be used to meet this requirement.

• General Education Electives found in Complementary Studies for Engineering and Computer Science Students.
• Engineering and Natural Science Group: Software Engineering
• Courses not included in the above lists may be taken with prior approval of the undergraduate program director.

c) BCompSc in Health and Life Sciences:

BIOL 201

CHEM 205, CHEM 206

MATH 203, MATH 204, MATH 205

PHYS 204, PHYS 205, PHYS 206, PHYS 224, PHYS 225, PHYS 226

Depending on the number of free electives in their program, Mature Entry Computer Science students may use up to a maximum of 24 credits of prerequisites (including the above courses) within the 108-credit program.

A maximum of six credits of prerequisites may be used within the regular 90-credit program.

Note: In all programs, students may need one or more of MATH 200 and MATH 201.

Note: Some students may require courses in English as a Second Language, as determined by language proficiency testing.

Section 14.2.4 Faculty of Fine Arts

Faculty of Fine Arts

Mature Entry students wishing to pursue a degree program in the Faculty of Fine Arts must take 18 additional credits appropriate for entry into their ultimate area of concentration. These credits will be chosen with the approval of the Faculty advisors.

Section 14.3 Assistance

Assistance

Mature students accepted into the University must inform themselves of the specific requirements of their program and should meet with their program advisors in the Faculties or in the the Kaié:ri Nikawerà:ke Indigenous Bridging Program.