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In Alberta, post-secondary programs and training are offered via certificate, degree, diploma, and non-credential studies (such as trade technician or apprenticeship programs), and they range from one semester to five years in length. Post-secondary study includes full-time and part-time programs, cooperative education, continuing education, distance learning, and full-time, in person options.
Just as important as the credential type, however, is the program type. Some post-secondary training programs are offered as undergraduate or graduate study that is part of the Alberta Transfer System, and the credentials can be transferred to a degree program. This includes Post-Diploma programs from recognized institutions such as the one the applicant completed. Other training programs lead to standard certificate or diplomas from academically recognized post-secondary institutions.
Post-Diploma Certificates are higher education programs that requires a post-secondary 2-year Diploma for admissions. Post-Diploma programs can lead to Certificates of 0.5 to 2 years or even top-up Bachelor degrees. Post-Diploma programs are offered at polytechnics, colleges, and universities and are considered upper division undergraduate study in an applied or technical field.
But the majority of post-secondary training in Alberta is from private vocational training providers. Alberta is home to more than 150 private career colleges that offer programs to provide career training to enable graduates to find a job after they graduate.
Registered private career colleges offer occupational training for employment purposes, regardless of whether the program culminates in a certificate or diploma. Occupational certificates and diplomas are not eligible to transfer to academic programs within Alberta's post-secondary education system.
An occupational certificate or diploma is considered vocational training for employment purposes and is not recommended for academic credit in Alberta or other provinces of Canada.
Resources:
Alberta Learning and Information Services/ALIS: https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/
Alberta Transfer System Post-Secondary Institutions: https://transferalberta.alberta.ca/ and https://transferalberta.alberta.ca/how-to-transfer/alberta-transfer-system-post-secondary-institutions/ and https://transferalberta.alberta.ca/how-to-transfer/alberta-transfer-system-non-member-post-secondary-institutions/
Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials: https://www.cicic.ca/1152/postsecondary_education_in_alberta.canada and https://www.cicic.ca/1151/credit_transfer_and_articulation_in_alberta.canada and https://www.cicic.ca/1351/qualifications_framework_in_alberta.canada