A College Diploma in Quebec for pre-university studies and technical studies (officially titled: Diploma of College Studies, often abbreviated DCS,

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

: ''Diplôme d'études collégiales'' or ''DEC'') is a degree issued by the

Ministry of Education and Higher Education The Republic of Lebanon Ministry of Education & Higher Education ( ar, الجمهورية اللبنانية وزارة التربية والتعليم العالي; french: Ministère de l'éducation et l'éducation supérieure) is a government ...

after a student has successfully completed an approved

college A college (Latin: ''collegium'') is an educational institution or a constituent part of one. A college may be a degree-awarding tertiary educational institution, a part of a collegiate or federal university, an institution offerin ...

education program. The Quebec education system is slightly different from the rest of North America. One aspect of its distinctness is that it is the only system that requires a college diploma before entering university. The college diploma was established at the same time as the current college system. There are two types of college diplomas: a two-year pre-university diploma or a three-year vocational training diploma. A Diploma of College Studies is a

university A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United Stat ...

prerequisite for Quebec high school graduates, unless applying as a mature student. A pre-university Diploma of College Studies is roughly equivalent in the rest of North America to a combination of grade twelve and the first year of an

Associate's degree An associate degree is an undergraduate degree awarded after a course of Tertiary education, post-secondary study lasting two to three years. It is a level of qualification above a high school diploma, GED, or matriculation, and below a bachelo ...

, while a three-year vocational is often equivalent to an Associate's. The professional diploma equivalent to the DEC is the Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP; diplôme d’études professionnelles), whereas the DEC is for non-trade studies. An Attestation of College Studies (AEC; Attestation d'études collégiales), is awarded following a short-term training program that does not include general education courses.

References

Education in Quebec Quebec CEGEP Universities and colleges in Canada Universities and colleges in Quebec {{Quebec-stub

See also

References