A College Diploma in Quebec for pre-university studies and technical studies (officially titled: Diploma of College Studies, often abbreviated DCS,
French: ''Diplôme d'études collégiales'' or ''DEC'') is a
degree issued by the
Ministry of Education and Higher Education after a student has successfully completed an approved
college
A college (Latin: ''collegium'') may be a tertiary educational institution (sometimes awarding degrees), part of a collegiate university, an institution offering vocational education, a further education institution, or a secondary sc ...
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 educational institution, institution of tertiary education and research which awards academic degrees in several Discipline (academia), academic disciplines. ''University'' is derived from the Latin phrase , which roughly ...
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 or associate's degree is an undergraduate degree awarded after a course of post-secondary study lasting two to three years. It is a level of academic qualification above a high school diploma and below a bachelor's degree. ...
, 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.
See also
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Education in Quebec
Education in Quebec is governed by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (Quebec), Ministry of Education and Higher Education (''Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur''). It was administered at the local level by pub ...
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High school diploma
A high school diploma (sometimes referred to as a high school degree) is a diploma awarded upon graduation of high school
A secondary school, high school, or senior school, is an institution that provides secondary education. Some secondary s ...
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Associate's degree
An associate degree or associate's degree is an undergraduate degree awarded after a course of post-secondary study lasting two to three years. It is a level of academic qualification above a high school diploma and below a bachelor's degree. ...
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Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree (from Medieval Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six years ...
References
Education in Quebec
Quebec CEGEP
Universities and colleges in Canada
Universities and colleges in Quebec
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