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Citizen Application - do I list CPA online learning as education?

Flourpower

Member
May 19, 2022
17
4
The CPA program in Canada offers the PREP course, which is a professional course equivalent to education but is not college credits. This program is mostly distance learning, but administered through each region's accounting body. My question is, should I include the time that I have been a CPA PREP online student in my citizenship application under education? It is very much a part-time effort and I was unemployed for some part of that, so I am just wondering if it's better to just leave out the course (as it is professional and not truly educational) and state that I was unemployed for that time?

Is it recommended that we provide letters of explanation (LOE) along with our applications to explain certain circumstances, and is this a case where that would apply? Or is that even worse, drawing attention to something not applicable and then getting a request for transcripts or more information and so on.

Appreciate any
 

akbardxb

Champion Member
Nov 18, 2013
1,244
464
Mississauga
LANDED..........
28-03-2014
The CPA program in Canada offers the PREP course, which is a professional course equivalent to education but is not college credits. This program is mostly distance learning, but administered through each region's accounting body. My question is, should I include the time that I have been a CPA PREP online student in my citizenship application under education? It is very much a part-time effort and I was unemployed for some part of that, so I am just wondering if it's better to just leave out the course (as it is professional and not truly educational) and state that I was unemployed for that time?

Is it recommended that we provide letters of explanation (LOE) along with our applications to explain certain circumstances, and is this a case where that would apply? Or is that even worse, drawing attention to something not applicable and then getting a request for transcripts or more information and so on.

Appreciate any
Being unemployed is neither a crime, nor does it take away from your residence obligations. It is a perfectly valid explanation that you were pursuing a professional qualification while unemployed. IMO, your status was unemployed and not student, which I understand applies to those enrolled in a recognized college or university.
 

Flourpower

Member
May 19, 2022
17
4
Being unemployed is neither a crime, nor does it take away from your residence obligations. It is a perfectly valid explanation that you were pursuing a professional qualification while unemployed. IMO, your status was unemployed and not student, which I understand applies to those enrolled in a recognized college or university.
Thanks a lot for your feedback, I guess now my question now is whether I should list that CPA preparatory program under education or should I write about it in a LOE so as to avoid misrepresentation?

I have found that the organization has a DLI number (designated learning institution) and I was taking an online class or two every semester but it really is just part time and online so I am honestly confused. It is like you said, I can say I was unemployed no problem, but I don't want to omit anything they consider relevant- especially for misrepresentation. At the same time, I don't want to have to go get transcripts or other documentation in the future for a program I am not pursuing any more and delay my application over it.
 

raven101

Newbie
Jan 27, 2024
7
0
Thanks a lot for your feedback, I guess now my question now is whether I should list that CPA preparatory program under education or should I write about it in a LOE so as to avoid misrepresentation?

I have found that the organization has a DLI number (designated learning institution) and I was taking an online class or two every semester but it really is just part time and online so I am honestly confused. It is like you said, I can say I was unemployed no problem, but I don't want to omit anything they consider relevant- especially for misrepresentation. At the same time, I don't want to have to go get transcripts or other documentation in the future for a program I am not pursuing any more and delay my application over it.
Hey, I have a similar issue. May I ask how you address this issue at the end of the day?
 

abff08f4813c

Star Member
Feb 24, 2023
156
26
If it's from a DLI then you could probably ask the organization - they should have someone who interfaces with IRCC who'd either know or be able to find out the answer for you.

If it's not from a DLI (and thus different from OP) then I figure the 2nd post in this thread is right. (Not saying it's wrong in the DLI case but just that a non-DLI giving out courses is even less likely to be counted as education.)

Finally, it's not clear what Flourpower ended up doing in answer to this question, but from their post history they got scheduled for an oath, so whatever they ultimately did was likely acceptable.
 
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