Truth About Post Graduate Certificates & Diplomas in Canadian Colleges

[Impatient Dankaroo]

Disclaimer: In Canada, universities and colleges are not the same

I have been meaning to post this for a while now and now I have found some time to do so. I hope that the information provided can help other prospective students recognize some harsh realities about Diplomas/Certificates in Canada that I wish I had known. The following is based off my first hand experience at one of these programs, second hand accounts of others and general knowledge I have read or heard in the past few years. There are a few programs that could be worth the money you pay but these are very few indeed. Everyone's situation varies slightly but I think most students want to eventually start a career in Canada upon graduation and education is the best way to do that. Personally, I wanted to get away from the complications that the government in the USA was increasingly creating for students looking to work. Also to provide context, I did a quantitative PG certificate at what is considered a 'respectable' college. Think Humber/Seneca/George Brown/Centennial. I can't even imagine how it is in the lesser known ones. The following are my observations:

1. Incompetent Professors: Maybe my expectations was wrong and naive or maybe I was spoiled by my previous education but the professors teaching the courses were absolutely amateur. Many of them did not have an appropriate degree in the field or even had degrees from distance learning institutions that had been shut down (pretty much a diploma mill). I have heard some that were doing a diploma while teaching the course (imagine that!). There were some that could not speak adequate English.
2. No Academic Integrity & Grade Inflation: Students are cheating all the time. Yes I know cheating is a thing but the amount of obvious, non-discreet cheating really questions the grades that you are receiving. Speaking of grades, professors are giving out As for fun as they are constantly pressured by international students who guilt trip them saying they need them for PGWP. I finished with 'honors' which did not mean anything.
3. Poor Academic Curriculum: Considering the two points, this is not surprising. The content being taught is all over the place and just put together to come up with something. I got along with a few professors and even they were instructed come up with something that aligns with the name of the class. Realistically, no substantial knowledge could be passed down and in turn well intention-ed professors like him were full of apathy.
4. International Students are Cash Cows: I mean this is true in all of Canada but there's no real attempt to pass down knowledge. It's basically a transaction: you pay 1/2 years of tuition and you'll get PGWP. Unfortunately, if you don't like it then there are plenty of other shmucks who will gladly fill your place.
5. Very low admissions criteria: For those who come from even a decent academic setting will be shocked at the students that you will now call your peers. Many can't speak English adequately, others are more focused about working than studying and some you wonder how they graduated at all prior to the program. Normally, I do not concern with the actions of others but this becomes a problem in group projects and when the professor starts to slow down the pace of learning for those slow people.
6. No Job Prospects & a Terrible Brand: The five above ultimately lead to this point which is no surprise. I can honestly say that I wouldn't hire the majority of people that I did the program with and I think employers already know how colleges have made education a for-profit business even in public institutions. The brand that you will have on your resume will be borderline negative on your overall brand as a professional.

This post was directed for genuine students who have a desire to further their knowledge in their program of study and have come from a somewhat competitive academic background. I know there are others who simply care about working part time or getting PGWP, which is fine. My recommendation to those genuine students would be to pursue a Master's if you already have a prior degree. If you do not have the grades to do so then there are plenty of Post-graduate diplomas at Universities that may be more beneficial.

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

is american degree respected by canadaian employers?

Yes. Top 50 ranked.

 

[jigzyy]

Good stuff. Thank you.

If you can or have enough information on how different college's PGC/PGD or universities Undergrad/Postgrad offers effect visa chances, that'd be great info for future students as well.

I have been meaning to post this for a while now and now I have found some time to do so. I hope that the information provided can help other prospective students recognize some harsh realities about Diplomas/Certificates in Canada that I wish I had known. The following is based off my first hand experience at one of these programs, second hand accounts of others and general knowledge I have read or heard in the past few years. There are a few programs that could be worth the money you pay but these are very few indeed. Everyone's situation varies slightly but I think most students want to eventually start a career in Canada upon graduation and education is the best way to do that. Personally, I wanted to get away from the complications that the government in the USA was increasingly creating for students looking to work. Also to provide context, I did a quantitative PG certificate at what is considered a 'respectable' college. Think Humber/Seneca/George Brown/Centennial. The following are my observations:

1. Incompetent Professors: Maybe my expectations was wrong and naive or maybe I was spoiled by my previous education but the professors teaching the courses were absolutely amateur. Many of them did not have an appropriate degree in the field or even had degrees from distance learning institutions that had been shut down (pretty much a diploma mill). I have heard some that were doing a diploma while teaching the course (imagine that!). There were some that could not speak adequate English.
2. No Academic Integrity & Grade Inflation: Students are cheating all the time. Yes I know cheating is a thing but the amount of obvious, non-discreet cheating really questions the grades that you are receiving. Speaking of grades, professors are giving out As for fun as they are constantly pressured by international students who guilt trip them saying they need them for PGWP. I finished with 'honors' which did not mean anything.
3. Poor Academic Curriculum: Considering the two points, this is not surprising. The content being taught is all over the place and just put together to come up with something. I got along with a few professors and even they were instructed come up with something that aligns with the name of the class. Realistically, no substantial knowledge could be passed down and in turn well intention-ed professors like him were full of apathy.
4. International Students are Cash Cows: I mean this is true in all of Canada but there's no real attempt to pass down knowledge. It's basically a transaction: you pay 1/2 years of tuition and you'll get PGWP. Unfortunately, if you don't like it then there are plenty of other shmucks who will gladly fill your place.
5. Very low admissions criteria: For those who come from even a decent academic setting will be shocked at the students that you will now call your peers. Many can't speak English adequately, others are more focused about working than studying and some you wonder how they graduated at all prior to the program.
6. No Job Prospects & a Terrible Brand: The five above ultimately lead to this point which is no surprise. I can honestly say that I wouldn't hire the majority of people that I did the program with and I think employers already know how colleges have made education a for-profit business even in public institutions. The brand that you will have on your resume will be borderline negative on your overall brand as a professional.

This post was directed for genuine students who have a desire to further their knowledge in their program of study and have come from a somewhat competitive academic background. I know there are others who simply care about working part time or getting PGWP, which is fine. My recommendation to those genuine students would be to pursue a Master's if you already have a prior degree. If you do not have the grades to do so then there are plenty of Post-graduate diplomas at Universities that may have more beneficial.

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

Good stuff. Thank you.

If you can or have enough information on how different college's PGC/PGD or universities Undergrad/Postgrad offers effect visa chances, that'd be great info for future students as well.

Yes, I can do that some other day. One other one I also want to post is 'List of colleges and universities to avoid' because they are essentially scams and can almost be categorized as diploma mills.

 

[kool30]

Yes, I can do that some other day. One other one I also want to post is 'List of colleges and universities to avoid' because they are essentially scams and can almost be categorized as diploma mills.

Hi,

What about University if Winnipeg (Pace) post degree program???

 

[meister]

I was aware of the quality of education before enrolling for these Post Grad Certificates. Thinking back, I should have opted for a Master's instead of two Post Grad Certificates. They're essentially diploma mills to put it bluntly.

 

[Laguna55]

The grass isn't always greener on the other side, as the saying goes

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

Hi,

What about University if Winnipeg (Pace) post degree program???

U of Winnipeg has a good regional reputation

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

I was aware of the quality of education before enrolling for these Post Grad Certificates. Thinking back, I should have opted for a Master's instead of two Post Grad Certificates. They're essentially diploma mills to put it bluntly.

I was looking in Master's programs prior to my first program but after enrolling in a PG at college I was convinced to pursue it

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

The grass isn't always greener on the other side, as the saying goes

What do you mean?

 

[CommentDebate]

Many people in this forum have applied for PG Diploma or Certificate just for the sake of PGWP. When the officers sees this, won't he reject the application? When a normal person can guess it, Visa officer can clearly see this I think.

There were a few refusal posting here and almost every one of them was for one-year diploma and certifications.

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

Many people in this forum have applied for PG Diploma or Certificate just for the sake of PGWP. When the officers sees this, won't he reject the application? When a normal person can guess it, Visa officer can clearly see this I think.

There were a few refusal posting here and almost every one of them was for one-year diploma and certifications.

Yes, that's why most rejections are for PG programs / diploma programs. You will rarely hear of a Master's / PhD getting rejected. Bachelor's is somewhere in between depending on where.

 

[Laguna55]

What do you mean?

We all have the perception Canada will be offering a perfect education, the reality is usually a lot different, like most things in life.

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

We all have the perception Canada will be offering a perfect education, the reality is usually a lot different, like most things in life.

Canada does have great education institutions, you just have to go to the right place. Unfortunately, colleges do not have strict standards which is why I am advising anyone who can attend university to go there.

 

[jweekend]

Not to forget that some of these degree mills are paying immigration consultants commissions to 'recommend' to immigrant wannabes.

I mean if you're genuinely looking for a good education l, then there is no likely reason that these degree mills would come up in your Google search, unless they were promoted by immigration consultants.

all these degree mills and money faced immigration consultants, makes it very difficult for genuine students to get their permits.