Ministry of Advanced Education

Degree Authorization

Private and Out-of-province Public Institutions - Degree Authorization Act - Exemptions

The Degree Authorization Act applies to all private and out-of-province public post secondary institutions. It does not apply to British Columbia public post-secondary institutions. In addition to the exemption for British Columbia public post-secondary institutions, the Degree Authorization Act contains the following exemptions:

• Institutions may advertise or provide a program leading to a degree if the institution does so under an agreement with another institution that has authority to grant degrees in B.C. and the other institution actually grants the degree.
• Trinity Western University and Seminary of Christ the King have had legislative authority to grant academic degrees in British Columbia since 1988 and 1966 respectively. These institutions are required to obtain ministerial consent before offering any new academic degree programs they were not already offering on April 11, 2002, the date the Degree Authorization Act was introduced in the provincial legislature.
• The definition of “degree” in section 1 of the Degree Authorization Act specifically exempts theological degrees.

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