History of Applied Degree Programs
The addition of applied degree programs to Alberta's post-secondary education system has provided public colleges and technical institutes with greater flexibility in fulfilling their traditional mandate of offering career and technical education programs to Albertans.
In October 1994 the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology announced the approval of an applied degree demonstration project. Guidelines were established for developing applied degree programs, and public post-secondary institutions were invited to submit proposals by April 1995. The proposed programs were reviewed using the Guidelines for System Development:the policy framework used to guide the approval process for credit programs offered by public post-secondary institutions. The Minister approved the initiatives that best met the proposal guidelines in terms of program structure, employment focus, labour market demand, and industry support for paid work-experience placements for students. The six-year demonstration project began with the implementation of four programs in 1995 and ended in 2001, allowing for follow-up with graduates, employers, faculty, and other stakeholders.
An independent Applied Degree Evaluation Advisory Committee with representatives from universities, public colleges, technical institutes, industry, students, and government was established to evaluate the demonstration project. In July 1998 the committee provided recommendations to the Minister on the first eight applied degree programs. The committee also made recommendations on how to best incorporate guidelines and standards, and on a mechanism for approving and coordinating applied degree programs.
Based on the success of the demonstration project, in July 1998 the advisory committee recommended that applied degree programs continue to be offered in Alberta. The Minister accepted this recommendation, announcing in October 1998 that applied degree programs at public colleges and technical institutes would be an ongoing part of Alberta's post-secondary education system.
