FAQ Categories
- General
- Admissions, Registrations, and Graduation
- Fees and Payment
- Workload and Courses
- Hybrid Learning
- PLAR
General Questions
- What is the Bachelor of Arts in Adult Education degree?
- Who studies in the Adult Education programs?
- What do adult education professionals do?
- What industries need adult education professionals?
- What types of careers may Adult Education graduates be prepared for?
- Why study Adult Education at UFV?
Admissions, Registrations, and Graduation Questions
- What are the program entrance requirements?
- When can I apply?
- How do I apply?
- Can I receive credit for prior learning?
- How do I register for a course?
- How do I register for ADED 370 or ADED 470?
- Can I register in Directed Study or Independant Study (IS) course?
- What are the program graduation requirements?
- What if I need one course to graduate and it is not being offered?
Fees and Payment Questions
- How much does the degree cost?
- Is there financial aid available?
- Can I pay my tuition with a credit card?
- What happens to my $200.00 deposit needed to register for a course?
Workload and Courses Questions
- How many courses should I take?
- Which courses do I start with?
- Is there an attendance requirement?
- How much time is required outside of class sessions?
- How do I find out my final grades?
- What happens if I have to miss one or more semester(s) of courses?
- How do online courses work?
Hybrid Learning Questions
- Is part-time study available?
- Are classes online or in person?
- What is a Hybrid format course?
- How many face-to-face sessions per course?
- When are face-to-face sessions scheduled?
- What campus are face-to-face sessions located?
- Can I take courses as distance student?
- How do distance students participate in face-to-face sessions?
- Can in-class students and distance students interact during sessions?
- What technology is required for class?
PLAR Questions
- What is P.L.A.R.?
- Do I have to be a UFV student to be eligible for PLAR?
- What is the cost of Program-based PLAR?
- What is the cost of course-challenged based PLAR?
- What is the difference between Transfer Credits and PLAR credits?
- How many PLAR credits can I earn?
- Will PLAR credits transfer to other post-secondary Institutes?
- How will PLAR credits affect my GPA?
- Does the Adult Education department process all UFV course challenges?
- How do I know what evidence to provide for PLAR credits?
General Questions
What is the Bachelor of Arts in Adult Education degree?
This degree is a unique mid-career professional development program for people who are instructing, administering, developing programs, or providing educational support for adult learners.
The program is equivalent to a four-year degree; you have the option of full-time or part-time study. Most of our students enroll on a part-time basis, taking one or two courses per semester.
Students have the opportunity to link both practical and theoretical coursework to the challenges they meet in their work setting while enhancing their knowledge, skills, and appreciation of the field of adult education.
Who studies in the Adult Education programs?
Adult educators come from diverse backgrounds. They may be experienced instructors or educational consultants in vocational or industrial programs. Some work in health or recreation where they provide community-based education or adult recreation programs. Adult educators work in areas of literacy, teaching English as a second language, employment counselling, life skills coaching, and post-secondary education. Adult educators are active in international education, community service, and performance technology and share a common interest in working with adult learners.
Many of our students are returning to school after a long period of not being in school. They are relieved to find their classmates in the same situation - like-minded professionals who are balancing their educational demands with other commitments.
Our students work in the field and enroll to learn about this rapidly evolving field, gain formal credentials, or prepare for career advancement. Our graduates work in academic, technical and vocational, and community contexts.
What do adult education professionals do?
Adult Education professionals help adults learn. Learning can take place in a classroom, a job site, or a workshop. It can look like teaching, training, mentoring, coaching or leading in many contexts. What all adult education professionals have in common is an interest in working with adult learners.
What industries need adult education professionals?
Adult education professionals work in many fields. Actually - they can be found in almost any field where adults are! Their title is not always "Adult Educator".
You can find adult education professionals working in:
- human resource training
- workplace learning
- professional development
- staff training and development in:
- private businesses
- government services
- non-profit organizations
- community-based education programing in:
- continuing education
- health
- recreation
What types of careers may graduates be prepared for?
Adult educators often work in areas of adult basic education, literacy, teaching English as a second language, employment and vocational counselling, life skills coaching, and post-secondary education. You will find adult educators active in international education, community service, and performance technology. They also teach workers and apprentices in the trades, and organize and teach in union, labour, and employee education programs.
Some job titles include:
- Clinical Counsellor
- Community Education Coordinator
- Co-Op Education Officer
- Employment Specialist
- Fitness Program Manager
- Health Fitness Program Manager
- It Trainer
- Labour Relations
- Learning Specialist
- Nutritional Instructor
- RCMP Trainer
- Talent Development Manager
- Victim Service Program Manager
- Youth Program Manager
Why study Adult Education at UFV?
UFV delivers western Canada's only undergraduate program in adult education. This degree is one of UFV’s most flexible programs. Although it is designed as a four-year degree, the actual time to complete the degree depends on you. You can tailor your studies to fit your busy schedule — study part-time or full-time.
Here are highlights of the program:
- online courses delivered in a hybrid model with some face-to-face sessions
- face-to-face sessions delivered around work schedules
- distance students participate in face-to-face sessions via video conferencing
- experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate instructors
- opportunities for students to link theory with their field practice
- recognizes prior learning, including those from non-traditional settings
- sets the foundation for further professional or graduate studies
Admission, Registration, and Graduation Questions
What are the program entrance requirements?
Find your program’s page to view entrance requirements.
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When can I apply?
To find out when you can apply, check the list of programs currently accepting applications.
Below is the general timeline for most Adult Education programs.
| Semester | First day to apply | Recommended application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall (September) | October 1 | January 31 |
| Winter (January) | May 1 | August 31 |
| Summer (May) | October 1 | December 31 |
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How do I apply?
See Admission's How to apply for detailed information on each step.
- Choose your program.
- Check if the program is accepting applications.
- Check if you meet program requirements.
- Apply to UFV online.
- Submit documents.
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Can I receive credit for prior learning?
Yes. See the prior learning assessment page for details.
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How do I register for a course?
The Office of the Registrar has helpful resources to explain UFV’s registration process:
- How to Register instructions
- Video Tutorials
- Registration FAQ
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How do I register for ADED 370, ADED 470, ADED 472?
ADED 370, ADED 470, and ADED 472 are capstone project courses offered as independent studies. You must request these courses before registration. See the Capstone page for more details.
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Can I register for a Directed Study or Independent Study (IS) course?
Courses listed as Directed Studies or Independent Study (IS) are not open for normal registration. Students require special permission before registering, and enrolment is limited. An IS course must be requested by the student and approved by the department before registration.
You may request an IS course if :
- the course is not offered in the final calendar year of your program AND
- the course is required for graduation with a credential
- (by inference of the above) the course would delay a student's timely graduation in the May convocation or for some other reasonable deadline linked to credential completion
If a student meets the above conditions, they can email the department to request an independent study. If the request is approved by the Department Head and a supervising faculty member is assigned, the student will be sent registration instructions and the Course Registration Number (CRN)
All directed study and independent study courses follow UFV Policy 207.
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What are the program graduation requirements?
The BA in Adult Education requires completion of 120 credits with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (C average). UFV's residency policy requirement is students must complete 30 UFV credits. View the BA AE Program Plan.
You can also track your program progress with the MyGRADplan tool.
Each program’s graduation requirements are listed on the academic calendar. Links can be found on your program's page.
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What if I need one course to graduate and it is not being offered?
Contact the Department. It may be possible to set up an independent studies option for a particular course needed to meet your graduation goals.
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Fee and Payments Questions
How much does my program cost?
Program costs are comprised of the following:
- Tuition. See the fees and costs page for a breakdown of tuition costs.
- Student union & society fees. These fees are paid every semester in addition to tuition.
- Resource materials.
You should budget $100– $150 per course for resource materials such as textbooks, although this amount can be much higher for courses in the sciences and other areas.
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Is there financial aid available?
Most Adult Education Programs are eligible for financial aid. It’s worth a visit to UFV’s Financial Aid and Awards office, which facilitates the yearly disbursement of about $12 million in federal and provincial student loans, grants, bursaries, scholarships, and awards to UFV students.
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Can I pay my tuition with a credit card?
No. The preferred method of payment is online banking. See Admission’s How to Pay page for more details.
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What happens to my $200.00 deposit needed to register for a course?
The deposit is applied to the balance of your tuition fees.
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Workload and Courses Questions
How many courses should I take?
Every student has family and work commitments so it may be best to register for 1 or 2 courses per semester to see how manageable the course load is with other demands.
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Which courses do I start with?
The courses do not run sequentially. Most ADED courses do not have prerequisites so many are available to new program students. If you are new to the program, it is best to check with the Program Advisor for guidance.
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Is there an attendance requirement?
Students are expected to have a high level of participation online and full attendance during all the face-to-face sessions. Faculty will provide participation expectations to students.
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How much time is required outside of class sessions?
Including reading, assignments and online posting expect 30-45 hours of outside-of-class time for each course.
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How do I find out my final grades?
Login to myUFV. Here is where you will be able to access your admissions information, registration, grades, tax forms, order textbooks and much more.
For current courses, find out how you can check your grades on Blackboard.
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What happens if I have to miss one or more semester(s) of courses?
If you do not register for a class for one semester, you can register as normal for the following semester.
Students are considered inactive if they do not register for 3 consecutive semesters. Students will have to reapply to the program if they have not completed a UFV credit course in one calendar year.
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How do online courses work?
Online courses in Adult Education have a minimum of four face-to-face class times. Local students can attend the classes at the Abbotsford campus. Distance students can attend the class via video conferencing. See the Hybrid learning section for more info.
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Hybrid Learning Questions
Is part-time study available?
Yes. Complete any of the Adult Education undergraduate programs by full-time or part-time study. Many students study part-time by taking one or two courses per semester.
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Are classes online or in person?
We deliver all classes in an online hybrid format. Each class has mandatory online participation each week and mandatory attendance (in-person or for distance via video conferencing) in specific scheduled class meetings during the semester.
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What is a Hybrid format course?
Hybrid format courses are a blend of online learning and face-to-face meetings. Students are expected to have a high level of participation online and full attendance during all the face-to-face sessions. Faculty will provide participation expectations to students.
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How many face-to-face sessions per course?
Each course has 3-6 face-to-face sessions per semester.
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When are face-to-face sessions scheduled?
The schedule for face-to-face sessions are normally between 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm on weeknights or between 8:30 am-5:30 pm on Saturdays (Pacific Standard Time).
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What campus are face-to-face sessions located?
Abbotsford campus delivers all Adult Education courses.
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Can I take courses as distance student?
Students located outside of the Fraser Valley Regional District can complete courses as distance students. Distance students are still required to participate in face-to-face sessions via video conferencing (Blackboard Collaborate) during the scheduled times.
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How do distance students participate in face-to-face sessions?
Distance students use video conferencing tools in Blackboard Collaborate to virtually attend face-to-face sessions. The Adult Education classroom is equipped with front-face and rear-facing projections, ceiling-mounted microphones, and a video-conferencing camera. This means distance students can see and hear all classroom activities in real-time.
Distance students will have their webcam live-streamed on screen. In-class students can see and hear distance students in real-time.
All students actively participate in the classroom regardless of where they live.
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Can in-class students and distance students interact during sessions?
Yes. Distance students will have their webcam live-streamed on screen. Distance students will be able to see the classroom and ask questions in real-time. Distance students will also be able to participate with other students in the classroom during breakout group discussions.
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What technology is required for class?
A computer is required for all face-to-face sessions – for students attending in person or by video conferencing. Distance students are also required to have a webcam and headset.
Read the technical requirements (link opens in new tab) or use the System Tech Checklist (PDF) to test your system.
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PLAR Questions
What is P.L.A.R.?
PLAR stands for Prior Learning Assessment Recognition.
Do I have to be a UFV student to be eligible for PLAR?
Yes. You must apply to and be accepted into a UFV program to be eligible for PLAR. See the PLAR page for steps.
What is the cost of Program-based PLAR?
You will normally pay 75% of the cost of a UFV credit course. Students in the Program PLAR process, in the Adult Education department, pay a flat fee of 75% of 12 credits regardless of how much program PLAR credit they receive. Financial aid is not available for PLAR credits.
What is the cost of course-challenged based PLAR?
The cost is 75% or the regular course tuition fee. Financial aid is not available for PLAR credits.
What is the difference between Transfer Credits and PLAR credits?
Transfer credits are the granting of credits by one institution for the courses or programs successfully completed at another institution or agency. The credits may be assessed and assigned as equivalent to a specific UFV course or unassigned. E.g. BUS 2XX.
PLAR credits are earned through the assessment of evidence students provide of the informal learning they gained from life and work for academic credit. It can include courses which did not provide transferable credit.
How many PLAR credits can I earn?
Program-based PLAR allows students to receive up to 54 credits. There is a maximum of 90 credits available through the combination of PLAR and transfer credit which can be used to earn the BA AE degree. This includes a combination of program-based PLAR, course challenges PLAR, and courses completed at another institution.
Will PLAR credits transfer to other post-secondary Institutes?
Contact the receiving post-secondary institute — they may or may not.
How will PLAR credits affect my GPA?
PLAR credits do not use a letter grading system. PLAR credits use a credit/no credit grading system -grades are not applicable to the GPA.
Does the Adult Education department process all UFV course challenges?
No, Adult Education only processes course challenges for ADED courses. If you wish to challenge a course outside of the ADED department you will need to contact the department assistant of that particular department. i.e. contact the English Department assistant for any English courses you plan to challenge.
How do I know what evidence to provide for PLAR credits?
Course material completed in any credited course used towards the BA AE (including transfer courses) is not allowable as evidence in a PLAR portfolio.
For students who are pursuing program-based PLAR, Faculty will provide a rubric in ADED 305 Portfolio Development for Prior Learning Assessment Recognition.
Students wishing to do a course-challenge for PLAR will be provided with a checklist once approved.
- (by inference of the above) the course would delay a student's timely graduation in the May convocation or for some other reasonable deadline linked to credential completion
