Bridging pathway allows SLC graduates access to a Queen’s University degree
St. Lawrence College (SLC) graduates have a new post-graduation opportunity thanks to a bridging partnership with Queen’s Engineering.
A formalized agreement between the two schools will allow graduates from SLC’s Civil Engineering Technology Advanced Diploma program to pursue a bachelor’s in Civil Engineering at Queen’s, according to a release from SLC, dated Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021.
“We are grateful for this partnership with Queen’s University, as it provides yet another important way for our students and graduates to continue on with their educational goals,” said Glenn Vollebregt, SLC President and CEO. “This formalized pathway provides recognition of SLC credits earned and offers exceptional opportunities for students to further their education.”
“Queen’s Engineering has long benefited through an informal but very tangible relationship with St. Lawrence [College], seeing some of their graduates leverage their experience at St. Lawrence to find a home in our Civil Engineering program,” added Kevin Deluzio, Dean of Queen’s Engineering. “This more formal relationship will make it even easier and more efficient for SLC students to see their hard work and talent recognized, and to increase the options that St. Lawrence’s excellent Civil Engineering Technology diploma opens up to them.”
Ian Moore, Department Head at Queen’s Civil Engineering, chimed in as well, adding that students entering the Civil program at Queen’s from St. Lawrence have had very high success rates and positive impacts on the fourth-year capstone design course and other courses and activities. “With this new agreement, we will be delighted to welcome many more enthusiastic, capable students from St Lawrence College,” he stated.
While this agreement formalizes the partnership, SLC’s Civil Engineering Technology graduates have been continuing their civil engineering education for many years at Queen’s University, according to Eileen De Courcy, SLC’s Senior Vice President, Academic.
“This articulation agreement will benefit SLC Civil Engineering Technology graduates by granting them the opportunity to earn their degree in only three more years. By taking advantage of this new educational pathway our graduates diversify their knowledge and skill set, thereby expanding their career opportunities,” De Courcy said. “Graduates of both the diploma and degree program will have the benefit of both the practical, hands-on training earned at SLC and the theoretical education of a Queen’s degree, and the opportunity to be licensed and practice as a professional engineer anywhere in Canada.”
SLC students seeking admission to Queen’s University’s Civil Engineering Degree Bridging Program under this articulation agreement must have completed or be in the final semester of the Civil Engineering Technology diploma program, have achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.7 (70 per cent) at graduation, and completed Grade 12 Chemistry, according to the release.
“Graduating from Civil Engineering Technology at SLC and continuing to complete a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Queen’s provided a great foundation to start my career,” shared Matthew Scanlan, who is now a professor in SLC’s Civil Engineering Technology program. “SLC provided a strong introduction to engineering and hands-on practical skills such as surveying and drafting, while Queen’s provided the engineering and management theory required to obtain a License as a Professional Engineer. The blend of a college and university education gave me a unique set of skills that allowed me to hold a variety of roles and responsibilities early in my career both in the office and out in the field.”
Following the completion of the Queen’s bridging program, comprised of two courses in calculus and linear algebra, qualified students will be able to progress to advanced standing in the Queen’s Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Program. Learn more about Queen’s pathways from college to a university degree on the Queen’s University website.
SLC offers several pathways for degree completion through partnerships with universities in Canada, and around the world, including Queen’s University, Carleton University, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, as well as several in Ireland, the college stated. Learn more about these opportunities here.