Diploma in General Arts & Science

Not sure which career path to follow? Explore your options while earning college-level credits that you can apply towards another program or a university degree.

Loyalist College Offers Flexible Learning

• You can graduate after one or two years.
• Stop and start your studies as needed – you can take up to seven years to complete your diploma.
• Apply your credits towards further studies in another diploma program at Loyalist.
• With a two-year diploma in General Arts and Science, with a social studies focus, you are eligible for credit recognition towards a diploma in Social Service Worker, Early Childhood Education or an advanced diploma in Child and Youth Care.
• Diploma graduates with a business focus are eligible to fast-track in Business or Business Administration.

Turn Your Diploma into a Degree

Many universities across Canada and abroad will provide credit recognition for your diploma studies at Loyalist College. The following is a list of agreements that are currently in place. There are many more options, and new agreements are added annually.

Have you completed or are you completing a two-year college diploma in General Arts and Science with an overall average of 70% or higher? If yes, Lakehead University is excited to offer you three possibilities:

1) BA (General) – Three-year Bachelor of Arts (General) degree.

2) BASc (Interdisciplinary) – Three-year Bachelor of Arts and Science (Interdisciplinary Studies) degree

3) HBASc (Interdisciplinary) – Four-year Honours Bachelor of Arts and Science (Interdisciplinary Studies) degree

Graduates of the Loyalist College General Arts and Science two-year diploma program may be eligible to transfer into year three of the above degree options at Lakehead University. The Interdisciplinary Studies degree at Lakehead University's Orillia campus provides a variety of specializations in such areas as Biology, Criminology, Sociology, Psychology and more.

The following institutions have also awarded significant transfer credits to graduates with a diploma in General Arts and Science on an individual basis. Depending on academic performance and the degree major pursued, graduates may be eligible for credit recognition from these and other universities; contact individual institutions to explore your options.

• Athabasca University
• Carleton University
• Laurentian University
• Trent University
• University of Ottawa
• University of Toronto
• University of Waterloo
• York University

Experiential Learning

Get a well-rounded education in math, science, business and communication skills, not to mention the freedom to choose from an outstanding line-up of courses. Define your interests, opportunities and goals while earning credits you can transfer to future studies.

• Learn with a mix of group assignments, community projects and online class activities.
• Work one-on-one with a faculty advisor each semester to select electives suitable to you — go broad or specialize — it’s up to you.
• Choose from a wide range of electives, and explore opportunities you may not even know, with options as wide-ranging as human biology, computer applications, psychology, technology and humanity.
• Some electives are available online or offer virtual learning experiences, such as the Eco walk.
• Gain work experience one day a week in your second semester.
• Expand your on-the-job experiences to two days a week in the third semester.
• Past placements include museums, art galleries, funeral homes, veterinary offices, long-term care facilities, schools and social service agencies.
• General Arts & Science (year two): After one year of vocational exploration, prepare for university studies during year two with a liberal arts university-focused diploma.

Outstanding Faculty Make the Difference

• Experienced faculty get to know students one on one and work together to support their personal interests and career goals.
• Many professors in the program are college graduates (several of this program!) and all share a commitment to lifelong learning; they have gone on to specialize at university in education and the arts, sociology, biology, engineering and psychology.
• Students also have access to virtually the entire College faculty through elective studies.
• The program is continually updated with advice from an advisory committee representing the social service, education, private business, government and healthcare sectors.