NC’s General Arts and Science program is now among seven diploma programs with a direct launchpad to a degree from Niagara University thanks to a new agreement between the two long-standing educational partners.
Students from select NC diploma and advanced diploma programs – from Business, Culinary Management (Co-op), and Education Assistance and Adult Supports, to General Arts and Science (GAS), Police Foundations, Social
From right: NC’s ViP Academic Dr. Fay Lim-Lambie and President Sean Kennedy sign a renewed three-year dual admission and articulation agreement alongside NU President Fr. James J. Maher and Provost Dr. Timothy Ireland.
Service Worker, and can now take advantage of a seamless route to completing their degree at NU in two to two-and-a-half additional years. The agreement focuses on facilitating student mobility, improving transfer efficiency and enhanced collaboration to support student success.
The renewed three-year dual admission and articulation agreement that establishes seamless transfer pathways was signed by representatives from NC and Niagara University on September 14, reaffirming a collaborative cross-border partnership between NC and NU that spans almost 30 years.
“For nearly three decades, Niagara College and Niagara University have worked together to create meaningful postsecondary pathways for students,” said NC President Sean Kennedy. “We’re proud of the ways this renewed agreement reflects our shared dedication to student success by providing clear pathways that maximize the value of an NC education and supports learners to degree completion.”
“Thanks to this new agreement, degree completion will be seamless for students across seven program areas,” said Vice President Academic, Dr. Fay Lim-Lambie. “An amazing example of the benefits for students is our General Arts and Science program. Long recognized as an exceptional environment for new college students to explore their postsecondary options, the program will now offer a direct route to a four-year degree in one of seven high-demand NU programs.”
Degree pathways across seven NC programs
Students who are accepted to the seven diploma and advanced diploma credentials at NC will also be conditionally accepted into NU’s corresponding bachelor’s degree programs including:
- NC Business (two-year diploma) into a NU Integrated Management (BSc);
- NC Culinary Management (Co-op) (two-year diploma) into NU in Hotels/ Restaurant (BSc), or Food and Beverage Management (BSc);
- NC Education Assistance and Adult Supports (two-year diploma) into NU Early Childhood /Childhood Liberal Arts (Birth-Grade 6, BSc);
- NC General Arts and Science(two-year diploma) into NU’s Business programs (BSc), Education programs (BA or BSc), , Communications and Media Studies (BSc), Computer Information Science (BSc), Hospitality programs (BSc), Psychology (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science), Social Work (BSc);
- NC Police Foundations (two-year diploma)into NU Criminal Justice (BSc);
- NC Social Service Worker (two-year diploma) into a NU Social Work (BSc); and
- NC Sport Management (three-year advanced diploma) into NU Sport Management (BSc).
“This agreement is a wonderful example of what higher education institutions in the Niagara region can accomplish when we work together across the border,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University. “Our Vincentian mission calls us to put students at the center of everything we do. By eliminating barriers and creating clearer educational pathways, we are giving students on both sides of the border greater confidence about where their education can take them.”
Supports and scholarships
The dual-admission framework emphasizes collaborative academic planning and transfer advising between both institutions to support learners throughout their studies.
Accessible academic criteria: Conditional dual admission is open to students who successfully complete their NC program with the minimum cumulative average of 65% with course credits transferring at 65% / “C” or higher.
Automatic scholarship: qualifying NC students matriculating into NU automatically receive $500 USD dual admissions scholarship, valid for two years of undergraduate study, alongside eligibility for institutional transfer scholarships.
Coordinated transfer advising: NC and NU partner to provide pathway curriculum guides and transfer advising. At the end of each NC term, final grades are shared with NU to prepare ongoing transfer credit evaluations ensuring students understand course equivalencies.
Experiential learning: Pathway students gain access to high-impact learning opportunities at NU, including program related to internships, clinical experiences, field placements, and research opportunities at NU.
Learn more
Conditional dual admission and credit transfer remain subject to institutional admission standards, prerequisite completion, program space availability, and visa/ immigration requirements.
Prospective and current students interested in learning more about dual admission pathways are encouraged to connect with their academic program coordinator or visit niagaracollege.ca/pathways.
NC and NU Presidents seal the deal with a handshake. Pictured front row: Dr. Fay Lim-Lambie (NC VP Academic), Sean Kennedy (NC President), Fr. James J. Maher (NU President), and Dr. Timothy Ireland (NU Provost). Pictured back row: Adam Dusome (NC Registrar, Senior Director Enrolment Services), Jaclyn Frail, (NC Dean, Community Services), Craig Youdale (NC Dean, Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies), Gord Arbeau (NC VP External Relations), Michael Freedman (NU VP Marketing, Communications and Enrolment),Christopher Atkinson (NU Sr. Assistant Director, Admissions), and Mark Wojnowski (NU Executive Director of Transfer, Graduate and Canadian Admissions).
