Steps to take when considering your pathway

As you work toward completing your college program, you may be thinking about next steps to enhance your career opportunities. One option is to head back to school to complete another credential. 

There are a number of academic pathways that allow you to move to a different program or a different school without needing to repeat courses. (To learn more about academic pathways, click here to read our blog post “What is a pathway?”)

Here are some important steps to keep in mind when considering your pathway:

1. Research

Make sure you think about your career goals and then explore and compare the options that fit those goals. 

Give yourself enough time to explore your options—typically one year prior to the start of your next program—especially if you’re considering a school abroad. 

Look into which schools offer programs that match your career goals. There may be existing pathways between your current and future programs. If there aren’t existing pathways, most schools allow you to apply for individual transfer credits.

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2. Access resources

Find out what resources your current school has related to pathways. Many schools have advisors, resource guides, databases and events like pathways fairs or information sessions to help you explore your options.

Here are some helpful links to check out:

Ontario Transfer Guide - for information on pathways within Ontario colleges and universities

Government of Canada Job Bank - for information on careers and labour market 

OSAP – for information about funding to study at a school in Ontario, Canada or abroad

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3. Apply

Depending on the pathway and school you’re transferring to, you might be asked for an official transcript from your current school or course outlines for the courses you want to transfer. Contact the admissions office of your desired institution to confirm admission requirements and timelines. You may need to apply through sites like the Application Service for Ontario Public Colleges or the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre.