Academic Proficiency Requirements
Program Entry Proficiency Requirements
Before applying to any Columbia College program, it’s important to make sure you meet the minimum Academic English, Science, and Math requirements. Each program has its own entrance criteria based on the skills you’ll need to succeed. On this page, you’ll find a clear breakdown of the required courses and assessment levels, organized by subject and by program, to help you understand exactly what you need before you apply.
English Proficiency Requirements
Courses at Columbia College are taught in Canadian English. To qualify for admission, learners must demonstrate their language proficiency, typically through their high school or post-secondary transcripts, or through an academic assessment test.
Important Note: Students submitting transcripts to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements, may still be required to write the ACCUPLACER Assessment test after an admissions file review and formal interview with the Program Manager. See the Academic Proficiency Requirements section for further details.
Dental Assistant Professional Diploma
| English Test/Program | Minimum Required Score |
| Columbia’s Prep English course | B or 75% in both final exam and final course mark |
| Canadian Language Benchmarks/Milestones Test* | 8 in each strand |
| IELTS Academic* | Listening – 7.5, Reading – 6.5, Writing – 7.0, Speaking – 7.0 |
| TOEFL* | 92 |
| Columbia’s EAL820 level course | 80% |
| Columbia’s Benchmark Testing | 8 in each strand |
| The ACCUPLACER English Test* |
SS: 250, RC: 250, WR: 5+ |
| IQAS – Formal assessment | Alberta Education English Language Arts equivalents |
| Alberta Education High School English Course |
|
OR: Successful completion of an Alberta Education English Language Arts course that is consistent with the specified academic admission requirements for the program
OR: Successful completion of three years of full-time secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction
OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of one year of full-time post-secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction
OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of a post-secondary level English course with a minimum grade of a C (65%) or equivalent
Note: Students who submit transcripts to meet the English Language Proficiency requirement may still be required to write the Academic Assessment Test as a result of reviewing their admissions file and a formal interview with the Program Manager.
Education Assistant Professional Certificate
| English Test/Program | Minimum Required Score |
| Columbia’s Prep English course | B or 75% |
| Canadian Language Benchmarks/Milestones Test* | 8 in each strand |
| IELTS Academic* | Listening – 7.5, Reading – 6.5, Writing – 7.0, Speaking – 7.0 |
| TOEFL* | 83 |
| Columbia’s EAL820 level course | 80% and 8 in each strand |
| The ACCUPLACER Assesment Test* |
SS-85, RC-80, WR-6+ |
| IQAS – Formal assessment | Alberta Education English Language Arts equivalents |
| Alberta Education – High School English Course |
English 30-1, English 30-2 with a final mark of 60%, or equivalent |
OR: Successful completion of an Alberta Education English Language Arts course that is consistent with the specified academic admission requirements for the Career Program
OR: Successful completion of three years of full-time secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction
OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of one year of full-time post-secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction
OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of a post-secondary level English course with a minimum grade of a C (65%) or equivalent
Health Care Aide Certificate
- For those who English is not their first language, a minimum benchmark of CLB 7 in all skills (L/R/W/S) is required.
- Other options to meet the English Proficiency requirements can be found at this link: https://www.alberta.ca/health-care-aide-program
Human Services Professional Diploma
| English Test/Program | Minimum Required Score |
| Columbia’s Prep English course | B or 75% |
| Canadian Language Benchmarks/Milestones Test* | 8 in each strand |
| IELTS Academic* | Listening – 7.5, Reading – 6.5, Writing – 7.0, Speaking – 7.0 |
| TOEFL* | 83 |
| Columbia’s EAL820 level course | 80% and 8 in each strand |
| The ACCUPLACER English Test* |
SS-85, RC-80, WR-6+ |
| IQAS – Formal assessment | Alberta Education English Language Arts equivalents |
| Alberta Education – High School English Course | English 30-1, English 30-2 with a final mark of 60%, or equivalent |
OR: Successful completion of an Alberta Education English Language Arts course that is consistent with the specified academic admission requirements for the Career Program
OR: Successful completion of three years of full-time secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction
OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of one year of full-time post-secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction
OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of a post-secondary level English course with a minimum grade of a C (65%) or equivalent
Practical Nurse Professional Diploma Program
| English Test/Program | Minimum Required Score |
| Columbia’s Prep English course | B or 75% in both final exam and final course mark |
| Canadian Language Benchmarks/Milestones Test* | 8 in each strand |
| IELTS Academic* | Listening – 7.5, Reading – 6.5, Writing – 7.0, Speaking – 7.0 |
| TOEFL* | 92 |
| Columbia’s EAL820 level course | 80% |
| Columbia’s Benchmark Testing | 8 in each strand |
| The ACCUPLACER English Test* |
SS: 250, RC: 250, WR: 5+ |
| IQAS – Formal assessment | Alberta Education English Language Arts equivalents |
| Alberta Education High School English Course |
|
OR: Successful completion of an Alberta Education English Language Arts course that is consistent with the specified academic admission requirements for the program
OR: Successful completion of three years of full-time secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction
OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of one year of full-time post-secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction
OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of a post-secondary level English course with a minimum grade of a C (65%) or equivalent
Note: Students who submit transcripts to meet the English Language Proficiency requirement may still be required to write the Academic Assessment Test as a result of reviewing their admissions file and a formal interview with the Program Manager.
Math Proficiency Requirements
Practical Nurse Professional Diploma Program
| Math Test/Program | Minimum Required Score |
| Columbia’s MATH101 | B or 75% in both final exam and final course mark |
| Columbia’s Math 99 Assessment | All applicants must take the MATH 99 Assessment, even those who submit transcripts. |
| The ACCUPLACER Math Test | 263 |
| Alberta Education Math Course |
|
OR: Successful completion of an Alberta Education Math course that is consistent with the specified academic admission requirements for the Career Program
OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of an equivalent Math course in a College Prep or Academic Upgrading program from a recognized and accredited institution
Science Proficiency Requirements
Practical Nurse Professional Diploma Program
| Science Test/Program | Minimum Required Score |
| Alberta Education High School Biology Course | Biology 30 with minimum final mark of 60% or equivalent |
| Columbia’s BIO103 | 65% |
OR: Credit obtained for an Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, or Medical Terminology course at a post-secondary accredited institution (may be through Columbia’s College Prep program)
* In some circumstances, students may be conditionally admitted into the Practical Nurse program provided they successfully complete CPNP102 within their first two semesters.
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