Formal Requests

Certificates

It is your responsibility to request a certificate from the department co-ordinator once you have completed all the requirements. To request a certificate, follow these steps:

1. Before you request a certificate, you must have already applied and received permission for any course exemptions or PLAR credits. Together, course exemptions and PLAR credits cannot be used to meet more than 50% (or the percentage noted in the certificate description) of a certificate's requirements.
2. You must request a certificate in writing. Complete a Certificate Request, which is available at the Student Service Centres and online. Alternatively, you can provide a letter/email that includes your student ID number, your date of birth, your full legal name and address, your home and business phone numbers, your main email address, the name of the certificate you completed and your signature. (Certificates obtained at the college can only be issued in the name that exists in your student record.)
3. Submit your request to the department responsible for your certificate (refer to Department Requirements and Contact Information).

The co-ordinator will check your student records to ensure you have met the certificate requirements. If there are issues with your request, you will be contacted by phone or email.

Note: Allow about six weeks for your request to be processed.

Course Exemptions

You may be exempted from a specific course in a certificate or diploma if you have completed an equivalent course at another accredited post-secondary educational institution. To request a course exemption, follow these steps:

1. Ensure that the course for which you wish to get credit meets the department requirements. (For detailed requirements, refer to Department Requirements and Contact Information.)
2. You must apply for a course exemption in writing. Complete an Application for Course Exemption, which is available at the Student Service Centres and online. Alternatively, you can provide a letter/email that includes your student ID number; your date of birth; your full legal name and address; your home and business phone numbers; your main email address; the name of the certificate/designation or diploma you are pursuing; the course code, name and CRN of the course from which you wish to be exempted; details about the equivalent course you completed; and your signature.
3. Attach a copy of the transcript and/or grade report for the equivalent course you have taken.
4. Attach a copy of the course outline for the equivalent course. (Course outlines include details about course content, course outcomes and credit hours.)
5. Submit your request (with supporting documents) to the department responsible for the George Brown course from which you wish to be exempted (refer to Department Requirements and Contact Information).

If your exemption is granted, your grade in the exempted course will be EX, and the course will be excluded from your GPA calculation.

Note: Allow about six weeks for your request to be processed.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) gives you the chance to obtain credit for one or more courses in a certificate or diploma by demonstrating that you have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge through your work experience or related volunteer work. Some certificates or diplomas may also require you to complete a challenge exam. Please note that not every course qualifies for PLAR. To apply for PLAR, you must be at least 19 years old or have a secondary school diploma. To request PLAR, follow these steps:

1. You must apply for PLAR in writing. Complete an Application for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), which is available at the Student Service Centres and online. Alternatively, you can provide a letter/email that includes your student ID number; your date of birth; your full legal name and address; your home and business phone numbers; your main email address; the course code, name and CRN of the course(s) from which you wish to be exempted; and your signature.
2. Attach your letter(s) of reference/portfolio.
3. Attach the processing fee. (There is an administrative fee per course for processing your request. The amount for the 2012–13 academic year is $109.20 per course.) Please note that the employee discount cannot be applied to PLAR.
4. Submit your request (with supporting documents) to the department responsible for the course for which you wish to receive PLAR (refer to Department Requirements and Contact Information).

If your credit is granted, you will receive a grade for the course based on your portfolio and/or challenge exam.

Replacement Certificates and Diplomas

• If it is lost, stolen or destroyed, the college will replace your certificate or diploma for a $40 administrative fee. (Personal cheques are not accepted.) Multiple copies of credentials will not be provided.
• You must request a replacement certificate or diploma in writing. Complete a Credential Replacement Request, which is available online. Alternatively, you can provide a letter that includes the reason for the request, your full legal name (as it was while you were at George Brown College), your student ID number, the years you attended, your home and business telephone numbers, the years you attended, your home and business telephone numbers, the address to which you would like the document issued and your signature. (Certificates and diplomas obtained at the college can only be issued in the name that exists in your student record.)
• You can mail your request and payment to this address:
  

  Academic Records
  George Brown College
  P.O. Box 1015, Station B
  Toronto, Ontario
  M5T 2T9

  Alternatively, you can bring your request and payment in person to a Student Service Centre.

Note: Allow three weeks for your request to be processed.

Transcripts

• A transcript is a complete record of the grades you earned while attending George Brown College. The College will provide copies of your official transcript for an administrative fee of $10 per copy. Personal cheques are not accepted.
• You must request a transcript in writing. Complete a Transcript Request, which is available from the Student Service Centres or online. Alternatively, you can provide a letter that includes your full legal name (as it was while you were at George Brown College), your student ID number, the years you attended, your home and business telephone numbers, your email address, the number of copies required, the address to which you would like the document issued and your signature.
• You can mail your request and payment to this address:
  

  Academic Records
  George Brown College
  P.O. Box 1015, Station B
  Toronto, Ontario
  M5T 2T9

  Alternatively, if you attended George Brown College after May 1995, you can obtain your transcript in person from a Student Service Centre. Please ensure that you bring proper photo identification (e.g., driver's licence). Transcripts from prior to May 1995 can only be mailed.

• If you need a transcript sent to an Ontario post-secondary institution, the college can send it electronically. Please make your request using the Ontario College Application System (OCAS) or the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC).