Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) - Financial Services
2022/23 | Conestoga College
Program Code: 1551C
Business
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
This is a companion document to the current Conestoga College Student Guide
COVID-19 and Academic Program Delivery
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Conestoga academic plans and decisions will continue to evolve to reflect the advice of public health authorities. Please consult the COVID-19 Information page for the most up-to-date information on college protocols.
Expectations regarding course delivery, participation, and assessments will be communicated by your faculty member at the start of the semester and included in the instructional plan.
Program technology requirements are posted on the program web page. Students in hybrid delivery courses will require a device, webcam functionality, and reliable Internet access.
Program Handbook Introduction
The purpose of this handbook is to provide students with program-specific details and other important information. The material in this handbook is accurate at the date of posting and is applicable for the current academic year. Students will be informed of handbook changes that occur, if any, through college email. Program handbooks are updated yearly, and students must check their program handbook for the current edition.
This handbook must be read in conjunction with general information about Conestoga College found on the website and in the Student Guide. The information in the Student Guide and on the college website applies to all students, regardless of program.
The Student Guide provides details regarding Student Services, Safety and Security, Student Rights and Responsibilities and more.
If there are any questions or concerns regarding the content in this handbook, please contact the School of Business, at businessschool@conestogac.on.ca.
We wish you all the best in your studies!
The Dean's Welcome
Welcome to the School of Business! You're on your way to a successful career as a business professional.
As one of Ontario's premier business schools, Conestoga's School of Business provides a high-quality educational and student experience, preparing our graduates to become leaders in their chosen fields. We offer many options to complete, expand or specialize your education in a variety of business disciplines, through full-time or part-time, online and in-person programs.
The world of business evolves rapidly, as do our programs. Our curricula extend beyond basic business acumen and theory to include ample opportunities for applied learning and skills development that prepare graduates for today's job market and career advancement. Our faculty have extensive industry experience to help you acquire the valuable hands-on experience you need to succeed.
What you do here…counts out there – and what you do in our School will prepare you for an exciting future as a business professional.
Sincerely,
Michelle Grimes, Dean
School of Business
Conestoga College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Program Staff Contact Information
Michael Zonta
mzonta@conestogac.on.ca
Doon Campus
Program Manager
Joe Varamo
jvaramo@conestogac.on.ca
Doon Campus
In addition, other faculty will work with students for the duration of this program. (i.e faculty from other schools for breadth and/or general education courses, as well as faculty with particular expertise in specific areas of program focus). Contact information for faculty will typically be provided by the individual Professor on the first day of the related course.
Program Support Team
Student Success Advisors
Student Success Portal
Doon Campus
Placement/Co-op Officer
Co-operative Education Office
Doon Campus
Program Information
Program Overview
Financial service providers cultivate strong relationships with clients by understanding their needs, evaluating the risks, and offering custom-designed solutions to meet their financial goals.The Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) – Financial Services degree program provides the opportunity to develop necessary planning competencies, professional skills, and required technical knowledge needed for a career in financial services. This four-year program, delivered at the honours level, offers a clear pathway to many successful and exciting career opportunities in banking, insurance, investment management, and estate and financial planning. You will learn through a combination of active learning approaches, which include group work, major individual case analyses, multiple projects requiring industry engagement, and meetings with industry professionals outside of the college. By the mid-point of this program, the faculty team ensures you will be ready to begin your preferred major – either in financial planning or property and casualty insurance. Whichever major you choose, you will encounter a blend of extensive technical analyses and opportunities to develop your professional ‘soft’ skills. You will apply and further refine your program-related skills and abilities through an 8-month, paid, full-time co-op work-term situated between third and fourth year. The program curriculum is aligned with the body of knowledge and course requirements (in whole or in part) for a number of professional licenses. As a successful graduate of the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) – Financial Services degree program, you will meet the pre-requisite conditions to challenge professional examinations and/or receive advanced standing into the following licenses/designations:
- Personal Financial Planner (PFP) granted by the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI)
- Qualified Associate Financial Planner (QAFP) granted by Financial Planning Canada (FP Canada)
- FP Canada’s Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP)
- Additional licenses for insurance and securities
Current Program Design
Students can find their program design on the Student Portal by following the steps below:
- Log in to Student Portal
- Click on 'My Courses' tab
- Select 'View Progress Report' button
Courses are listed by level/semester. Please be aware that General Education electives are listed at the bottom of the student's progress report and indicate the specific level/semester in which they are to be completed.
Interdisciplinary Electives
Students are required to complete interdisciplinary elective courses. Interdisciplinary elective requirements are listed at the bottom of the progress report, which is found on the Student Portal under My Courses. The progress report indicates the level/semester in which the course must be taken. Students are responsible for adding interdisciplinary electives into their schedule for the designated semester. Eligible courses are posted each semester by the School of Interdisciplinary Studies on the College's elective website. For more information and to view the current elective course offerings, visit https://www.conestogac.on.ca/electives/degree. Questions regarding interdisciplinary electives can be directed to the School of Interdisciplinary Studies: genedfaq@conestogac.on.ca.
Degree Minors
Conestoga College's degree students may be able to apply their interdisciplinary electives toward a minor within their degree program. A minor acknowledges additional learning within a specific discipline that a student achieves while completing their degree. A minor can help recognize the additional interests a student may have and can help differentiate a job seeker from their competitors. Successful completion of a minor will be identified on the student's official transcript.
For more information, please click here: https://www.conestogac.on.ca/electives/degree/minors.
Program Learning Outcomes
The following program learning outcomes identify what students will know and learn by the end of their program:- Integrate advanced concepts from the major disciplines related to, and supporting, the financial services industry including accounting, marketing, economics, and information technology in order to propose financial solutions.
- Integrate a client's needs with set goals and objectives to create comprehensive financial solutions.
- Outline the function, structure, and role of the financial services industry to provide evidence of its value in business and society.
- Evaluate products within the financial services industry based on analysis of the clients’ needs.
- Demonstrate effective interpersonal communication and public speaking skills in order to establish and maintain positive industry relationships.
- Make informed business decisions using knowledge of the legal systems and legislation affecting the financial services industry.
- Create suitable strategies to meet a client’s financial goals, objectives and insurance needs.
- Evaluate the factors affecting the acceptance and underwriting of insurance.
- Create retirement and estate strategies or insurance programs to advise and guide the client through the planning process.
- Use technology to facilitate essential business tasks like client or business presentations, written communication, and data processing and analysis through the use of spreadsheets.
- Apply marketing and sales techniques to enhance client relationships and business development opportunities.
- Integrate the ethical, legal, and professional standards within the financial services industry within professional practice.
Program Expectations
Expectation 1
A student entering year 1 must successfully complete all courses including three co-op work terms. This is a graduation requirement. Students will pay co-op fees for all three opportunities.Expectation 2
A student is expected to apply theory and skills in an ethical, competent and professional manner in accordance with the level identified in the course learning outcomes.Expectation 3
A significant amount of group work is required in this program. Individual students are expected to be full participants in, and contributors to, each group-based project/assignment within the program coursework. Individual students who fail to meet this expectation without documented extenuating circumstances may receive a failing grade in the project/assignment. Guidelines will be provided outlining the requirements of group work by individual faculty members. Expectations will vary among faculty members, and students are expected to ask questions if they are not clear. Marks may be adjusted by the faculty member for group members if, for example, a peer evaluation was completed by all members or if members were to indicate their work/contributions through the course eConestoga site.Expectation 4
Honesty and integrity form the basis of trusting relationships here at school and in life in general. They are also a cornerstone of respect. Everyone must interact with each other in complete honesty and with a high level of integrity.Expectation 5
Assignments are due by the date and time specified in the Instructional Plan. No late submissions will be accepted unless eligible under the missed evaluation policy or under exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the instructor.Co-operative Education
The academic requirements to be eligible for a co-op work term in a degree program are as follows:
- Minimum 65% session weighted average in the eligibility term two academic semesters prior to any co-op work term.
- Maximum two failures or withdrawals during the academic semester that occurs in the eligibility term two academic semesters prior to any co-op work term.
- Must have successfully completed all but two core courses, according to the program design, by the eligibility term prior to any given work term (regardless of the level the student was placed in advanced standing).
- Students (even those on special timetables) will not be permitted to complete a co-op work term until conditions above are met and all but two core course deficiencies, according to the program design, are cleared.
- Co-op work terms may need to be re-sequenced to allow academic deficiencies to be cleared or in the event a student changes cohorts (i.e. graduation is delayed by one year or more). Students may not repeat a passed work term.
- Should a student's academic performance decline considerably (including cumulative missed courses) during the term just prior to any work term, the college reserves the right to withdraw the student from the upcoming work term.
- In the case of back to back work terms eligibility to participate in consecutive work terms will be granted upon approval to participate in the initial work term.
- Where two or more work terms occur back to back, should a student fail to achieve academic eligibility for the first work term, their eligibility for the second work term will be based on the term that occurs two terms prior to the second work term.
Students in degree programs may only fail/defer each work term in their program design once.
To participate in a co-op work term, students must:
- Successfully complete the Co-op and Career Preparation modules (CEPR/CDEV71050). Students who fail Co-op and Career Preparation will not be permitted to search for co-op employment nor will they be able to participate in a co-op work term. Students who fail Co-op and Career Preparation more than twice will not be permitted to continue in their co-op program (exceptions may be granted for degrees).
- Be enrolled full-time (full-time = 70% of the hours, or 66 2/3 % of the courses in the current session/level of the Program Design.) Exceptions will apply to those students who have been granted special timetabling based on formal identification of barriers or challenges for which accommodation is required. Academic eligibility requirements must still be met prior to being granted access to seek a co-op work term.
- Must have successfully completed all but two core courses, according to the program design, by the eligibility term prior to any given work term (regardless of the level the student was placed in advanced standing).
- Students (even those on special timetables) will not be permitted to complete a co-op work term until conditions above are met and all but two core course deficiencies, according to the program design, are cleared.
- Co-op work terms may need to be re-sequenced to allow academic deficiencies to be cleared or in the event a student changes cohorts (i.e. graduation is delayed by one year or more). Students may not repeat a passed work term.
- Should a student's academic performance decline considerably (including cumulative missed courses) during the term just prior to any work term, the college reserves the right to withdraw the student from the upcoming work term.
- Meet program specific co-op work term eligibility requirements.
For additional information please refer to the Co-operative Education Regulations & Guidelines: Student Regulations, Procedures & Supports found by:
- Login to MyCareer
- Select Co-op
- Select Co-op Resources
- Select Co-op Policies
- Select Co-operative Education Regulations, Procedures & Supports for Students
Please Note:
- Co-op programs add value to your education. Earn money while you apply what you've learned in a real workplace environment. Visit Co-operative Education for more information.
- The College cannot guarantee co-op employment. All co-op students are required to conduct an independent co-op job search in addition to the supports and services provided by the Department of Co-op Education.
- Students are responsible for their own transportation and associated costs in order to complete work term requirements. Work locations may not always be readily accessible by public transportation.
- In order to participate in a WIL experience/Co-op work term, students must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
- Students who are not eligible for co-op or do not secure the first work term by the start of the work term semester will be offered the option to enrol in the 15 credit Career Management in Canada GCM70000 co-op alternative. This co-op alternative involves guided activities involving approximately 3 hours of time per week and additional project work.
- If GCM70000 is selected, students cannot transfer back into the co-op stream and cannot complete a co-op term for their first work term.
- GCM70000 is delivered online.
- GCM70000 is only an alternative for the first co-op work term of the program, students will still complete at least one mandatory co-op work term if they choose GCM70000.
Required Supplies and Texts
Please see course outlines and instructional plans for details on course supplies and textbooks. Please also ensure that you have a computer that meets the appropriate Program Device Requirements, available at the Program Device Requirements webpage.
Required supplies, textbooks and other materials for a course are listed on the course outline. Students are responsible for purchasing other supplies, etexts or hard-copy texts as required by the course. Get your personalized booklist through the Conestoga College Bookstore.
Program Advisory Committees (PACs)
Program Advisory Committees (PACs) provide the necessary link between Conestoga and the community it serves. PACs operate in an advisory capacity to Conestoga administration with the objective to keep Conestoga responsive to current and future workforce needs, trends or opportunities in industry and the marketplace.
All post-secondary education programs of study at Conestoga, both full-time and part-time, which lead to an employment related credential, or are approved by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU), will be associated with a PAC, with the exception of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. For any program not leading to an employment related credential, such as foundation programs, PACs are optional.
At the beginning of each year, the coordinator(s) of the program will ask for student volunteers. The coordinator(s) will select which student(s) will represent the program at PAC. Student attendees are important members of the PAC and are expected to be present at all meetings and are responsible for preparing and submitting a report based on guidelines provided by the program coordinator.
Students who participate in PACs will receive credit on their Co-Curricular Record (CCR) . Your CCR is an official document, complementary to your academic transcript, which recognizes and records learning that you have achieved through approved Co-curricular experiences at Conestoga.
Conestoga 101
The Student Engagement Department is here to help you transition to the Conestoga College experience, connect with your community, and build your skills.
Start your college experience by completing Conestoga 101 (CON0101) on eConestoga, a mandatory course for all new full-time students that will take you approximately one hour to complete. CON0101 provides an overview of the supports, services, and opportunities available to you throughout your time at Conestoga. Make sure you complete it early on in the term, as it contains valuable information that will help you transition to Conestoga.
Pathways and Articulation Agreements Opportunities
Credit Transfer, Pathways & PLAR
Conestoga recognizes you may have formal post-secondary education that may allow you to enter a program at an advanced level or provide for individual course exemptions. To ensure your credits are eligible for transfer, please contact our Credit Transfer Office at: credittransfer@conestogac.on.ca.
The Credit Transfer Policy and Procedure are available on the college website.
For more information, visit the Credit Transfer webpage and the PLAR webpage.
If you are currently a Conestoga student and want to continue studying at Conestoga, there are a number of different pathway opportunities available to you.
Whether you wish to transfer to another program or apply to a new program after graduation, Conestoga has established pathways, to help you meet your goals.
Conestoga College has articulation agreements with many domestic and international institutions. These agreements allow students to transfer into a specific program with advanced standing. Students must meet the academic requirements stated in the agreement.
For more information regarding pathways at Conestoga, contact the Credit Transfer Officer at 519-748-5220 ext. 2166.
Attendance Responsibilities
Managing Stress
Attending post-secondary and completing studies can be exciting, but at the same demanding. Juggling school and life will no doubt be stressful at times. Stress is a normal aspect of life. How you handle stress can make a difference. If you're feeling overwhelmed at any time, talking to someone helps! A conversation with your Faculty or Program Coordinator can help identify and alleviate stress associated with assignments or course content. For more serious stress-related issues, Conestoga also offers free counseling services to students.
If your stress is caused by health issues that are getting in the way of your academics, notify Faculty, and seek help as soon as possible.
College Email Communication Requirements
Conestoga College student email accounts are used for all official communication with students. All students and Faculty are assigned a Conestoga e-mail account. Students are expected to regularly check their student email accounts.
Faculty and staff are only expected to communicate through your educational/professional profile as it relates to a specific course project and or assignment. All official course information is to be communicated through the use of Conestoga College e-mail.
If you experience issues accessing your college email, please visit the IT support page for assistance.
Attendance Responsibilities
Attendance Requirements
Lectures, labs and the interaction that happens in the classroom, whether on campus or online, are the most important source of the knowledge that will allow you to succeed in the program and, eventually, in your career. The course texts and lecture slides that may be shared with students constitute only a fraction of the learning that is made available in this program. Attendance in all classes is strongly recommended and is required for completion of any in-class assessments.
Attendance at scheduled tests and exams is mandatory. Failure to attend will result in an automatic F grade on the test or exam, unless the absence is:
- Due to a medical illness, with completion of reporting the absence on the Student Portal
- Due to an accident, with submission of a police report
- Due to a death in the immediate family, with a copy of the death certificate required.
The faculty member must be immediately notified and the proper documentation must be presented prior to the start of the next meeting of the class where required. Please see
the Attendance At Evaluations Section for more details.
Classroom Information
Practices within a Course
Student Responsibilities
- Attend and participate in lectures, presentations, group work, field trips or other activities related to the course/program.
- Adhere to all deadlines for assessed items, and write final exams as indicated on the schedule posted on the college webpage.
- Submit coursework in the requested format, described by the faculty member in the rubrics or guidelines, by the specified deadline.
- Report absences for class and/or assessments in advance, and provide documentation when required
- Advise faculty of circumstances that would prevent the completion of assessments, prior to the deadline, and provide documentation as required.
- Review notes and materials in eConestoga for any missed classes or lessons.
- Fully disclose and completely reference all sources used in submitted course assessments and uphold the College's Academic Integrity requirements.
- Use and monitor Conestoga email to communicate with faculty, not personal email or eConestoga, unless directed otherwise by faculty. Ensure all emails sent to other students, faculty, or staff are written in professional business language. Abusive/inappropriate language will not be tolerated.
- Practice professionalism with peers, faculty, College employees, employers and others.
Faculty Responsibilities
- Provide to students at the start of each course an instructional plan, which indicates the due dates for all assessed items (assignments, tests, exams, case studies, presentations etc.), the respective weighting of each item toward the student's final grade and late submission rules.
- Return assessed items promptly and review with students – generally, students are not able to retain their tests/examinations/assignments and should review thoroughly at this time. It is the responsibility of the student to ask any questions regarding the assignment with the faculty member outside class time if required.
- Respond to student requests for consultations to discuss performance or questions in respect to their coursework and assessed items.
- Respond to student emails/voicemails within 48 hours.
- Ensure course outcomes are covered in the assessment method.
Grading
Students can access interim grades throughout the semester on eConestoga. Final grades are submitted by faculty, approved by the Chair and posted on the Student Portal within 3-5 business days after the final examination.
The following grading system will be employed by faculty in reporting student achievement to the registrar's office. Specific programs/courses may require different minimum standards of achievement.
The following applies to School of Business course grading:
- The minimum passing grade for degree courses is 60%, unless otherwise indicated on the course outline.
- If a course has additional certification requirements outside of the college then the student must adhere to the passing grade for that certification.
- If a course is repeated, the most recent grade will be used to compute the program GPA. However, both grades will show on the student's academic transcript.
- If the first course taken is a failure and the same course is repeated and it is also a failure, only the most recent failure will be used in the calculation of their GPA.
- Students who are permitted to complete supplemental work in a course will receive a maximum grade of 60%, if the supplemental is passed. If the supplemental is not passed, the failing grade will be retained.
Course Outlines
Course outlines state the learning outcomes that will be covered during the course. Details about the evaluation method, the weighting of assessments, and any other specific criteria required to successfully complete the course are also listed on the course outline. Students are responsible for reviewing the outline and the requirements to pass each individual course. Evaluation requirements vary from course to course. The passing grade and specific course stipulations are listed under the evaluation section of the course outline.
Course outlines are available on the Student Portal and posted on
eConestoga. Students are required to review the course outline to acquire the correct resources/textbooks (i.e. edition, volume, etc.).
Instructional Plans
Instructional plans will be provided to students on eConestoga. All assessment dates and deadlines will be posted on the instructional plan, including assignments, tests/quizzes, midterms, presentations, etc. This information acts as a guide to the course and will include a course schedule, which may be subject to change by faculty. Students are expected to review these documents, in coordination with the course outline, on a regular basis and note all key dates and deliverables.
Recording Devices
Students are not permitted to record lectures or take pictures without the consent of faculty and/or students. Content from the course is not to be posted on any external websites unless posted by faculty.
Students who are registered with Accessibility Services and have accommodations approved for recording lectures are permitted to do so with the faculty's knowledge.
Electronic Translator Use
The use of an electronic translator is prohibited.
What is Academic Integrity?
Having academic integrity means acting fairly and honestly when engaging in academic activities.
By having and applying an Academic Offences Policy and Procedure, Conestoga ensures graduates complete their studies fairly and honestly through hard work and dedication, and thus are well-prepared for their future careers.
Copyright at Conestoga
Conestoga facilitates access to print, media, and electronic resources to support and enrich learning, teaching, and research in compliance with the following:
- Canadian Copyright Act
- Fair Dealing
- Conestoga Copyright Policy
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is submitting or presenting work of another person(s)/organization in whole or substantial part as one's own without proper citation and referencing.
Research
Some courses have a research component, which may be college-based and/or in a host organization. Research must adhere to the highest level of ethical standards and is a reflection of Conestoga College. Faculty will provide more information relevant to the research requirements in the course. For further details regarding required citing and referencing, please contact Library Services.
Written Assignments
Students are required to submit all written assignments on or before the specified due date as listed on the Instructional Plan. Failure to meet the deadline will have academic consequences. Faculty will advise students of their late submission rules on their Instructional Plan.
Students who anticipate a problem that requires an extension on an assignment must contact faculty in advance of the due date to determine if there is an extension opportunity. Please note that contacting faculty in advance of a due date does not guarantee that a student will receive an extension.
Unless otherwise specified by faculty, assignments must:
- be in the format specified by the faculty member
- include references in the correct required format
Co-op assignments/reports must be completed according to the standards sheet provided and within the allocated time unless other arrangements have been made with the Co-op Advisor.
Assessments - Late Submissions
Each faculty member will inform students of their guidelines for submitting assessments and any late submission rules in their Instructional Plan. It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of the course requirements for each of their courses. If an extension of time is required, the student must make the request to the appropriate faculty member in advance of the due date. Approval of the request is at the discretion of the faculty member.
Extra Credit
There are no extra credit assignments permitted in this program.
Academic Concerns During a Course
If a student has a concern regarding an assignment, lab, midterm, final exam, etc., the student must first meet with the faculty to discuss the situation. In cases where a satisfactory outcome is not achieved by the student, the student can contact a student success advisor Student
Success Portal (conestogac.on.ca) . If further action is recommended by the student success advisor, a meeting will be arranged with the Chair. Please note that formal academic appeals for assessments (worth 25% or greater) must be made within five business days of a grade being posted.
Appeal
A student who wishes to appeal an academic decision, such as a final course grade or discontinuance from the program should refer to the Academic Dispute and Resolution Policy and Procedure.
Student Representation – Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI)
Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI) and Conestoga agree that a student has the right to invite a member of CSI to a student and/or faculty meeting provided that 24 hours advance notice is given to faculty. This advance notice will ensure that all parties will have an opportunity to adequately prepare for the meeting.
Exam Information
Examination Procedures
Final examinations are usually held in the last week (Monday-Saturday) of all semesters. For in-person exams, the final exam schedule is posted on the college website approximately one month prior to the start of exam week
Students are responsible for checking the School of Business exam schedule for dates, times, and room locations of their exams. It is strongly recommended that students double-check the schedule the week before exams begin for possible room or date changes. Students must be available during the entire examination schedule. Failure to attend an exam, without prior notification and valid documentation as required, may result in a grade of zero, (0%).
For online exams, please consult with course faculty for further details.
Faculty will review testing and exam expectations with students ahead of the test or exam date. Full-time students should be prepared to present their OneCard for identification; part-time students may show any form of government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, etc.).
Accommodations are made for students registered with Accessibility Services. Faculty reserve the right to request special accommodations for students, if required. For further information regarding Accessibility Services, please contact them directly.
Missed Examinations
All tests and examinations must be written on the dates and at the times scheduled. It is recommended that students plan ahead and ensure they are available during Week 15 for examinations. Students who miss tests or examinations will automatically be given a grade of zero, unless they have provided prior notification and valid documentation as required for their absence. Scheduling of employment or vacations are not valid reasons to permit a student to write at an alternate time. Please see Attendance at Evaluations section for more information.
Examination Conflicts/Alternative Exam Dates
An examination conflict is when two exams are scheduled at the same time on the same day or with less than one hour in between two different exams. If this occurs, than one exam will be moved to the alternative exam date, which typically occurs on the Monday immediately following Exam Week.
In the event of an exam conflict, students must:
- Contact both faculty by email to arrange an alternate time for one of the two exams.
- The alternative exam time must be arranged prior to the start of the exam week.
- It is the student's choice as to which exam will be written on the alternate exam date.
Bad Weather Conditions and Testing
If the college is closed due to extreme weather, all assessments to be administered during a regularly scheduled class will be postponed until the next class.
If the college is closed in an examination week, the exams scheduled for that day will be added to the end of the examination schedule, which will be extended by an additional day.
Students who cannot travel to the college due to extreme weather (e.g. travel advisories or road closures) in their local area are responsible for notifying their faculty of their inability to write on the day of the assessment in advance, or as soon as possible. Please refer to the Attendance at Evaluations section for more details. Students must record their absence through the Student Portal and email faculty. Students who fail to provide notice will receive a grade of zero. Students must make arrangements to write the assessment immediately upon their return to the college.
Notice of college closure will be posted on the college website by 6:00 a.m. Notice of cancellation of evening classes, will be posted on the website by 3:00 p.m. (see College/Campus Closure Practice in the Student Guide for more information).
The safety of our college community is a top priority. Conestoga College services a large area and it is recognized that conditions can vary widely within the region. Always exercise good judgement with respect to travelling during extreme weather, based on individual circumstances. Public transportation, where appropriate, may be the safest option.
For online exams, please consult with course faculty, as campus closures may not affect scheduled exams.
Supplemental Opportunities
Supplemental work is an opportunity for a student to clear a failing grade. Course outlines state if a course is eligible for a supplemental assessment opportunity. Not all courses qualify for supplemental work.
Students must meet the mandatory conditions listed below to be eligible. Supplemental opportunities must be registered with the College; fees may apply.
Students who successfully complete supplemental work will have their final grade changed to the passing grade for the course, as stated on the course outline.
Students who do not successfully complete the supplemental work will retain their original failing grade. Students will have to pay to retake the course to achieve a passing grade.
Supplemental Work
Within seven days after the final grade for a course is posted, supplemental opportunities are administered by the School of Business faculty. This may vary for the fall semester due to the winter break.Mandatory Conditions for Supplemental Work
Students must be currently registered in the course and meet the following conditions:
A student who is unsuccessful in one course in the final semester of their program who is:
- one course short from graduate status
- and their final grade is 50% or more in the failed course
- and the course is not offered in the following semester
Then a student can enquire with their faculty if there is an option for them to access a supplemental opportunity. Supplemental opportunities will be at the discretion of the School of Business.
For more information visit the College Policies, Procedures, Practices and Guidelines webpage then click on the Academic Administration side tab and search for the document entitled Clearance of Academic Deficiency.
Academic Information
Timetable Information
Students within the School of Business have the ability to access their timetable through the Student Portal. Students are able to add or drop courses, provided the course fits into their timetable, and there is space in the section they wish to join. The School has the right to maintain control over section sizes, class times and the room locations.
Students who wish to adjust their timetables for personal reasons (employment, family obligations, etc.) can do so themselves, if the courses/sections are available.
Timetabling assistance is available for adjusting timetables for academic requirements -Student Success Portal (conestogac.on.ca). If a student is able to make the required changes on their own, they do not need to contact a student success advisor.
To support physical distancing on campus, full-time courses at Conestoga may be delivered Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Full-time day students have access to all courses scheduled during the day that are part of their program design. Students do not have access to Continuing Education, OntarioLearn, or other courses outside of their program design. If a student wants to take one of these courses, they will be required to pay the fee for those courses, which is over and above their regular daytime tuition fees.
Prearranged Timetables
Students registered into a School of Business degree program are provided with a prearranged conflict-free timetable. These timetables are created based on a variety of factors such as section sizes, number of sections created, room availability, etc. with limited opportunity for adjusting timetables for any personal requirement.
Students who attempt to alter their original timetable on their own incur the responsibility of losing their seat in a required course. Students must drop a course section before they can add a different section to their timetable. However, once a student drops a particular course section, the dropped section will be made available to other students to select, which may result in the course registration closing for that section. When a course is full, the student will no longer be able to access space in that course. If there are no other sections available in that course and the student cannot get back into the dropped section, they will be unable to take that course in that semester. It is always best to consult with the Program Coordinator or a Student Success Advisor before dropping any courses.
Program block changes are also available in some programs, if there is space within the block the student wishes to join. Course sections and blocks that are full are not accessible to students.
Academic Dates
It is the student's responsibility to be aware of various important academic dates throughout the year. These academic dates are posted on the college website.
Please note that Continuing Education courses and Apprenticeship programs may have different start dates and exam dates for courses.
Course Add/Drop
Students may add/drop courses through the student portal when timetables are made available - if their program allows it. If a student is unable to make course change(s) through the student portal, then the student must meet with their program co-ordinator, who will determine whether the Course Change Request Form on the student portal, is required. Additional assistance can be accessed by connecting with a Student Success Advisor via the Student Success Portal or by contacting the School of Business, at businessschool@conestogac.on.ca.Students who are on Academic Probation may have additional restrictions placed on course registration/enrollment. Please refer to the program coordinator and/or the student success advisor with any questions.
By adding/dropping courses, the student's status (full-time/part-time) may be affected. For students receiving financial aid, a status change may affect the student's entitlement. (It is the student's responsibility to consult with Student Financial Services for clarification.)
- The Course Change Request Form (available on the student portal) must be completed and submitted on-line through the student portal.
- The student can meet with the program co-ordinator or student success advisor to discuss course load. This process needs to be completed by the deadline dates for the session. See Academic Dates.
- Requests for adding a course will be processed only if space is available in the section requested, applicable pre-requisites are met and no timetable conflicts exist.
Note: A course may be repeated in the case of a failure or to improve competency or upgrade a mark. However, the original mark remains on the student record.
Academic Standing Decision and Promotion
A student's academic achievement is based on the promotion guidelines established by the program. An academic standing decision is assigned by the Program Coordinator to the student record indicating progress, promotion, probation, discontinuation or graduation. These decisions are made at the end of each academic semester until the program is completed. The Program Coordinator and/or Student Success Advisors are available to discuss academic standing, progress planning, and eligibility to graduate.
A student who has previously withdrawn from the program (de-registered), upon re-application to the program will be placed in the appropriate level for the current program design. This can result in additional courses required for completion in the current program design.
Student Timetabling Assistance
Students who are out of sync with their program design may require assistance in planning and selecting courses for their next semester in order to meet program requirements. Some courses are a pre-requisite for a subsequent course. Student Success Advisors are available throughout the academic year to meet with students to review their course and program options. Please book an appointment via the Student Success Portal for assistance.
Promotion
Promotion is the advancement of a student from one level of their program to the next level. This ensures that specific program objectives have been achieved.The Promotion Committee is composed of the Chair of the Program or designate, the Program Coordinator and the faculty team members for that particular semester.
The Promotion Committee will determine each students promotion from the following:
- Continuation/advancement to the next level
- Complete supplemental work (Independent Study or Supplemental Exam) for course failures (see Mandatory Conditions for Supplemental Work)
- Repeat the course at the earliest opportunity
- Placed on academic probation
- Discontinuance from the program with a possibility of re-entry
- Discontinuance from the program with no possibility of re-entry
- Recommendation to move to a different program
- Graduation
Promotion Decisions
- A student with a program term weighted average greater than or equal to 60% with two or less failed and/or dropped courses will be promoted to the next level.
- A student with a program term weighted average greater than or equal to 60% with more than two failed and/or dropped courses will be placed on probation.
- A student with a program term weighted average less than 60% will be placed on probation or be discontinued according to the program standards.
Consequences of being discontinued:
- The student will be discontinued from the program immediately and all full-time course enrolment will cease.
- The student is permitted to take a maximum of three courses per term on a part-time basis. These courses can only be failed courses, dropped courses or Gen Ed electives.
- The student can re-apply to the program only after clearing all the failed/dropped courses. The student will be required to pay an application fee and will be moved to the current program design.
- The academic record for the student will indicate that the student has been discontinued from the program
- A student who has been discontinued twice will not be able to return to the program.
Clearance of Failed Courses
A student can work towards correcting failed course(s) by retaking those courses as soon as possible. Students may be able to sign up and take one or more failed courses at an additional fee. Please consult with the Program Coordinator and/or a Student Success Advisor for an academic plan to clear failed courses.
Notes:
A Gen Ed elective may be cleared by passing another Gen Ed elective.
A Program Option (in years 3 and 4) may be cleared by passing another Program Option.
A non Gen Ed course that is no longer part of the program design can be cleared by passing another pre-approved business-related course.
Withdrawal from Program
Withdrawal from a program can be completed by filling out a withdrawal form and submitting it to the registrar's office. It is advised that a student meet with their Coordinator and/or Student Success Advisor prior to submitting the form. Deadlines for withdrawing from a program, with/without an academic penalty or with/without a refund, are posted on the Student Portal, under the 'My Courses' tab. Students must hover their mouse over the calendar icon beside the course to see the start/end date and the drop/refund deadlines. Baccalaureate Degree Program Policy
Refer to the college website Baccalaureate Degree Promotion and Graduation Procedure for specific information regarding this procedure.
These policies are defined to meet the requirements of the Post-secondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB). Should the Board revise its requirements these college policies will be reviewed. In addition, changes may be made due to decisions made by Conestoga's Degree Management Committee. Any changes will be reflected in this web document, by email from the Program Coordinator or students will be advised during the program orientation.
Procedure Elaboration:
- Graduation from a Baccalaureate Degree program requires a minimum program weighted average of 60% and completion of all courses and modules including the required co-op work terms and second language requirement.
- For programs with a Foundation Module, the requirement for passing the Foundation Module is successful attainment of the course outcomes (Pass).
- In degree programs where there is the opportunity for eligible students to bridge/transfer into an upper year of the program and where bridging modules/courses are an entrance requirement to the upper years of the program, students must successfully complete the bridging modules/courses to be admitted into the upper years of the degree. Definition of successful completion, either as a percentage or a Pass, is determined by the respective schools.
- The minimum passing grade for a course is 60%.
Graduation
To graduate from the program students must complete all courses within their program design and the specified co-op work terms. The program must be completed within seven (7) years of its start (refer to the
Baccalaureate Degree Promotion and Graduation Procedure). A leave of absence must be approved by the Program Coordinator.
Students who wish to take time off from their program with the intention of returning must have prior approval from the Program Coordinator. Approval is required for leave of absence requests greater than two weeks. If a student takes time off without approval readmission will be contingent on seat availability. Graduation requirements may change during the student's absence.
College-wide Policies and Procedures
Student Protection Acknowledgement
A Student Protection Acknowledgement confirmation pop-up will appear when a student logs into the Student Portal on a yearly basis. This will direct students to policies and procedures relevant to their academic responsibilities. All Conestoga College wide academic policies and procedures are listed on the college website under "About Conestoga", "Policies and Procedures".
Students are advised to review and comply with all policies and procedures, including the following:- Academic Dispute and Resolution Policy & Procedure
- Academic Offences Policy & Procedure
- Clearance of Academic Deficiency Policy & Procedure
- Convocation Procedure
- Co-operative Education Policy
- Discontinuance Procedure
- Evaluation of Student Learning Policy & Procedure
- Grading Procedure
- Program and Course Withdrawal and Refund Procedure/International Student Withdrawal and Refund Procedure
- Readmission Procedure
- Religious Holiday Policy & Procedure
- Student Expectations for Online Engagement
- Student Feedback Policy
- Student Fees Policy & Student Fee Invoicing and Payment Procedure
- Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy & Procedure
Students must follow all of the policies and procedures for Conestoga College and it is expected that faculty will accept, fulfil and enforce these standards.
Student Feedback
Student Feedback
Student feedback is an essential component of our continuous improvement process. Our opportunities for student feedback include:
Key Performance Indicators
All college programs in the province are evaluated using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). This Student Experience Survey is conducted each academic year in select classes. Strategic goals to improve the programs are developed from these results. This data and other data specific to the campus and the program/school are collected so that Conestoga College can continually improve quality.
Student Appraisal of Teaching (SAT)
The Student Appraisal of Teaching (SAT) allows direct feedback from students on teaching for a particular course. Completion of the SAT forms give teachers and academic managers valuable information to use for the improvement of teaching at Conestoga.
The SAT process has two components: the Early Course Check-in and Full-SAT. The Early Course Check-in is 5 questions, occurs during week 10 of classes and provides early feedback to faculty about the student experience within their classroom. The Full-SAT is 43 questions and occurs late in the semester; a summary of the results goes to the faculty member and their academic manager. Typically, about one-quarter of the faculty is appraised per term. All full-time faculty have a SAT review at least once every two years. Part-time faculty may be reviewed more frequently. Continuing Education students may have an opportunity to complete a SAT form during their Continuing Education course.
Academic Delivery Plan and College Hours
Academic Delivery Plan Fall 2022
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Conestoga has developed an academic delivery plan for the Fall 2022 semester. The safety and well-being of our college community remains our highest priority. Our academic plans and decisions continue to be based on the advice of public health authorities.
Back on campus
We look forward to continuing to welcome students back in person and on campus for the fall term. There are three ways in which programs will be delivered:
Hybrid: You will be required to attend in-person classes at your assigned campus. Most class hours will be delivered in person, with a few hours delivered remote/online.
On campus: You will be required to attend in-person classes at your assigned campus. All class hours will be delivered in person.
Remote: Remote programs will be delivered fully online. There will be no in-person classes.
Details regarding classes and delivery formats will be provided in your program schedule (timetable).
College Hours
Full-time courses at Conestoga are typically delivered Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. *
Web-based Tools
Program courses may use web-based services with data centres outside of Canada. Students may be expected to complete assessments where information is transmitted outside of Canada. Students who do not wish to submit their information to other countries have the right to opt-out. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor if they, in the first week of term or at the time assignment details are provided, wish to submit an alternate assignment.
Course examinations may be administered through a remote proctoring service to assure academic integrity. Ensure that you meet the system requirements that will allow the recording of your computer screen, webcam, and microphone.
Attendance at Evaluations
Working Together to Plan Your Success
Your success matters! As an emerging professional, it is important that you demonstrate the same professional attitude to your program that you will be required to demonstrate to your future workplace. Regular, punctual attendance, and active participation in scheduled classes, field and clinical placements, labs and any on-campus and off-campus activities scheduled by your program will help you to understand and master the learning complexities of your program.
If extenuating, unplanned circumstances require you to miss a class, please note that it is your responsibility to follow up with individual faculty members and to acquire any missed information.
Attendance for Evaluations
Evaluations are critical components of each course and your overall success in your program. An evaluation is defined as a test, exam, presentation or any other formal assessment that contributes to your course mark that requires your presence, in class or on-line. Please note that in many programs across the College, every field placement, clinical day, and lab/shop day is considered crucial to your overall learning and success and the expectation is that you attend. If you are in a program that includes field or clinical placements, labs/shops, or any other on or off campus activities, it is essential that you discuss attendance requirements with your program faculty in order to understand expectations and consequences.
Your attendance for all evaluations is a requirement. If there is a concerning pattern of absence from evaluations across your program, you may be asked to meet with the Program Coordinator and/or Student Advisor to discuss strategies for success.
While circumstances such as religious holidays and academic accommodations may necessitate rescheduling of evaluations and will be accommodated, please note that there will be no special arrangements made for rescheduling evaluations due to personal conflicts such as work or vacation plans.
In order to facilitate a smooth implementation for all scheduled evaluations, both you and your program faculty have responsibilities which are listed below:
Faculty Responsibilities
- To communicate all course obligations to you at the beginning of each semester through the Instructional Plan, including evaluation and presentation dates.
- To communicate, in writing, any unplanned extenuating circumstances involving the college, the program or the faculty members that may require changes to the course schedule.
- To provide alternative evaluation arrangements for missed evaluations/work due to recognized religious holidays as defined by the College Employer Council and documented accommodations through the Accessibility Office.
- To accept alternative evaluation requests in good faith and examine based on the unique circumstances and students' individual needs.
- To facilitate alternative evaluation arrangements as described below.
Student Responsibilities
- To be informed about all course obligations and due dates.
- To inform your faculty member in writing of the need to reschedule evaluations due to a religious holiday as defined by the College Employer Council.
- If you have to be absent from any scheduled evaluation, report your absence on the Student Portal using the procedure below. You must do this prior to the start of the evaluation or risk receiving a mark of zero.
How to Report Absences on the Student Portal
- Log into the Student Portal and click on the 'Absence tab'.
- Indicate whether or not there is an assessment scheduled on that day by clicking 'Yes or No', as well as the reason for the absence (illness or other).
- Click 'Continue' to report the absence.
- Click 'I agree' to confirm the absence.
- You will receive a confirmation email that your absence has been recorded.
Important! Please note the following:
- The earliest you can record an absence for a particular day, is after 8:00 p.m. the day before. You must report each day you are absent.
- The Absence Recording System will show you as being absent for the day, starting from the time that you recorded the absence. For example, if you record your absence on a specific day at 11:00 a.m., the system will show you as being absent for all classes starting after 11:00 a.m. that day.
- If you are going to be present for any other classes on the day for which you recorded an absence, please let the faculty member know by attending or following up by eConestoga or college email.
- When you return to campus, make eConestoga or email contact immediately with the faculty member associated with the evaluation you missed in order to arrange appropriate follow up.
Valid Absence from Scheduled Evaluations
Conestoga recognizes that unexpected circumstances, such as brief illness, do arise during the term. As a visit to a health practitioner may not be necessary or possible, we do not ask you to provide a doctor's note except in exceptional circumstances. If you are absent from a scheduled evaluation, you must:
A. Report the Absence on the Student Portal prior to scheduled class time: See the Student Responsibilities section above.
B. Make Alternative Evaluation Arrangements
i. Reach out to your professor to ask how the evaluation will be made up. Your professor will determine alternative evaluation arrangements as appropriate.
Reasons for Absence
Illness
If a student is suffering from any condition that would impair their ability to perform their academic work or the nature of the health issue would also place other students/employees at risk, it is generally recommended that the student take a day or several days off until the illness is resolved.
Compassionate Leave
Request for leaves of absence to attend to family illness, death or family problems are usually granted. These requests will be submitted to faculty who will consult with the Program Coordinator/Chair if necessary.
Jury Duty
Any student who receives a summons for jury duty must submit the document to their respective faculty as soon as possible. The faculty will consult with the Chair to determine what arrangements can be made to have the student excused from submission of assignments, if such duty interferes with the progress in the program. Students may also be required to engage in activities in the evening or weekends using eConestoga.
Religious Holidays
Students are permitted by Conestoga policy to be absent from class to observe a recognized religious holiday. The student must seek accommodation for religious observances in writing within the first three weeks of the semester and prior to the date of assessment that falls on the religious holiday. Exceptions based on extenuating circumstances must be approved by the Chair.
Other Absence(s)
Student absence(s) must be supported by formal, original documentation.
Awards
Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries
Conestoga has more than 400 awards, bursaries, scholarships and academic grants available to Conestoga students. These funds are made available to students through the partnerships Conestoga has established with local business and industry leaders.
Students must complete and submit the online General Application if they wish to be considered for an award, scholarship or bursary for which they meet the criteria. If students require assistance or detailed information while completing the online application, please contact Student Financial Services for assistance.
In addition, the School of Business hosts an annual award ceremony in April. This event recognizes the award winners from various Business programs. The awards ceremony gives students an opportunity to network with various donors and to celebrate their accomplishments. Further details regarding this annual event will be provided to students through their college email.
Accommodation Disclaimer
Conestoga's Accessible Learning services provide support for students with permanent and temporary disabilities who feel they are encountering barriers to learning. They work with students to understand the impact of a disability in the college environment and will help develop a success plan that considers student goals and required academic accommodations. Accessible Learning will also communicate necessary accommodations to professors on behalf of the student.
To consult with an Accessibility Advisor about accommodations please make an appointment by emailing accessibility@conestogac.on.ca or calling 519-748-5220 ext. 3232.
Exceptions for non-accessibility focused issues need to be consulted on with your professor. Final approval for exceptions unrelated to academic accommodations rests with the program chair.
Program Handbook Revision Log
Revision Date
- July 2022