Academic Year:

Academic Upgrading

NorQuest College is a recognized leader in academic upgrading. We have provided upgrading and foundational training in Edmonton for nearly 40 years, and have prepared thousands of students to progress to further education or pursue more rewarding livelihoods. Whether it's improving high school marks to gain acceptance to the post-secondary program of your choice at NorQuest or another institution, supporting your return to academics to pursue a new career, or improving your literacy and foundational skills for work and life, NorQuest can get you where you need to go in our friendly, mature, and student-oriented environment.

NorQuest is an accredited high school as well as a comprehensive community institution, offering Alberta Education high school credit courses and equivalency courses. Successful completion will allow you to move forward to pursue your goals.

NorQuest's highly qualified and experienced staff will support you in achieving your specific goals by designing an individual learning plan to meet your particular needs as quickly as possible, ensuring that you understand your learning path, and providing student services and supports along the way if you require them.

  • Academic UpgradingFull-time (FT), Part-time (PT), Online

    NorQuest College offers high school courses that follow the Alberta Education curriculum and high school equivalency courses accepted by Alberta and Canadian universities and colleges.

    These courses prepare you to continue on to post-secondary studies at NorQuest or another college, technical institute or university and increase your job opportunities. Each student receives a skills and prior learning assessment and an individual learning plan to reach your specific goals.

    Academic Upgrading courses are also available through eCampusAlberta.

    eCampus courses are available online and have multiple start dates. Visit our eCampusAlberta page for more information or to register. If you choose to take eCampus courses, you do not need to apply for admission.

    Before you apply for Academic Upgrading...

    This easy Academic Upgrading application checklist (PDF) will help ensure you have everything you need to make the application process go smoothly and quickly.

  • Continuing Education for Academic UpgradingPart-time (PT), Online

    NorQuest College offers pre-high school (grade 9) courses, high school credit courses, and prep courses for entry to MacEwan University during evenings and online to allow you to balance work and life commitments with your upgrading needs. Many courses accept students on a continuous basis, so you do not have to wait to start.

  • Foundations for LearningOnline

    NorQuest College has partnered with community adult learning programs to offer college preparatory programming in Albertan communities. The program is focused on building laddering opportunities that allow rural learners to obtain college credits and transfer into post- secondary programming.

    We will assess your skills and prior learning so that you begin at the level that is right for you. Qualified staff will help you design an individual learning plan to meet your specific needs and ensure that you understand your educational path.

    Students are led through learning materials by qualified instructors. Learning resources are available online at any time. Tutorial support is available to students at their local community adult learning program (CALP).

    Find a CALP near you

    Note: These courses are delivered via eCampusAlberta. Each course is $150 plus fees and books.

    To register, select the courses you would like to take, then visit www.eCampusAlberta.ca.

  • Literacy and Essential Skills PathwaysFull-time (FT), Part-time (PT)

    This program prepares foundational learners to move into employment training programs, further upgrading, or work experience-essential skills certification. Tailored to your career goals, current skill sets, and progress, the Literacy and Essential Skills Pathways program focuses on individual learning plans. You will explore career possibilities and work on improving your essential skills in reading, document use, numeracy, writing, oral communication, working with others, thinking, digital technologies, and continuous learning, as they apply to your career path.

    Students enter Pathways Preparation (Term 1) for four months of career and personal portfolio building to prepare for their individual “pathway.”

    In Term 2, pathways consist of one of the six choices outlined in the chart (see Program Details). All but the Community Programming pathway are offered through NorQuest College.

     

  • Youth In TransitionFull-time (FT)

    This full-time program focuses on increasing academic and personal communication skills for ESL (English as a second language) youth, ages 17 to 25, who wish to transition into an adult learning post-secondary environment. The curriculum and projects are high interest and fast-paced.

  • Aboriginal Studies 20
    Study Aboriginal people from a Canadian and Alberta perspective. Expand your knowledge of policies, legislation, conflict, and cultural change. The four themes covered are “The Métis: Conflict and Cultural Change,” “Treaties and Cultural Change,” “Legislation, Policies, and Cultural Change,” and “Schooling and Cultural Change.” The course will follow the Alberta Education program of studies.
  • Aboriginal Studies 30
    Study contemporary Native history and the ways in which Native society takes part in and is influenced by contemporary Canadian and world politics and commerce. Explore the development of pre-contact First Nation societies and Native self-government. Learn about world colonization and its effects on the world's Indigenous peoples.
  • Academic ScienceOnline
    Strengthen your knowledge of the core areas in science. Develop problem-solving and decision-making skills. Learn key concepts in biology and chemistry.
  • Biology 030Online
    Study cell division, molecular biology, genetics, population dynamics, reproduction and development, and the nervous and endocrine systems. Examine the effects of technology on humans.
  • Biology 20Online
    The major science themes developed in this course are diversity, energy, equilibrium, matter and systems. The major concepts allow connections to be drawn among the seven units of the course.
  • Chemistry 030Online
    Study thermochemical changes, electrochemical changes, organic chemistry, acids, bases, and equilibrium
  • Chemistry 20Online
    The major science themes developed in this course are matter, change, systems, and diversity. The major concepts allow connections to be drawn among the four units of the course.
  • Chemistry 30
    Study thermochemical changes, electrochemical changes, organic chemistry, acids, bases, and equilibrium. Prepare to write the provincial diploma exam.
  • Computer StudiesOnline
    Develop basic computer and keyboarding skills. Learn the fundamentals of Windows, Word, Excel, the Internet, and email. Create and format Word documents and work with spreadsheets in Excel. Search the Internet for information, and use email to send and receive messages.
  • Computer Writing
    Enhance your writing skills by organizing and developing your thoughts and ideas using the computer. Learn keyboarding, basic word processing, and editing techniques to assist you in the writing process.  Learn the writing process, from coming up with and organizing ideas, writing paragraphs and essays to the final revision and editing stage of writing.
  • English 030-1Online
    Build on the knowledge you gained in English 10-1 and English 20-1 by studying short stories, non-fiction, poetry, drama, a novel, film, and media. Write essays analyzing the universal themes used in literature. Represent ideas visually or through class presentations.
  • English 030-2Online
    Write paragraphs, essays, business letters, and speeches. Study a novel, short stories, poetry, drama, media, and a feature film. Present your ideas visually. Make class presentations.
  • English 089
    Prepare to write college-level assignments by reviewing and practising paragraph and essay development. Practise writing effective compositions. Improve your understanding of sentence construction, punctuation, and basic mechanics. Prerequisite: Placement test or a permission letter from MacEwan College
  • English Language Arts 10-1Online
    Analyze short stories, poetry, drama, a novel, non-fiction, and a feature film. Use a step-by-step writing process to write personal and literary journals, paragraphs, essays, poetry, and scripts. Represent ideas visually or through class presentations. Learn editing and revising skills. Respond to literature using art, collages, music, or compositions. Improve your reading and writing skills in preparation for English 20-1.
  • English Language Arts 10-2Online
    Write paragraphs, personal essays, and business letters. Learn how to edit and revise your writing. Read a variety of literary forms. Practise your communication skills and critical thinking skills. Represent ideas visually or through class presentations. Improve your reading and writing skills in preparation for English 20-2.
  • English Language Arts 20-1Online
    Build the foundations of literary theory, style appreciation, and analytical skills that are needed for English 30-1. Analyze short stories, drama, poetry, non-fiction, a novel, a feature film, and media. Create essays and reports. Represent ideas visually or through class presentations.
  • English Language Arts 20-2Online
    Continue studying the types of literature including short stories, novels, plays, and poetry. Learn to write expository, persuasive, and personal paragraphs and essays. Represent ideas visually or through class presentations. Study literature as well as cartoons, illustrations, and a feature film. Evaluate media, including advertising and propaganda. Develop communications skills. Improve your reading and writing skills in preparation for English 30-2.
  • English Preparation with an Aboriginal Focus FoundationsOnline
    Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format allows students to improve their literacy skills in order to advance their education, employability skills, and career potential. Reading comprehension, writing skills, and basic interpretation skills are developed so that students are better prepared to transition into high school-level humanities courses.  The course materials will include Aboriginal perspectives. Participants will study works by Aboriginal authors and engage in discussions that are respectful and reflective of an Aboriginal perspective. Successful completion of this course allows progression to English Preparations or Humanities Prep.
  • English Reading EssentialsOnline
    In this course, students will develop essential reading skills, as well as some of the other skills and competencies set out in Alberta Education’s English Language Arts curriculum.  This course introduces students to the main areas of study in the English Language Arts. It provides a foundation for further academic studies by integrating the skills, competencies, and strategies needed for successful learning.
  • English Reading Essentials: Aboriginal Perspectives
    Improve your understanding of parts of speech, grammar, and writing. Enhance your reading comprehension and speed while exploring strategies and improving your ability to retain information. Focus on literature by Aboriginal authors.
  • English Writing EssentialsOnline
    In this course, students will develop foundational writing skills, as well as some of the other skills and competencies set out in Alberta Education’s English Language Arts curriculum.  This course introduces students to the main areas of study in the English Language Arts. It provides a foundation for further academic studies by integrating the skills, competencies, and strategies needed for successful learning.
  • ESL Intermediate Listening and Speaking FoundationsOnline
    Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format will help English language learners improve their listening and speaking skills. In this class, the students will gain confidence and competency in listening and speaking through the use of high-interest content. Intermediate-level grammar vocabulary and pronunciation strategies will be taught.
  • ESL Intermediate Reading and Writing FoundationsOnline
    Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format will help English language learners improve their reading and writing skills. In this class, the students will gain confidence and competency in reading and writing through the use of high-interest content. Intermediate-level grammar points and vocabulary will be taught.
  • Essential Math Flex
    This is a whole numbers course. Concepts covered include whole number addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and place value.
  • Essential Mathematics FoundationsOnline
    Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format allows students to study mathematics concepts related to whole numbers. Topics include whole number addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and place value. Successful completion of this course allows students to progress to Pre-Algebra.
  • Essential Skills Foundations
    Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format allows students functioning at GE 5–7 (CLB 4 and 5) to improve their essential skills for future upgrading and learning, the workplace, and the community.  Working with soft and specific essential skills, as defined by Human Resources Skills Development Canada, the course covers reading, document use, numeracy, writing, and computer use.
  • GED Prep
    Brush up on writing, literature, science, social studies, and math. You will receive instruction in basic math and geometry, essay writing, and grammar and reading.
  • GED Preparation FoundationsOnline
    Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format allows students to learn strategies to prepare for writing the GED exam. Students focus on developing and improving their writing, reading, science, social studies, and math skills. Students also practise various GED assessment tests to help them feel more comfortable in a timed testing environment.
  • High School Math Prep FoundationsOnline
    Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format allows students to study the basic algebra skills required for high school mathematics courses. Topics include number systems, rational numbers, algebraic expressions and equations, problem solving, exponent laws, geometry and measurement. Successful completion of this course allows students to progress to Math 10C.
  • High School Prep Math Flex
    Prepare for Mathematics 10C. Topics include number systems, exponent laws, solving linear equations, word problems, polynomials (operations), measurement, and a unit on shape and space.
  • Humanities PrepOnline
    This course will advance student skills and knowledge in the main areas of study in the English Language Arts. The course continues to build a foundation for academic studies at the high school level, as students develop some of the skills and competencies set out in Alberta Education’s English Language Arts curriculum.
  • Humanities Prep Flex
    Improve your reading and writing skills as you prepare for English Language Arts 10-1, 10-2, 20-1, 20-2, Reading 089 or English 089. Increase your word attack skills, reading speed, and research and analytical skills. Enhance your sentence, paragraph, and essay-writing skills using the five-step writing process. Improve your spelling, grammar, and vocabulary. Learn through individual, group, teacher-directed, and computer-assisted instruction.
  • Humanities Preparation FoundationsOnline
    Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format allows students to improve their literacy skills in order to advance their education, employability skills, and career potential. Reading comprehension, writing skills, and basic interpretation skills are developed so that students are better prepared to transition into high school level humanities courses. Successful completion of this course allows progression to English 10.
  • Math 030-1Online
    The Mathematics -1 route is designed to prepare students for post-secondary programs that require advanced math skills or calculus. Topics include trigonometry, transformations, and exponential, logarithmic, polynomial, and radical functions and equations, along with permutations, combinations, and the binomial theorem.
  • Math 030-2Online
    The Mathematics -2 route is designed to prepare students for diverse post-secondary programs in health, arts, business, and technologies. Topics include logical reasoning, probability, fundamental counting principle, and rational, trigonometric, polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions and equations.
  • Math 089
    Acquire the mathematical skills you need for college-level math courses. Study simple algebra and equations, measurement, and percents. Review whole numbers, fractions, decimals, ratio, percent, and proportions. Study measurement and simple algebra and equations. Prerequisite: Placement test or a letter from MacEwan College.
  • Mathematics 10COnline
    Mathematics 10-C is the introductory course for high school mathematics. Topics include measurement, trigonometry, polynomial factoring, exponents, and relations and functions. This course prepares students to enter the -1 and -2 sequences of high school mathematics.
  • Mathematics 31Online
    Study calculus and prepare for engineering or science-related programs at university or technical institutes. Work with functions, secants, tangents, derivatives, limits, curve sketching, anti-derivatives, areas, and integrals.
  • Physics 030Online
    Master concepts related to momentum and impulse, electromagnetic radiation, and forces.
  • Physics 20Online
    The major science themes developed in this course are change, energy, equilibrium, and systems. The major concepts allow connections to be drawn among the four units of the course.
  • Physics 30
    Master concepts related to momentum and impulse, electromagnetic radiation, forces, and atomic physics. Prepare to write the provincial diploma exam.
  • Pre-Algebra Flex
    Learn the basics of ratios and proportions, percents, measurement, and graphing to prepare for academic math. This course includes signed numbers, equations, ratio, percent, proportion, and measurement.
  • Pre-Algebra FoundationsOnline
    Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format allows students to develop the mathematics skills they need for algebra-based courses. Topics include integers, signed fractions and decimals, ratios, proportions, and measurement. This course prepares students for further math studies in Apprenticeship , GED, and High School Math Preparation.
  • Prep for Practical Nurse Math
    This online math course is designed for learners planning to enter the Practical Nurse program. The course focuses on the math skills students need to be successful in the PN program and the health-care workplace.
  • Prep for Practical Nurse Math FoundationsOnline
    Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format assists students to prepare for entry into health-related diploma programs. Students focus on developing the math skills they need to be successful in the PN program and the health-care workplace.  Successful completion of the course gives students the mathematics prerequisite needed for entry into the Practical Nurse Diploma program at NorQuest College.
  • Pre-Trades Math and Science
    Develop your practical math skills to the level required for Alberta apprenticeship. Learn the science skills you need to prepare for the technical instruction required in any trade. Prepare for the Trades Entrance Examinations levels 1-4.
  • Pre-Trades Math and Science Preparation FoundationsOnline
    Delivered in partnership with community centres, this flexible learning format allows students to focus on developing the math and science skills they need to pass the apprenticeship exam. Students will also practise simulated trade exams to help them feel more comfortable in a timed testing environment.
  • Reading 089
    Increase your reading skills by practising skimming and scanning strategies, increasing your speed and comprehension, and developing effective inference and generalization techniques. Prerequisite: Placement test or a letter from MacEwan College
  • Reading Enhancement
    If you have difficulty recognizing words, this course is for you. Learn how to recognize and pronounce words so that you can become a better reader.
  • Science 10Online
    Develop the attitudes, skills, and knowledge common to all sciences. Learn the key concepts of energy, matter, and change within the contexts of biology, chemistry, and physics.
  • Social Studies 030-1Online
    Examine theories of politics and economics in democracy, socialism, capitalism, and fascism. Study European history since 1919 and the influence of Europe on the rest of the world. Research current affairs.
  • Social Studies 030-2Online
    Write essays providing specific examples that support generalizations and explain issues. Use news magazines to access information about current affairs.
  • Social Studies 20-1Online
    Explore multiple perspectives on the origins and influence of nationalism on regional, international, and global relations. Gain the necessary skills to progress to Social Studies 30-1
  • Social Studies 20-2Online
    Explore multiple perspectives on the origins and influence of nationalism on regional, international, and global relations. Gain the necessary skills to progress to Social Studies 30-2.
  • Social Studies 30-1
    Examine theories of politics and economics in democracy, socialism, capitalism, and fascism. Study European history since 1919 and the influence of Europe on the rest of the world. Research current affairs. Prepare to write the provincial diploma examination.
  • Social Studies 30-2
    Write essays providing specific examples that support generalizations and explain issues. Use news magazines to access information about current affairs. Prepare to write the provincial diploma examination.
  • Strategic ReadingOnline
    Improve your reading comprehension and speed. Learn strategies to improve your understanding of what you read and your ability to retain information.