UOIT and Loyalist College announce Accounting diploma-to-degree Pathway

A new articulation agreement between The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and Loyalist College, in Belleville, Ontario will make it easier for Accounting students to earn both a diploma and a degree in four years.

The articulation agreement signed between Loyalist and UOIT will allow Accounting students to complete their two-year diploma at Loyalist, with the opportunity for direct entry to third-year degree studies in the Faculty of Business and Information Technology at UOIT.

Practising accountants require a university degree along with 30 months of relevant industry experience to qualify for the designation of Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). In Canada, several professional accounting designations are in the process of unifying under the single designation of CPA, including Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified General Accountant (CGA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

“This agreement with UOIT presents a really exciting opportunity for our students to obtain the credentials they will need to qualify for the emerging CPA professional designation,” said Loyalist College President and CEO Maureen Piercy. “Loyalist responds to industry changes so that our graduates can get the greatest return on their post-secondary investment – in this case through a very positive partnership with UOIT.”  

“We are delighted to be partnering with Loyalist to provide this new and exciting diploma-to-degree pathway for students,” said Dr. Deborah Saucier, Provost and Vice-President, Academic, University of Ontario Institute of Technology. “The articulation between Loyalist and UOIT supports our university’s commitment to providing unparalleled access to education through multiple pathways to degree completion. We look forward to continuing to build on the collaboration between our two institutions and creating a consistent, flexible and seamless system for all students.” 

“This new agreement offers students the ‘best of both worlds’ in terms of quality programming at both a college and a university,” said Jim Whiteway, Dean of Business and Continuing Education at Loyalist College. “At Loyalist they have the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experiences through Loyalist’s student-run tax clinic and a seven-week job shadow in the second year. Eligibility to the UOIT degree program is based on successful completion of a Loyalist Accounting diploma, rather than high school marks, allowing students to hone their accounting skills before pursuing their degree and starting their career as a Chartered Professional Accountant.”

“It was always in the back of my mind to study Accounting, and I’m so grateful that I started now,” said Paulina Uy, Loyalist Photojournalism graduate and first-year Accounting student, who has applied for the concurrent program. “I’m really looking forward to getting my CPA designation and a university degree. I am very excited that Loyalist has signed this deal with UOIT for a two-and-two college-university transfer. I’m really enjoying my program at Loyalist and I look forward to going straight into my third year at UOIT.”

About Loyalist College

Located on 212 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, Loyalist College is a close-knit community where students and their success come first. Internationally renowned for its enriched student learning and living experiences, Loyalist provides personalized attention in small classes, rewarding field placements and superior success services. To prepare students for in-demand careers, Loyalist offers 65 full-time programs; apprenticeships; and more than 500 online, distance and in-class courses, as well as opportunities for continuing education through more than 70 university transfer agreements. The College’s wide selection of advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates aligns with market-driven disciplines including applied sciences, biosciences, building sciences, business and management studies, health sciences, human studies, justice studies, media, arts and design, and skills and technology. In Ontario, the College’s new Digital Media Centre and the LEED^® Silver certified Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre are training centres of choice for students, as well as College business and industry partners. For more information on the College’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses, visit loyalistcollege.com.

About the University of Ontario Institute of Technology

The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) advances the discovery and application of knowledge through a technology-enriched learning environment and the delivery of innovative market-driven programs responsive to the needs of students and industry. With more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in 76 programs, UOIT promotes social engagement, fosters critical thinking and integrates outcomes-based learning experiences inside and outside the classroom. UOIT's commitment to accelerating economic growth and social innovation is realized through faculty research collaborations with leading organizations such as Ontario Power Generation, IBM, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and the Durham Regional Police Service. To find out more, please visit uoit.ca

Media contact:
Kerry Lorimer
Director, Marketing and Communications
Loyalist College
613.969.1913 ext. 2536
klorimer@loyalistc.on.ca