In general, certificates offered by
the School of Continuing Studies are composed of 10 courses. Some
programs, however, have corequisite and prerequisite courses that must be
completed by the student in order for them to obtain their certificate, diploma, or graduate certificate.
Students who believe that they have taken the equivalent of one or more
of the corequisites to the program, or one or more of the prerequisite courses
that are not part of the program to which they have applied, may take an
Exemption by Examination test for eligible programs as deemed by the Department.
Students who have failed any of the corequisite courses to the program, or any of the prerequisite courses that are not part of the program to which they have applied, are not eligible to take the Exemption by Examination test for the course(s) that they have failed.
The Exemption by Examination test is intended for students who do not
have the requisite academic background required, but who believe that they have
the requisite level of knowledge needed. Students who successfully pass the Exemption by Examination test(s) with a minimum grade of 55%, with the exception of CMSC 000 which requires a minimum passing grade of 65%, will not have to take the course(s) for which the test(s) was taken. Those who fail the Exemption by Examination test(s) will
not be permitted to repeat the test(s); instead, they must enrol in the
course(s) for which the particular test was taken. Students will be notified in
writing of their test results.
Test results are valid for one academic year.
Students may register for the Exemption by Examination test on the following website: mcgill.ca/continuingstudies/recognition-prior-learning. There is a non-refundable application fee (payable by credit card) due at the time of registration. Students interested in a list of courses for which the Exemption by Examination test applies should refer to the website.
For further details on the Exemption by Examination test and dates, students
should contact
the School of Continuing Studies.
Note: The School of Continuing Studies reserves the right to reschedule test dates and
to revise the application fee without prior notice.