On the page On this page Admissions Certificate of Achievement Courses Placement Assessment Costs Related Programs Contact On this page Admissions Certificate of Achievement Courses Placement Assessment Costs Related Programs Contact School of Business & Education Move Ahead with Your Education Academic upgrading will open doors to further education and career opportunities. With high school equivalency courses in grades 10 - 12 English, grades 11 - 12 Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, we can start you on a pathway to strengthening your skills and positioning your goals within reach. Apply Get the Green Light for Admission Applicants must be at least 18 years of age in the semester they plan to attend the program. English and Mathematics placement assessments will be required if students have: Been out of school for two or more years Received less than 60% in Alberta Education English 10-1, 20-1, 30-1 or in Alberta Education Mathematics 10C, 20-1, 30-1 Not taken courses in the Alberta Education English 10-1, 20-1, 30-1 or Mathematics 10C, 20-1, 30-1 Full Program Details Admission Requirements Practice Placement Assessments NWPeople A Focus on Physics: Shawn Miller-Chikowski What’s the first step in completing a master’s degree in physics? For Shawn Miller-Chikowski, that achievement began with academic upgrading at Northwestern Polytechnic. Shawn took a chance on turning a lifelong interest in physics into a career, and credits the courses and instructors at NWP for helping make that dream a reality. Read Shawn's Story Certificate of Achievement in Grade 12 Equivalency Students are eligible to apply for a Certificate of Achievement in Grade 12 Equivalency from Northwestern Polytechnic upon completion of four grade 12-level courses with passing grades. At least two grade 12-level courses must be completed at NWP, and an official transcript must be provided to verify courses and grades completed at other institutions. Required Courses for Graduation Successful completion of English and either mathematics or social studies. Acceptable options are listed below: English (EN0130 or EN0132) or an equivalent grade 12-level English course from another institution Mathematics (MA0130 or MA0132 or MA0133) or an equivalent grade 12-level mathematics course from another institution, or Social studies 30 or an equivalent grade 12-level social studies course from another institution is also acceptable. Successful completion of two other grade 12-level courses. Acceptable options are listed below: Biology Chemistry French Mathematics (if not used above) Physics Science Social studies (if not used above) One departmentally approved grade 12-level option, which may be a second language other than French, music, art, drama, business education, home economics, physical education, industrial education, or a departmentally approved post-secondary course If these requirements have been met, students can apply online through their myNWP accounts. Additional Information Students can enroll in Academic Upgrading courses part-time or full-time to earn high school prerequisites needed for post-secondary education at Northwestern Polytechnic or other institutions. Many students in the program do not graduate with a Grade 12 Equivalency Certificate because they continue into further post-secondary studies or enter the workforce. Eligible students would also be able to apply for the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC), which replaced the former General Education Development (GED) credential in 2024. Funding for Academic Upgrading The Foundational Learning Assistance Program (FLAP) may be able to provide grant funding to help support your educational costs. This funding does not need to be repaid if you continue to meet program eligibility requirements throughout your studies. FLAP is designed to assist eligible learners in achieving their academic and career goals. Learn More Take a Peek at What's in Store Get a taste for what your upgrading journey looks like with a sample of the high school equivalency courses we offer. All Upgrading Courses Biology Grade 11 Equivalent BI0120 The major concepts in this course include human systems (digestion, respiration, circulation, immune, excretory and motor systems); energy and matter exchange in the biosphere; population change; photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Course Specifics Chemistry Grade 11 Equivalent CH0120 Major concepts include: inorganic nomenclature; modern atomic structure, orbitals; ionic and covalent bonding, hydrogen bonding, metallic bonding, Van der Waal forces, ionization, electronegativity, VSEPR; solutions, stoichiometry, empirical formulas, percent composition, pH, molarity, equilibrium, Arrhenius acids and bases. Course Specifics English Grade 10 Equivalent EN0110 In this course, students work to improve their reading comprehension by studying various genres including short stories, drama, poetry, and nonfiction. There will be opportunities for both oral and written expression (paragraphs and essays) with a focus on mastery of punctuation, grammar and sentence construction. Course Specifics Physics Grade 11 Equivalent PC0120 The topics include: linear and two dimensional velocity, acceleration, forces; vector versus scalar quantities from mathematical and graphical perspectives; Newton's three laws of motion; equilibrium forces, incline planes; centripetal force and acceleration, Kepler's three laws of planetary motion, Newton's law of gravity; work, power kinetic, gravitational potential and conservation of energy; transverse and longitudinal waves and interference of waves, resonance and Doppler effect. Course Specifics Mathematics Grade 10-3 Equivalent MA0113 This is a modularized course which covers unit pricing and currency exchange; earning an income; measurement including surface area and volume; conversion between SI and imperial units and Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature scales; angles and parallel lines; scale drawing of polygon figures; and trigonometry of right triangles. Course Specifics Academic Upgrading Placement Assesments Review your knowledge with our handy tests below, before booking an appointment to write a placement assessment.Algebra I Algebra II Arithmetic Advanced Writing Basic Writing Sample Questions Algebra 1 If you have completed Math 10-C, take this Assessment. Educational Module Algebra 2 If you have completed 10C, 20-1/20-2, take this Assessment. Educational Module Arithmatic If you have completed Math 8 or 9, take this Assessment. Educational Module Advanced Writing If you have completed a Grade 11 English course, take this Assessment. Educational Module Basic Writing If you have completed a Grade 9 English course, take this Assessment. Educational Module Crunch the Numbers From tuition and books to housing and parking, the cost of post-secondary includes several components. Our Tuition and Fee Calculator makes it easy to see a breakdown based on your program and student type. Take the guesswork out of planning and get a clearer picture of what your NWP experience might cost. Tuition & Fee Calculator Programs That Work. Find the right fit. Here is a glimpse of the career-ready programs that await. All Programs Business Administration Certificate Build your business journey with all the fundamental... Health Care Aide Certificate Tend to your future as a caregiver in the community... Educational Assistant – Literacy Support Certificate Narrate your own career story, and nurture a fulfilling... Load more programs Find a Program That Works. We're in the business of helping you succeed. Email Us Academic Advising
Programs That Work. Find the right fit. Here is a glimpse of the career-ready programs that await. All Programs