Preparing for the Professions

Whether you are planning to pursue your education in areas such as law, medicine, education, or nursing, or you plan to enter a professional association or institute, Open Acadia offers online and classroom courses that can:

• help you meet the entrance requirements of many professional programs; or
• lead to professional designations in many industries.

Professional Programs

Acadia recognizes that many students have a long term plan of continuing their education in areas such as medicine, education, law, nursing or various other professional paths. Many of our online courses can help you meet the entrance requirements of the program you plan to apply to. More information on the professional programs that Acadia courses can help you prepare for can be found here.

Professional Designations

Acadia University’s courses are recognized as transfer credits by many professional associations and institutes. For the most up-to-date information regarding the courses you need for accreditation, please contact the association or institute directly. There may be other organizations that also recognize Acadia courses (or that would readily do so if asked) – so, check with the association or institute directly.

Atlantic School of Chartered Accountancy

Candidates entering the Atlantic School of Chartered Accountancy (ASCA) program are awarded exemptions from the School's required 16 courses, depending on their previous study.

Certified General Accountants Association of Nova Scotia

The Certified General Accountants (CGA) Program is comprised of the Foundation Studies, Advanced Studies and the Professional Applications and Competence Evaluations (PACE) Level. The Foundation and Advanced Studies can be completed through CGA Nova Scotia or by Transfer Credits, either in whole or in part. The PACE Level includes four (4) national examinations that must be completed through CGA Nova Scotia.

Certifified Management Accountants Canada

CMA Canada provides professional development programs in a variety of areas to help today's business professionals expand their management skills and knowledge. If your university degree specializes in accounting, you likely have all (or most) of the CMA prerequisite business topics. For information on becoming a CMA visit the CMA-NS website.

Canadian Payroll Association

The Canadian Payroll Association (CPA) delivers certification, professional development programs, and products and services that enable payroll practitioners to enhance operations, meet new legislative requirements and utilize emerging technologies. The CPA accepts several Acadia University courses as transfer credits.

Credit Institute of Canada

The Credit Institute of Canada recognizes several courses from Acadia’s School of Business and Department of Economics as transfer credits for their designation of Certified Credit Professional (CPP).