Frequently Asked
Questions
About COPSE
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- How
many funded public institutions are there in Manitoba?
- What
is the average arts and sciences tuition at Manitoba universities?
- What
is the average tuition at Manitoba colleges?
- Does
COPSE formally recognize post-secondary programs and institutions?
- Can
I appeal to COPSE if I have a problem with the university or college
I am attending?
- Does
COPSE accredit institutions and/or academic programs?
- Who
has the authority to grant degrees in Manitoba?
- How
can I apply to the Access Program?
- How
can I be funded to go to school?
- How
can my special program be funded?
-
If I am not happy with a decision that one of the institutions
made about me/my child, or fees charged by the institutions, what
can I do? Will the Council intervene on my behalf?
- Where
can I get information on the College Expansion Initiative (CEI)?
- What
is the Co-operative Education Tax Credit (CETC)?
1. How many funded public institutions
are there in Manitoba?
There are 4 universities (the University of Manitoba, the University
of Winnipeg, Brandon University, and the Collège Universitaire
de Saint-Boniface, which includes École technique et professionnelle).
In addition, there are 2 colleges (Red River College, Assiniboine
Community College) and a university college (University College
of the North).
2. What is the average arts and
sciences tuition for Manitoba universities?
$2,943 is a weighted average of all Manitoba universities. However,
tuition fees change based on program and level. There will be no
tuition increase for 2006/07.
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3. What is the average tuition for
Manitoba colleges?
Because of the wide variation of tuition fees for college programs,
an average cannot be measured accurately. Please
contact the colleges directly for tuition fee information.
4. Does COPSE formally recognize
post-secondary programs and institutions?
The phrase "a recognized post-secondary institution"
is used by some post-secondary institutions to convey legitimacy.
Any post-secondary institution in Manitoba legally incorporated
to operate in this province, be it through public or private legislation
(often called a "Charter"), articles of incorporation,
letters patent or any other incorporating vehicle, may claim recognition.
The phrase "a recognized post-secondary institution"
is sometimes used by post-secondary institutions in various jurisdictions
to convey legitimacy. The term "recognition" or "recognized
institution" insofar as it is used to refer to a post-secondary
institution in Manitoba has no technical definition, nor is there
any "recognition process" for post-secondary institutions
in Manitoba.
However, the Province of Manitoba may acknowledge preferred status
of a post-secondary institution or program through mechanisms such
as:
- Program approval* and funding** by the Council on Post-Secondary
Education
- Designation for purposes of the Manitoba
Student Loan Program by the Manitoba Student Aid Branch
Accreditation under The Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications
Act for particular
college trades training programs for credit towards an Apprenticeship
program, and delivery of Apprenticeship courses funded by
the Apprenticeship Branch
- Ministerial approval of teacher education programs leading
to certification as a teacher in Manitoba
- Registration of private
vocational institutions with the Private Vocational Institutions
Branch
Canada
Revenue Agency, a federal government agency, also 'recognizes'
institutions for tuition tax credit purposes.
Institutions which have received acknowledgement in any of the
manners stated above are acknowledged only insofar as allowed by
that particular process. No additional status should be presumed.
Potential students are encouraged to inform themselves about the
quality of the educational programming offered by any post-secondary
institution they may consider attending. Additional information
about programs and institutions in Manitoba
can be found here.
Notes:
* COPSE approves new or significantly modified academic programs
(not including Apprenticeship) submitted by a college or university
listed in Section 1 of The Council on Post-Secondary Education Act.
The Council does not approve new or modified programs for those
institutions not listed in this Section. Program approval does not
imply accreditation, but instead grants permission for the institution
to expend public funding, often provided by COPSE at the time of
approval, for the program in question.
** Institutions that receive funding are acknowledged as providing
quality educational services deemed to be of particular benefit
to the public. Note that not all institutions receive the same level
of funding. Institutions which receive public funding through the
Council on Post-Secondary Education include:
Public Universities |
Public Colleges |
University College |
Private Institutions |
Other Institutions |
University of Manitoba |
Red River College |
University College of the North |
Canadian Mennonite University |
Winnipeg Technical College |
University of Winnipeg |
Assiniboine Community College |
|
Providence College and Seminary |
Brandon University |
École technique et professionnelle |
|
William & Catherine Booth College |
Collège Universitaire de Saint-Boniface |
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|
Steinbach Bible College |
|
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5. Can I appeal to COPSE if I have
a problem with the university or college I am attending?
COPSE has no jurisdiction over student appeals. Council is restricted
in its ability to interfere with the internal affairs of a post-secondary
institution. The Council on Post-Secondary Education Act, Section
3(2) states that, "in carrying out its mandate, the council
may not interfere with:
(a) the basic right of a university or college to formulate academic
policies and standards;
(b) the independence of a university or college in fixing standards
of admission and of graduation; or
(c) the independence of a university or college in the appointment
of staff."
Students who have concerns about their academic program or study,
applications, or other concerns should first explore all avenues
within their institution. This includes the use of student advocates,
ombudsmen, student associations, university senate appeal processes,
etc.
It would be inappropriate for COPSE or the government to involve
itself in the internal affairs of an institution as it relates to
an individual student. Often, these considerations are either specific
to an academic discipline, or are subject to rules and regulations
set out by the institution itself. Institutions are autonomous entities
that must be allowed to govern themselves.
6. Does COPSE accredit institutions
and/or academic programs?
No, COPSE does not accredit institutions or programs. COPSE does
approve new or significantly modified academic programs submitted
by a college or university in accordance with the Council on
Post-Secondary Education Act. Note that program approval does
not imply accreditation.
If a program requires accreditation, (excluding Apprenticeship)
it is the responsibility of the institution offering the program
to ensure that the program complies with the requirements of the
accrediting body, be that a professional association or other entity.
Through the Apprenticeship
Branch and under the authority of The Apprenticeship and
Trades Qualifications Act, Manitoba approves college trades
training programs where the colleges’ programs meet or exceed
the technical training requirements for apprenticeable trades in
Manitoba, as set by the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications
Board.
No institution should claim that it is accredited by the Government
of Manitoba or COPSE.
7. Who has the authority to grant
degrees in Manitoba?
In Manitoba, only those universities, colleges and other entities that are granted degree granting authority through their respective legislation, or are listed in The Degree Granting Act are able to grant degrees in Manitoba. Community colleges have the authority to grant certificates and diplomas, including advanced diplomas by virtue of The Colleges Act. Community colleges cannot offer degrees. Registered private vocational schools are governed by legislation, and are not permitted to grant degrees.
The Degree Granting Act is not a quality assurance process. In this regard, the reputation of the institution in question and the acceptance of its degrees by employers and by other post-secondary institutions are important markers of quality in a private post-secondary institution. Potential students are advised to research carefully their choices in private post-secondary institutions. The age of the institution, its affiliations with other schools, reputation and legislative/corporate status are important considerations when selecting a school. Additional information about programs and institutions in Manitoba is available online.
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8. How can I apply to the Access
Program?
The Council on Post-Secondary Education does not take applications
for Access; it funds the institutions that offer the programs. Each
institution has specific criteria for the Access program(s) that
they offer, and it is best to discuss this with them. Access programs
are offered at the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg,
Brandon University, Red River College and University College of
the North.
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9. Where can I apply for funding
to go to school?
The Council on Post-Secondary Education provides funding to post-secondary
education institutions to offer programming; it does not provide
grants or loans to individual students. However, students can apply
for government funding through the Manitoba Student Aid Program.
You can contact the Student Aid Branch at 945-6321 for more information
or you can access their online application directly through their
website.
10. How can my special program
be funded?
The Council provides funding to post secondary institutions directly
for programs that have been approved. Funding is not provided on
a program by program basis, nor is it provided to programs offered
by other educational deliverers.
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11. If I am not happy with a decision
that one of the institutions made about me/my child, or fees charged
by the institutions, what can I do? Will the Council intervene on
my behalf?
The Council is not legislated to intervene in academic or financial
matters. All institutions have appeal mechanisms that can be used
in this event.
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12. Where can I get information
on the College Expansion Initiative (CEI)?
Information on CEI
is available online.
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13. What is the Co-operative Education
Tax Credit (CETC)?
For questions regarding the Co-operative Education Tax Credit
see our link to CETC’s Q&As.
If you require additional information, please feel free to contact
us.
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