Program Overview

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General Arts and Science – General Certificate

Overview

The General Arts and Science – General Certificate pathway is designed to be as flexible or focused as you want it to be, allowing you to discover what interests you by exploring various areas of study while earning credits transferable towards future post-secondary programs.

Credential

Ontario College Certificate

Location

Oshawa

OCAS Code

GASC

Next Intake

September 2025

Faculty

Faculty of Liberal Studies (LS)

Length

Two semesters

Laptop

Learn more about laptop requirements

Delivery

Hybrid Learn more.

Program Highlights

• Success Stories
• Resources

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.

Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.

DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:

• Grade 12 Math (MAP4C equivalent)
• Grade 12 English (ENG4C equivalent)
• Grade 11 Biology (SBI3C equivalent)
• Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4C equivalent)

Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.

Tuition

• Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
• Year one international: $15,309 (CAD)

View full costs

Semester 1 Courses

• Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
• Introduction to Computer Applications (COMP 1701)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• Foundations for Academic Success (PREP 1100)

View all courses

Career Options

As a graduate, you may use your newly acquired and refined skillset to pursue employment opportunities or to further your studies in another diploma, advanced diploma, or degree program. Some General Arts and Science courses are also transferable to other post-secondary programs. Please visit to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

View all career options

Program Details

Choice. Flexibility. The General Arts & Science (GASC) pathway gives you both! As flexible or focused as you want it to be, this eight-month (two-semester) certificate helps you adjust to post-secondary life while exploring various areas of study to determine your career goals – all while earning credits transferable towards future post-secondary programs!

Students choose seven electives from a wide variety of General Education courses or from selected courses in six different diploma programs including Behavioural Science Technician, Police Foundations and more (click here to learn more). In addition, students complete core courses in Communications, Computers, and Mathematics while further developing skills like time management, problem solving, communication and critical thinking.

Many course credits earned in the General Arts and Science program are transferable to diploma programs at Durham College, allowing you to lighten your course load in future semesters. Some credits may also be transferable to other post-secondary programs and General Arts and Science graduates may qualify for admission to and/or advanced standing at a university or another college.

How do we support student success? As one of our General Arts and Science (GAS) students, you will benefit from the opportunity to connect one-on-one with your program coordinator as well as your student advisor, as well as taking part in GAS events each semester. Take advantage of the individualized academic planning assistance available through your student advisor to help chart your path forward. Feel free to reach out to with any questions or to arrange a meeting, either virtual or in-person.

PLEASE NOTE:

1. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their advisor for individual academic planning assistance before selecting their courses.
2. Successful completion of the GASC certificate does not guarantee admission into another post-secondary program.
3. Educational institutions determine their own admission requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure that the courses taken meet those admission requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Design ongoing strategies and plans for personal, academic and career development.
2. Acquire specific academic skills which are needed for success in a future program of studies.
3. Develop, through general knowledge gained in a wide range of subjects, insight into both self and society.
4. Extend flexibility and clarity of both thought and expression in order to increase communications competence to a level required by business and industry.
5. Understand and utilize critical thinking processes and problem solving techniques
6. Examine and evaluate various aspects of our changing society to assist in developing a sense of personal and social responsibility as a citizen in society.

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.

Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.

DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:

• Grade 12 Math (MAP4C equivalent)
• Grade 12 English (ENG4C equivalent)
• Grade 11 Biology (SBI3C equivalent)
• Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4C equivalent)

Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.

Courses

The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.

GASC lets you explore your interests with seven electives chosen from our extensive selection of General Education courses or (new for 2023/2024) from six DC diploma programs. Learn more.

SEMESTER 1

• Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
• Introduction to Computer Applications (COMP 1701)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• Foundations for Academic Success (PREP 1100)

SEMESTER 2

• Academic Writing for Success Strategies (COMM 2715)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• Applied Mathematics (MATH 1310)

Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.

Course delivery

Hybrid

The rest of the coursework will be delivered using hybrid, flexible or online formats. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.

In person:

Course is delivered in person, on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.

Hybrid:

Part of the course is delivered online, remotely, and part is in-person on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.

Online:

Fully remote course delivery.

Costs

The fees below are estimates only based on information available at the time of publication, and do not include the cost of textbooks. There may be additional costs; however, not all courses require textbooks.

Finances shouldn’t be a barrier to you achieving your educational goals. DC’s Financial Aid and Awards office is here to help you navigate a number of financial aid programs to support your education.

Residency

Canadian Citizen or Permanent ResidentInternational

Started Academic Year In

FallWinterSpring

General Arts and Science - General Certificate Year 1 Costs

Semester 1 | | Tuition: | $1,361.02
---|---
Program Fee: | $0
Ancillary Fee: | $493.77
DCSA Ancillary Fee: | $430
Total: |$2,284.79

Semester 2 | | Tuition: | $1,361.02
---|---
Program Fee: | $0
Ancillary Fee: | $493.77
DCSA Ancillary Fee: | $120
Total: |$1,974.79

Career Options

As a graduate, you may use your newly acquired and refined skillset to pursue employment opportunities or to further your studies in another diploma, advanced diploma, or degree program. Some General Arts and Science courses are also transferable to other post-secondary programs. Please visit to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:

• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) with a major in Liberal Studies - Ontario Tech University
• Transfer to the Bachelor of Arts - University of Guelph
• Bachelor of Arts (Multiple programs within the Social Sciences) - McMaster University

Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.

Tech Requirements

To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.

Processor : i3RAM : 4GBStorage : 256GB SSDOperating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1Internet Browser : Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
Network Adapter : 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapterCamera: **Webcam/** built-in camera
Internet connection

Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk or the school office.

Technology Recommendations

To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.

Processor : i3RAM : 4GBStorage : 256GB SSDOperating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1Internet Browser : Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
Network Adapter : 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapterCamera: **Webcam/** built-in camera
Internet connection

Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk or the school office.

Land Acknowledgement

Durham College is situated on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These lands are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples who care for and, through the treaty process, share the lands on which we live, learn, teach and prosper today.