For personal knowledge / trivia:
All of the TRU-OL degree programs are 120 credit programs. Of the 120 credits needed, a max of 75 credits can be lower level (1st & 2nd yr, numbered 1000-2999) and at least 45 credits must be upper level (3rd & 4th yr courses numbered 3000-4999). Students with a Red Seal trade receive 15 credits per apprenticeship year of their trade, so for example a plumber will receive 57 or 60 credits into a program depending on their program choice. The difference in the amount of credits received has to do with the number of lower level requirements in the program because student have to have enough upper level credits to meet TRU graduation requirements.
The two programs are quite similar in the upper level requirements – mostly leadership and management courses – but the BTECH program is more prescribed. When we get applicants to these programs, we check to see if a student has taken post-secondary courses outside of their trade courses and/or find out if they have work experience which might qualify for prior learning credits. In those instances it is usually better for the student to apply to the BTTL program.
Students who have work experience in supervision or management or who own a business are encouraged to apply for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) credits. PLAR applications are done after the transfer credits have been assessed and the program plan has been emailed to the student. The beginning step for a PLAR application is submission of a Knowledge Resume (see the Process link on the PLAR web page http://www.tru.ca/distance/plar-ol.html for a template for this). There is more room in the BTTL program for PLAR credits.
These programs can be done completely online – there is no need to come to our campus to complete it. It is an open program so students can start at any time. Some courses are paced which means they have specific start, end and assignment due dates. These courses often require participation in an online discussion forum (a weekly posting) but there are not set times to be online. Each course has an instructor who can be emailed or phoned for help with the course material.
Students only have to take one course every two years to remain active in the program. It is hard to estimate how long it will take a student to complete the program as it depends on how much time each student has to devote to his or her studies. Most of our courses are 3 credit courses. The courses are generally designed to be completed within 12-16 weeks however we have some continuous enrollment courses that can be completed quicker if the student is motivated to do so. A full time course load at TRU-OL is 9 credits (3 courses) as students are advised that each course takes 10-15 hours of study time, per week per course. If you received 60 credits into the program, you would have 60 credits (19-20 courses) left to complete the degree.
We don’t have an estimate of total costs for the program because students come in with a varied number of credits and have a number of elective courses to choose from. Canadian students will spend between $700-$800 per course if materials are shipped to a Canadian address. You can look up the prices for current courses from our course search page at this link: http://www.tru.ca/distance/courses/.
If you are an international student, looking to attend in person for our BTECH program, you will need to contact iapply@tru.ca regarding your admission.
From an email from Dan to FSO email on Aug 26, 2022