Program pathways are defined transfer routes from one post-secondary program to another program at the same or another institution. These pathways are developed by educational institutions to recognize and grant academic credit for prior post-secondary-level learning, most of which is acquired at post-secondary educational institutions. This type of learning is also known as formal learning.

Program pathways may be internal or external:

• Internal program pathways facilitate student movement between programs at Fanshawe College. These defined pathways, which are a specific type of program transfer, are formalized in internal documents.
• External program pathways facilitate student movement between programs at two or more educational institutions. Where only two institutions are involved, one of the institutions is the sending institution and the other is the receiving institution, and either institution can initiate the pathway. These bilateral program pathways are formalized in articulation agreements signed by both educational institutions (i.e., the agreement “articulates” the specifics of the credits being awarded and other details of the pathway). For multi-institution pathways, often the receiving institution unilaterally establishes and publicizes the pathway on its website and in pathway databases, and there is no formal documentation agreed upon with the sending institution.

Benefits of Program Pathways

Fanshawe uses RPL as an intentional strategy to support a diverse student population. All forms of RPL increase student mobility, improve student outcomes, and often save students time and money. Program pathways, in particular, have the added benefits of improved standardization and increased efficiency for both the student and the institution. Another benefit for the institution is increased enrolment: programs and institutions with program pathways attract students because they show clearly defined routes that support students in achieving academic and career goals.