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Program Rationale

In order to best serve the educational needs of the Four Band community, it is necessary to have effective programs for adults wishing to advance their educational and career opportunities.

Program Goals

The Maskwachees Cultural College upgrading department will help students acquire the educational skills and knowledge they need to successfully pursue greater educational and career opportunities.

The program goals are:

1. To provide a means for adult students to complete required courses for college or university entry;

2. To enable students to develop personally in a caring and culturally relevant atmosphere;

3. To offer programming that is able to meet the needs of as many people as possible.

Program Overview

The upgrading department was formed in the Summer of 2009 by combining the Adult High School and UCEP program into a single Adult upgrading strategy. The newly revamped program will deliver a combination of Alberta High School curriculum, curriculum developed for our UCEP program, and cultural curriculum developed by the college. Maskwachees Cultural College is a fully accredited high school registered with Alberta Education. The upgrading department is spilt into three main programs. The Academic Foundations program, the University/College Entrance Preparation (UCEP) program and our Individual Studies program. The upgrading department is also responsible for delivering High School curriculum to the Pe Sakestew center through our Individual Studies program.

Academic Foundations Program

The Academic Foundations program is a two semester, eight month program designed to help adult learners return to school, or help students who are no longer on the nominal role continue their education. Students will take mandatory classes in English, Math, and Science in each semester. These classes will teach students the skills and knowledge necessary to enter Maskwachees Cultural College’s UCEP program or other programs that prepare students to enter Post-Secondary studies. Students will also take an option class in each semester that will encourage healthy living and skill development.

Student Support Group

Students within the Academic Foundations program will be split into support groups. Each group will be assigned a staff member to help coordinate group activities. Students within a support group are encouraged to aid and encourage their fellow group members. The intent of the support groups are to foster a culture of community within the college and increase the sense of responsibility students feel to themselves and fellow group members.

UCEP Program

The UCEP program is a two semester, eight month program designed to help adult learners develop the skills necessary to enter a University or College program of their choice. Students will be required to take an English course in both semesters. A number of options will then be available to students based on what field of study they would like to enter. Topics will include, but are not limited to, Math, Indigenous Studies, Social Studies, Cree Language, and Computers. Students may also complete up to two University transferable courses a semester while registered as a UCEP student.

Individual Studies

Students who have 80 Alberta High School credits or more are eligible to finish their High School diploma through our Individual Studies program. Students can complete their diploma through distance learning modules offered by Alberta Education. The colleges’ upgrading staff will offer regular tutoring support to students. Please contact the Upgrading Coordinator for more information on available classes and how to register.

Admission Requirements

Students applying to the upgrading department will be evaluated on two main criteria.

1. English and Math Assessment.

An English and Math assessment will deter mine the numeracy and literacy levels of applicants. Each program in the upgrading department will have specific requirements that must be met in the English and Math as sessment.

2. Ready, Willing and Able Assessment

Students will have to complete two written forms and a group interview to determine if they are ready, willing, and able to enter school. The first form will ask students to discuss their education and career goals, and the second form will ask students to discuss their lifestyle and habits.

Attendance Policy

A record of attendance will be kept for all upgrading students. Students must meet all of the following criteria.

1. Have no more than five unexcused absences in a semester.

2. Have an attendance rate of no less than 80% in any given class.

3. Have an absence of no more than two weeks in a row whether you have excused your absence or not.

If the Upgrading Coordinator has reason to believe that the student will not meet all of the above criteria, they may place a student on an attendance contract. The contract will outline a set of conditions that must be satisfied in order for the student to maintain their enrollment. If a student does not meet the set of conditions outlined in the attendance contract, the College will terminate the students funding or recommend a termination of sponsorship to the students funding agency. Students should be aware that having your funding terminated may prevent you from having access to funding in the future. Students wishing to appeal any decision where their funding has been terminated are asked to follow the appeal guidelines outlined in the University Studies Program.


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