Image for Academic & Career Entrance (ACE)

Ontario College Certificate

Academic & Career Entrance (ACE)

The Academic & Career Entrance (ACE) program provides an Ontario grade 12 equivalency diploma to access college programs, universities, and apprenticeships.

Program Start Options

IntakeDurationFormatCampusDomesticInternational
ACE (FT)
Any Time
Self-paced
Full-Time
Hybrid
+2 more
Domestic students accepted
International students not accepted
ACE (PT)
Any Time
Self-paced
Part-Time
Hybrid
+2 more
Domestic students accepted
International students not accepted

Get Your Grade 12 Equivalency and Open New Doors

  • Can’t get into college because you don’t have your high school diploma? Is it hard to find a job because you need your Grade 12? Get your Grade 12 equivalency and open new doors!

Confederation College’s Academic & Career Entrance (ACE) program can help. This certificate gives you an Ontario Grade 12 equivalency diploma to apply for college and some universities (including Lakehead University), as well as apprenticeship programs.

Many employers also accept the ACE Certificate in place of a high school diploma, so you can apply for jobs that require a Grade 12. Courses include ACE Math, ACE Communications and a choice of two others from a list including biology, chemistry, physics and computers.

Upgrade your skills, gain a well-rounded education, find a better job, apply for college or become an apprentice; there are many pathways no matter what your dream may be.

Top Highlights

  • Learn in an adult atmosphere
  • Learn at your own pace – schedule school around your busy life
  • Courses are available all year during days, evenings, and online through Distance Education
  • FREE! – Costs are 100% funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges & Universities – Employment Ontario
  • Subsidies are also available for transportation, childcare & other barriers to education

Contact Information

Program Files

Get detailed information about program requirements, courses, and student resources.

Returning to school as an adult was intimidating, but Confederation College’s supportive staff and flexible learning options gave me the confidence to succeed and take the next step in my education.

JS-B
Jolene Sprenkle - Backgrounder
Graduate of 2017 - Student

I used to be a student who didn’t care about grades—this program changed everything. The support from the teachers was incredible and helped me turn my life around.

ML
Miranda Lingenfelter
Graduate of 2016 - Student

The Academic Upgrading program gave me the tools I needed for post-secondary success. The support from staff and instructors helped me stay focused and confident throughout my journey.

JAM
Judith Angela Mishibinijima
Graduate of 2016 - Student

After 32 years out of school, the Academic Upgrading program helped me find my way back. With their guidance and support, I advanced quickly and went on to graduate with honours in Human Resources.

GF
Glenda Foster
Graduate of 2013 - Student

Admission Requirements

Any Time

The following 2 intakes share the same admission requirements:

Any Time (ACE (FT))Any Time (ACE (PT))

Admission Requirements for Domestic Students

  • Admission Requirements
  • 19 years of age or older (some exceptions may apply)
  • Resident of Ontario
  • Eligible to work in Ontario
  • Applicants are admitted to this program based on program eligibility requirements and assessment results.

Admission Requirements for International Students

This intake is not available for international students.

Courses

Note

This page is MANUALLY maintained to be able to better show the groupings of course choices.

UM 602 ACE CORE MATHEMATICS

RECOMMENDED ENTRY LEVEL: (AU) UM 401
CO-REQUISITES: none

This course is intended to review and develop mathematical and algebraic skills as a preparation for college level math courses. Topics covered include laws of exponents, manipulate polynomials and solve equations, interest calculations, business applications. Identify and describe properties of common distributions of data, and to construct and interpret statistical graphs.

UM 600 ACE BUSINESS MATHEMATICS

RECOMMENDED ENTRY LEVEL: UM 602
CO-REQUISITES: None

This course is intended to review and develop mathematical and algebraic operations related to finances, as a preparation for college level math courses. Topics covered include exponential expressions, equations, and functions; simple and compound interest; arithmetic and geometric sequences and series; and annuities. Students will use the technology including calculators and computer spreadsheets.

UM 601 ACE TECHNICAL MATHEMATICS

RECOMMENDED ENTRY LEVEL: UM 602
CO-REQUISITES: None

This course is intended to review and develop mathematical and algebraic skills as a preparation for college level math courses. Topics covered include a variety of computations; integers, exponents, proportions, square root, order of operations, basic and intermediate algebra and equations. Additionally, students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in the application of formulas for the perimeter, surface area and volume of various shapes, and are also expected to graph relationships using a variety of methods.

UE 601 ACE COMMUNICATIONS

RECOMMENDED ENTRY LEVEL: (AU) UE 401 or sufficient score on Communications Assessment
CO-REQUISITES: None

This course is designed to prepare students for college level communications courses. Course will help students develop more advanced oral and written communication skills, reading comprehension skills, and computer skills; extract information from films, broadcasts and presentations; and perform well-defined, multi-step digital tasks.

UE 600 ACE ACADEMIC COMMUNICATIONS

RECOMMENDED ENTRY LEVEL: UE 601
CO-REQUISITES: None

This course is designed to prepare students for university level oral and written communications skills, reading comprehension skills, and computer skills. Students who achieve the learning outcomes will be able to read continuous text, extract information from films, broadcasts and presentations, interact with others, write continuous text, use digital technology, manage learning and engage with others. Completion of ACE Academic Communications provides credit exemption from CS007 Persuasive Writing.

UW 600 ACE SELF- MANAGEMENT/ SELF-DIRECTION

RECOMMENDED ENTRY LEVEL: (AU) UE 401 or demonstration of ability on Communications Assessment
CO-REQUISITES: None

This course provides learners with an opportunity to learn and use success strategies that can be applied in their personal, employment and academic life. The strategies will equip students with the knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary to become effective, confident and flexible learners and employees. This course will focus on areas such as self-reflection, critical thinking, goal setting, organizational skills, group dynamics and career/employment exploration and development. This course will expand on the oral skills developed in Speaking & Listening by including professional contact experiences with employers, program coordinators, or people working in their field of interest.

UW 601 ACE COMPUTERS

RECOMMENDED ENTRY LEVEL: Basic Computer Operation Skills, Basic Keyboarding Skills, Word Skills, Internet Skills

ACE Computers is an introductory computers course. No pre-existing knowledge of computers is required. The bulk of the course is focused on various Microsoft Office programs.

The units of study are:

  • Basic Computer Operations
  • Internet and Email
  • Word Processing
  • Spreadsheets
  • Digital Presentations

Completion of ACE Computers provides credit exemption from MC155 Microsoft Office Applications.

UC 600 ACE CHEMISTRY

RECOMMENDED ENTRY LEVEL: UM 602 and (AU) UE 401 or GRADE 12 Diploma
CO-REQUISITES: None

This is an introductory chemistry course that provides the student with the basic vocabulary and concepts of chemistry. Topics covered include matter, the use of periodic table, bonding, nomenclature, mole calculations, concentration of solutions, acids and bases reactions, and organic chemistry.

UB 600 ACE BIOLOGY

RECOMMENDED ENTRY LEVEL: UM 602 and (AU) UE 401 or GRADE 12 Diploma
CO-REQUISTES: None

This biology course provides learners with a strong knowledge of biology as it applies to health, social and environmental issues. Emphasis is given to analyzing problems, performing laboratory exercises and communicating scientific information effectively. The content of the course reflects the needs of many adult learners entering post-secondary college programs in health and environmental sciences. As such, it allows learners to complete 5 out of a possible 6 units of study.

Related laboratory activities, as they pertain to the above topics, may be virtual or real-time.

UP 600 ACE PHYSICS

RECOMMENDED ENTRY LEVEL: UM 602 and (AU) UE 401 or GRADE 12 Diploma
CO-REQUISITES: None

ACE Physics is a rigorous introduction to physics which will enable the learner to develop a foundation in the fundamental concepts of physics. The learner will conceptually and quantitatively study and explore the topics of forces and motion; energy and simple machines; waves, sound, light, and optics; electricity and magnetism; and hydraulic and pneumatic systems. The emphasis will be on understanding the underlying physical concepts and principles, and applying them to the analysis and solution of quantitative problems related to a diversity of practical systems.

STAND ALONE SUBJECTS FOR NON-ACADEMIC UPGRADING PROGRAM STUDENTS


UW 600 ACE SELF-MANAGEMENT/ SELF-DIRECTION

RECOMMENDED ENTRY LEVEL: (AU) UE 401 or demonstration of ability on Communications Assessment
CO-REQUISITES: None

This course provides learners with an opportunity to learn and use success strategies that can be applied in their personal, employment and academic life. The strategies will equip students with the knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary to become effective, confident and flexible learners and employees. This course will focus on areas such as self-reflection, critical thinking, goal setting, organizational skills, group dynamics and career/employment exploration and development. This course will expand on the oral skills developed in Speaking & Listening by including professional contact experiences with employers, program coordinators, or people working in their field of interest.

UW 601 ACE COMPUTERS

RECOMMENDED ENTRY LEVEL: Basic Computer Operation Skills, Basic Keyboarding Skills, Word Skills, Internet Skills

ACE Computers is an introductory computers course. No pre-existing knowledge of computers is required. The bulk of the course is focused on various Microsoft Office programs.

The units of study are:

  • Basic Computer Operations
  • Internet and Email
  • Word Processing
  • Spreadsheets
  • Digital Presentations

Completion of ACE Computers provides credit exemption from MC155 Microsoft Office Applications.

UC 600 ACE CHEMISTRY

RECOMMENDED ENTRY LEVEL: UM 602 and (AU) UE 401 or GRADE 12 Diploma
CO-REQUISITES: None

This is an introductory chemistry course that provides the student with the basic vocabulary and concepts of chemistry. Topics covered include matter, the use of periodic table, bonding, nomenclature, mole calculations, concentration of solutions, acids and bases reactions, and organic chemistry.

UB 600 ACE BIOLOGY

RECOMMENDED ENTRY LEVEL: UM 602 and (AU) UE 401 or GRADE 12 Diploma
CO-REQUISTES: None

This biology course provides learners with a strong knowledge of biology as it applies to health, social and environmental issues. Emphasis is given to analyzing problems, performing laboratory exercises and communicating scientific information effectively. The content of the course reflects the needs of many adult learners entering post-secondary college programs in health and environmental sciences. As such, it allows learners to complete 5 out of a possible 6 units of study.

Related laboratory activities, as they pertain to the above topics, may be virtual or real-time

UP 600 ACE PHYSICS

RECOMMENDED ENTRY LEVEL: UM 602 and (AU) UE 401 or GRADE 12 Diploma
CO-REQUISITES: None

ACE Physics is a rigorous introduction to physics which will enable the learner to develop a foundation in the fundamental concepts of physics. The learner will conceptually and quantitatively study and explore the topics of forces and motion; energy and simple machines; waves, sound, light, and optics; electricity and magnetism; and hydraulic and pneumatic systems. The emphasis will be on understanding the underlying physical concepts and principles, and applying them to the analysis and solution of quantitative problems related to a diversity of practical systems.

Meet the Program Staff

11 staff members

Careers

Upon completion of this program, you will be eligible to pursue employment opportunities, postsecondary education or apprenticeship training.

Pathways

Confederation College offers a variety of articulation agreements designed to help you advance your education and career. Whether you're coming to us from another institution or planning your next steps after completing your program, our pathways make your transition seamless and effective.

Students at Confederation College

We're here to help

Have questions before you apply?

Not sure if this is the right fit? Our recruitment team can help you navigate admission requirements, program details, and campus life.