Diploma in Accounting Program

Professional accounting is a respected career path that offers stimulating work, generous compensation and numerous opportunities for growth and advancement. The post-baccalaureate UBC Sauder Diploma in Accounting Program (DAP) bridges the gap for non-accounting degree graduates aspiring to earn a professional accounting designation, but lacking the prerequisite courses, to transition to a new career.

DAP offers all prerequisite courses required for entry into the Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Professional Education Program (PEP). By combining the Diploma in Accounting with the knowledge gained through previous university studies, DAP graduates can create a leverageable career advantage.

Visit DAP or contact the DAP Office by email or phone at 604.822.8412.

Admission

Applicants to DAP are required to have completed a four-year Bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall average of C+ or higher in the last two years of study, or its equivalent, through a recognized university program. Specific admission requirements may vary depending on the applicant’s degree-awarding institution’s grading system.

Applicants are also required to demonstrate English language proficiency, which can be achieved through one of the following options:

• A Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral degree from a recognized university in which English was the official language of instruction; OR
• An English language proficiency exam, either TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic. TOEFL: overall score of 90, reading and listening with 22 each, and writing and speaking with 21 each (Use University Institution Code 0517); IELTS: overall score of 6.5 with no part less than 6.0.

The DAP program admits applicants on the basis of merit. Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. The program accepts new students three times a year, in January, May and September.

Diploma Requirements

The DAP curriculum consists of 15 courses, 45 credits in total, which cover the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills required to excel in a career in accounting and business. In addition, the program develops enabling competencies in critical thinking, analytical problem solving, communication, and technical skills necessary to be effective in an accounting role.

The program requires the equivalent of 16 months’ full-time study and offers classes in variety of delivery formats: in-person evenings and weekend classes, online, and blended which combines both in-person and online components. Working students have the flexibility to take the program part time and have up to 24 months to complete their courses.

Classes may be offered in a variety of delivery formats: in-person evenings and weekend classes, online, or blended which combines both in-person and online components.

Students can enrol in a maximum of 15 credits per winter term and 6 credits per summer term.

Required courses

Academic Regulations

Program Enrolment

1. DAP courses are restricted to students formally admitted to the program.
2. The program is designed to be completed over the equivalent of 16 months of full-time study; however, part-time studies are available for students who are unable to devote full-time hours to the program. Students studying art-time may take up to 24 months to complete their courses. Extensions to these deadlines must be approved by the office for Student Academic Services, but additional courses may be required for completion if an extension is granted.
3. Students may enrol in a maximum of 15 credits per winter term and 6 credits per summer term. Any variation from the required course load should be discussed with an Academic Advisor in the Office of Student Academic Services.
4. Students are required to remain continuously enrolled, which is defined as enrolment in at least one 3-credit required course in each of Winter Term 1, Winter Term 2, and Summer Session.
5. Students who meet academic performance requirements, follow program completion guidelines, and adhere to academic requirements of the program but are unable to meet the continuous enrolment requirement must request a temporary leave from the program. Students may take up to 12-months leave from the program. This leave may be taken in a consecutive 12-month period or in segments. Students who require more than 12 months of leave may submit a petition for additional leave time to the Office for Student Academic Services. Submitting a request for an extension to the 12-month period does not guarantee approval of the petition.
6. Prior to commencing their first term, DAP students must complete a mandatory online preparatory course including quantitative methods, tools and academic integrity modules. These requirements must be completed by the course add/drop deadline. Students who fail to complete these requirements will be dropped from their registered courses and be required to reenroll in a future term.

Course Selection and Registration

1. Students are admitted to the Diploma in Accounting Program (DAP) and course selection is restricted to the specified set of BUSI_V courses delivered through the program. Registration in any other UBC course outside of this prescribed set of courses is not available.
2. The program assumes the prescribed sequence of courses and students are expected to recognize the sequence in planning their program. Any exceptions must be approved by the Assistant Dean, Director or their designate.
3. Students may attempt any given course twice and are required to pass the course within two attempts. Students who need to attempt a required course for a third time must appeal to the Assistant Dean, Director or their designate for permission.
4. Students are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of registration as it relates to the regulations of the program in which they are enrolled.
5. Students are responsible for meeting course pre-requisites, corequisites, and other registration requirements.
6. Registration in conflicting course activities is not permitted.

Attendance and Participation

Students are expected to attend class and class-related events and activities regularly and on-time. Students who neglect their academic work (including graded and self-assessments) or miss more than 20% of a course may be excluded from final examinations or final assessments, removed from the class with a “withdraw” or “fail” standing, or given a mark of zero for participation.

Students may be denied a passing grade or refused permission to complete a final exam or core final deliverable if they substantially fail to meet clearly defined academic requirements per the course outline, or performance standards during the course, such as submitting assignments on time, attending required classes, or achieving minimum grades on interim assessments, on the recommendation of the Assistant Dean, Director, or their designate within the Office of Student Academic Services.

Students are responsible to familiarize and abide by course and University policies.

Diploma Completion

Students must complete their diploma requirements within two years of their original admission into the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration. Extensions to the deadline may be appealed to the Director or designate, but additional courses may be required for graduation if an extension is granted. Students with an approved extension have a maximum of four years from their program start date to complete the Diploma program.

Examinations

In-term tests may be scheduled throughout the term. Formal examinations are usually held during the formal examination periods: December and April for Winter Session, June and August for Summer Session. No examinations are permitted during the two weeks preceding the formal examination periods of the Winter Session or the single week preceding the formal examination periods of the Summer Session. Students are expected to make travel plans and schedule interviews, extra-curricular commitments, and appointments accordingly.

Students are responsible for attending their scheduled examinations and are subject to the University’s regulations regarding Student Conduct during Examinations during these assessments. All submitted work may be subject to review by the University as per Review for Authenticity. Any requests for making-up a missed exam will be reviewed in accordance with UBC’s policy on Academic Concessions.

The minimum passing mark for DAP courses is 50%. Some courses require passing the final exam or other core element to successfully complete the course with a passing grade, regardless of performance in other course requirements. Additionally, the final exam or core element may not be sufficient to pass the course.

Supplemental and retake exams are not offered.

Deferred Standing

Students granted a Deferred Standing (known as SD) are responsible for making necessary arrangements for completion of the outstanding course requirements. Some departments may require students to write a deferred examination with the next regularly scheduled final exam for the course or an alternate exam date.

Failure to complete required coursework by the deadline will result in the SD standing being replaced with a grade or standing that reflects requirements completed in the course. Approved academic concessions for SD’s will be processed as a late withdrawal from the course (noted as a W standing).

Academic Performance Evaluation Sessional evaluations for each student are conducted at the end of each session to determine students’ eligibility to continue or graduate.

Unsatisfactory Performance Students whose performance in the Faculty is unsatisfactory will be required to withdraw from the program.

Student performance is considered unsatisfactory when:

1. A student achieves an average of less than 55% in the academic session.
2. A student fails a required course for the Diploma in Accounting program for a second time. Students who need to retake a required course for a third time must appeal to the Director or designate for permission.
3. A student fails any three courses in the program.
4. Students who were permitted to attempt a course for a third time on appeal, following two previous failed attempts, and who fail the course for a third time.