Classification of highest certificate, diploma or degree

2 - Certificate, diploma or degree

This category includes persons who have obtained any certificates, diplomas or degrees, or their equivalents.

22 - Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree (highest)

This category includes persons who have obtained a certificate, diploma or degree beyond the high school (secondary school) level from a postsecondary institution or a vocational certificate, diploma or degree awarded by provincial/territorial or federal authorities, such as a Journeyperson's designation in the trades or certain teaching and nursing certificates. Possession of a postsecondary qualification does not imply that the person has also completed a high school (secondary school) diploma or equivalency certificate. Persons who have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate as their only completed educational credential are excluded from this category.

221 - Postsecondary certificate or diploma below bachelor level (highest)

This category includes persons who have obtained a college, CEGEP or university certificate or diploma below the bachelor level and who have not obtained any higher certificates, diplomas or degrees. It also includes persons who received an apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma. Included are persons who have received a vocational certificate or diploma awarded by provincial/territorial or federal authorities, such as a Journeyperson's designation in the trades or some non-university teaching and nursing certificates. Also included are university certificates or diplomas below the bachelor level that are commonly connected with professional associations in fields such as accounting, banking, insurance or public administration. The certificates and diplomas referred to in this category do not require a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite.

2212 - College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma (highest)

This category includes persons who obtained a (non-trades) postsecondary certificate or diploma of 3 months or more from a public or private college, CEGEP (either general/pre-university or technical), polytechnic, institute of technology, school of nursing, business school or vocational school. Included in this category are persons who obtained a teaching or nursing certificate awarded by a provincial/territorial department of education, with the exception of teachers' or nurses' qualifications at the bachelor level or above.

Persons with an apprenticeship or trades certificate and no other college, CEGEP or other postsecondary and non-university certificate or diploma are excluded from this category. Persons who also have university certificates, diplomas or degrees are also excluded from this category.

22121 - Program of 3 months to less than 1 year (College, CEGEP and other non-university certificates or diplomas) (highest)

This category includes persons whose highest qualification is a college, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma, based on a program that is typically completed in 3 months to less than one academic year (an academic year may be less than 12 months in duration). Persons who also have such certificates or diplomas from programs that are typically completed in a longer time period are not included in this category.

22122 - Program of 1 to 2 years (College, CEGEP and other non-university certificates or diplomas) (highest)

This category includes persons whose highest qualification is a college, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma, based on a program that is typically completed in one to two academic years but not more than two academic years (an academic year may be less than 12 months in duration). This includes persons with a two-year pre-university (general) diploma from a Quebec CEGEP.

Persons who also have such certificates or diplomas from programs that are typically completed in a longer time period are not included in this category.

22123 - Program of more than 2 years (College, CEGEP and other non-university certificates or diplomas) (highest)

This category includes persons whose highest qualification is a college, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma, based on a program that is typically completed in more than two academic years (an academic year may be less than 12 months in duration). This includes persons with a three-year technical diploma from a Quebec CEGEP.