We are a year or so older than North American east coast Regents, Thomas Edison State, and Charter Oaks. From the start, in 1970, we have integrated "external" as well as our own extension and campus-based (classroom etc) learning in an aggregation process. But when we say "oldest", we are specifically referring to external degree credentialing rather than more common "extension" course delivery.

Our first British~Canadian customarily-designated degrees (bachelor, undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas, master, doctor) were commenced in 1984. But we earlier started the certificate (one semester), associate degree (four semesters), and licentiate degree (six semesters) in Vancouver BC and Point Roberts WA (Summers program) in 1970 - at which time the associate was perceived as a degree in the United States but not in Canada. [The then influential and supportive Registrar of UBC quite properly regarded our licentiate as a degree because Quebec universities then also issued the licenciate, rather than the four-year bachelor]. We still utilize all the above designations, as and when programatically appropriate. The licentiate is still globally appropriate, reflecting the traditional francophone "licence" and latino "licenciatura".

As the oldest such program in North America, and probably all the Americas, and long-established in experiential education, we are pleased to formally and informally advise government agencies, educational societies, institutions, etc., with respect to the benefits and difficulties of experiential and related education. We are also open to positive suggestions about our own modus operandi, even from junior entities. We do not take too kindly, however, to suggestions that we sacrifice our academic freedom and integrity as a condition for some alleged benefit or requisition.   More comparison.

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