Mohawk College discontinued its general in-person Academic Upgrading program on March 31, 2025.
If you are looking to upgrade your academic skills, complete Grade 12 equivalent courses, meet prerequisites for college or apprenticeship, or strengthen your reading, writing, math or digital skills, there are several options available.
ACE Distance - Online Academic Upgrading
ACE Distance offers online Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) courses for adults looking to upgrade their skills or meet Grade 12 equivalent requirements.
ACE courses can help you:
- upgrade high school-level marks and skills
- meet admission requirements for Ontario college certificate and diploma programs
- meet requirements for apprenticeship registration
- earn an ACE Certificate, which is recognized as a Grade 12 equivalent by Ontario’s public colleges
Courses are completed online and generally taken one at a time. Eligible learners may take ACE Distance courses at no cost.
To qualify for funded ACE Distance courses, you must generally:
- be an Ontario resident and 18 years of age or older
- be eligible to work in Ontario
- not be studying in Canada on an international study visa
- be proficient in English
- meet the required scores on ACE Distance's reading and numeracy assessments
The application process includes an online application, skills assessments and a required Learn to Learn orientation course. The full application and orientation process normally takes approximately four to six weeks.
For more information, course availability or eligibility:
Website: ACE Distance Delivery
Email: aceontariolearn [at] mohawkcollege.ca (aceontariolearn[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca)
Learning Connections Hamilton
Learning Connections Hamilton is Hamilton's adult learning network. They do not deliver upgrading courses directly. Instead, their Learning Navigators can help you explore your options, develop an education or training plan, and connect you with an appropriate local or online program.
Learning Connections Hamilton can help if you are looking to:
- complete your high school diploma or an equivalent credential
- meet prerequisites for college, apprenticeship or other training
- upgrade your reading, writing, math or digital skills
- explore education, training, apprenticeship or employment pathways
- determine which upgrading program best fits your goals
Services are free and may be available by phone, text, online or in person.
Website: Learning Connections Hamilton
Email: info [at] lchamilton.ca (info[at]lchamilton[dot]ca)
Phone: 905-527-2222
Text: 289-275-1685
If you live outside the Hamilton area, visit Learning Networks of Ontario to find the adult learning network serving your community.
Academic Upgrading in American Sign Language
Mohawk College continues to offer the Deaf Empowerment Program (DEP) for Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing adults who communicate using American Sign Language (ASL).
DEP is a free Academic Upgrading program that provides opportunities to strengthen math, reading, writing, computer and employability skills and prepare for postsecondary education or employment.
