Academic Upgrading

Whether you need a boost to pursue a post-secondary education or are looking to upgrade skills for employment possibilities, Mohawk's FREE Academic Upgrading program offers an exciting and flexible opportunity to help you achieve these goals.

Need to boost your computer skills? Apply for our 15 week Computer Fundamentals course!

Sign up today
Email: upgrading [at] mohawkcollege.ca
Phone: 905-575-2029

Apply Online

Attend an Information Session

Not sure if Academic Upgrading is for you? Meet with our team to have your questions answered.

Program offerings at-a-glance

Location and time	GED Preparation	English	Math	Biology	Chemistry
Mission Services 96 Wentworth St. N, Hamilton, ON 10:00 am till 1:00 pm, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday	✔️	✔️	✔️
Hamilton Regional Indian Centre (HRIC) 34 Ottawa St. N, Hamilton, ON 1:00 pm till 5:00 pm, Wednesday and Thursday		✔️
Fennell Campus \| Mohawk College (Evening program) 135 Fennell Ave. W, Hamilton, ON 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm, Monday and Wednesday	✔️	✔️	✔️
Fennell Campus \| Mohawk College (Day program) 135 Fennell Ave. W, Hamilton, ON 9:30 am till 2:30 pm, Monday through Friday		✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️

What is FREE Academic Upgrading?

We are a flexible program designed to help you achieve your individual college, apprenticeship and/or employment goals. Our face-to-face courses are designed for students who did not complete high school, need courses (e.g., English, Math or Science) to apply for a program, or those wanting to refresh their skills.

We offer:

Up to grade 12 equivalency in English, Science & Math in a face-to-face environment.
GED preparation

Mohawk College’s Academic Upgrading program offers many benefits and opportunities including:

Financial Support

Academic Upgrading is a FREE program! Financial support for daycare and/or transportation is also available for qualified learners. Please inquire at upgrading [at] mohawkcollege.ca ()
Apply for, and earn points on, Mohawk’s Future Ready Loyalty Card to help you pay for tuition if you should choose to enroll in a full-time Mohawk College program.

Flexible Schedules

Attend when you’re ready! Start dates are flexible and are available throughout the September to June period.
Attend part-time, full-time or in the evenings.

Transition to Your Educational and Employment Goals

Attend lessons and workshops designed to support your academic and employment success.
Take advantage of academic resources such as access to information on How to Apply to College, Applying for Financial Aid & OSAP, and more.
Connect with Community Employment Services at Mohawk and register for workshops that can help you in your search for employment.

A Learning Plan Designed Just for You

After an academic skills review and your one-on-one interview, your upgrading plan will be developed based on your goals and focused on exactly what you need to reach them.

College Environment

Our program is offered in a thriving, well-equipped college environment at the Fennell campus or within the community at Mission Services (96 Wentworth St. N).
Learn from qualified professors in a supportive setting.
Enjoy the added benefits of use of the Mohawk College library, cafeteria, and computers.
You’ll be surrounded by a community of other motivated, friendly students.

You are invited to visit a class in the program of interest for a taste of what college learning is like.
At no cost, you can take a post-secondary general elective class while you’re upgrading (Past courses have included: SS275 -Impact of Technology and AS106 - Pop Culture).

With a focus on raising Math, Science and English skills to the college-entry level and employment standards, an individualized learning plan is created for each student entering the program. Academic Upgrading can help students qualify for admission to many Mohawk College programs and can also assist in employment readiness.

We Offer:

English - Grade 12 Equivalency
Math - Grade 12 Equivalency:
- Business Math
- Technical Math
- Apprenticeship Math
Science - Grade 12 Equivalency:
- Chemistry
- Biology

GED Preparation

Academic Upgrading can help prepare you to successfully write the GED Test.

The GED – or Ontario High School Equivalency Certificate – is for adults who did not finish high school. The GED is recognized by many employers and training/education programs throughout Canada and the U.S.

More information on the GED is available on the Independent Learning Centre’s (opens new window) website.

We invite all students who meet eligibility requirements to apply for Mohawk’s Academic Upgrading Program.

Eligibility Requirements Include:

Applicants must have reached mature student status (19 years or older)
Academic Upgrading is available to Canadian citizen, permanent residents of Ontario, or Protected Persons in Canada (with notice of decision)
Applicants must go through an Academic Upgrading skills review process (details follow)
Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of level 7 in all areas.
- Contact YMCA Immigrant Services for assistance with the Canadian Language Benchmark Test

NOTE: English as a Second Language (ESL)

For students looking for ESL training, Mohawk College offers an excellent range of ESL programs through our Language Studies Program.

The Skills Review Process

Apply online or call Academic Upgrading to review your eligibility at 905-575-2029
If you are eligible, you will be referred to a skills reviewer to determine your present levels in reading, writing and mathematics.
Then, a personalized interview will take place. Finally, based on your study goals, we’ll develop a customized learning plan to map out your road to success.

To apply to Academic Upgrading at Mohawk College please apply online, or contact us by email, phone, or visit in person:
Fennell Campus, room J137e
905-575-2029
upgrading [at] mohawkcollege.ca (subject: Online%20Web%20Inquiry%20-%20Academic%20Upgrading)
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Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) courses are non-post secondary courses designed to prepare you to succeed in post secondary and apprenticeship training. They are accepted as OSSD equivalent by Colleges and Apprenticeship for purposes of admission.