CEGEP

A CEGEP (/seɪˈʒɛp/ say-ZHEP or /ˈsiːdʒɛp/ SEE-jep; French: cégep, pronounced [seʒɛp]; also written CÉGEP and cegep) is a publicly funded college providing technical, academic, vocational or a mix of programs; they are exclusive to the province of Quebec's education system. A loanword from French, it originates from the French acronym for collège d'enseignement général et professionnel, sometimes known in English as a "General and Vocational College"—it is now considered a word in itself. ^[1][2]

Although all colleges in Quebec are colloquially referred to as CEGEPs, only public colleges are officially referred to by that name. Both public (CEGEPs) and private colleges have the same function in Quebec.^[3] Although they may occasionally be compared to junior colleges or community colleges, CEGEPs differ in that a Diploma of College Studies^[2] (or Diplôme d'études collégiales, DEC) is required for university admission in Quebec, unless a student enters as a mature student, which typically means a minimum age of 21, with other requirements. A student in Quebec typically cannot enter university with only a secondary diploma, unless the diploma was earned in another province or country. However, some private English schools in Quebec offer Grade 12 which does allow access to university without needing to earn a DEC.^[4]

Pre-university programs are typically two years in duration, filling the gap between secondary school and undergraduate degrees, which are both one year shorter in Quebec relative to elsewhere in Canada. Technical programs are typically three years in duration, with specialization in courses leading to a career right after graduation. Depending on the university, students with DEC diplomas from a technical program can continue their studies at a university for higher education.

The purpose of a separate collegiate education level is to make post-secondary education more accessible in Quebec. It also ensures that students have a proper academic preparation to succeed at university.^[5] There are both public subsidized and private colleges, with the public CEGEPs having little or no tuition fee.

A unique aspect of CEGEP education is that all students must follow mandatory general education courses, together, irrespective of their professional or pre-university path. These core courses include French, English, Humanities (Philosophy in French CEGEPS), and Physical Education. This common trunk of courses was designed as a rampart against excessive class divisions, and to democratize teaching of literature and philosophy.

An important advantage of the CEGEP system is the ability students have of changing programs without losing too many credits. This ability to try programs without risking losing whole semesters of education, allows students to change their minds and switch from a pre-university career path to a technical one, such as nursing, or mechanical technology, or vice-versa.

A product of the Quiet Revolution, the CEGEP system was started in 1967 by the Quebec provincial government and originally consisted of 12 CEGEPs. Today, 48 CEGEPs operate in Quebec, of which five use English as their medium of instruction.^[6][7] There are also College Centres (Centre d'études collégiales), small public post-secondary education colleges very similar to CEGEPs, often secondary stand alone campuses of CÉGEPs, like the Centre d'études collégiales à Chibougamau, part of the Cégep de Saint-Félicien.