Yes. Graduates of the certificate or diploma, who pursue undergraduate studies, may be eligible for advanced standing towards a degree. Students must apply for and be accepted into an undergraduate program before advanced standing is considered. The actual value of advanced standing is at the discretion of the faculty to which the student applies. Upon approval from the faculty, students can use up to 24 units from a McMaster diploma and 15 units from a McMaster certificate. Call the Registrar's Office at (905) 525-4600 for further information about applying your certificate/diploma towards a degree and review the current McMaster policy in the undergraduate calendar.

Please note some other academic institutions will grant advanced standing for Centre for Continuing Education courses/programs (i.e. Athabasca and Thomson River University).

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2. What is a unit?

Units define the number of credits associated with a course. Units are assigned by the University based on course content and hours of instruction. Centre for Continuing Education courses range from one to three units. 3 units is equivalent to a half-year undergraduate course.

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3. How do I apply for transfer of credit?

Students may apply for Transfer of Credit through the Program Manager for the program. To be eligible students need to be currently enrolled in the Accounting program and submit a cover letter that maps out what you have completed, where and what course you would like the credit applied towards (i.e. Marketing 123 completed at University of Toronto, in place of 570-819 Marketing), an official transcript with marks and a copy of the course outline or course description. Course content has to be at least 80% comparable to our Centre for Continuing Education course. Please note that only courses in which a minimum grade of C- has been achieved may be considered for a transfer of credit. Also, courses completed longer than 5 years at time of application may not be considered.

There is a fee of $79 for each TOC (once approved by the Program Manager). The price is subject to change. Your McMaster transcript will show the actual details of the TOC. Students will receive a letter from the Centre for Continuing Education confirming the TOC has been granted which the students should keep for their own personal records. TOC is not viewable for the students on MUGSI.

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4. What is MUGSI?

MUGSI , (McMaster University Gateway to Student Information), is an intranet site that allows McMaster students to view and change their personalized information and view grades. In order to access MUGSI, you need to activate your MAC ID.

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5. What is a Mac ID?

MAC ID is a unique, common identifier enabling single sign-on for a number of McMaster systems and applications (including registering online for Centre for Continuing Education courses). Your MAC ID is not your McMaster employee or student number.

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6. How do I activate my MAC ID?

You will need your student number, barcode and date of birth. First time students will receive their barcode number and student number via email from the University approximately 1 week after registering for your first course. Your barcode and student number can also be found on your student ID card (students taking courses online will not receive a student card). Follow the step by step instructions below and be certain to make sure your password meets the designated criteria. If you have questions, please call Centre for Continuing Education at (905) 525-9140 ext 24321.

Go to MUGSI .
Enter Student Number, Barcode Number and Date of Birth
Accept Terms and Conditions
Create Password
For security purposes, submit 3 Questions with Answers
Activation Complete Completing the activation process instantly provides you with a MAC ID

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7. How do I obtain my student card?

All student cards are sent out by the Registrar’s Office along with the term’s sticker. Cards will only be sent to first-time student; stickers are sent to returning students. If students have not received a student card or a sticker, contact the Registrar’s Office at 905.525.9140 ext 24796.

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8. How do I register for a certificate/diploma course on-line?

New students will need to create a new account. Returning students need to login using their MACID.

How do I register for a course I have previously taken at CCE? If you want to register for a course you have previously taken at CCE, please contact us at 905-525-9140 ext. 24321 to register over the phone. Our online registration system does not allow for students to register in the same course more than once, but our Information Specialists would be happy to assist you.

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9. How do I receive my course grade report/transcript?

The Registrar’s Office is the master record keeper of all grades/transcripts. Course grade reports are no longer mailed out to students so students must view them online through MUGSI (see answer #10). Request for official transcripts is done through the Registrar’s Office and will only be processed upon receipt of the student’s signed, written request. The form can be downloaded or picked up from the Office of the Registrar, Gilmour Hall Room 108. To order a transcripts by mail: To McMaster University, Office of the Registrar, Gilmour Hall Room 108 or by Fax: (905) 527-1105

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10. How do I view my grades online?

Grade Reports will no longer be mailed out by the Registrar’s Office. All grades need to be viewed on-line through MUGSI. On the left navigation pane, select Grade Reports to log in and view your grades. To access your grades through MUGSI, you need your Mac ID and password.

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11. How long does it take to complete the certificate/diploma program?

Program completion depends on student’s own pace, program length and availability of courses. All of our programs are considered part-time. Students can take as many courses as they like in a given semester, so long as any posted pre-requisites are satisfied. There is no specified time-frame within which students pursuing the Diploma in Accounting or the Certificate in Accounting must complete the requirements; however, on average, students typically complete the program requirements within 3 to 4 years.

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12. How do I get my course materials?

Course materials may be purchased at the Campus Store main campus or order textbooks online and have them shipped.

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13. How much does it cost to take Centre for Continuing Education courses?

Tuition fees vary by course/program. In addition to the published tuition costs, the following fees are also applicable for certificate/diploma courses. New Student A one-time, non refundable fee of $39 is assessed to all new CCE students enrolling in their first certificate/diploma course, excluding programs that have an application fee (i.e. Addiction Education, Case Management, Certified Clinical Research Associate, Public Relations).

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14. Does Centre for Continuing Education offer financial aid or bursaries?

Centre for Continuing Education does not offer any financial aid or bursaries. Students may inquire with Student Financial Aid & Scholarships Office at McMaster (ext 24319).

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15. What is the course withdrawal/refund policy?

Please visit our website at for our full withdrawal/refund policy. Students must notify Centre for Continuing Education in writing if they are dropping a course, even if it is past the point of receiving a refund, to avoid academic penalty. Students who do not formally withdraw from a course, will receive a grade of “F” on their transcript. If you are eligible for a refund and you made your payment by credit card, your refund will automatically be refunded on your credit card. Cheque or debit payments will be refunded by cheque from the University, takes approximately 4-6 weeks.

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16. What if I can’t take my test or exam at the scheduled time?

In accordance to McMaster University’s General Academic Regulations, “it is imperative that students make every effort to meet the originally scheduled course requirements and it is a student’s responsibility to write examinations as scheduled.” Therefore, all students are expected to attend and complete the specific course requirements (i.e. attendance, assignments, and tests/exams) listed in the course outline on or by the date specified. Students who need to arrange for coursework accommodation, as a result of medical, personal or family reasons, must contact the course instructor within 48 hours of the originally scheduled due date. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Program Manager/Program Associate to discuss accommodations and procedures related to deferred tests and/or examinations within 48 hours of the originally scheduled test/exam, as per policy. Failure to contact the course instructor, in the case of missed coursework, or the Program Manager/Program Associate, in the case of a missed test/examination, within the specified 48 hours window will result in a grade of zero (0) on the coursework/exam and no further consideration will be granted.

*Note: Supporting documentation will be required but will not ensure approval of accommodation(s).

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17. I completed my program. How do I get my certificate and graduate?

Each term the Centre for Continuing Education reviews the academic records of each student and clears them to graduate. The student is not required to complete any graduation request form, however, to ensure program requirements are in order, students can contact their Program Manager once they are on their last course. Once you are cleared to graduate, information will be sent to you. Students who complete a program by February will have their Certificate/Diploma sent to them in March. Students who complete a program after March will receive their Certificate/Diploma at Graduation. If you are unable to attend Graduation, your Certificate/Diploma will be mailed out to you after the Graduation Ceremony. Graduation information is posted on the Centre for Continuing Education website. Graduation is held late October/early November. Students who do not receive information by October 30th should contact the Centre for Continuing Education.

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18. How do I obtain a course or tax receipt?

Course Receipt: Upon registration of each course, students receive an email payment confirmation. Students can also login to the Centre for Continuing Education website (MAC id required) and print off the payment receipt from their “Message Centre”. Tax Receipt: Students will have to go on-line to print out their tax certificate. T2202A tax certificate is now available at: MUGSI . Select “Tax Certificate” under the Student Application section on the left side of the page. Note that you will need your Mac ID and password to access your certificate. Tax certificates will be posted by the end of February.

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19. Where can I find information about my classrooms, study rooms and computer rooms?

Classes are held at the Downtown Centre (2nd Floor, 50 Main Street East, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) unless otherwise stated. Classroom locations are displayed on the 1st and 2nd Floors at the Downtown Centre. Occasionally a class will be relocated due to other events. Students should check their room location on our directories prior to each session. You can enter your classroom 30 minutes before start of class. Students can request to book a study room in advance if one is available. Call us at 905-525-9140, ext. 24321 to book a room. The Gathering Place is located on the 2nd floor and is open to all CCE students. It is perfect for group discussion or to get a quick snack.

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20. How do I get to the Centre for Continuing Education and where can I park?

The Centre for Continuing Education is located at the McMaster Downtown Centre, 50 Main Street East, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The Downtown Centre is located on Main Street between Hughson & John.

Driving Directions:

From the West: Take Hwy #403 to the Main Street East exit. Follow Main Street to Hughson Street (One block after James Street on right)

From the East: Take the QEW to Hwy#403 West. Take the Main Street East exit. Follow Main Street to Hughson Street. (One block after James Street on right)

Parking: There are numerous parking lots surrounding the Downtown Centre. Depending on the lot, daytime parking rates range between $3.00 and $9.00 per day if arriving before 9 a.m. Evening parking rates range between $2.50 and $5.00 per night. All rates are subject to change. There are also parking meters in the immediate area, which are free after 6:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Meters require payment until 9:00 p.m. on Thursdays. Permit parking is not available to students at this location.

Transit:

Go Transit's downtown Hamilton station is just blocks away from McMaster Downtown Centre. Follow Hughson Street northbound two blocks to Main.

Any HSR route traveling through downtown will stop within blocks of the Downtown Centre.

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21. In stormy weather, how will I know if classes are cancelled?

Check McMaster's main website or call the University switchboard at (905) 525-9140. Review the University's Storm Closure Policy for details.

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22. What if English is not my first language?

Please see the English Language Proficiency Requirements.

23. Can I register for 2 courses that are scheduled to run on the same day/time?

Registration in 2 or more courses that are scheduled concurrently and/or simultaneously (i.e. same day/time) is prohibited.

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