BC Adult Dogwood is the high school equivalency program offered in British Colombia to Canadians who didn’t have a chance to complete a traditional high school.
Most Canadian provinces and territories have introduced the Canadian-made CAEC (Canadian Adult Education Credential) to replace the GED for high school equivalency testing.
The GED exam is no longer available in Canada. GED Testing Service, the U.S. provider, decided to stop offering the Canadian GED test in May 2024. To get all set fast for the new CAEC exam, we advise using the accredited, affordable CAEC prep course available through Onsego Canada.
British Columbia had already decided in 2014 to stop using the GED exam to assess the knowledge and skill levels of adults without a high school diploma.
British Columbia is proud of its education system, which encourages students to maximize their potential. The province also takes great pride in its adult education system, which educates citizens to thrive in a rapidly changing academic and professional world.
So, though most Canadian provinces and territories have rolled out the new Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC, pronounced ‘cake’) program in 2024, the province of British Columbia remains true to its successful Adult Graduation Diploma Program. It is uncertain when BC will introduce the CAEC exam as well, and Yukon may follow BC’s example.
The British Columbia Adult Graduation Diploma
The British Columbia Adult Graduation Diploma (BCAGD), also often referred to as “Adult Dogwood,” is an adult high school diploma program for adults at least 18 years old who want to complete their high school education and earn an adult high school diploma.
Preparatory courses are offered by B.C. school districts through continuing education centres and by a number of public post-secondary education institutions that deliver Adult Education programs across British Columbia.
Getting your High School Credential
Students who want to graduate with an Adult Dogwood diploma must complete at least one (1) Language Arts Grade-12-level course, one (1) Mathematics Grade-11 or 12-course, and at least three (3) additional Grade-12-level elective courses, OR one (1) Grade-11-level Socials Studies course and two (2) additional Grade-12-level electives.
Courses from both public adult education programs (secondary level) and post-secondary education institutions can be counted toward completion. However, many post-secondary education institutions require students to write assessments or take remedial courses as part of their admissions procedures.
Please note that at least three (3) of these five (5) Adult Dogwood courses need to be completed after the students register for B.C.’s Adult Graduation Program. Candidates cannot receive an Adult Dogwood if they use only courses they completed before enrolling in the program.
| Secondary School System | Post-Secondary School System |
| 1 Language Arts Grade-12-level course (English 12-level, English First Peoples 12-level credits, or Francophone equivalent, 4 credits) | 1 Provincial Grade 12-level English or higher |
| 1 Math Grade 11 or 12-level (4 credits) | 1 Advanced Grade 11-level or Provincial Level (or higher) in Math |
| 3 Grade 12-level officially authorized Social Studies courses (4 credits each) or 1 Grade 11-level Social Studies course (4 credits) as well as 2 officially authorized Grade 12-level (4 credits each), resulting in 12 credits in total | 3 additional elective courses (at least at the provincial level) or 1 Advanced Social Sciences course and 2 courses at least at the provincial level |
| Total: 20 Credits | Total: 5 Courses |
Students may also earn credit towards their Adult Dogwood diploma for advanced-level Math courses and provincial-level math (or higher). In the secondary school system, Math would then be an elective course.
There are more ways students can use course credits towards Dogwood graduation. Credit may be granted for
- Courses from post-secondary institutions
- Courses provided by Adult Education programs, available from universities and colleges
- Ministry-authorized academic courses taken previously
Please note that schools must and will verify credit information, grades received, and transcripts. You may also want to read our post about how Onsego Online CAEC Prep gets students all geared up for the new CAEC (Canadian Adult Education Credential) super fast!
Prior Learning Assessment
Students may also receive credit for past or current work skills or post-secondary training by taking a “Prior Learning Assessment” (PLA).
Continuing education facilities and public post-secondary education institutions can help applicants by reviewing their past work history. This way, they can determine if the candidates qualify for course credit.
Because British Columbia introduced its Dogwood Program in 2014, the province is unlikely to be enthusiastic about replacing its Adult Graduation Program with the new Canadian Adult Education Credential Program.
B.C. Adult Education – Two Systems
1. School Districts
Throughout British Columbia, school districts provide high school courses for adult learners at continuing education facilities, secondary schools, and adult learning centers.
These programs are specifically tailored to the needs of adult learners. They use various instructional methods and study environments, including self-paced or face-to-face instruction. Please note that the offered programs may vary by location.
School districts may also offer online courses to help students achieve an adult high school diploma, and there are also very well-designed online courses, like the one designed by Onsego CAEC Prep, that may prove useful for earning a secondary education degree quickly.
Students interested in registering for a course offered by their school district can contact their local school district to see where they can find an adult learning center. There, they can learn about free courses available to adult learners who already have a diploma or about B.C.’s Adult Graduation Program.
2. Public Post-Secondary Institutions
Many public institutions of post-secondary education (universities and colleges) offer free continuing education programs. These courses include Academic Upgrading, Adult Basic Education, or Access Programs.
These programs are for adults who want to qualify for post-secondary studies, improve their high school grades, or complete B.C.’s Adult Graduation Diploma or Dogwood.
The following is an overview of British Columbia’s continuing education centers and post-secondary institutions that offer these programs.
Continuing Education Centers in B.C.
The following institutions and schools offer Adult Graduation Diploma (Dogwood) instruction:
- Abbotsford Continuing Education, University of the Fraser Valley, 33844 King Rd, Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8, Ph: 604-851-6324
- Burnaby Community & Continuing Education, 751 Hammarskjold Dr, Burnaby, BC V5B 4A1, Ph: 604-296-6901
- Campbell River Continuing Education, North Island College, 1685 S Dogwood St, Campbell River, BC V9W 8C1, Ph: 250-923-9728/9700
- Chilliwack Continuing Education, Sardis Secondary School, 45460 Stevenson Rd, Chilliwack, BC V2R 2Z6, Ph: 604-858-9424
- Coquitlam Continuing Education, Montgomery Centre, 380 Montgomery St, Coquitlam, BC V3K 5G2, Ph: 604-936-4261
- Duncan, Cowichan Continuing Education, 5594 River Rd, Duncan, BC V9L 6V9, Ph: 250-746-7170
- Kamloops Continuing Education, Northills Mall #35-700 Tranquille Rd, Kamloops, BC V2B 3H9, Ph: 250-376-7072
- Kelowna Continuing Education, Okanagan College, 1000 KLO Rd, Kelowna, BC V1Y 4X8, Ph: 250-862-5480
- Langley Continuing Education, Langley Education Centre, 21405A – 56 Ave, Langley, BC V2Y 2N1, Ph: 604-534-7155
- Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Continuing Education, 20575 Thorne Ave, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 9A6, Ph: 604-466-6555, ext. 1
- Merritt Continuing Education, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, 4155 Belshaw St, Merritt, BC V1K 1R1, Ph: 877-682-3300
- Parksville/Qualicum Continuing Education (@PASS-Parksville Altern. Secondary School, 140 Renz Road, Parksville, BC V9P 1E8, Ph: 250-248-2969
- Prince George Continuing Education, College of New Caledonia, 3330-22nd Ave, Prince George, BC V2N 1P8, Ph: 250-997-7200
- Richmond Continuing Education, 7811 Granville Ave, Richmond, BC V6Y 3E3, Ph: 604-668-6123
- Saanich Continuing Education, Saanichton Learning Centre, 1649 Mount Newton Cross Rd, Saanichton, BC V8M 1L1, Ph: 250-652-4042
- Sooke Continuing Education, Sooke Region Lifelong Learning, 204-2120 Church Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0W7, Ph: 778-365-1878
- Surrey Continuing Education, Surrey Academy of Innovative Learning, 14123 92 Ave, Surrey, BC V3V 1J7, Ph: 604-592-4263
- Terrace Continuing Education, Coast Mountain College, 5331 McConnell Ave, Terrace, BC V8G 4X2, Ph: 250-635-6511
Public Post-secondary Institutions
- Vancouver Island University
- Vancouver Community College
- University of the Fraser Valley
- Thompson Rivers University
- Thompson Rivers University – Open Learning
- Selkirk College
- Okanagan College
- Northern Lights College
- North Island College
- Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
- Langara College
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University
- Douglas College
- College of the Rockies
- College of New Caledonia
- Coast Mountain College
- Capilano University
- Camosun College
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
Notice: Onsego focuses on providing top online CAEC courses. We do not provide the CAEC exam, but we help you pass it efficiently. However, it is critical to confirm our information with official CAEC sources for accuracy.