Private universities in Canada are independent postsecondary institutions that have been granted the authority to confer academic degrees from a provincial authority. The oldest private universities in Canada operated as seminaries or as religiously-affiliated institutions, although several secular for-profit and not-for-profit private universities were established in Canada during the late-20th and early 21st century. [1] Although private universities have been established in several Canadian provinces, the majority of universities in the country remains publicly-funded.
Along with private universities based in Canada, several private universities based in the United States also operate satellite campuses in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.
Post-secondary degree programs at private universities in Alberta are approved by the province's Minister of Advanced Education as reviewed by the Campus Alberta Quality Council. [2] The following are private universities based in Alberta that operate degree programs approved by Alberta's Minister of Advanced Education: [2]
Name | City | Language | Established [note 1] | Religious affiliation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ambrose University | Calgary | English | 1921 | Christian and Missionary Alliance & Church of the Nazarene |
Burman University | Lacombe | English | 1907 | Seventh-day Adventist |
Concordia University of Edmonton | Edmonton | English | 1921 | — [note 2] |
St. Mary's University | Calgary | English | 1986 | Catholic Church |
The King's University | Edmonton | English | 1979 | Christian Reformed Church in North America |
In addition to private universities that are based in Alberta, the cities of Calgary and Edmonton also hosts satellite campuses for private universities based in the United States, including the City University of Seattle, Gonzaga University, and the University of Portland. [3] Degree programs offered at these satellite campuses are approved by Alberta's Minister of Advanced Education. [4]
From 2002 to 2009, the Taylor University College and Seminary was authorized to confer undergraduate degrees. In 2009 the institution ceased operating an undergraduate program, and its authority to confer degrees was rescinded by the government of Alberta. [2]
Post-secondary degree programs at private universities in British Columbia are authorized under the provincial Degree Authorization Act. [5] The following are private universities based in British Columbia, whose degree-granting authority was authorized under the Degree Authorization Act: [5]
Name | City | Language | Established [note 1] | Religious affiliation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences | Port Alberni | English | 2007 | — |
Quest University | Squamish | English | 2007 | — |
Trinity Western University | Langley | English | 1962 | Evangelical Free Church of America |
University Canada West | Vancouver | English | 2005 | — |
Yorkville University | Vancouver [note 3] | English | 2017 [note 4] | — |
In addition to private universities based in British Columbia, several US-based private universities also operate a satellite campus in Vancouver; including Adler University, City University of Seattle, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and Northeastern University. Gonzaga University also operates a satellite campus in Kelowna. [3] The aforementioned universities that operate satellite campuses in British Columbia all operate degree programs authorized under the province's Degree Authorization Act. [5]
There exists several religious-affiliated private universities in Manitoba that operate degree programs approved by the provincial government. The following Manitoba-based private universities are provided the authority to accept international students under the province's International Education Act: [7]
Name | City | Language | Established [note 1] | Religious affiliation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Booth University College | Winnipeg | English | 1982 | Salvation Army |
Canadian Mennonite University | Winnipeg | English | 1999 | Mennonite |
Providence University College and Theological Seminary | Otterburne | English | 1925 | Evangelicalism |
There exists several private universities in New Brunswick which are either recognized under the province's Degree Granting Act, or as a privately chartered university. They include: [8]
Name | City | Language | Established [note 1] | Religious affiliation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Crandall University | Moncton | English | 1949 | Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada |
Kingswood University | Sussex | English | 1945 | Wesleyan Church |
St. Stephen's University | St. Stephen | English | 1975 | — [note 5] |
University of Fredericton | Fredericton | English | 2005 | — |
Yorkville University | Fredericton [note 3] | English | 2003 | — |
Lansbridge University was a former private university in New Brunswick that ceased operations in 2010. [10]
There are several private universities based in Ontario with partial degree-granting authority as authorized by an act of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The majority of these institutions are faith-based. [11] The following are private universities based in Ontario, that were authorized to grant degrees in Ontario through ministerial consent: [11] [12]
Name | City | Language | Established [note 1] | Religious affiliation |
---|---|---|---|---|
International Business University | Toronto | English | 2021 [13] | — |
Redeemer University | Hamilton | English | 1982 | Reformed Christian |
Tyndale University | Toronto | English | 1894 | Evangelicalism |
University of Niagara Falls Canada | Niagara Falls | English | 2024 | — |
Yorkville University | Toronto, Vaughan [note 3] | English | [note 6] | — |
In addition to private universities based in Ontario, the province also hosts satellite campuses for two US-based private universities, Niagara University and Northeastern University; the former in Vaughan and the latter in Toronto. [14] [15] These institutions were granted the authority to confer academic degrees through ministerial consent. [12]
Education in Canada is for the most part provided publicly, funded and overseen by federal, provincial, and local governments. Education is within provincial jurisdiction and the curriculum is overseen by the province. Education in Canada is generally divided into primary education, followed by secondary education and post-secondary. Education in both English and French is available in most places across Canada. Canada has a large number of universities, almost all of which are publicly funded. Established in 1663, Université Laval is the oldest post-secondary institution in Canada. The largest university is the University of Toronto with over 85,000 students. Four universities are regularly ranked among the top 100 world-wide, namely University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, and McMaster University, with a total of 18 universities ranked in the top 500 worldwide.
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Ontario College of Art & Design University, commonly known as OCAD University or OCAD U, is a public art university located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus is spread throughout several buildings and facilities within downtown Toronto. The university is a co-educational institution which operates three academic faculties, the Faculty of Art, the Faculty of Arts and Science, and the Faculty of Design. The university also provides continuing education services through its School of Continuing Studies.
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Higher education in Ontario includes postsecondary education and skills training regulated by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and provided by universities, colleges of applied arts and technology, and private career colleges. The current minister is Jill Dunlop who was appointed in June 2021. The ministry administers laws covering 22 public universities, 24 public colleges, 17 privately funded religious universities, and over 500 private career colleges. 18 of the top 50 research universities in Canada are in Ontario.
Higher education in Canada includes provincial, territorial, indigenous and military higher education systems. The ideal objective of Canadian higher education is to offer every Canadian the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to realize their utmost potential. It aspires to cultivate a world-class workforce, enhance the employment rate of Canadians, and safeguard Canada's enduring prosperity. Higher education programs are intricately designed with the perspective of the learner in focus, striving to mitigate risks and assure definite outcomes.
Higher education in Alberta refers to the post secondary education system for the province of Alberta. The Ministry of Advanced Education in Alberta oversees educational delivery through universities, publicly funded colleges, technical institutions, and private colleges. These institutions offer a variety of academic and vocational pursuits. Students have access to post-secondary options through most regions of Alberta, and a developed articulation system allows for increased student mobility.
Higher education in Prince Edward Island refers to education provided by higher education institutions in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. In Canada, education is the responsibility of the provinces and there is no Canadian federal ministry governing education. Prince Edward Island has two post-secondary institutions authorized to grant degrees: one university, the University of Prince Edward Island, and one college, Maritime Christian College. There are also two community colleges: Holland College, which operates centres across the province, and Collège de l'Île, which offers post secondary education in French. The governing body for higher education in Prince Edward Island is the Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning, headed by the Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning, the Honourable Allen Roach.
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