Private Career College
The International Academy of Massage is registered and approved as a Private Career
College under the Private Career Colleges Act. The Academy was first registered
in May 1998.
As supportive information to potential applicants and also for registered students
the following excerpts from the Ministry Website will be of assistance in understanding
the role and function of the Ministry and a Private Career College.
Postsecondary Education
In the area of postsecondary education, the Ministry of Training, Colleges
and Universities is responsible for:
Introduction – Private Career Colleges
A wide range of training programs exists to help Ontarians prepare for the job market
or enter the professions. For many occupations, registered private career colleges
can provide a suitable alternative to the training offered by colleges, universities,
apprenticeship, programs, and other provincial skills development programs. Private
career colleges have been a part of postsecondary education for many years; in fact,
several of the colleges have recently celebrated their one hundredth anniversaries.
There are over 450 registered private career colleges in Ontario. Although
several of them offer training in a variety of occupations, the majority focus on
courses that will prepare students for clearly defined occupations. All have the
common objective of bringing the student, in the shortest possible time, to the
level of a beginning practitioner. Courses are usually provided as morning, afternoon,
and evening sessions and in some cases by correspondence.
Since practical skills are stressed and liberal arts studies minimized, the programs
will appeal to (a) those who need practical skills to enter the work force as quickly
as possible, (b) students who may not be particularly interested in academic studies
at this point in their career, and c) those who need specific practical skills in
addition to their academic qualifications to become more competitive in the marketplace.
Registration of Schools
Private career colleges are privately owned and are operated as commercial enterprises.
They must be registered under the Private Career Colleges Act, administered by the Ministry
of Education and Training.
Registration of a college under the Act means that it has met the minimum requirements
set out in Regulation 939, as amended under the Act, regarding curricula, teacher
qualifications, advertising, and refund policies. As potential consumers, students
must take the same care and precautions when choosing a program as they would take
when making any other major purchase.
The colleges offer many courses in each subject or occupational area. Courses vary
widely in terms of the subject matter that will be covered. For example, one course
in "Radio" may teach radio repair, while another may prepare a person
for a position with a broadcasting company. It is suggested that students write
to the colleges offering the subjects that interest them, and request detailed information
prior to entering into formal arrangements with any one college.
Although two or more registered private career colleges may offer programs and courses
with similar titles, this does not mean that the courses are of equal merit or will
be of equal value to the student. Each college is registered on the basis of its
own program offerings, and it is the student's responsibility to decide which college
and courses best meet his or her needs. The assessment of a college by potential
students should include not only the curriculum but also the facility, the equipment,
and the calibre of the teachers; all these aspects should be assessed in relation
to the tuition costs.
To learn more about the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities please visit
their website at www.edu.gov.on.ca
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