Editing CEGEP (section)

==Programs==
{{refimprove section|date=December 2008}}
Most, but not all colleges offer three types of programs: general, professional and academic. The general programs take three years to complete. The professional programs take three years to complete. The academic programs take two. These programs share a core curriculum, consisting of 14 courses: four first language and two second language courses (either English or French), three Humanities courses (Philosophy in French CEGEPs), three Physical Education courses and two complementary courses (elective courses unrelated to the program of study).

===General program===
<!-- This section needs to be translated from the corresponding section in French [[:fr:Cégep##Programmes_généraux]] -->

===Professional program===
Quebec colleges also offer three-year professional programs for students who wish to pursue a skilled trade.<ref name="Youth"/> Unlike the academic programs, these are not preparation for university, although this does not prevent a student from attending a university afterwards. The professional programs also lead to a DEC.  Examples of such professional programs are Industrial Electronics, Architectural Technology, Nursing, Building Engineering Technology, Computer Science, and Theatre.  Though those programs can also lead to the university, they are geared towards immediate employment after completion.

Adult continuing education programs are also offered at colleges. Many of those programs lead to a college certificate ([[Attestation of College Studies]] (ACS),<ref>[http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=/C_29/C29_A.html General and Professional Colleges Act], 18(c)</ref> {{in lang|fr}}: ''Attestation d'études collégiales''—''AEC''), which is similar to a DEC but does not include the core curriculum. This certificate is delivered by a college's continuing education department, while a diploma is issued by the Ministry of Education, Recreation, and Sport of Quebec (later renamed The Ministry of Education and Higher Education, {{lang|fr|Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement Supérieur}} in French).

In addition, the majority of the province's thirty-one "Technology Transfer Centres" have been established by CEGEPs. At these centres, applied research is carried out in a specific field in cooperation with industrial partners.

===Academic program===
An academic program is two years long. It covers both the subject matter that roughly corresponds to the additional year of high school common elsewhere in Canada and the courses corresponding to those taken in first-year university in preparation for a chosen field in university (Sciences, Humanities, Commerce or Arts). Upon the completion of studies, the provincial government issues a [[Diploma of College Studies]] (DCS), or DEC ({{lang|fr|Diplôme d'études collégiales}}). 

Students are then prepared to complete certain undergraduate programs at a Quebec university in 3 years, as opposed to 4 years outside Quebec. Students with a DEC who choose to attend university in another province in Canada or outside the country are eligible to either skip the first year and enter university as a second year student, or gain advanced standing or extra credit for their first year. The amount of extra credit accepted is at the discretion of each university. In practice, most universities do accept Quebec college credits, but only up to one year, given the difference in structure of education systems between Quebec and the rest of the provinces.