Students > My program > Short graduate programs > Recognition of prior credits

Recognition of acquired competencies at the short graduate programs

The recognition of acquired competencies (RAC) makes it possible to have your competencies officially recognized in lieu of one or more courses in your academic program.

Acquired competencies of an academic nature

Acquired competencies of an academic nature may be recognized if the course was taken in a recognized university and the activities of that course align with the activities of a course in your HEC Montréal program. See the Policy on the Recognition of Acquired Competencies to learn how it applies.

Once your request for RAC of an academic nature has been processed, you may be granted a course equivalence.

  • A course recognized by equivalence appears on the transcript with the comment “EQ” which does not contribute to the student’s grade point average.
  • Credits for the course recognized by equivalence count as part of the total credits required to complete the program.
 
No equivalence will be granted for university courses that are required as a condition of admission or that are offered by professional associations.
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Before completing a request
  1. Go to the Course portal and read the course description for the course you wish to be recognized by equivalence. Make sure that the content of the course is aligned with the content of the course you have taken. If you have been admitted to HEC Montréal, you can also consult the syllabus in ZoneCours > Course outline archive. 
  2. Begin the RAC process as soon as your admission has been confirmed, preferably before the first term you register.
  3. Do not register for a course for which you have requested an RAC; wait until you have received a decision.
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Complete a request
  1. Log in to the portal with your HEC Montréal ID number and password.
  1. Complete the "Reconnaissance des acquis scolaires" form and add the following documents to your request:
    • a copy of your transcripts
    • a detailed course outline for the term in which you took the course. 
  1. After saving the form, submit it from the “My Requests” page of the portal.

Incomplete requests will be automatically denied.

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Request processing
  • Depending on your file, your request will be processed in approximately five weeks. Processing times may be longer during the summer.
  • A decision will be delivered to your HEC Montréal email address. 
  • If the equivalence request is approved:
    • Studies in Quebec: You must ask your university to send us your official transcripts via the Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire (BCI).
    • Studies outside Quebec: You must provide your original official transcripts or a copy thereof that has been certified by the issuing institution (unless this document was sent with the admission application) in Zone Info.