Program Description

Our Adult Basic Education Program prepares you for further education and employment.  The supportive and flexible learning environment will help you develop foundational skills in reading, writing, math, computers, and science.  We also offer essential skills courses to build your digital skills, communication skills, planning and time management abilities, and much more. 

We are committed to your success.  Our team of instructors and support staff will work directly with you to help you reach your personal goals. 

Bow Valley College offers Adult Basic Education in two main modes of instruction for the Fall 2022 term: Real-Time Online and Blended. To learn more about these options, please refer to the information below.

Program Description: 

Real Time Online - RTOL 

Take advantage of the freedom and flexibility that online learning gives you in select Adult Basic Education courses. You can study from home, overseas, while working or travelling, or wherever you happen to be. You can also work at our downtown campus, where instructors are available on a drop-in and by-appointment basis between 8:00 and 4:00 Monday through Thursday.

Some features of this learning option are:

• Virtual participation through online video class sessions
• Daily 75- or 150-minute classes
• Scheduled between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday
• Learners are expected to participate in all scheduled online activities
• Minimum technology is required (see below for details)

For Fall 2022, we offer the following courses in RTOL:

• Language Arts 4
• Language Arts 5
• Prep Math 10
• Science Preparation

Adult Basic Education – Blended Learning 

Are you interested in attending classes on campus? Blended courses allow learners to engage in their coursework through a mix of traditional, in-person instruction with scheduled or non-scheduled online learning activities.

Some features of this learning option are:

• Three or four in-person classes scheduled each week 
• One or two online or independent study sessions scheduled each week
• Classes are scheduled between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Learners are required to participate in all scheduled in-person and/or online activities
• Minimum technology is required (see below for details)

For Fall 2022, we offer the following courses in Blended delivery:

• Reading 3, Writing 3, Language Arts 4 & Language Arts 5 
• Basic Math 1, Basic Math 2, Basic Math 3, & Prep Math 10 
• Science Prep 
• Microsoft Office Fundamentals
• Basic Skills for Working, Learning, and Living

Recommended Technology Requirements:

To participate in our classes, learners are required to have regular access to technology.

Students must have access to a desktop, laptop, or tablet that:

• Has reliable internet access 
• Allows you to watch video and hear audio
• Has a camera
• Has a microphone
• Supports Microsoft Teams
• Supports D2L
• Allows you to receive and send email through your myBVC account
• Allows you to view PDF and Word documents
• Allows you to create text documents of 500 words and more

Financial Support

Our academic upgrading programs are eligible for Learner Income Support funding. Government of Alberta Learner Income Support (formerly "Alberta Works") is a financial support program managed by the Government of Alberta to support Alberta residents access adult education to help them towards more sustainable employment. Financial support may be available to you.

Check funding availability

Admission Requirements

• Applicants are expected to obtain a minimum score on the Bow Valley College Admission/Placement Test
• Where possible, applicants may provide an official transcript or statement of marks