Information and Library Technologies

Unfortunately, no. The Ministry requires that all courses must be completed in order for you to earn an ILT diploma. The bright side of this is that you will find that your learning curve is easier, and that the classroom experience will be more rewarding because you bring some practical knowledge to it.

Specific library courses may be taken for professional development purposes if the student already has a diploma or degree in library and information studies. Regular tuition fees apply since this qualifies as part-time study.

The department arranges fieldwork (stage) placements in consultation with students, to provide students with a range of experiences. Each student has two five-week fieldwork placements in the sixth semester, one in a library and one in an archives/records management setting.

Tuition fees: There are no tuition fees for full-time students from Quebec (see “What is a regular course load?” below). In cases where students choose to take fewer than 12 hours per week they are required to pay per-course tuition fees. The following types of fees are charged for Quebec residents: Full-time Part-time (under 12 hrs/wk) Application fees: Full-time $30 Part-time (under 12 hrs/wk) $30 Student Fees per semester: Full-time $162 Part-time (under 12 hrs/wk) $41/course Tuition fees: Full-time - 0 Part-time (under 12 hrs/wk) $2/credit hour (e.g. course given 3 hours/week over 15 weeks : 3 x 15 x $2 = $90) * All fees mentioned were in effect for the fall 2020 semester, and are subject to change without notice. Books and supplies: We usually suggest students should expect to pay $200-$400 per term depending on the number of courses and their requirements.

Any person who takes 12 hours of courses (usually 3- 4 courses) per week is considered a full-time student. However, 12 hours represents only part of the full program. A regular full-time course load in the Information & Library Technologies program is 7-8 courses per semester (up to 28 hours of classes per week). Many students choose to follow the minimum number of courses for a full-time status as they have work or family responsibilities. In these cases, course choices should be made in conjunction with the Chairperson and/or Academic Advising. We strongly suggest that students take all their first semester core courses if they possibly can, as it makes it easier to sequence the courses that follow, but it is not absolutely necessary. A lower course load means the program will take 4-5 years to complete.

Yes, you may. Tuition fees then apply, as noted above under “What will it cost me?”

Yes, you may. However, if you have a university degree, you should consider the two-year Masters programs offered at McGill University and Université de Montréal. The Masters programs are more theoretical and issues-oriented, with strong components of information science research and management. However, students with university degrees do choose to come to the ILT program, for a variety of reasons. They may prefer the hands-on, practical aspects of information management, or the location may be easier for them to attend. The lack of grade-point requirements and the low cost of cegep education may also be factors. See also information below concerning courses taken elsewhere.

If you have a previous DEC, or have finished all your gen.eds you should automatically be registered in the Intensive stream. Applicants who do not have a DEC but have other post-secondary education must have their diplomas/degrees analyzed by Academic Advising to verify that all or most of the general education courses are granted as equivalencies (you may have up to 3 gen.ed courses to complete).

If you wish to graduate in two years you must take the full course load. However, it is very heavy and many of our intensive stream students take 5 courses per semester which permits them to graduate in 3 years. They may also take fewer, but this stretches out the time to completion. These students all remain in the Intensive stream as it makes the course planning easier, but take a reduced course load. We recommend that students who have work or family obligations consider their workloads carefully in terms of quality of life and academic achievement (better to take 5 courses and perform well in your class work than to take 8 and achieve mediocre results). Course loads are adjustable at the beginning of every semester.

Yes, applications are accepted as long as there are places available in the program. Do not hesitate to contact the Admissions Dept. to find out if there is room

General education courses are the basic courses required of every cegep student: English, French, Humanities, Physical Education and complementaries (electives) from outside the Social science disciplines. Everyone is required to take them and the only way to be exempted from them is if you completed the requirements in a previous DEC or have other post-secondary equivalencies. Many mature students feel that they should be excused from Physical Education. However, it is a requirement that must be fulfilled unless there is a medical reason for substitution, and most people find that they are able to find courses that correspond to their interests and/or skill levels, such as general fitness, golf, walking, swimming and weight training.

The program has a very mixed student body. Career programs appeal to people who for one reason or another want to prepare themselves for the workplace. This includes young people who have finished a pre-university DEC, but who now feel the need for practical skills for the job market, as well as older people who have decided to return to the workplace after raising children or because they want a career change. Some of our students do come directly from high school, but there is always a large component of mature students and most consider that the mix is enjoyable. See also the information below concerning courses taken elsewhere.

Students are normally admitted for the session starting at the end of August. Applicants with previous courses in library or information studies may be considered for January entry. Applicants anxious to start their studies in the January session should consider speaking to an Academic advisor about applying to a pre-university program so that they can start with some of their general education courses. They would then be expected to transfer to the ILT program for the following August.

You will receive credit for any general education courses completed at the cegep level. If you have completed a DEC, you will probably have few if any courses to do outside of the ILT concentration. Some courses done at the university level that fit into the categories of English Literature, French, Humanities (history, religion, philosophy) or Science may also be credited. You would need to see an Academic advisor at the college with your transcripts to see what might be applicable, and then each applicable course would be considered for an equivalency. This can be done once you are accepted or after you start school. Courses in library or information studies completed elsewhere will be considered for credit on a case-by-case basis. Contact the program Chairperson for more information about this. Students who have completed all or most of their general education courses are admitted to the Intensive stream. This gives them the opportunity to finish their diplomas in 2 years rather than the standard 3 years. However, since the Intensive full course load is very heavy (8 courses) many students choose to reduce their workload to spread it over 3 years. This is a particularly interesting option for mature students who have work or family obligations.

We can never guarantee a job. However, based on the present statistics we can say that there is a good probability that you will find work in the field. Since 1996 most of our graduates have found work within 6 months of graduation. There is a good demand for information technicians. When you are considering your job prospects you need to think about your assets and the requirements that you meet. For example, bilingualism and teamwork abilities are big pluses. If you are not able to commute, or want a two-day-a-week job, you may have to wait for the opportunities.