Post Secondary

Founded in 1910, Calgary’s Mount Royal College is one of the oldest colleges in Alberta. The main campus was situated in the City Centre until growing enrollment and space restrictions made necessary the opening of a new headquarters location, Lincoln Park in the city’s southwest, in 1972.

Mount Royal now operates in three locations of the sprawling city of Calgary: City Centre, Lincoln Park, and Holy Cross, which opened in 1999. With 13,000 students and more than sixty degree, diploma, university transfer and certificate programs, the College is notable for “developing programs that are progressive, innovative and relevant.” It developed the concept of the applied degree program, which is now utilized by colleges across Canada. The applied degree program is designed to combine classroom learning with real hands-on experience to best prepare the student for their chosen field. A four year program, it typically integrates six semesters of academic coursework with two semesters of paid work experience. It is a solution to the problem that many students encounter in their traditional university classes—too much classroom, not enough practical experience—and a prime example of innovative thinking that will keep Alberta’s education system moving forward.