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FAQ

We're here to answer the questions you have so you can learn with us at ϳԹ's Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development.

Registering & Completing a Course or Program

If you are a new student, you can register for a course by . Enter your email address under “I’m a new student” to get started.

Once your OPEN_X account is created, you can log in at any time to register for courses or to access your enrolled courses in OpenDal, our online learning platform.

Some courses will require you to have access to additional ϳԹresources like the Libraries, campus wifi, and IT services. If you register for one of these courses, you will receive an email within 1-2 business days that contains instructions on how to activate your NetID. Once your NetID is activated, you will use it to access your enrolled courses in OpenDal, our online learning platform. Please periodically check your Junk or Spam folders to make sure you don’t miss an email with your NetID.

What is the recommended level of English language proficiency for participation in the Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development's courses?

The Faculty of Opening Learning & Career Development recommends an intermediate level of English language proficiency for most effective learning and participation in our online and face-to-face courses. Here is a list of minimum recommended scores on some common English tests:

  • Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB): 5
  • The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): 5
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General or Academic: 5.0 overall
  • Cambridge B1 Preliminary: 140–159
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (ToEFL): 35
  • Duolingo English Test: 75

If you have questions about your English language proficiency and ability to succeed in this course, please contact openlearning@dal.ca


Accounts & Passwords

IMPORTANT NOTICE: As of January 2024, students who have a Destiny One (OPEN_X) account will receive a NetID if registering for a course that requires access to additional ϳԹresources. Your NetID gives you access to the ϳԹLibraries, all Information Technology (IT) services at Dalhousie, campus wireless networks, and the online learning platform, OpenDal.

If your course does not require that you have a NetID, you can use your OPEN_X account to access the online learning platform, OpenDal.

I've never taken a course through your Faculty. How do I set up an account?

If you’ve never taken a course at ϳԹbefore, you will need to by entering your email address under "I'm a new student."

If you’ve taken other courses at ϳԹbefore, and you have a NetID, you can register for courses and view your enrolled courses by .

I've taken a course through the Faculty, but my NetID isn't working when I try to sign in.

If you've previously taken a course through the Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development, please double check that your NetID is activated.

To do this, go to  and submit the form to claim your account. You will need to register a Password Reset Email in case you forget your password.

When your NetID has been activated, you will be able to log in to Destiny One using the "I have a NetID username and password" option.

I've taken a course through the Faculty, but I don't have a NetID.

You can use your OPEN_X account to register for courses if you do not have a NetID. If you don’t know your OPEN_X username, you can using your email address.

I'm a student, staff and/or faculty member at Dalhousie. Do I need to set up an account to access the Faculty's courses?

No, you do not need to set up a separate account. You need to use your NetID username and password to register for our courses. 

I have forgotten my OPEN_X (Destiny One) username. What do I do?

Click on the "Forgot Username link" on the  page.  Enter the email associated with your account and click Continue.  If there is an account associated with the email address you entered, you will receive an email with your username.

If your username begins with ‘OPEN_X,’ you will .

If your username ends with ‘@dal.ca,’ it is a NetID and you will use that username to .

I am not receiving emails from Destiny One. What should I do?

The first step is always to check your junk or spam email folders.

If you are still not receiving emails and cannot log in to your account, please contact our office at openlearning@dal.ca with the following information:

  • First and Last Name

And one of the following:

  • Home Address
  • Phone Number
  • Day/Month of Birth

This is necessary to confirm your identity. Please also include in the message what you believe the email address connected to your account is and what you wish to change it to.

The most common reasons for an email issue are:

1. A typo within the system.

2. Emails from Destiny One may be filtered by your inbox or workplace depending on your permissions. It is recommended to use a Gmail account in order to avoid these types of errors. For more information on this issue, please contact openlearning@dal.ca.

Who do I contact if I can't activate my Dal NetID?

You can activate your NetID at . If you require assistance with activating your NetID, please reach out to the Help Desk at support@dal.ca or 902-494-HELP (902-494-4357).  

I can't log in to OpenDal at all. I get an error message. What do I do?

If you have an OPEN_X account, but you still cannot login to OpenDal, please go to the  to reset your password. Users with a ϳԹNetID should use their NetID to login to OpenDal.

If you are unable to access your account or reset your password, please contact the Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development office at openlearning@dal.ca or 1-800-565-8867. The Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development office is open Monday – Friday 9:00AM – 4:30PM AST. If no one is available to answer your call, please leave a message with your name and contact information and someone will get back to you within one to two business days.

What is my Banner number?

Your Banner Number is a B######## digit number that is associated with you similarly to how a Social Insurance Number is associated with you. It is what the university uses to identify you. You usually receive your Banner Number as an email before the process of activating your Dal Net ID. Please check your Junk or Spam folders for the email with your NetID. 

In order to activate your Dal NetID, you will need to have your Banner Number, so be sure to keep it in a safe place.


Microcredentials

What are microcredentials?

Microcredentials are evidence of a skill or competency that has been demonstrated by the student. They are represented by a digital badge that can be added to your social media sites, such as LinkedIn, the footer of your emails, or your digital resume. Potential employers can click on those digital badges and see a record of what you had to do to earn that microcredential.

What is a digital badge?

A digital badge is the image and the metadata embedded in that image that represents an earned microcredential. Essentially, it is the digital equivalent of a certificate and it shows that the earner has successfully demonstrated the skills and competencies to have earned the microcredential. 

How do microcredentials benefit me?

Many microcredentials are created in collaboration with related industries or employers. As such, they represent skills that those potential employers are looking for and they are earned through evidence that the employers accept as valid and reliable. This means that microcredentials can be a powerful tool to help you get noticed and land that job in your desired field. 

How do I earn a microcredential?

Microcredentials are offered within select courses. Some microcredentials can be earned by successful completion of a course, others can be earned by successful completion of a specific unit including a competency-based assessment. Once you are enrolled in a course that contains a microcredential, your instructor will give you the details on what you will need to do to earn the associated microcredential. For a list of courses that contain a microcredential component, you can go . 

How much do microcredentials cost?

Microcredentials are offered at no additional cost. They are extra value added onto the course you are already taking.

Do microcredentials replace degrees or certificates?

No. Microcredentials are an additional (and more specific) evidence of a skill or competency. They do not replace the degree or certificate you will earn by completing a certificate or degree program. 

What courses allow me to earn a microcredential?

For a list of courses that contain a microcredential component, you can go here. Microcredentials are continuously being added to courses throughout ϳԹso check back occasionally to see if microcredentials have been added to any courses you may be interested in. 


Co-branded Microcredentials

1. What are the benefits to working with ϳԹ?

Benefits of collaborating with ϳԹto develop new microcredentials:

  • Ensure that students graduating from ϳԹhave the specific skills you want.
  • Know that a microcredential represents exactly what you want it to represent.
  • Increase the size of the hiring pool of high-quality candidates.
  • Create a connection between your company and potential employees. 
  • Create evidence of entry-level skills that can allow potential employees to enter your company while still progressing through a degree program. 

2. Why would I want to create a microcredential?

Microcredentials are a way to recognize skills, knowledge, or experiences that your learners have gained through your educational experiences. Microcredentials reward the earner by providing them with evidence of their knowledge or ability that can be leveraged for advances in career or employment opportunities. If the earner feels that the microcredential is worthy of display, then your logo, brand, and educational opportunity will be shared on their social networks, emails, and digital resumes for others to see.

3. What are co-branded microcredentials?

A co-branded microcredential is a microcredential that was developed in collaboration with an organization external to Dalhousie. Like other microcredentials, they represent a skill or competency that has been demonstrated through a competency-based assessment. Unlike other ϳԹmicrocredentials, the courses and the assessments are administered by the partner organization.  For co-branded microcredentials, the microcredential content and assessment must be approved by Dalhousie’s microcredential team and cannot be changed without agreement from Dalhousie. This ensures that any microcredential containing the ϳԹlogo and branding meets the high standards of ϳԹ. 

4. Why would I want to develop a co-branded microcredential?

If your institution or company offers trainings, courses, or other learning experiences, you may want to consider creating a co-branded microcredential with Dalhousie. Co-branded microcredentials give your learners evidence of the skills they received from your courses or trainings as well as the knowledge that the skills and assessment has been vetted and approved by Dalhousie. The digital badge image contains the ϳԹlogo and branding and may be seen to carry more authority or validity than the individual microcredential. 

5. What is required to develop co-branded microcredentials?

Co-branded microcredentials require an agreement between ϳԹand the partner institution that requires approval of the microcredential focus and its competency-based assessment. Once approved, the assessment may not be altered without collaboration and approval from Dalhousie. Dalhousie’s microcredential team will assist with the development, organization, management, and distribution your microcredentials.


For more information on developing a co-branded microcredential contact Microcredentials@dal.ca.



More FAQs

What's the difference between self-paced and scheduled courses?

Scheduled courses require attendance at previously scheduled live sessions with an instructor whereas self-paced courses can be taken at your own pace and at any time. Scheduled courses offer direct and live access to instructors.

By comparison, self-paced courses usually include previously recorded sessions that involve minimal, if any interaction with instructors. 

Where do I find out which courses are being offered this term?

Visit our Upcoming Courses page for more details.

What is the latest date I can register?

We recommend registering no later than 48 hours prior to the start of the course.

I'm interested in completing individual courses that are part of a certificate. Do I have to commit to the certificate or can I just complete the course(s) that interest me?

Most of our certificates allow you to complete courses individually. You do not need to register for the full certificate to take individual courses. 

How do I register for a course or certificate?

If you know the course or certificate that you are interested in, you can visit our to either sign up for a username and password or add a course/certificate to your cart if you already have these credentials.

I have registered for a course. What are my next steps?

If you have a registered for a course, you should have received a confirmation of your registration. If not, please contact openlearning@dal.ca

Do you offer self-study courses I can take at my own pace?

Yes, we offer a range of courses you can take at your own page and the listing can be found .  Learners have six months to complete a course from the date of enrollment. 

How many courses can I take per term?

Most of our courses are offered online and have been designed for working professionals. The amount of courses is entirely up to you, the availability of the course and the date it is offered. 

How can I access my grades?

To access your grades, please use your Destiny One username and password and login in through our

How do I get my final grade and how long does it normally take?

You can access your final grade from the (Destiny One username and password required). You should see your grade added to the portal within a few days of the completion of the course. 

What is the recommended level of English language proficiency for participation in the Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development courses?

The Faculty recommends an intermediate level of English language proficiency for most effective learning and participation in our online and face-to-face courses. Here is a list of minimum recommended scores on some common English tests:

-Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB): 5
-The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): 5
-International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General or Academic: 5.0 overall
-Cambridge B1 Preliminary: 140–159
-Test of English as a Foreign Language (ToEFL): 35
-Duolingo English Test: 75

If you have questions about your English language proficiency and ability to succeed in the course you want to register for, please contact openlearning@dal.ca.


Withdrawals, Cancellations, Transfers & Deferrals

If you'd like more information on our policies on registering for courses, withdrawals, transfers and deferrals, please refer to our.

Can I transfer to another course?

Learners can transfer their enrollment to a section of a different course with the same fee if the section is open for enrollment and there is space available. Leaners can request a transfer by logging in to the Student Services will contact the learners within two (2) business days of the transfer request.  

Course transfers can be requested up to ten (10) business days before the start of the course for which the learner originally registered.

There is no fee to complete a course transfer.

Can I withdraw from a course?

Learners can withdraw from a course by logging in to the to officially request to withdraw. Student Services will contact the learners within two (2) business days of the request with any questions or to confirm the withdrawal. 

PLEASE NOTE: Notifying the instructor of the intention to withdraw from a course or not attending live sessions or completing course work does not constitute an official withdrawal. However, we strongly urge learners to inform Instructors and Program Managers of their withdrawal from a course as a courtesy. Learners who do not withdraw from a course and who do not attend live sessions or complete the course work will be assigned “incomplete” on their course completion record. Learners cannot return after the end of a course to complete any remaining assignments or to complete the course.

If learners are required to withdraw from their course(s) for medical or emergency reasons, they should complete the withdrawal request through the and contact Student Services at 1-800-565-8867 to discuss their options.

What is your refund policy?

Learners will receive a full course fee refund if they withdraw ten (10) business days or more before the course start date.

Learners will receive an 80% course fee refund if they withdraw between nine (9) and five (5) business days before the course start date.

Learners will not receive a refund if they withdraw less than five (5) business days before the course start date.

Refunds will be made the same way that the payment was made. Refunds to a credit or debit card may take up to five (5) business days to process. Note that there is a maximum refund amount per refund transaction with credit and debit. If the refund amount is more than $1,600.00, your refund will be split into multiple refund transactions.

Refunds requiring a cheque may take up to thirty (30) days to process. Learners should contact Student Services at 1-800-565-8867 for clarification on course refunds if required.

If a course has an application fee, the application fee is non-refundable.

Please note that our English Language Studies courses have a different refund policy due to federal, provincial and industry association policies they need to follow. Please click here for these policies.

What happens when a course is cancelled?

The Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development reserves the right to cancel or reschedule courses that do not reach minimum enrollment requirements or in other unforeseen circumstances. Learners will be notified of a course cancellation no later than three business days before the start of the course.  If it is necessary for the Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development to cancel a course, every effort is made to contact enrolled learners and offer the following options:

    Transfer to another section of the same course within 12 months
    OR Transfer to a section of a different course with the same fees if there is space available within 12 months OR Receive a full refund.

Cancelled Live Sessions

Cancelled live sessions, either online or in person and whether due to instructor illness or inclement weather, are rescheduled to a later date.  Student Services or Program Managers will notify learners of the new date(s) for the live session(s).

Where can I request academic accommodations?

Requests for academic accommodation (related to classroom participation, the writing of tests and examinations and/or class evaluation, etc.) while attending courses at the Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development are made under ϳԹ’s Accommodation Policy for Students. Requests for academic accommodation must be made no later than four weeks in advance of the start date of the course for which accommodation is requested.

Learners should complete a and make an appointment with an Accessibility Advisor at the Student Accessibility Centre at 902-494-2836 or access@dal.ca to request academic accommodation.

 

What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and how can I apply?

Recogntion of Prior Learning (RPL), formerly referred to as Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), also known as equivalency, advanced standing or course exemption, may be granted for prior experience or formal learning that demonstrates the learner has the competencies taught in the course. 

Learners can apply for RPL if they are completing a certificate that is eligible for RPL* and the course for which they want equivalency is either a required or elective course for the certificate.

* Please Note: not all certificates are eligible for RPL. A note at that bottom of the certificate page will indicate if it has courses eligible for RPL.  

If RPL is approved, please note that the course approved for equivalency will not appear on the Official Academic Transcript. 

Learners can apply for RPL through the RPL link at the bottom of the certificate information page for the certificate they are interested in taking.

Once all of the documentation required for a RPL is received, the assessment time is up to ten (10) business days. Learners should take this timeline into consideration when planning course registration. If the course for which a learner is seeking equivalency is a prerequisite course, they may register for subsequent courses immediately upon notification of their RPL approval.  If the course for which a learner is seeking equivalency is not a prerequisite course they may register for other courses in the certificate while awaiting their RPL approval.

Paying for Courses

If I register and pay for the entire certificate, will my invoice state the proper amount?

If you have received an invoice that shows an incorrect amount, please contact openlearning@dal.ca and provide a copy of the invoice you have received.

Can I pay by payment plan?

We currently do not offer payment plans. If you would like to discuss payment options, please contact openlearning@dal.ca

How do I get my income tax receipt?

Log in to your in Destiny One in order to acess to your tax receipt. 



How to Access Your Tax Receipts

For step-by-step instructions on how to access your tax receipt, please go to ourtvideo on YouTube.

When can I access my tax receipt?

Tax receipts are now available through the .

Where do I access my tax receipt?

Visit the  and log in with either your NetID or OPEN_X account to access your tax receipt.

I don't see the tax receipt in the Student Portal. What is the issue?

Once you have logged in to the , update your Social Insurance Number by going to My Profile and scrolling down to Personal Information. You are required to either add your Social Insurance Number or decline to provide it; if you decline, you will not receive a T2202.

Your tax receipt will be available through this site after you enter your SIN, just go back to student home and select “Tax Receipt”. If you do not see a tax receipt in this section of the site by mid-March, your course(s) were not eligible. See more details below regarding eligible courses. 

For more details on tax receipts, please see below.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requires all designated educational institutions in Canada to issue a T2202, Tuition and Enrollment Certificate, for qualifying students enrolled in a specified educational program.

What is a qualified student? Someone who is:

  • Enrolled in a specified educational program**
  • 16 years of age or older
  • Has spent 12 hours per month on courses in a program

**Course eligibility (in a specified educational program):

  • Course(s) are at least three consecutive weeks in length
  • Course hours in a program totals at least 12 hours per month
  • Tuition fees paid equal or exceed $100
  • Student personally paid the tuition fees. (If your employer or company paid on your behalf or you were reimbursed, you are not eligible to claim your T2202)

Courses that are considered preparation to post-secondary education are not eligible for reimbursement, including courses taken through English Language Studies, Refining your Learning Skills, and University Preparation.