Discussions

First the difference between a diploma and a degree. To answer this question, let's start with the Ministry's own framework.

I've attached the Ontario Qualifications Framework.  It is a document from the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities of Ontario.

Consider Section B--Qualification Standards. This section defines six generic competencies that differ across the qualification levels. The six generic competencies are:

1. Depth and breadth of knowledge
2. Conceptual & methodological awareness/Research and scholarship
3. Communication skills
4. Application of knowledge
5. Professional capacity/Autonomy
6. Awareness of limits of knowledge

Now consider the differences between Column 8 'Advanced Diploma' and Column 10 'Baccalaureate/Bachelor's Degree.'

You will notice that, in terms of these six generic competencies, the description in the Baccalaureate/Bachelor's Degree column represents a bump up from the description in the Advanced Diploma column.

Although this framework had not been in existence at the time of the decision to introduce the degree requirement, the rationale has to do with the differences between these two levels of generic competency.  It also explains the apparent incongruity that 'a degree in interior decorating' is better than 'a diploma in HR.'  The rationale is that generic competencies are 'transportable' from one discipline to the next--that is why they are called 'generic.'  But that is also why HRPAO puts a lot of importance in its academic requirements.  The comparison is not between 'irrelevant bachelor's degree' and 'relevant diploma' because if all you have is 'an irrelevant bachelor's degree,' you are simply not leigible for the CHRP.

In the last few years, other professions have also introduced degree requirements -- nursing, not that long ago, and the Certified management accountants a few years before that.  What is interesting is that they both cite virtually the same reasons for introducing the degree requirement.  In both cases they refer to the increasing expectations and the increasingly complex environment in which these professions must operate.  To tie in that argument to the Ontario Qualifications Framework, what these professions are saying is: 'in the past, we could operate with the level of generic competencies as described in Column 8, but in the future, we will need a level of generic competencies more consistent with Column 10.'

I hope this was useful.  Let me know if you have other questions regarding the coming degree requirement for CHRPs.