FAQs

What is MFA and why do I need it?

Multi-factor authentication is being rolled out across Dalhousie to keep your personal information safe. For more information, please see this page.

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

Does my course qualify for a T2202?

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.

Who do I contact about my courses?

It depends from program to program, but these are the key contact emails for each department:

What methods of payment can I use?

It may depend from program to program, but generally you can use the following: Visa credit cards, Visa-branded debit cards, MasterCard credit cards, MasterCard-branded debit cards, American Express credit cards, cash (in person only), and cheque (in person only).

How do I use Visa debit or MasterCard debit?

Simply choose credit card when asked to select a payment method at check-out. Your bank will do the rest.

I have forgotten my Destiny One username. What do I do?

Click on the Forgot Username link on the Student Login 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 instructions on how to access your username.  If you do not receive a username email, be sure to check your spam or junk folder.

I have forgotten my Destiny One password. What do I do?

Click the text that says “Forgot Password” on the Student Login page. You will be redirected to a page that will ask you for your username.

If you do not know your username, your username can be sent to you by email or please call 1-800-565-8867 or email openlearning@dal.ca.

You will receive an email with a temporary link to reset your password. The link to reset your password is valid for 24 hours.  If the link expires, you can request another email be sent using the steps above.

  • Create a new password and retype it.  When you are finished click Save.  If the new password is accepted you will be taken to a page stating that your password was set successfully.

Go back to the Student Login page and now log in with your username and the new password.

What’s the difference between Destiny One and NetID usernames?

A Destiny One username is provided when you create a profile on our website and register for courses. The Destiny One username never expires. The NetID username is used to log into your courses once you have registered and paid for them.

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

One of the following:

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

This is in order 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 DestinyOne 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 Destiny One account?

Please contact the Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development office at openlearning@dal.ca or 1-800-565-8867. The Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development office is open Monday – Friday 9:00AM – 4:00PM Atlantic Time. If no one is available to answer your call, please leave a message with your name and contact information. 

What are the two different Dalhousie University accounts I have as a student of the Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development?

Your Destiny One Account

Your Destiny One account is your permanent account in our student information system for our lifelong learning courses.  Your account will never expire. You can use this account to sign up for another course, print your record of completed courses and accompanying grades, and review your account history at any time in the future.

Your Dal Net ID Account

Your Dal Net ID account is used to access various Dalhousie University systems, including our learning management system Brightspace.  Your Dal Net ID will expire at the conclusion of your course. You will lose access to this account during the time periods when you are not actively enrolled in one of our courses.

What are the steps for me to activate both of these accounts and start my course?

  1. Open an account in Destiny One:
    1. Go to the Student Login page to create an account.
    2. Use your Destiny One account to register for the course you want to take. 
  2. Check the email account you used to create your Destiny One account:
    1. An activation email will be sent to the email address you marked as “preferred” when you set up the account.
    2. The email will contain a link to your Destiny One account page.
  3. Activate your Destiny One account:
    1. Click the link in the activation email to be taken to the activation page.
    2. Verify your identity and follow the prompts on the page.
  4. Within four business days you will be sent your Dal Net ID and temporary password to the email address you used for your Destiny One account. 
  5. Go to the log in page for Brightspace to access your course.  Use your Dal Net ID to log in

How long will my Destiny One account stay active?

Your Destiny One account will never expire.

How long will my Dal Net ID be active?

Start date:  30 days before the course starts.

End date:  90 days after the course ends.

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

If you're having difficulty activating your Net ID, please contact Dalhousie's IT Support desk at support@dal.ca. 

What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and how can it benefit me?

RPL assesses learning that you have gained through work and life experience or from non-recognized institutions.

Transfer credit involves the assessment of potential formal learning from other recognized post-secondary institutions (colleges, universities, etc.)

Learners should contact the RPL Office at the Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development to discuss their eligibility to apply for RPL, and information and guidance on the RPL process.

You can contact the RPL coordinator to make an appointment by email at rpl@dal.ca.

RPL is for adult learners who have significant previous work and life learning such as:

  • Independent / self-study
  • Engaging in online self-directed learning (LinkedIn Learning, edX, Coursera, etc.)
  • Volunteer activities
  • Being coached, mentored, and receiving feedback
  • Workplace training
  • Seminars
  • Workshops
  • Professional development events
  • Non-accredited certificates (IT Certificates, Project Management Certification, licenses, etc.)
  • Continuing studies courses or programs

Note: Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is only offered through the Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development.

What are microcredentials and how can they benefit me?

Microcredentials can be a powerful tool to help you get noticed and land that job in your desired field.

They are evidence of a skill or competency that has been demonstrated by you, our learner. 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.

Where do I access my tax receipt?

Log-in to your Student Portal using the Student Login link in the top right-hand corner of this page.

For step-by-step instructions, please click here to see a helpful video from our YouTube channel.

When can I access my tax receipt?

Auto-generated tax receipts will be available through the student portal as of late February.

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

Once you have logged in to the Student Portal, 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.

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