Dozens of students at BizTech College in Mississauga are facing uncertainty as the institution struggles to maintain accreditation for its Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (DMS) program. The two-year program, which trains students in ultrasound and medical imaging, received conditional accreditation from Accreditation Canada in 2022. At that time, the program met seven of the ten high-priority criteria required for full accreditation.

However, Accreditation Canada revoked the program's accreditation in March 2023, citing that BizTech had not adequately addressed the three remaining high-priority criteria. This decision prompted Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security to revoke the DMS program's status, leaving 40 students enrolled in a program that can no longer operate in the province.

Manpreet Sodhi, a 27-year-old student in the DMS program, expressed frustration over the situation. "The students are being punished for doing everything right," she said. "We’re being denied access to an opportunity people have flipped their lives upside down for."

To achieve accreditation, educational programs must meet all high-priority standards and at least 80% of the remaining criteria. Programs that meet between 60% and 79% of the total criteria can receive conditional accreditation, allowing them two years to address deficiencies. The DMS program was set to expire in January 2025, but the revocation of its accreditation has left students in limbo.

The Ontario Ministry has mandated that BizTech refund the $1.5 million in tuition fees paid by students, which amounts to $47,900 per student. Bianca Giacoboni, press secretary for the ministry, stated, "Our government firmly stands with hard-working students who deserve refunds from a program that is no longer accredited so that they can pursue the education needed to get a good paying job in their field."

Despite this, BizTech's president, Harpal Dharna, has refused to comply, arguing that the refunds would jeopardize the college's financial stability. "Our students want to study," he said, emphasizing that students are eager to complete their education.

Sodhi, who is close to finishing her program, criticized the ministry for not providing adequate support. She described the situation as the "biggest roadblock" and claimed the government has not offered any real solutions to student concerns. Giacoboni responded that the ministry is actively engaged in supporting students affected by the situation.

Students have also encountered difficulties transferring their credits to other accredited sonography programs. Many have been told that their credits from BizTech will not be accepted, which has added to their frustration. Giacoboni noted that it is up to individual institutions to conduct assessments for prior learning recognition, which can vary by school.

There are eight other accredited diagnostic medical sonography programs in Ontario, with varying tuition costs. For instance, Algonquin College charges $10,000 for a two-year program, while Anderson College charges $51,000 for an 86-week program.

Dharna acknowledged the province's legal authority to revoke the program's status but suggested that the decision may have been premature. BizTech has sought a judicial review of Accreditation Canada’s decision, but proceedings were stayed in May, allowing for potential arbitration. Accreditation Canada has not commented on whether it will expedite BizTech's application process.

The province remains firm in its decision to revoke the DMS program's status and insists on the tuition refund, with Giacoboni stating that the court has upheld the ministry's authority in this matter.