Ontario's community colleges say many of their 3-year diploma programs are every bit as good as a degree.

Colleges and their students want to be able to re-name some of their 3-year diplomas, 'degrees.'

Colleges Ontario president contends the word 'diploma' itself is outdated and unfamiliar to international students.

She says that may cause them to rule Ontario out as a place to study because they do not understand the term. 

"Around the world, you would be hard-pressed to find a place where a 3-year period of study is called a diploma; they are called degrees," says Franklin.

"They're all called degrees and and awful lot of our advanced diplomas meet the standard for a 3-year degree."

Franklin says term is a potential obstacle for college grads who need a degree to continue their studies or students interested in a college program but worried they will be short-changed on the job market if they do not have a degree.

She adds a degree needs to be defined by what a student is able to do when they complete the program.

"It wouldn't matter whether the degree is taught at a college or a university, the idea is 'what are the learning outcomes the student has to have?' and 'how are they prepared for the work force when they graduate?'"

Franklin believes the move to 'upgrade' the college diploma would be popular.

"More and more parents are telling us 'we want our kids to go to post-secondary education to get career-relevant information and get a job.'"