| |
Jan 28, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
2021-2022 Academic Calendar [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Associate of Arts Degree (Health Studies)
|
|
 Return to: Programs A-Z
Program Description
NLC’s Associate of Arts Degree (Health Studies) prepares students for entry into health-related degree programs, with an emphasis on the University of Northern British Columbia’s Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program. The two-year Associate Degree (Health Studies) provides broad coverage across the Arts and Sciences while introducing students to nursing as a career and meeting UNBC’s core prerequisite requirements in the social sciences, English, Indigenous studies, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, psychology, and statistics.
Students who complete NLC’s Associate of Arts Degree (Health Studies) with UNBC’s grade requirements have an optimal transfer pathway into the Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program (Please see the NBNP webpage for more information) and will be included among NLC students who have first claim to a designated number of seats each year. The partnership between NLC and UNBC enables prospective Registered Nurses to complete their post-secondary education in the north, for employment in the north.
|
Career Prospects
Students who proceed to complete UNBC’s Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program will become eligible to apply for licensure as Registered Nurses. Working collaboratively on interprofessional health-care teams, Registered Nurses are typically employed in acute care, residential care, mental health, public health, and community settings. Location:
Dawson Creek and Fort St. John. Some travel between Dawson Creek and Fort St. John will be required. Certain courses may be available through video-conference and online. Length:
Full-time at 5 courses per semester: 60 weeks or 2 academic years; 1102.5 hours. Part-time study is an option although the Associate of Arts Degree (Health Studies) must be completed within four years of admission. Start:
Start dates in September, January, or May of each year. September starts are recommended for full-time students who want to complete within two years. Admission Prerequisites
Applications for the Associate of Arts Degree (Health Studies) will open October 1st each year for admission the following September. All applicants must provide official transcripts demonstrating high school graduation or equivalent with the following: - a. English requirement for domestic students who received their secondary education in English: “B” or higher in English 12, English Studies 12, English Literature 12, English 12 First Peoples, ENGL 050 , or ENGL 099 . Alternatively, “C” or higher in a university-level English course. Students who do not meet one of the above English requirements must complete the NLC Writing Assessment for appropriate course placement.
- b. English requirement for domestic students who received their secondary education in a language other than English and for all international students: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Version with minimum scores of: Speaking: 7.0; Listening: 7.5; Reading: 6.5; Writing: 7.0; Overall Band Score: 7.0. Alternatively, Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) with minimum scores of: Speaking: 08; Listening: 10; Reading: 08; Writing: 07.
- Math requirement: “C+” or higher in Foundations of Mathematics 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, Pre-calculus 11, or MATH 040 .
- Biology requirement: “B” or higher in Biology 12, Anatomy and Physiology 12, BIOL 050 , or BIOL 101 within five years of program start date.
- Chemistry requirement: “B” or higher in Chemistry 11 or CHEM 040 within five years of program start date. (Chemistry 12 is strongly recommended.)
Post-Admission Requirements
- In order to participate in activities at health care settings, all students must successfully complete a Ministry of Justice Schedule B Criminal Record Check (works with Children and Vulnerable Adults) within six weeks of the program start date. See the NLC Criminal Records Check page for instructions. Students are also obligated to report any Schedule B criminal convictions that occur after they authorize a CRC but are still enrolled in the Associate of Arts Degree (Health Studies). Failure to do so may result in immediate dismissal from the program.
- Required immunizations will be specified upon admission and must also be completed within six weeks of the program start date.
- Completion of NLC’s Associate of Arts Degree (Health Studies) is not a guarantee of admission to UNBC’s Northern Baccalaureate Nursing program. However, NLC Associate of Arts Degree (Health Studies) graduates who meet UNBC’s grade requirements will be among NLC students who have first claim to a designated number of seats. For UNBC’s admission process, NLC students will be defined as students who have completed a minimum of 15 credits at NLC within the past 10 years.
Important Notes
- The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit StudentAid BC to apply for financial assistance online.
Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid. - This program has a affiliation/partnership with the University of Northern British Columbia and the Northern Health Authority.
- The information on the page is a summary of the official Program Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council. Download a PDF of the Program Guide
APPLY NOW for the University Arts and Sciences Associate of Arts Degree (Health Studies) Do you need more information? admissions@nlc.bc.ca Notes:
- NLC offers many electives transferable to UNBC at the 200-Level. Subject areas include Archeology, Criminology, Education, English, History, Psychology, Sociology, and Research Methods in the Social Sciences. Please see the program Chairs, UNAS Timetables, and the BC Transfer Guide.
- The UNBC School of Nursing reserves the right to select applicants for admission or readmission to the Northern Baccalaureate Program on a competitive basis. Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
Credential
Associate of Arts Degree (Health Studies) |
Return to: Programs A-Z
|
|
