|
|
2025-2026 Academic Calendar
Associate of Arts Degree (Health Studies) (CIP 51.0000)
|
|
 Return to: Programs by Credential
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 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.
The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Information and Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council. (Download a PDF of the current Program Completion Guide).
|
Career Prospects
Students who go on to complete UNBC’s Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program will become eligible to apply for licensure as Registered Nurses. Registered Nurses typically work in acute care, residential care, mental health, public health, and community settings, collaborating on interprofessional healthcare teams. Intakes
Students may also begin their studies off-cycle in January or May; however, due to course scheduling, this may extend the study period beyond two years to complete the credential. * All students must travel for the lab components of certain Biology classes. Length
60 credits (1102.5 hours), minimum. This is a two year program taken over four semesters with minimum of 15 credits per semester. Students may also begin their studies off-cycle in January or May; however, due to course scheduling, this may extend the study period beyond two years to complete the credential. Part-time studies will take longer. Estimated Program Fees
Program fee type: Academic Costs indicated are estimates for a full-time course load. Book, instruments, supplies, uniforms/clothing and third-party fees are additional. Domestic Fees | | Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related
Fees (includes GST) | Total | | Year 1 | $ 3,726.30 | $ 156.43 | $ 105.75 | $ 3,988.48 | | Year 2 (estimated) | $ 3,800.83 | $ 154.56 | $ 0.00 | $ 3,955.39 | International Fees | | Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related
Fees (includes GST) | International
Medical Insurance | Total | | Year 1 | $ 12,738.00 | $ 153.36 | $ 103.68 | $ 289.80* | $ 13,823.04 | | Year 2 (estimated) | $ 11,890.00 | $ 151.53 | $ 103.68 | | $ 12,973.21 | *Per four months Still have questions?
Contact: Admission Requirements
1a. English requirement for domestic students who received their secondary education in English: “C+” 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. 1b. 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: 6.0; Listening: 6.0; Reading: 6.0; Writing: 6.0; Overall Band Score: 6.5. 2. Math requirement: “C” or higher in Foundations of Mathematics 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, Pre-calculus 11, or MATH 040 . 3. Biology requirement: One of the following with a “B” or higher in Biology 12, Anatomy and Physiology 12, BIOL 050 , or BIOL 101 within five years of program start date. 4. Chemistry requirement: “C+” or higher in Chemistry 11 or CHEM 040 within five years of program start date. (Chemistry 12 (or CHEM 050 ) is strongly recommended.) Important Notes
-
The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit StudentAidBC to apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid. -
Students are required to have a computer (laptop or other mobile device) with minimum computer requirements, a medical uniform or nursing scrubs, and WCB-approved safety/nursing shoes, - Course transfer agreements allow students to receive course-by-course transfer to other colleges, universities, and institutes in BC, as indicated in the BC Transfer Guide.
-
Transfer agreements allow graduates to receive: -
This program has a affiliation/partnership with the University of Northern British Columbia and Northern Health. Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | 25% of all coursework must be completed at Northern Lights College. | | Minimum Grade Requirements | 2.00 program Grade Point Average (GPA); D grade (50%) minimum in all courses* | | Additional Requirements | Program must be completed within four years of admission | *Minimum admission qualifications for UNBC’s Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program are higher. UNBC requires a minimum “B” or 3.00 cumulative grade point average on all 60 transferable credits and a minimum “B-” or 2.67 grade point average in each of the UNBC core prerequisites identified below. Notes
* UNBC requires a minimum grade of B- (or 2.67 GPA) for core prerequisites. 1. 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. 2. 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 by Credential
|
|
