Associate of Arts in Aboriginal Studies

at Langara College Canada

Langara College's Creative Writing program explores poetry, prose, fiction, non-fiction, and stageplay. In a reading and writing-rich environment, you will be challenged to express yourself through different voices as you study a variety of forms and techniques.

The Aboriginal Studies Program is an integrated university-transferable program that addresses historic and contemporary Aboriginal issues in Canada. The Aboriginal Studies Program is unique and comprehensive. The program welcomes all Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students.

The program strives to empower its students through education. The program encourages each student to reach their full potential through a unique, diverse and comprehensive approach to post-secondary education.

The curriculum content provides students with a thorough understanding of the historic and current circumstances of Aboriginal life in Canada and internationally and looks to the future at such issues as Aboriginal self-government and economic self-sufficiency. Equal emphasis is placed on developing analytical skills, critical thinking and communication skills, as well as laying a solid foundation for additional educational pursuits.

A unique and integral aspect of the Aboriginal Studies Program is the seminar component. Program students and faculty participate in the seminars equally. The purpose of these seminars is to expose the students to and stimulate discussion on topics that may or may not be covered in the classroom. The seminars also promote and foster a sense of community among students and faculty. This sense of community provides support for the student on many levels and provides an atmosphere for frank and open discussion.

Langara College's Aboriginal Education Policy
To increase the success rates of Aboriginal students and to increase the representation and retention of Aboriginal students, Langara College implemented the first formal Aboriginal Education Policy in British Columbia. The policy sets in motion an education and employment equity program which:

• Is committed to increasing the participation and success rate of Aboriginal Learners to the National Average (a provincial advisory committee reported (1989) that 3% of the Aboriginal Population pursues post-secondary education, compared with 15% of the general population);
• will ensure the involvement of Aboriginal representatives in any decisions affecting Aboriginal Education;
• will provide full opportunity and support for Aboriginal students to achieve their academic potential;
• recognize the need to recruit and employ Aboriginal personnel in faculty, staff and administrative positions.

The Nutrition and Food Service Management Program provides educational opportunities for individuals who wish to pursue a career in food service management and attain membership with the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management (CSNM). The focus of this accredited diploma program is on the health care sector. Langara graduates are in demand both in BC and across Canada.

The curriculum incorporates core food service courses in food service management, operations, and nutrition combined with academic studies in related disciplines. Students apply the concepts of food service management through a variety of practicum and fieldwork experiences. The program can be completed entirely online on a full-time or part-time basis. If preferred, the student can complete 50% of the program in the classroom.

In today’s evolving knowledge-based economy, individuals with the practical ability to apply social sciences and humanities knowledge are sought after assets.

The diploma in Applied Social Sciences and Humanities (DASSH) combines a set of core courses with elective options that give students a critical foundation to enter today’s workforce and to transfer successfully into degree programs in social sciences and humanities. The DASSH curriculum is selected to be applied and transformative. DASSH combines theoretical, experiential, and technical learning that is a foundation for any knowledge-based career whatever degree program in social sciences or humanities a student may choose to pursue.

DASSH students acquire technical skills through courses in digital media, software use, and financial literacy, including working with an external client on an applied project in the final semester. Graduates are able to demonstrate to prospective employers the practical value of the skills and knowledge gained through their course of study. The DASSH diploma program chooses core Social Sciences and Humanities courses that are required for success in a variety of career areas including business, law, journalism, government, communications, public administration, the non-profit sector, and information technology and management.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of the Applied Social Sciences and Humanities diploma program, students will be able to:

• Communicate information effectively for a variety of audiences and purposes using appropriate format and tone through structured written, oral, and visual presentations 
• Use social science, psychological, and humanities knowledge to identify and think critically about social interpersonal and technical issues, problems, and challenges 
• Accurately represent, interpret, and explain data in graphs, spreadsheets, and reports 
• Produce, read, and interpret financial statements and plan budgets using appropriate methods, tools, and technology
• Find and evaluate information sources for credibility, reliability, and logic using a variety of platforms and formats 
• Evaluate and apply basic research methods 
• Apply knowledge of ethical theory and decision-making models to identify and analyze ethical issues and problems and work toward solutions
• Effectively use digital media and software for communication, collaboration, research, data collection, organization, and analysis 
• Acquire and use governmental, economic, business, cultural, and historical knowledge to make informed decisions 
• Explore, connect, and apply concepts and methods across multiple fields to evaluate and improve systems and processes 
• Work collaboratively to identify problems, implement solutions, and achieve common goals

With the opportunity to explore and design your own academic program, your studies will culminate in a two-year Associate of Arts Degree. You will have the opportunity to choose your specialization areas and tailor the curriculum to your needs. The emphasis is on developing a deeper insight into multiple disciplines, all while building critical thinking, writing, and analyzing abilities. With a solid foundation, these studies will lead seamlessly into further academic studies.

Students will gain knowledge in multiple areas of study in liberal arts and languages, and social and cultural studies. Holistically, the program aims to develop critical thinking abilities, strengthen research skills, and introduce a variety of theories.

Langara’s Health Care Assistant program's Fall 2020 intake has been suspended. Please contact the department chair at [email protected] to ask about future intakes.

The Health Care Assistant certificate program offers theory courses and practicum placements that equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to provide safe and compassionate care to clients.

Explore new opportunities and broaden your knowledge in the health care field while you apply your skills in patient-centred care environments. Gain experience by promoting the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of clients.

Students in this program will develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to function effectively as front-line caregivers and respected members of the health care team. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to work in a variety of settings including home support, assisted living, residential/complex care, special care units, other home and community care settings, and some acute care settings.

Langara College Film Arts is a 1-year, intensive, collaborative, and comprehensive program for students wishing to work in today’s film industry as actors, writers, or directors.

The development and inspiration for the Film Arts program grew out of Langara's well-known Theatre Arts/ Studio 58 program and its successful conservatory approach to training actors and production personnel in theatre. The Film Arts program offers post-accreditation certificates in three streams of study; Writing, Acting, and Directing.

Film Arts - Acting

Within the Film Arts Acting Certificate, students will collaborate with directors and writers in a unique program for actors set apart by the focus on real production. You don't just take acting classes in Film Arts, you produce two festival quality films in which you also have an on-screen role. You will also produce the year-end Film Arts Festival screening event that showcases your talent and will be a launch pad for the films that your team will promote and screen worldwide.

Acting Stream students will learn to:

• Create a demo reel of their signature “hits”.
• Create a voice demo tape of narration, voice over, and animation auditions.
• Research, prepare for, and approach their film auditions with confidence.

Langara offers a wide range of first- and second-year courses in the fields of science and mathematics. Students benefit from lower tuition rates and smaller class sizes as compared to larger universities. Whether students are planning to transfer to earn their BSc, or simply wish an Associate of Science degree or other diploma, many of the requisite courses are available at Langara.

The Chemistry department offers courses from introductory and preparatory, to first year and second year University transfer courses. Second year studies include analytical, organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. Students benefit from our well equipped laboratories and dedicated teachers.

The Chemistry program at Langara College offers an Associate of Science Degree (Area of Concentration: Chemistry) The A.Sc. can be used as an exit degree or as the first credential in a longer academic program. SFU and UBC give admission priority to students with an A.Sc.

Langara College’s Social Service Worker Program prepares students for immediate entry into all social service sectors, as well as for further education in Social Work and other helping professions.

Students who successfully complete the nine-month program earn a Social Service Worker Certificate. They also have the option of adding 30 Arts and Sciences credits to the Certificate to earn a Coordinated Diploma.

Employment opportunities for graduates of the Social Service Worker Certificate and Diploma Programs vary based on new and emerging needs, funding priorities, development of new services, and expansion of existing programs. Graduates of the program find employment in both private and public sector agencies and in a variety of programs. Among the types of organizations and services that employ graduates are Neighbourhood Houses, youth service agencies, family centres, women’s programs, immigrant service agencies, rehabilitation centres, First Nations bands and councils, advocacy organizations, social and recreational programs, the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry for Children and Families.

The Diploma in Food, Nutrition, and Health Transfer is a limited enrolment program, developed in collaboration with UBC. Graduates of this program will receive acceptance to the Land and Food Systems Faculty and be eligible to apply to the 3rd year of the dietetics degree program. The diploma provides the first two years of Arts and Sciences prerequisite courses for the Dietetics Major at UBC, and completing this diploma may improve a student’s chances for admission.

The Food, Nutrition and Health Transfer program is a second year entry program, to which students apply after completing the 10 courses listed in the Admission Criteria tab.  Applications received without these courses completed will not be processed.  If you have questions – please contact the Primary Contact listed above.

The Diploma in Food, Nutrition, and Health Transfer Program has rigorous admission criteria. To remain in this program students have 4 years to complete the required curriculum, and must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The application criteria include a resume, showing Canadian work and/or volunteer experience that demonstrates commitment to dietetics as a career choice. This mirrors the requirements to UBC’s dietetic program, and can include:

• involvement in activities related to food and nutrition;
• experience in institutional foodservices and/or in a health care environment;
• activities involving direct exposure to and interaction with dietitians; and
• certificates related to food and nutrition.

Those students who are unable to maintain the cumulative GPA of 3.0, or are unable to complete the diploma requirements in 4 years, will not be able to continue in the Diploma in Food, Nutrition, and Health Transfer Program. Instead, they have the option of transferring to the Associate of Science in Food and Nutrition Program or the Diploma in Nutrition and Food Service Management Program.

Please note, admission to the Dietetics Major is competitive and admission is not guaranteed. While students who complete the Diploma in Food, Nutrition, and Health Transfer receive automatic acceptance to the Land and Food Systems Faculty at UBC, and this places them in a better situation, there is still an application process for one of the limited number of seats at UBC. 

Students who plan on applying to UBC’s Dietetic program should understand that their application to Dietetics has to happen after they get accepted to the Food, Nutrition and Health Program. The Dietetics program also requires that you complete 2 courses through UBC non-degree studies - FNH 200 and LFS 250 - and that these are completed before the application to dietetics is made. It is recommended to begin the process to complete these courses early, as it can be hard to get a seat in the courses.