Associate of Arts in Family Studies

at Langara College Canada

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 Professional Photography program is a two-year diploma offering hands-on, comprehensive training that provides graduates with the skills to achieve success in a career in the photographic industry. Students have access to a wide range of specialized photographic equipment and are supported by faculty and staff representing a diverse range of experience. This program is intensive and provides the opportunity to develop a comprehensive portfolio.

Students will apply technical and artistic skills to practical projects that are typical of the industry. Studio time is provided to complete the assignments and master the skills necessary to succeed in the photographic industry. This is further enhanced by field trips and regular visits from current industry professionals.

The Journalism Program offers professional training to students planning to become practising journalists and introduces them to important aspects of the communications industry. Its goal is to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary for entry-level jobs in journalism, whether in print, broadcasting or online. The program emphasizes strong writing skills, the necessary groundwork for careers in all journalism sectors.

The diploma program aims to provide high school graduates with a combination of journalism courses and an introduction to liberal arts courses relevant to the journalist’s work. The first year provides introductory and basic skills courses; the second year focuses on advanced journalism practices. Between years, students are encouraged to seek summer employment with community media outlets to gain experience. A Diploma in Journalism is awarded for successful completion of the four-term diploma stream.

Internships
As part of their curriculum, diploma students complete five-week internships at the media outlets of their choice:  community papers, dailies, radio, television, newspapers, websites, magazines, or corporate communications. Certificate stream students have no fieldwork requirements though the department frequently assists students to arrange internships to be completed after graduation.

Langara's Certificate in Arts & Science (Engineering) is a BCCAT articulated program providing courses to match the first year of engineering study at the University of British Columbia. Those courses satisfy the UBC Faculty of Applied Science requirements for engineering transfer classification when completed in the regular 2-semester academic year.

At Langara, the Certificate in Arts & Science (Engineering) can serve as the first year towards a Diploma in Arts and Science or an Associate of Science Degree. The certificate is awarded upon completion of the courses with a minimum CGPA of 2.5, which must be earned in a period of no longer than five consecutive semesters.

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 - Writing
Students in the Film Arts Writing Certificate will spend eight months immersed in the world of film and graduate with two, self-written festival quality films.
As a collaborator with directors and actors, you will produce these films and gain invaluable on-set experience. Our year-end Film Arts Festival screening event will be the launch pad for the work that your team produces.

Writing Stream graduates will learn how to:

• Write convincing proposals for film or video projects, and know where to shop them.
• Write a professionally formatted short, feature, television series "bible", and literary adaptation and/or children’s film.
• Story-edit other people’s screenplays through evaluation and constructive criticism.

Whether you are studying to be an astronaut, accountant, social worker, scientist, marketer, nurse, school teacher, engineer, manager, computer scientist ... almost every career requires mathematics and/or statistics. Mathematics and Statistics are a part of everyday life, from analyzing the stock market to reading the newspaper to trusting the bridge you drive on. Our goal is to help all our students develop a command and appreciation of the power, beauty, utility, and recreational value of mathematical and statistical ideas.

During their time at Langara, most students will register for at least one Mathematics or Statistics course, as a program or degree requirement or out of interest and enthusiasm for these subject areas. Langara offers a wide range of mathematics and statistics courses, many of which are university-transferable and can be applied towards the first two years of a university degree. Some of our courses are specifically designed for students who did not complete math in high school. Langara’s Math and Stats Department has an excellent track record of students successfully transferring to universities such as UBC and SFU. Moreover, our students typically do well in their third and fourth years because smaller class settings, greater number of contact hours, and approachable instructors prepare them for the transition into university.

Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary program offering students the opportunity to obtain a solid grasp of the physical principles governing the form and function of the earth and the social aspects affecting the nature of human impact on the environment. Program participants will also gain critical thinking skills, analytical ability, a deeper understanding of environmental issues, and a sense of local and global awareness, preparing them to address complex environmental issues.

All courses have university-transfer credit providing students with the option of further study should they wish to obtain a university degree in Environmental Studies or other arts and science disciplines. Block transfer agreements with BC universities allow entry into the third year of certain programs.

The two-year Diploma in Arts and Science (Family Studies) Program is for individuals interested in understanding the nature of long-term relationships to further personal and/or career objectives. It is the only such program offered in the BC College system.

A Diploma in Arts and Science (Family Studies) requires a minimum of 60 credit hours of study. Up to 15 credit hours may include courses from the career and kinesiology course selections. Students must achieve a minimum ‘C’ GPA in the program’s core course offerings to be awarded a diploma. As part of the Interdisciplinary Studies Department, the broad range of courses provides students with a sound basis for continuing their studies in a variety of academic disciplines including Psychology, Sociology, Education, Social Work, and Family Sciences.

Selections from the program’s offerings, taken in conjunction with Langara College’s Certificate in Social Service Worker Program, would allow a student to complete a College Diploma in Co-ordinated Studies.

Welcome to Langara College's Early Childhood Education Diploma Program, where we believe quality child care nurtures early learning.

This stimulating program balances academic studies on campus and practical experiences in licensed childcare centres. Students develop a strong theoretical foundation for working with children and families and take on increasing responsibility in their practical work. Upon completion of the program they are prepared and able to confidently and competently enter the profession of early childhood education.

The Early Childhood Education Diploma Program prepares students beginning careers as Early Childhood Educators in a variety of childcare settings (primarily within the province of British Columbia). Langara College also offers an Early Childhood Education: Special Education Post Basic Citation, which is part time and in the evenings. This special needs educator credential program is suited for Early Childhood Educators already holding a diploma or certificate.

The Early Childhood Education Department at Langara College has been educating Early Childhood Educators since 1966. Langara College has a long history of preparing Early Childhood Educators to work with children from birth to five years of age. The original program has grown from a small six-month program to a double intake three semester diploma program offering high quality instruction. 

Accounting and Financial Management professionals are the backbone of any organization and Langara grads are ready to meet that challenge. The BBA Accounting Concentration includes the requirements needed to maximize exemptions for the professional accounting associations (CGA, CMA, CA). In addition, business and general education courses are incorporated to ensure graduates receive a well-rounded business education, with an emphasis on business decision-making and analysis, strategic management, and teamwork. The Financial Management Diploma offers students who are not planning on pursuing an Accounting designation (CGA, CMA, CA) the flexibility to choose electives from other business areas and/or non-business courses.

First-Year Entry
By applying to the School of Management BBA programs and entering in year 1, you have the option of completing a BBA Degree, exiting after two years with a diploma, or earning both the BBA and a diploma. All our programs offer Co-operative Education options.

Third-Year Entry
Students with previous business education may enter the School of Management BBA programs in year 3. Some bridging courses may be required. Please contact the School of Management for details