Diploma in Digital Media and IT - Visual Communications Concentration (Co-op Optional)

at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Canada

NAIT’s 1-year Dental Assisting certificate program will give you the knowledge and skills necessary for direct entry to dental practice. From infection prevention and control to all chairside restorative and specialty procedures, as well as direct patient care and dental practice administration, our program will prepare you to be an integral member of the dental health care team.

Hands-on, industry-relevant training
Our training approach emphasizes practical experience backed by strong theoretical knowledge in the skills and technology necessary to be a successful Dental Assistant. Our program features the following:

•  38-week full-time program: two 15-week semesters and an 8-week intersession.
•  Small group learning, which allows for the optimum student-to-instructor ratio
•  Practical, hands-on approach to learning in labs, as well as through clinical placements within the dental community
•  Providing treatment to both peers and the general public in our fully equipped onsite dental clinic

The Electrical Installations Technology diploma is your pathway to apprenticeship, and a unique opportunity to get the technical and career essential skills you need to succeed in the electrical industry.

The program focuses on theory and hands-on training required for the installation, repair and maintenance of electrical systems in residential, commercial and industrial environments. This program also teaches career essential skills such as communication, professionalism and collaboration, which will help you pursue a career in the Electrical Installations Technology field.

The Electrical Installations Technology diploma offers a direct pathway into trades training at NAIT without having to first be a registered apprentice.

Industry-approved training
A career in the electrical industry calls for an understanding of both technical knowledge and career essential skills. Learning outcomes for this program include:

• Understanding of industry standards, legislation, policies and practices
• Ability to:
  • Identify safety hazards
  • Explain, discuss and apply electrical theory and mathematics
  • Install, analyze and maintain rotating, static and solid-state electrical equipment and controls
  • Design, interpret and convert drawings and schematic diagrams for electrical installations
  • Communicate effectively using written, verbal and graphical means
  • Navigate, interpret and apply applicable sections of the Canadian Electrical Code Part 1 for electrical installations

The program content and structure aligns with Alberta Credential Framework expectations. This 2-year diploma program provides you with immediate opportunities for employment in the field of electrical installation. After completing the program, you will be eligible to enter into an apprenticeship and complete apprenticeship hours to receive a journeyperson’s certificate.

Do you want to create change within your organization? Have you dreamt of becoming your own boss?

The Business Administration – Entrepreneurship and Innovation diploma program fosters an entrepreneurial mindset and will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to become an innovator. 

Our courses have been designed to help you pursue a career path that is right for you. You will be equipped for your chosen venture, whether a for-profit business, social enterprise, or as an entrepreneur within an innovative organization.

The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree with Accounting emphasis is designed to advance students beyond a solid working knowledge of accounting and information systems to learn quantitative analysis techniques critical to business success. Accounting emphasis students in the BBA are taught to make effective financial decisions, analyze and plan business processes and adapt to changing economic conditions. Students also develop skills in personal and corporate taxation, external auditing and accounting information systems. All accounting-related courses have prerequisites, so it is important to carefully plan the order of studies.

You want to learn the skills and knowledge of conventional machining operations to utilize drill presses, lathes, milling machines and various grinding machines, including using Computer Numerical Control (CNC) programming, set up and operation. You will also receive introductory CAD/CAM training, as well as inspection and quality control training.
Successful completion of this 1-year certificate can allow you to challenge the first year apprenticeship exam for the Machinist program.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant training

• Graduates of the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machinist certificate are responsible for manufacturing components for the oil and gas, mining, forestry, construction and transportation industries. A CNC machinist will demonstrate trade specific skills in programming, setup and operation of computer controlled tools. Graduates will also perform competently when working with manual machine tools.
• Machinists are able to work efficiently on their own and/or in team environments where problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills and current knowledge of technological trends and quality practices are essential to daily work. A graduate with a CNC Machinist certificate may be given the opportunity to apprentice in the machinist trade. This program has both fall and winter intakes.

Is this program for you?
To be successful as a machinist, you must have:

• Good hand-working skills
• Good problem-solving capabilities
• Mechanical inclination
• An ability to work well with others
• Competence in math
• Mature attitudes towards learning and work
• During the first semester of the CNC Machinist certificate, you will receive training on manual machines such as engine lathes, milling machines, drill presses and grinders.
• In the second semester, you will receive training on the operation, set up and programming of CNC (computer numerical control) turning and milling centres.
• The final component is an 8-week  work placement, which gives you an opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge in an industrial setting by working in a machine shop.

As a registered medical laboratory technologist, you will assist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. In this program the focus will be on the analysis of human blood and body fluids for microorganisms and cellular and chemical components. Compatibility testing of blood and blood products, plus preparation of tissue samples for microscopic examination.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant training
Medical Laboratory Technology focuses on the analysis of human blood, body fluids and tissues, with students learning a variety of skills to become entry level professionals. This program includes general laboratory related courses with progression to discipline specific courses in Microbiology, Transfusion Science, Hematology, Clinical Chemistry, and Histotechnology.  Goals of the program include the following:

• Teaching students how to provide quality patient care by being introduced to:
  • How to work safely in a level II containment laboratory
  • How to collect and process specimens for analysis
  • How to analyze, interpret & report quality laboratory results
  • How to think critically and how to communicate and collaborate inter-professionally
• Teaching students the professional responsibility of a registered MLT, including scope of practice, ethics, accountability, and professional development.
• Preparing students for clinical training by providing theoretical knowledge and hands-on experiences
• Preparing students for the CSMLS national certification exam

The MLT program is divided into two phases where students will learn and practice the skills required to be a registered MLT 

Phase I of the Medical Laboratory Technology program begins every September and consists of 49 weeks of classroom instruction with related practical laboratory sessions on NAIT Main Campus. This includes (two) 15-week semesters, (one) 4-week intersession, followed by one additional 15-week semester.

Phase II consists of 38 weeks of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) at one of three affiliated training sites in Edmonton, Grande Prairie or Red Deer. WIL provides practical experience in a variety of clinical settings. Emphasis is placed on practical application of concepts studied at NAIT and on development of organizational, critical thinking, and professionalism skills.

The Digital Media and IT (DMIT) program is multi-disciplinary in its approach. Spanning a range of career opportunities from business analyst to visual designer, this innovative program allows you the ability to meet industry demand while developing skills aligned with your individual talents and inclinations.

The Game Design area of emphasis teaches you how to plan and create video games from concept through to creation.

Hands-on, industry-relevant skills:-
In the DMIT - Game Design program, you will get first-hand experience designing, building and assembling a working prototype of a game level. You will learn the art and technical aspects involved in creating and implementing visual game assets, such as environments, characters, vehicles, cameras and special effects. Courses will also focus on developing story and audio.

Some of the specific tools you will learn to use include 3D Studio Max, Unity 3D and Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

You will leave this program prepared to enter the industry, armed with practical experience and a well-crafted portfolio that highlights your talent.

The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with Marketing emphasis prepares students to lead organizations in making decisions on corporate branding, public relations, sales, supply chain management and advertising in an immersive environment of critical thinking. The BBA degree with Marketing emphasis focuses on teaching consumer research, measurable strategies and strong communications skills. The goal is to develop your ability for strong analytical processes critical to the operation of business. Marketing emphasis students are led through business cases of ethics, consumer behaviour and sales management. These scenarios will help you understand the decision-making processes of business and think about the many factors that affect marketing campaigns and projects. All marketing-related courses have prerequisites, so it is important to carefully plan the order your studies. Students taking the BBA with a Marketing emphasis can expect to integrate their knowledge of marketing to support different organizational and multi-disciplinary goals in Canadian and international organizations.

Instrumentation Engineering Technology (IET) is a nationally accredited program that provides a comprehensive course of studies in industrial measurement and control.
With a provincial economy that is largely industrial-based, instrumentation has become an extremely important field. Industries are also becoming increasingly automated to improve productivity, conserve energy, and reduce pollution. This has created a strong demand for trained professionals in the instrumentation technology field across industries ranging from industrial automation and electronics to oil and gas.

In the Instrumentation Engineering Technology program, you can expect to gain the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in instrumentation technology. The program involves detailed studies of the principles and application of pneumatic, electronic, and microcomputer measurement and control systems.
Access to state-of-the-art laboratories and a hands-on approach to learning provide students with job-ready experience.

Skills you will acquire
Over the course of the program, you will learn how to:

• Apply principles of process control to analyze and optimize the performance of industrial processes.
• Install and maintain process instruments.
• Install and maintain analytical instruments and sampling systems.
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial  controllers.
• Install, program and troubleshoot industrial controllers.
• Design and specify measurement, safety and control systems for industrial applications.
• Use computer hardware and software relevant to instrumentation.
• Work in a safe and professional manner following regulatory and industry specific work practices.
• Communicate effectively through written and verbal means.
• Use tools appropriate to the instrumentation field in a safe and effective matter.
• Participate as a member of an effective team

Practicum/Co-op/Work Experience
Students may be eligible to participate in a 4 or 8 month co-op placement once they complete all level 1 courses, and before they complete all the level 2 courses. Successful co-op students work in a program-related industry position and gain advanced job-readiness skills. Acceptance into our co-op program is based on successful completion of first term coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.7.

The Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technology program is unique in that students are trained in both the medical laboratory and x-ray disciplines, practicing predominantly in rural communities. On completion of their training, graduates are able to perform general medical laboratory procedures, general diagnostic radiographic procedures, and electrocardiograms. Students also receive training on information systems and technology in the medical laboratory and diagnostic imaging departments.

What You Will Learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant training
Students attend classes full-time at NAIT for a total of 2 years where they will learn and practice the skills required to be a registered CLXT.

Year 1 of the Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technology program begins every September and consists of 38 weeks of lectures and hands-on labs that align with current industry standards. This includes two 15-week semesters, and one 8-week intersession located at the NAIT Main Campus.

Upon completion of year 1, the student progresses to an affiliated rural clinical site to complete 40 weeks of Work Integrated Learning (WIL). Students will train alongside technologists where they will apply the knowledge learned in year one and continue to develop their critical thinking and professionalism skills while providing high quality patient care. Scheduled shifts during clinical training will include evenings, nights and weekend days.

Individuals will work alone or alongside physicians, other technologists, nurses and non-medical personnel. The ability to work independently and/or closely with others are important requirements for an effective Combined Lab and X-Ray technologist.