Diploma in Practical Nursing

at Northern Lights College - Dawson Creek Campus Canada

The University Arts and Sciences program at Northern Lights College serves individuals and communities by providing university-level learning opportunities that reflect the intellectual and creative modes of inquiry practiced in the arts and sciences.  A wide variety of first- and second-year courses enable learners to pursue numerous credential and career options, and to engage in personal enrichment.

A Criminology Certificate is awarded to students who complete ten of the designated courses, the equivalent of one year of planned first and second-year courses, at Northern Lights College. The certificate is intended to prepare students for entry-level employment positions as well as continued studies in professional programs, including Corrections, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Forensic Studies, and Law Enforcement at university or university-college transferring institutions.

The University Arts and Sciences program serves individuals and communities by providing university-level learning opportunities that reflect the intellectual and creative modes of inquiry practiced in the Arts and Sciences.  A wide variety of first- and second-year courses enable learners to pursue numerous credential and career options, and to engage in personal enrichment. 

The Associate of Arts Degree enables students to focus on disciplines in the humanities and/or social sciences.  This provincially recognized credential is designed to provide a well-rounded educational experience that prepares students for work, citizenship, and further study.

For students intending to pursue further studies, the Associate of Arts Degree comprises the first two years (60 credits) of a four-year degree program (120 credits). All 60 credits comprising the Associate Degree receive full block-transfer at universities throughout British Columbia. Accordingly, the Associate of Arts Degree enables students to complete half of a degree program while remaining in their home community.

Students transferring to universities may still be required to meet specific first- and second-year requirements for certain degree programs, so advance planning  is recommended. Where viable, Associate Degree students are encouraged to select courses that also satisfy Flexible Pre-Majors.

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.

The Business Management program promotes conceptual and technical skill development in business through a one-year Certificate program, a two-year Diploma program, and a Post-Degree Diploma program.

The Post-Degree Diploma program is available to both international and domestic students. For international students who already hold a three-year degree in commerce or business administration, the Post-Degree Diploma is an effective bridge to further North American business studies or to pursue employment in North America.

International and domestic candidates with three- or four-year degrees in fields beyond commerce and business management (such as computing, engineering, health, etc.) would also benefit from the program. For such students, the Post-Degree Diploma is a capstone program that augments existing technical skills and education in other fields.

The Post-Degree Diploma alone does not meet the typical educa­tion requirements for a Master’s Degree program (or MBA) in Canada. Students planning to study at a Master’s level in Canada should ensure that their prior education (a three or four-year degree) meets the educational requirements for their intended program.

The University Arts and Sciences Program at Northern Lights College serves individuals and communities by providing university-level learning opportunities that reflect the intellectual and creative modes of inquiry practiced in the Arts and Sciences. A variety of first- and second-year courses enable learners to pursue numerous credential and career options, and to engage in personal enrichment.

The Associate of Science Degree enables students to select a variety of courses in the field of science. This provincially recognized credential is designed to provide a well-rounded educational experience that prepares students for work, citizenship, and further study.

For students intending to pursue further studies, the Associate of Science Degree comprises the first two years (60 credits) of a four year degree program (120 credits). All 60 credits comprising the Associate Degree receive full block-transfer at universities throughout British Columbia. Accordingly, the Associate of Science Degree enables Northern Lights College students to complete half of a degree program while remaining in their home community.

Esthetics training includes theory and hands-on training in facials, body massage, body treatments, aromatherapy, reflexology, makeup artistry, waxing and tinting.

In Nail Care Technology, students learn theory and application of manicures, pedicures and artificial nail enhancement. Also integrated are the basic principles of anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, electrotherapy, and sanitation procedures to support the applied learning required for the certificate. Students are introduced to the knowledge and skills necessary for running a salon or spa.

The Advanced Certificate in Culinary Arts is a 1-year program designed to encompass ITA Levels 1 and 2 of Professional Cook training, with a 30-hour Capstone course at the end. 

Students will perform all phases of kitchen activities including the preparation and presentation of vegetables, soups, sauces, meat, fish and poultry; cold kitchen items; desserts, baking, pastry; basic menu planning/costing as well as knowledge of safety, sanitation and food storage. 

Students will also gain valuable knowledge of customer service which will enable them to become leaders in their field. Level 1 starts in a fully supervised environment, performing basic cooking and food preparation tasks, while the Level 2 environment allows students a partially independent role in performing the same variety of tasks. 

At the end of each course level there is an ITA Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) exam. Upon completion of Professional Cook 1, students will receive 600 hours of work-based training. The remaining 400 of the required 1000 hours can be obtained through employment in any external agency providing food services while taking the Advanced Certificate program. Upon successful completion of Professional Cook 2, students will receive an additional 240 hours of work-based hours. 

Students will only be eligible to write their C of Q for Professional Cook 2 at the completion of their full 1000 work-based training hours.

The Capstone project (30 hours) is designed to demonstrate and be evaluated as a culmination of all things learned throughout the two levels. Activities will include a dining event demonstrating each individual's skill at menu planning, dining setup, dining service, preparing quality food, delivery timing, and dining cleanup.
Successful completion of both levels of Professional Cook studies and exams will result in an ITA Level 2 Professional Cook qualification. With the additional completion of the Capstone project, NLC will award an Advanced Certificate of Culinary Arts. 

The University Arts and Sciences program serves individuals and communities by providing university-level learning opportunities that reflect the intellectual and creative modes of inquiry practiced in the Arts and Sciences.  A wide variety of first- and second-year courses enable learners to pursue numerous credential and career options, and to engage in personal enrichment. 

The Associate of Arts Degree enables students to focus on disciplines in the humanities and/or social sciences.  This provincially recognized credential is designed to provide a well-rounded educational experience that prepares students for work, citizenship, and further study.

For students intending to pursue further studies, the Associate of Arts Degree comprises the first two years (60 credits) of a four-year degree program (120 credits). All 60 credits comprising the Associate Degree receive full block-transfer at universities throughout British Columbia. Accordingly, the Associate of Arts Degree enables students to complete half of a degree program while remaining in their home community.

Students transferring to universities may still be required to meet specific first- and second-year requirements for certain degree programs, so advance planning  is recommended. Where viable, Associate Degree students are encouraged to select courses that also satisfy Flexible Pre-Majors.

Students receive training according to the provincial Apprenticeship curriculum, as established by the Industry Training Authority (ITA) of British Columbia. Students who complete the NLC Foundation program are taught in a salon environment for the majority of their 990 hours and are credited with 300 work-based training hours.

Students are introduced  to the basics of haircuts, styles, shampoo and scalp treatments. Students are also trained to chemically treat hair using colour and permanent treatments, and the business and communication skills required in a salon environment.

Upon successful completion of the Foundation program and 1290 further work-based training hours, students may enroll in the Hairstylist Apprenticeship Program.

The Post-Degree Diploma in Business Management with a specialization in Health Administration (PDD in HADM) is ideally suited to international students who already hold a minimum three-year degree in nursing or other closely related Health Care profession.  The addition of advanced studies in business and health care administration in a Canadian context will enhance employability for administrative assistant positions and movement into entry level management positions in various health professions in Canada.

The fields of study comprising this multi-disciplinary program include business administration, psychology, and specialized health administration courses. The program introduces management and health administration concepts in a Canadian context, with emphasis on interpersonal and interprofessional communications, organizational behaviour, human resource management, ethics, and change management.