Diploma in Early Learning and Childcare

at Red Deer Polytechnic Canada

The objective in all programs is to provide you with the basis of a liberal arts education which will allow you to transfer to universities offering a Bachelor of Arts degree program.

In most cases, you will major in one of the subjects listed below. By declaring a major, you are simply stating your intent to pursue a comprehensive study of that subject area. Some university programs require you to declare a minor, which represents a second subject you will study in some depth as well.

Majors
You are required to complete a major in the Bachelor of Arts degree. A major includes a certain number of courses taken in one field of study. Generally, about half of the courses taken in a four year degree will be chosen from the major field. This number will vary according to your choice of major and the university you attend.

Majors available at RDC are Anthropology, Communications, Economics, English, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology.  

Honours
Honours programs are designed to prepare students particularly well for advanced study at the Master's or Doctoral level in the major field of interest. High standards of performance are required in Honours programs. Most universities offer Honours programs in the same fields as the Majors listed above. You should consult with an Academic Advisor for details.

University Transfer Program
RDC offers the first two years of the Bachelor of Arts program. Students have the ability to transfer to a multitude of institutions after one or two years of study at Red Deer College. For institutions within Alberta, transfer agreements exist and students can see how RDC courses transfer to specific universities using the Transfer Alberta website.

For students looking at transferring outside of Alberta, there are many possibilities. While no formal transfer agreements exist outside of Alberta, the Bachelor of Arts program is quite versatile and easily transferable.

Students may apply for the program on a full or part-time basis, application requirements and the application process are the same for each stream. Program planning will take place with students during the registration process.

The mission of the Social Work Diploma Program at RDC is to prepare the student for employment as a social worker and to provide a foundation for further post-secondary education through the introduction and integration of: practice skills, theoretical knowledge, and application of social work ethics and values. The Program fulfills its mission by promoting of ethical practice, social and economic justice, respect for and acceptance of diversity among peoples, and relationship building.

Social workers are trained to 'help people help themselves'. The focus of social work is on the interactions between people and their social environment. The program examines how to help people meet the demands of daily life. It looks at how social work seeks to improve people's problem-solving and coping skills, and links them with systems that offer resources, services, and opportunities.

Political Science is the study of politics and government, the location and use of power in society, and quests for human betterment.

Program Content
The below schedule is a general pattern that transfers to the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, and the University of Lethbridge. Check the Alberta Transfer Guide for transfer credit information.

This program delivered over two academic years prepares the graduate to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) following graduation and successful completion of the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam. As a LPN, the graduate will provide nursing care in a variety of health care settings, such as hospitals, the community and other health care agencies.

Covering many elements, including: coding, databases, system administration, security, data communications and web development, gain the training you need to become a leader in this thriving industry!

Prepare for employment in entry-level developer or tester roles in a range of organizational contexts, or use this opportunity as a foundation for further study. Designed for students seeking to focus on one or more application domains, such as Web, VR/AR and Mobile Applications Development, graduates are perfectly positioned to begin their career as a Computer Programmer, Web Developer, Software Tester, Mobile Application Developer and many more!

Graduates of the four-year Bachelor of Education program (University of Alberta) and the five-year combined degree program (University of Alberta and The University of Lethbridge) are eligible to apply for Teacher Certification in the Province of Alberta and all other provinces. RDC offers up to two years (60 credits) of transferable coursework in these programs.

Your educational experience is further enhanced through active participation in the Education Undergraduate Society (EUS). Membership in this society entitles you to attend conferences, conventions and other activities of the Alberta Teachers' Association.

This two-year program provides a broad background in accounting, finance, human resource management, information technology, marketing, economics, statistics, management, law, and policy. Five majors are offered: Accounting, Financial Services, General, Human Resources, and Marketing.

The Business Administration Diploma may be completed in two years if a student proceeds through their program of study by completing five (5) courses per semester, as set out under "Program Content" below. Alternatively, students may choose to take fewer (from one to four-courses per semester) in order to accommodate other obligations. The Business Administration Diploma requires the completion of 60 credits.

RDC offers courses that range from Shakespeare to Indigenous literature, expository to creative writing, national literatures to popular genres, allowing you to learn practical skills while acquiring cultural knowledge.

Are you interested in a career in a health or wellness related field, but not sure which program you would like to study? Or perhaps you are interested in one of the Certificate or Diploma programs in Health Sciences, but do  not meet the admission requirements. The Pre-Health Sciences Certificate program is a pathway designed to give students who are interested in a health career the opportunity to explore basic concepts related to health and health care. Students may do this while taking courses in Mathematics and Biology for Health Professions that can be used for admission. The relatively low credit load of the program (22 credits) allows students the opportunity to upgrade other high school courses required for admission while they are in the Certificate program.

Students who complete this one year Certificate program will have the opportunity to explore a variety of health related careers that require either a Certificate or Diploma. They will also develop strong study skills, and, upon completion of the program and fulfilment of additional admission requirements, will be eligible to apply to the following RDC School of Health Sciences programs:

• Kinesiology Diploma
• Medical Lab Assistant Certificate
• Occupational and Physical Therapist Assistant Diploma
• Pharmacy Technician Diploma
• Practical Nurse Diploma

The program prepares the graduate to become an Occupational and/or Physical Therapist Assistant and is delivered over five academic terms. Upon
graduation, students will be prepared to work as an Occupational and/or Physical Therapist Assistant. Program outcomes are designed to enable successful transition to the role of the Occupational and/or Physical Therapist Assistant, assisting students to:

• apply a variety of communication strategies to effectively and respectfully build positive relationships through verbal, nonverbal, written and technological means with clients, families, care providers, and other stakeholders
• establish positive, effective, and collaborative relationships with an inter-professional team and others to achieve optimal client care.
• manage time and prioritize competing priorities in collaboration with occupational therapists, physical therapists and support the delivery of effective and efficient practice
• responsibly advocate, encourage change, and promote the health and well-being of clients, communities, and populations, while applying knowledge and influence within the OTA/PTA role
• maintain, enhance and share knowledge, skills and attitude through self-reflective practice, relevant goal setting, networking, quality improvement, self-care, and self-directed learning to continue to be lifelong learners
• practice in a legal, ethical and professional manner demonstrating conduct that meets expectations of members of society and the profession.
• perform responsibly and effectively through application of evidence-based disciplinary knowledge contributing to the development, implementation and modification of treatment plans while under the supervision and in collaboration with the occupational and/or physical therapist
• demonstrate sensitivity to the individual’s culture, diversity, and abilities by establishing, developing, fostering, maintaining and bringing closure to client-centered, positive therapeutic relationships
• collect, document and complete client records in a thorough, objective, accurate, confidential, and nonjudgmental manner. Through effective interpretation and communication of this data, students will participate in determining client progress toward specific outcomes as established in the plan of care by the Occupational Therapist and/or Physical Therapist.
• recognize and apply principles that support safety in the workplace and adhere to all guidelines, procedures, protocols and standards to ensure personal safety and contribute to the safety of others.