University Transfer: Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

at Red Deer Polytechnic Canada

Communications Studies provides an awareness of the impact of media, understanding of research and practice involving media, and research and practice in discourse.

University Transfer Program
RDC offers the first two years of the Bachelor of Arts, Major in Communications Studies. For the most current university program and transfer information, see the Planning Guides.

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.

RDC’s Health Care Aide program prepares students to be a part of a health-care team in a variety of different settings, providing high level of front-line care to clients in need of assistance.

As a Health Care Aide students may work in acute care facilities, continuing care facilities, hospitals, as well as in clients' homes. A Health Care Aide assists individuals needing care in a variety of ways including: assisting with eating, dressing, washing and moving.

The program uses a variety of learning approaches including online readings, assignments and lessons, in-person labs with a certified instructor, and in-person clinical placements. This program follows the Government of Alberta approved Health Care Aide 2020 curriculum and successful graduates are certified as Health Care Aides in Alberta.

Program Outcomes:
Health Care Aides must demonstrate competency as specified in the Alberta Health Care Aide Competency Profile.

This two-year program prepares students to work within the legal profession as a highly skilled administrative professional providing support to lawyers within law firms, legal departments of corporations and government agencies. Students will develop knowledge and skills in legal terminology and procedures, technology, and communication through the following learning outcomes:

• complete processes and documents related to default judgments and contested actions, collections and chambers applications
• complete processes, searches, documents, and letters related to a variety of real estate purchases and sales
• create wills and enduring power of attorney, personal directives and applications for trusteeship and guardianship
• complete applications for probate and administration
• complete processes and documents for application for divorce, custody, access, support and matrimonial property pursuant to the various family law statutes
• register a variety of types of businesses, and prepare and maintain a corporate minute book
• demonstrate a basic understanding of the Canadian legal system
• demonstrate a basic understanding of criminal law
• identify components of contracts and assemble selected contracts
• create messages, letters and documents with appropriate style and format, using correct grammar and spelling. Proofread and edit own work and the work of others
• complete math calculations common to a law office
• demonstrate technical competence related to information technology commonly used in legal environments
• use interpersonal communication skills to promote positive client relations, resolve conflict and promote a positive team working environment
• demonstrate initiative, attitude and positive presentation of self, appropriate to the legal environments
• behave in an ethical manner based on the Code of Professional Conduct of the Law Society of Alberta
• demonstrate job search skills
• locate, evaluate, select, organize and summarize information using appropriate resources
• identify common problems encountered in the role of legal assistant and demonstrate problem solving strategies
• demonstrate time management and organizational skills.

The focus is on concept-based and intentional clinical learning.  Intentional clinical learning is a purposeful approach to providing students with the foundational knowledge and skills to provide safe quality patient care in today's complex health settings. 

The program begins with admission to RDC in Year 1 as a student in the University of Alberta Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program with RDC. For the first three years, you are registered as an RDC student. During Year 3 you apply for official admission to the University of Alberta for your fourth year. As long as you meet the criteria (see below), you continue at RDC to complete your 4th year.

After completing year 4, you will convocate from the U of A with a BScN. As a graduate, you will be eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). This is required for a license to practice in Alberta as a registered nurse (RN).

The Accredited Medical Laboratory Assistant program is designed to produce health care professionals who have the basic technical and theoretical skills to work in heathcare laboratories.  Their duties consist mainly of sample collection, specimen processing and various clinical laboratory procedures.  Graduates will attain all the specified MLA competencies that are outlined by the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS).  They will be eligible to write the CSMLS MLA exam and obtain national certification.

The program is completed over 29 weeks and includes classroom and laboratory study on campus and a 7 week practicum off campus for clinical laboratory training.  Students are trained to collect, process, and prepare patient specimens, enter data, perform clerical and reception services, perform electrocardiograms and urinalysis, and carry out basic laboratory procedures. During practicum experience, students will address a selection of competencies in simulation labs.

Program outcomes are designed to enable successful transition to the role of the Medical Lab Assistant, assisting students to:

• Perform safe work practices according to established safety protocols, guidelines, and legislation
• Verify relevant data and patient information to ensure that appropriate specimens are collected and handled correctly
• Perform pre-analytical procedures and laboratory testing on a variety of specimens through the use of equipment according to established protocols
• Apply a variety of communication strategies, teamwork skills, and inter-professional collaboration to effectively and respectfully build positive relationships with patients/clients and other healthcare professionals
• Practice and promote the principles of quality management systems
• Practice in a legal, ethical and professional manner, demonstrating conduct that meets expectations of laws and regulations governing the profession
• Exhibit empathy, respect, and appreciation of diversity, while protecting the patient's right to a reasonable standard of care
• Apply critical thinking skills to constructively investigate, evaluate, and problem-solve to engage in the self-reflective practice, self-care, and lifelong learning

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!

Philosophy is the study of thought and reasoning, with special application to abstract and conceptual areas of enquiry typically outside of the fields of the sciences, such as the Nature of Reality or Moral Values.

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.

The University Sciences Diploma at Red Deer College is a two-year diploma program emphasizing contemporary concepts and practical scientific skills applicable to both field and laboratory settings. With an initial specialization in Biological Sciences, students registered in this program will explore topics ranging from the level of molecules and cells to that of organisms, communities, and populations. The University Science Diploma will prepare graduates for transition into the final two years of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences, for admission to professional schools requiring a minimum of two years of undergraduate studies, and for entry into the workforce in biology-related fields.

Program Outcomes

• Demonstrate competency in analytical methods.
• Identify one's own strengths and weaknesses in relation to areas of study and future growth.
• Develop basic scientific research projects using appropriate research methods and ethics.
• Communicate scientific knowledge clearly and succinctly through oral, visual, and written formats to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrate collaborative, independent, and inclusive attitudes and practices integrating multidisciplinary perspectives and approaches.
• Demonstrate professional conduct in all aspects of individual and team-based work.
• Describe creative solutions to problems that impact society by drawing from scientific theories.
• Explain natural principles and phenomena using knowledge from the biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences.
• Recognize the place of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives in scientific study.