Bachelor of Arts

at Vancouver Island University - Nanaimo Campus Canada

Unlock your full potential as an executive office administrator. The VIU Applied Business Technology Certificate Program offers specialties as an Accounting Assistant, Administrative Assistant and Legal Administrative Assistant. In this 10-month certification program, you will master computer, accounting, legal, customer relations and keyboarding skills that will turn you into the secret weapon your dream employer has been looking for.

The Office Administration Program
This program provides thorough, in-depth training in the skills required by today’s office workers in order to be competitive in the job market. Current computer software applications are stressed, as well as the traditional skills and knowledge of business English, business calculations, office procedures, customer relations, and strong keyboarding skills.

The program offers three specialties Accounting Assistant, Administrative Assistant, and Legal Administrative Assistant. Students can expect to receive industry-specific training in skills related to their chosen field of study. A two-week work placement practicum is available at the end of the program in each certificate stream for eligible students.

Legal Administrative Assistant
This specialty is designed to provide students with the fundamental skills and knowledge required to join a firm’s legal support staff at the junior level.

Graduates of this program have gained employment in private law firms; Crown prosecutor’s offices; federal, provincial, and municipal government offices; real estate companies; offices of notaries public; insurance offices, and major corporations.

To continue into the second semester, a student must pass all fall semester courses and have a minimum "C" in Business English and a minimum "C-" in all other fall semester courses.

The Bachelor of Tourism Management program is a continuation of the knowledge developed through the hospitality, tourism, and outdoor recreation diploma programs. With community-based projects and two paid co-op semesters, students gain opportunities to forge valuable industry connections and experience.

Upon graduation students find exciting career opportunities in commercial recreation and tourism, adventure tourism, tour operations, not-for-profit agencies, and inclusive leisure. VIU’s Tourism degree gives students the leading edge in this high-demand and growing industry.

The Bachelor of Tourism Management Program
The Bachelor of Tourism Management (BTM) program builds on existing diploma programs in Recreation and Sport Management, Tourism Studies and Hospitality Management that stress career-entry skills. Students may apply to the third year of the degree program after completing a diploma in various fields including Recreation, Travel and Tourism, or Hospitality, Physical Education, and Outdoor Recreation.

The degree program will provide applied skills and concepts related to the design of tourism products and management of tourism services. The degree will focus on the development of management and entrepreneurial skills needed for people wishing to assume greater responsibilities within an organization, or for those wishing to start new enterprises.

Major in Recreation Management
The BTM Major in Recreation Management is a well-rounded program that provides students with a solid grounding in recreation governance, leisure behaviour, leisure education, and leisure service management. Students wishing to pursue a career in recreation service delivery with public and non-profit organizations are encouraged to complete the Major in Recreation Management as part of their BTM.

Co-operative Education

• Co-op Fees for co-operative education and internships are due during the second month of each work term.

Is it time to harvest your future career in the wine business? The BC wine industry is bustling with an increasing need for wine business professionals who understand the marketing, sales, exporting, and tourism aspects of wine.
The one-year Wine Business program at VIU provides hands-on experience covering the basics of viticulture and business practices, including visits to local vineyards and wineries to get a real taste for the wine life.
The Wine Business Certificate can be taken as stand-alone certification or as credit towards either the Hospitality and Tourism Management or Bachelor of Business program.

The Wine Business Program
The purpose of the program is to provide recognition for students who complete a series of courses related to the wine industry, the process of wine making, wine appreciation (product knowledge), wine marketing, wine tourism and other knowledge related to the business of wine. The certificate will help graduates find employment in some aspect of the wine business, which could be a vineyard, a winery, a wholesaler, a retailer, a food service establishment or a special event planner. Although this is a stand-alone certificate, the courses may also be taken as credit courses toward a degree or diploma.

Do you like solving complex problems and finding innovative solutions for real-world challenges? VIU’s Integrated Engineering Technologist Diploma may be for you. The two-and-a-half-year engineering diploma prepares you for a rewarding career as an engineering technologist. BC’s tech sector is one of the fastest growing areas of the provincial economy and skilled engineering technologists are in demand.

Through hands-on learning opportunities, you’ll gain practical knowledge in computer aided design software; civil, mechanical, electrical and structural principles of design; and project management. Our small class sizes mean you’ll get lots of support and individual attention from faculty to help you succeed. You’ll also gain real-world experience through the diploma’s co-operative education program and optional field school.  

The Integrated Engineering Technologist Program
The Integrated Engineering Technologist Diploma emphasizes the design process in civil, mechanical, and structural technologies. Students develop and apply a strong foundation in physics, mathematics, computer programming, computer aided drawing, as well as project management principles to engineering designs and prototype manufacture. Graduates of this program find employment with a wide range of employers including engineering consulting firms, fabrication facilities, heavy industry, and municipal engineering departments.

It starts with the Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care program and ends with your positive mark on the lives of children and teens. Make a positive difference in the lives of young people with Vancouver Island University’s Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care program.

From early intervention programs, child protection, and community-based programs, the diversity of child care courses within this program provides students with theoretical knowledge and applied skills to shape a rewarding career. The core of the program is field experience, and students will complete two 300-hour practicums. Select students can choose to specialize in child protection services. This flexible full-time or part-time program has educational grants available to students. 

The Child and Youth Care (BA) Program
A full range of courses is available to complete a program of studies leading to a B.A. degree in Child and Youth Care at Vancouver Island University. The Child and Youth Care degree program is a four-year course of study (120 credits), which prepares students to enter a variety of child and youth care employment settings. These range from early intervention programs to youth corrections programs, child protection and guardianship work, community-based programs such as day-care, schools, family support and group homes.

The program is designed in response to increasing demand from employers for skilled child and youth care practitioners who are able to work in an integrated, multidisciplinary way. Some of the topics that students will be required to study are child welfare, abuse and neglect concerns, human and family development, theories of practice; and activity-based interventions. Aboriginal ways of knowing and cultural competency skills are integrated throughout the curriculum. The program is offered on a full-time, as well as a part-time basis to accommodate practitioners working in the field.

University Credit
Students may apply for admission to the four-year B.A. in Child and Youth Care degree at VIU at all years of the degree, however we normally admit at first and third year. Students who have completed a diploma in a Human Services area may be eligible for third year admission. Students who complete the B.A. in Child and Youth Care may then pursue graduate studies at a number of educational settings.

The Bachelor of Tourism Management program is a continuation of the knowledge developed through the hospitality, tourism, and outdoor recreation diploma programs. With community-based projects and two paid co-op semesters, students gain opportunities to forge valuable industry connections and experience.

Upon graduation students find exciting career opportunities in commercial recreation and tourism, adventure tourism, tour operations, not-for-profit agencies, and inclusive leisure. VIU’s Tourism degree gives students the leading edge in this high-demand and growing industry.

The Bachelor of Tourism Management Program
The Bachelor of Tourism Management (BTM) program builds on existing diploma programs in Recreation and Sport Management, Tourism Studies and Hospitality Management that stress career-entry skills. Students may apply to the third year of the degree program after completing a diploma in various fields including Recreation, Travel and Tourism, or Hospitality, Physical Education, and Outdoor Recreation.

The degree program will provide applied skills and concepts related to the design of tourism products and management of tourism services. The degree will focus on the development of management and entrepreneurial skills needed for people wishing to assume greater responsibilities within an organization, or for those wishing to start new enterprises.

Co-operative Education

• Co-op Fees for co-operative education and internships are due during the second month of each work term.

Calling all foodies who dream of running a kitchen or opening a restaurant. VIU’s Culinary Management Diploma will train you in advanced culinary and pastry techniques, as well as important management, accounting and beverage skills. Learn what it takes to launch a culinary career, with work opportunities close to home and around the world.

This Culinary Management Diploma program includes a paid co-operative education component that allows students to network and build industry contacts. At the end of the Culinary Management program, students can write the inter-provincial Red Seal exam.

Graduates also receive advanced credit when applying to the VIU Bachelor of Hospitality Management degree.

The Culinary Management Program:-
The Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island (CIVI), at VIU provides students with the options of a Certificate (one year), and a Diploma (two years), in culinary training and management skills, giving them the leading edge for advancement in the culinary profession. Upon entering the program, culinary students are registered as apprentices, gaining technical training while accruing apprentice hours. As a part of both the Certificate and Diploma programs, students participate in a paid co-op work placement, gaining industry work experience and additional apprentice hours. The Culinary Diploma program provides students with advanced culinary and pastry training as well as the management skills needed to obtain higher positions within the industry. The 2nd year of the diploma program is only offered at the Nanaimo campus.

At the Nanaimo campus students are accepted into the first year Culinary Arts Certificate program in January, February, or August. The Culinary Arts Certificate consists of the 28-week Professional Cook 1 (PC1) and the 14-week Professional Cook 2 (PC2). At our Cowichan and Powell River campuses students are accepted to the 28-week Professional Cook 1 (PC1) program which starts in February (Cowichan) and September (Powell River). Cowichan and Powell River students can then apply to the Nanaimo campus to complete the Professional Cook 2 (PC2) training and receive a Culinary Arts Certificate.

The second year of the diploma is designed to teach culinary students the advanced skills they will need for a management position in the food industry. Please note: there are different secondary school Admission Requirements for the Diploma. Students are required to have completed a post-secondary culinary certificate program and have experience in the culinary industry. The first semester includes advanced culinary techniques, advanced pastry arts, and artisan baking in our wood burning brick oven. Students will also be learning important management, accounting, and beverage instruction delivered by instructors from the VIU Hospitality department. At the end of the diploma program subject to successful completion of VIU coursework, and having completed the industry hour's requirement, students can write the inter-provincial Red Seal exam. Completion of VIU's Culinary Diploma program provides students with advanced credit when applying to the VIU Bachelor of Hospitality Management degree.

The Culinary Management Diploma gives students a number of credentials including:

• Vancouver Island University Culinary Arts Certificate if exiting after successful completion of the first year
• Cook 1, 2, and 3 apprenticeship technical training
• Apprenticeship hours
• Vancouver Island University Culinary Management Diploma
• VIU's Culinary diploma program provides students with advanced credit when applying to the Bachelor of Hospitality Management degree. See information for bridging semester.

Co-operative Education:-
Under the co-operative education format, the paid co-operative education experiences are integrated into the total curriculum. Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island students are employed and supervised in a Red Seal-trained kitchen. Hours worked in their co-op are counted towards their apprenticeship. Culinary students will benefit from the co-operative education experience by:

• Relating academic study more effectively to the field of practice;
• Developing a clearer career focus;
• Gaining valuable practical experience and apprentice hours;
• Being able to finance a larger portion of their education.

Co-operative placements are typically from May to October. Access to co-operative education placements is based on student's GPA and their willingness to work as a team member with faculty and co-operative education staff to find an appropriate placement. Students in co-operative placement are assessed tuition and Students' Union fees - see program fees for correct fee information.

It starts with the Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care program and ends with your positive mark on the lives of children and teens. Make a positive difference in the lives of young people with Vancouver Island University’s Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care program.

From early intervention programs, child protection, and community-based programs, the diversity of child care courses within this program provides students with theoretical knowledge and applied skills to shape a rewarding career. The core of the program is field experience, and students will complete two 300-hour practicums. Select students can choose to specialize in child protection services. This flexible full-time or part-time program has educational grants available to students. 

The Child and Youth Care (BA) Program:-
A full range of courses is available to complete a program of studies leading to a B.A. degree in Child and Youth Care at Vancouver Island University. The Child and Youth Care degree program is a four-year course of study (120 credits), which prepares students to enter a variety of child and youth care employment settings. These range from early intervention programs to youth corrections programs, child protection and guardianship work, community-based programs such as day-care, schools, family support and group homes.

The program is designed in response to increasing demand from employers for skilled child and youth care practitioners who are able to work in an integrated, multidisciplinary way. Some of the topics that students will be required to study are child welfare, abuse and neglect concerns, human and family development, theories of practice; and activity-based interventions. Aboriginal ways of knowing and cultural competency skills are integrated throughout the curriculum. The program is offered on a full-time, as well as a part-time basis to accommodate practitioners working in the field. Learn more

University Credit:-
Students may apply for admission to the four-year B.A. in Child and Youth Care degree at VIU at all years of the degree, however we normally admit at first and third year. Students who have completed a diploma in a Human Services area may be eligible for third year admission. Students who complete the B.A. in Child and Youth Care may then pursue graduate studies at a number of educational settings.

Calling all domestic and international foodies! Shape your passion and creativity into a rewarding, fast-paced, hands-on career close to home or around the world with Vancouver Island University’s Culinary Arts program.

Our internationally recognized chef training programs at the Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island provides students with hands-on, real-world experiences running service programs in state-of-the-art kitchens and labs.This Culinary Arts program also has a paid co-operative education component that allows students to network and build industry contacts.

Students learn the culinary skills needed to enter careers in world-class hotels, resorts, restaurants, bakeries and more. Educational grants are available to students wanting to train in this high-demand industry.

The Culinary Arts Certificate Program
The Culinary Arts Certificate consists of the 28-week Professional Cook 1 (PC1), and the 14-week Professional Cook 2 (PC2).The Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island (CIVI) at VIU provides students with the options of the Professional Cook 1 (PC1) Certificate (offered through the Nanaimo, Cowichan & Powell River campuses), the one-year Culinary Arts Certificate (PC1 & PC2 offered at the Nanaimo campus), and the two-year Culinary Management Diploma (offered at the Nanaimo campus). The Certificate and Diploma programs provide students with culinary training and management skills, giving them the leading edge to advancement in the culinary profession. Upon entering the Certificate program, culinary students are registered as Professional Cook 1 apprentices, gaining technical training while accruing apprentice hours. As a part of both the Culinary Arts Certificate and the Culinary Diploma programs, students participate in a paid co-op work placement, gaining industry work experience and additional apprentice hours.

Upon entering the program, culinary students:

• Are registered as Professional Cook apprentices. The Culinary Arts Certificate consists of 28-week Professional Cook 1 (PC1), and the 14-week Professional Cook 2 (PC2), and a paid Co-op work practicum.
• Gaining industry work experience and PC1 apprentice hours. This often becomes full time employment toward their career paths.
• At the beginning of the first year of the Nanaimo campus Certificate program, students spend three weeks in our state of the art food lab, focusing on learning basic cooking skills and good culinary habits without production pressure. Students then move to the main kitchen, rotating through five separate sections. Students will prepare breakfast, vegetables, starches, and proteins, as well as study cold kitchen, pastry, and meat cutting. Food produced by the students is served in the VIU cafeterias and Discovery Room dining room.

Co-operative Education
Under the co-operative education format, the paid co-operative education experiences are integrated into the total curriculum. Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island students are employed and supervised in a Red Seal-trained kitchen. Hours worked in their co-op are counted towards their apprenticeship. Culinary students will benefit from the co-operative education experience by:

• Relating academic study more effectively to the field of practice;
• Developing a clearer career focus;
• Gaining valuable practical experience and apprentice hours;
• Being able to finance a larger portion of their education

Co-operative placements are typically from May to October. Access to co-operative education placements is based on student's GPA and their willingness to work as a team member with faculty and co-operative education staff to find an appropriate placement. Students in co-operative placement are assessed tuition and Students' Union fees - see program fees for correct fee information.

The Graduate Diploma in International Trade is an integrated, graduate level cohort-based program with a specialization in international trade management. Students will be immersed in the core theories supporting the specialization before demonstrating their knowledge in an Integrative Applied Project. Elective options will advance their understanding in an area of interest.