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Human Services Professional Development Advanced Certificate

Northern Lights College

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Intake
  • Fall
  • Winter
  • Spring
  • Summer
Study Options
  • Work
    Experience
  • Program Start Date
    September, January, May, July
  • Length
    30 Credits (1 year full-time; or varies part-time)
  • Tuition Estimate
    (domestic students)
    $3,600 Total
  • Book & Supplies Cost Estimates
    $2,500 - $3,300 Total
  • Credential Granted
    Advanced Certificate
  • Learning Method Options
    • Online
    • Blended (Face-to-Face + Online)
    • Off-site

    Face-to-face course offerings may be available within the Northern Lights College region or other provincial regions depending on student enrollment or project funding

Learning Method Option:

  • Face-to-Face: Program is fully delivered in class with face-to-face interaction
  • Online: Program is fully delivered online
  • Blended (Face-to-Face + Online): Program is delivered using a combination of face-to-face and online learning
  • Off-site: All or part of program is delivered in a physical location away from regular classroom/campus

This program may be of special interest to Aboriginal students.

Looking for ways to fund your education? Check out NLC's financial aid and awards page.

Application Deadline Advice

Qualified applicants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Early application is recommended.

Verify dates and deadlines directly with NLC. 

Application Fee: $25 (domestic students); $100 (international students)

1) Program Admission Requirements

Academic/Non-Academic (minimum grade needed in brackets)

Option A: Experience-Based Admission

1. At least 3 years of experience in human services, education and/or health care settings (for example: K-12, early care and learning, community services, Indigenous services and/or residential care)

2. Be at least 19 years old

3. English

One of:

  • English 12 (C)
  • English Studies 12 (C)
  • English Literature 12 (C)
  • English First Peoples 12 (C)
  • ENGL 050 (C)
  • ENGL 099 (C)
  • An English course (C) at the post-secondary level
  • NLC writing assessment (100-level English course placement)

4. Two letters of reference that address your professional experience (form letter will be provided)

5. A comprehensive letter stating your experience, interest and goals

6. Criminal Record Check 

Or

Option B: Credential-Based Admission

1. Completion of a certificate, diploma or degree in a human services, education or health care field from an accredited post-secondary institution

2. Criminal Record Check

Admission Advice (for all applicants)

1. In addition to submitting your online application forms, applicants are required to submit supporting documents noted above, as well as providing a copy of government-issued picture ID (such as BC's driver's license with your current full, legal name)

2. If your high school was not taught in English, you have the option of meeting the English Language Proficiency requirement with an IELTS overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0. If your IELTS's writing band is 6.0 or less, you will be required to complete NLC's ENGL 099 (B) before or during your first semester at NLC.  

3. If you are missing any admission requirements, you have the option of taking upgrading courses. For more details, please contact a NLC advisor.

4. After acceptance into the program, students must provide current assurance of good health validated by a physician prior to enrolling in ECED 208 or ECED 210 for program completion purpose. 

5. Minimum computer requirements are expected for students enrolling in the program. 


 

2) Institution Admission Requirements

Applicants also have to satisfy NLC's institution admission requirements as listed below.

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English Language Requirements

Each program has its own admission prerequisites and English language requirements. Program-specific English language requirements for NLC's programs are detailed separately in each program profile in the EducationPlannerBC Program Search Database.

Domestic students (and students from English-speaking countries) applying to NLC's undergraduate-level programs must meet one of the following:

  • English 12 (B)
  • English Studies 12 (B)
  • English Literature (B)
  • English First Peoples 12 (B)
  • English 050 (B)
  • English 099 (B)
  • one university-level English course (C)
  • complete the NLC Writing Assessment for appropriate course placement
For international students applying to NLC's undergraduate-level programs , including students who received their secondary education in another language other than English, must meet one of the following:
  • IELTS = overall score of 6.0 or higher, with no band less than 6.0*
  • TOEFL iBT = overall score of 78
  • Canadian Academic English Assessment (CAEL) = 60 overall band
  • Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment (CLBA) = 8 in each section
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) = 57
  • Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) = 76
  • CambridgeMichigan Language Assessment (CaMLA) = 69
  • NLC's English for Academic Purposes (EAP) 060-level Certificate
  • An English course at the post-secondary level (C)
  • completion of a post-secondary credential that is assessed as equivalent to a similar program from a reputable Canadian institution with its own appropriate English Language requirement
  • complete the NLC Writing Assessment for appropriate course placement
Note (*): If you meet the English proficiency requirement using an IELTS score and have a writing band of 6.0 or less, you are required to complete NLC English 099 with at least a "B" grade in your first semester at NLC.

Verify with NLC directly

General Admission Requirements (All Students)

Admission into all programs at NLC is based on the order in which applicants successfully complete all admission requirements for the individual program. The program-specific admission requirements are detailed within each program profile for Northern Lights College (NLC) in EducationPlannerBC's Program Search Database.

Many programs have a maximum number of seats available therefore, you are encouraged to apply early and complete any requirements.

BC Secondary School (or equivalent)

Canadian citizens or landed immigrants who are applying for admission to Northern Lights College must meet one of the following:

Academic and Career Programs - You must have one of the following:

  • Completion BC secondary school or equivalent
  • Be lacking no more than two courses from BC secondary school graduation (if available, these must be completed while attending the college)
  • Be accepted by special arrangement in view of your experience, maturity or ability

Academic Upgrading Programs - one of the following:

  • Be at least 17 years old and have been out of school for at least one year
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Receive special admission for entry

Vocational and Dual Credit Programs - You must:

  • Completion of Grade 10 is required for most programs. However, some programs require Grade 11 or 12 with specific prerequisite courses (detailed in the program profiles for NLC in EducationPlannerBC's Program Search Database)
Verify details with NLC directly.

Out-of-Province

Canadian citizens or landed immigrants who are applying for admission to Northern Lights College must meet one of the following:

Academic and Career Programs - You must have one of the following:

  • Completion BC secondary school or equivalent
  • Be lacking no more than two courses from BC secondary school graduation (if available, these must be completed while attending the college)
  • Be accepted by special arrangement in view of your experience, maturity or ability

Academic Upgrading Programs - one of the following:

  • Be at least 17 years old and have been out of school for at least one year
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Receive special admission for entry

Vocational and Dual Credit Programs - You must:

  • Completion of Grade 10 is required for most programs. However, some programs require Grade 11 or 12 with specific prerequisite courses (detailed in the program profiles for NLC in EducationPlannerBC's Program Search Database)

Verify details with NLC directly.

BC Transfer Student

If you have completed some post-secondary studies at another institution, you can possibly earn transfer credits toward your program at Northern Lights College (NLC). The BC Transfer Guide allows you to check on the transferability of your courses taken at another BC post-secondary institution.

Transfer credit is not done automatically. Students are responsible for initiating the transfer credit process. To receive transfer credit, you must submit an official transcript with your Application for Admission or Readmission along with a Transfer Credit Application Form. A detailed course description/outline may also be required before credit can be evaluated. For more details, please contact a NLC academic advisor.

Out-of-Province Transfer Student

If you have completed some post-secondary studies at another institution, you can possibly earn transfer credits toward your program at Northern Lights College (NLC). 

Transfer credit is not done automatically. Students are responsible for initiating the transfer credit process. To receive transfer credit, you must submit an official transcript with your Application for Admission or Readmission along with a Transfer Credit Application Form. A detailed course description/outline may also be required before credit can be evaluated. For more details, please contact a NLC academic advisor.

Mature Student

For admission purposes, a mature student is one who is over the age of 19 years, and who has been out of school for at least one year. Adults are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet specified admission prerequisites, given that other factors (such as maturity and work experience) may be considered.

If you do not meet minimum educational requirements for a desired program, you may enter Career and College Preparation (Upgrading) programs to upgrade your skills for the program of your choice. Students must provide official secondary school or post-secondary transcripts to indicate successful completion of admission prerequisites for programs.

International Student

For details on International Student admission, please check here.

Other Student (including Special Consideration)

Not Applicable

 

How to Apply

For details on applying to Northern Lights College, please check here.

Training in a program like this one can lead to different careers. Related occupations are presented to show potential career options, not definite outcomes.

Follow the links to learn more about these careers on WorkBC's career profiles.