Program Description
University Arts and Sciences courses and credentials are designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students for work, citizenship, an enriched life as an educated person, and to create a solid foundation for further study.
Students may register in a program stream, or they may register for individual courses that are scheduled during the Fall, Winter and Intersession semesters. Courses are offered using various modes of delivery, including in-class, videoconference, and online.
The Pre-Education Certificate is one year of planned coursework that also serves as the first year of the Associate of Arts Degree – AHCOTE designed for prospective teachers, and the first step toward enrolment in the Alaska Highway Consortium on Teacher Education (AHCOTE) program. Credits can also be put towards a Bachelor’s degree.
Coursework within the Academic program also supports other College programs, such as Business Management, Early Childhood Education and Care, Education Assistant, Social Services Worker Diploma, and Visual Arts.
Career Prospects
The Certificate prepares students for continued Bachelor level studies at universities or other receiving institutions, continued studies in specific programs at NLC, continued studies in professional programs, or entry-level employment opportunities.
Transfer arrangements exist with universities, colleges and institutes throughout British Columbia. See the BC Transfer Guide. Course transfer beyond British Columbia is determined on a case-by-case basis. NLC students are responsible for confirming admission requirements, application procedures, transfer credit, and graduation requirements at all receiving institutions.
Details
Location: Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, and Fort St. John campuses(NOTE: all courses are not available at each campus)
Length: 30 weeks (depending on intake start date)
Start: September, January, May
Fees: Current Fee Schedule
Admission Prerequisites
Provide British Columbia secondary school transcripts or equivalent or post-secondary transcripts.
For students who wish to enroll in 100-level English courses, transcripts should indicate successful completion of:
- Grade 12 English, or English Literature 12, or English 12 First Peoples, or Career and College Preparation ENGL050 (Provincial/Grade 12), or ENGL099: Foundational Writing, with a B or higher;
OR
- Any university-level English course with a C or higher.
- Note: Students who do not meet one of the above English requirements must write the NLC Writing Assessment. Performance on the Writing Assessment is used to make recommendations about appropriate course placement.
AND
- Any other specific prerequisites for individual courses and programs closely related to University Arts and Sciences (Business Management, Social Services Worker Diploma, Visual Arts, etc).
Important Notes
- The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit StudentAid BC to apply for financial assistance online.
- The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council. Download a PDF of the Program Completion Guide.
APPLY NOW for the University Arts and Sciences Certificate – Pre Education program
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Program Chair: Lisa Verbisky
Courses
Plus one lab science (students planning to enroll in AHCOTE should note that in some cases two NLC lab science courses are required to meet the SFU lab science requirement, eg., GEOG 112 and GEOG 114 or PHYS 103 and PHYS 104) (75-105 hrs per lab science)
Plus two or three open electives in Arts and Science, depending on the course(s) selected as a lab science (45 hrs per elective)