Program Description
The University Arts and Sciences Program at Northern Lights College serves individuals and communities by providing university-level learning opportunities that reflect the intellectual and creative modes of inquiry practiced in the Arts and Sciences. A wide variety of first- and second-year courses enable learners to pursue numerous credential and career options, and engage in personal enrichment.
The Associate of Arts Degree enables students to focus on humanities or social sciences disciplines. This provincially recognized credential provides a well-rounded educational experience that prepares students for work, citizenship, and further study.
For students intending to pursue further studies, the Associate of Arts Degree comprises the first two years (60 credits) of a four-year degree program (120 credits). All 60 credits of the Associate Degree receive complete block transfer at post-secondary institutions throughout British Columbia. Accordingly, the Associate of Arts Degree enables Northern Lights College students to complete the first half of a degree program while remaining in their home communities.
Students transferring to a post-secondary institution may still be required to meet specific first- and second-year requirements for certain degree programs, so students should plan their course selection accordingly to meet these requirements while enrolled at NLC in the Associate of Arts Degree.
Career Prospects
The Associate of Arts Degree provides introductory, university-level education for many different careers. It can also transfer to degree programs at other post-secondary institutions, provided pre-requisites are met for the chosen course of study at the receiving institution.
Details
Location: Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, and Fort Nelson, where resources and interest permit.
Length: The Associate of Arts Degree involves approximately 900 hours of class time and may be completed on a part-time or full-time basis. Where learners are attending full-time, the credential can be completed in two academic years or 60 weeks.
Start: September, January, May
Fees: Current Fee Schedule
Admission Prerequisites
*English is the language of instruction in all programs at NLC, thus it is imperative that NLC students meet minimum English Language Proficiency requirements.
*In University Arts and Sciences and Related Programs, it is understood that the minimum English Language Proficiency requirement is that required to graduate from a Canadian high school program conducted in English. This is defined in the English Language Requirement document.
*Note that some University Arts and Sciences courses will have specific pre-requisites. Meeting the entrance requirements for the University Arts and Sciences program does not ensure course pre-requisites have been met for all available courses.
Important Notes
- The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans for Domestic Students. Visit StudentAid BC to apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid.
- In British Columbia, completion of an Associate of Science Degree offers several transfer advantages: *Block transfer: All universities in BC guarantee 60 transfer credits to holders of an Associate Degree, even if all of the courses taken towards the degree do not transfer individually to that institution.
*Priority Admission: Additionally, at some institutions, Associate Degree holders may be offered priority admission over other students in the college transfer admission category, subject to GPA criteria developed by the receiving institution. Note that transferring students must still meet all 100- and 200-level course requirements for specific degree programs. Accordingly, students are encouraged to check the specific degree requirements of the individual receiving institution. For more information on the advantages of an Associate Degree, see https://www.bctransferguide.ca/learn-more-about/associate-degrees/transfer/
- Students anticipating transfer to Alberta or another province should check with a NLC Admissions Officer regarding out-of-province regulations, quotas, etc.
- Associate of Arts Degrees with a concentration or specialization require a minimum of 15 credits in a single discipline; normally, six of these credits must be at the second-year level.
- The information on the page is a summary of the official Program Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council. Download a PDF of the current Program Guide
APPLY NOW for the University Arts and Sciences Associate of Arts Degree program
Do you need more information? Admissions
Program Contact: Chair, University Arts and Sciences|
(Cindy Broberg cbroberg@nlc.bc.ca, Dawson Creek campus; Issoufou Soumaila isoumaila@nlc.bc.ca, Fort St. John campus)
Check these links for a list of University Arts and Sciences Courses and the Course Completion Worksheet
Courses
General Requirement:
60 credits of first-and second-year courses (normally 20 courses). These must include a minimum of 18 credits (6 courses) in Arts at the second-year level, in two or more subject areas.
Specific Requirements:
A. 6 credits in 100-level English
B. 9 credits (3 courses) in Science at the 100- or 200-level, including:
- 3 credits in Mathematics, Computer Science, or Statistics (a Statistics course couldbe in a discipline other than Math, e.g., Business or Psychology)
- minimum of 3 credits in a 100- or 200-level lab science
C. 36 credits (12 courses) in Arts, including:
- 6 credits (2 courses) in 100- or 200-level Humanities other than English but including the Creative/Performing Arts
- 6 credits (2 courses) in 100- or 200-level Social Sciences
- 24 additional credits (8 courses) in Arts
D. 9 credits (3 courses) in Arts, Science, or other areas (ie., Business, etc.)
Concentrations: Associate of Arts Degrees with a concentration or specialization require a minimum of 15 credits in a single discipline; normally, 6 of these credits must be at the second-year level.
Note: An individual course may not be used to fulfill more than one of the "specific" requirements listed above.