The Associate of Arts Degree (Education) prepares students for entry into the Alaska Highway Consortium on Teacher Education Alaska Highway Consortium on Teacher Education (AHCOTE), the joint teacher-training program offered by Simon Fraser University and NLC. The Associate of Arts Degree (Education) comprises a range of education courses as well as other first- and second-year arts and sciences courses. This provincially recognized credential provides a well-rounded educational experience that prepares students for success in AHCOTE or pathways beyond traditional teacher training. Credits earned from the program may also transfer toward a bachelor’s degree. This program offers learning opportunities with intellectual and creative modes of inquiry and reflective practice.
The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Information and Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council, effective September 2025.
Career Prospects
Students who complete the Associate of Arts Degree designed for prospective teachers are eligible for AHCOTE and will eventually be seeking careers as teachers. Note, however, that completion of the designated Associate of Arts Degree is not a guarantee of admission into AHCOTE.
Details
Intakes
| Location | Starting | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Chetwynd* | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Dawson Creek | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Fort Nelson* | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Fort St John | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time |
* requires a mix of online and video-conference courses, where resources and interest permit
Length
62 credits (900 hours), minimum.
This is a two year program taken over four semesters with minimum of 15 credits per semester. Part-time studies will take longer.
Estimated Program Fees
Program fee type: Academic
Costs indicated are estimates for a full-time course load.
Book, instruments, supplies, uniforms/clothing and third-party fees are additional.
Domestic Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 3,726.30 | $ 153.98 | $ 52.88 | $ 3,933.16 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 3,800.83 | $ 157.06 | $ 0.00 | $ 3,957.89 |
International Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees | International Medical Insurance | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 12,915.00 | $ 162.42 | $ 51.36 | $ 289.80* | $ 13,418.58 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 13,560.75 | $ 170.54 | $ 51.36 | $ 13,782.65 |
*Per four months
Still have questions?
Contact:
- info@nlc.bc.ca if you are in Canada
- info@international.nlc.bc.ca if you are outside of Canada
- academic-chair@nlc.bc.ca if you are currently an NLC student
Admission Requirements
*A. Domestic students and students from countries that practice Standard Written English (see Appendix A) must have official transcripts demonstrating that they have met the English Requirements: One of the following with a “C” grade or higher: English 12 or English Literature 12 or English First Peoples 12, ENGL 050, or ENGL 099. Alternatively, any university-level English course with a “C” grade or higher. Students who do not meet one of the above English requirements must complete the NLC Writing Assessment for appropriate course placement.
B. International students who do not meet the requirement A. above, and domestic students who received their secondary education in French or another language, must show that they have met the NLC English requirement: see Appendix A (General Academic English Language Proficiency Requirements) OR must have received a minimum overall band of 6.0 on the IELTS exam, with no band less than 5.5.
plus,
C. Math Requirement: One of the following with a ‘C’ grade (60%) or higher: Pre-calculus 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, Foundations of Math 11, MATH 040, or equivalent. Alternatively, readiness for MATH 050 as determined by the CCP Math appraisal.
*Note that some University Arts and Sciences elective courses have specific prerequisites. Meeting the entrance requirements for the University Arts and Sciences program does not ensure course prerequisites have been met for all available courses.
Post-Admission Requirements
- A clearance letter from the Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP), for a Schedule “B” Criminal Record Check (CRC), WORKS WITH Children and Vulnerable Adults. For information and regulations, see Criminal Records Checks.
Note: Under no circumstances will a student be permitted to begin the EDUC 252 practicum until a SG/CRC has been received and reviewed by NLC. Students will be provided with information about the SG/CRC process at program orientations. SG/CRC searches can take from 3 to 6 weeks for completion, so students are urged to attend to this matter at least 6 weeks before the start of EDUC 252. Please see the NLC Criminal Records Check page for completion instructions and more information pertaining to Criminal Record Checks.
Important Notes
- The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit StudentAidBC to apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid.
- Course transfer agreements allow students to receive course-by-course transfer to other colleges, universities, and institutes in BC, as indicated in the BC Transfer Guide.
- Transfer agreements allow graduates to receive:
- Admission to Simon Fraser University’s Alaska Highway Consortium on Teacher Education (AHCOTE) program. Note that completion of the associate degree is not a guarantee of admission into the AHCOTE program.
- Associate of Arts degree (block) transfer to BC public post-secondary institutions.
- This program is affiliated with Simon Fraser University and School Districts 59, 60, and 81.
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | 25% of all coursework must be completed at Northern Lights College; note that a minimum 60% or ‘C’ grade (60%) is required for courses to be considered for transfer into this program. The age of the course will also be considered in course transfer |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | 2.00 program Grade Point Average (GPA); D grade (50%) minimum in all courses |
*Please note the following semester break down is based on a student beginning their program in the Fall semester. Students starting in other semesters should consult with the course catalogue in Borealis and with a Program Advisor when selecting courses.
Year One (Pre-Education Certificate)
- EDUC 100 – Questions and Issues in Education (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 100 – Academic Writing (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 105 – Nonfictional Prose (3.0 credits)
OR ENGL 111 – Poetry and Drama (3.0 credits)
OR ENGL 112 – Prose Fiction (3.0 credits) - GEOG 103 – The Regional Geography of Canada (3.0 credits)
- HIST 103 – Canada, Pre-Confederation (3.0 credits)
- HIST 104 – Canada, Post-Confederation (3.0 credits)
- MATH 190 – Principles of Mathematics for Teachers (4.0 credits)
- Three First-year Electives (9 to 11 credits) selected from one of the following:
- 1 Lab Science course (3 to 4 credits) AND 2 Arts, and Sciences courses (6 credits)
- 2 Lab Science courses (6 to 8 credits) AND 1 Arts, and Sciences courses (3 credits)
Students planning to enroll in SFU’s AHCOTE program 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
Year Two (Completion of the Associate of Arts Degree)
- CPSC 100 – Introduction to Computers and Computer Applications (3.0 credits)
OR CPSC 101 – Introduction to Computing (3.0 credits) - EDUC 220 – Introduction to Educational Psychology (3.0 credits)
- EDUC 240 – Social Issues in Education (3.0 credits)
- EDUC 252 – Introduction to Reflective Practice (4.0 credits)
- FNST 100 – Indigenous Peoples of Canada (3.0 credits)
OR FNST 102 – Treaties and Aboriginal Rights (3.0 credits)
OR ANTH 203 – Contemporary Canadian Native Peoples (3.0 credits)
OR HIST 209 – History of the First Nations of Canada (3.0 credits)
OR HIST 220 – History of Childhood in Canada: Indigenous and Settler Children, Then and Now (3.0 Credits) - Four 200-Level Arts Elective (12 credits)*
- One open elective in Arts or Sciences (3 credits)
*Note that PSYC 211 is recommended as a 200-level Arts elective. However, PSYC 211 requires PSYC 101 and PSYC 102 as prerequisites
Credential
Associate of Arts Degree (Education)