NLC’s Associate of Arts Degree (Health Studies) prepares students for entry into health-related degree programs, with an emphasis on the University of Northern British Columbia’s Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program. The two-year Associate Degree (Health Studies) provides broad coverage across the Arts and Sciences while introducing students to nursing as a career and meeting UNBC’s core prerequisite requirements in the social sciences, English, Indigenous studies, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, psychology, and statistics.
Students who complete NLC’s Associate of Arts Degree (Health Studies) with UNBC’s grade requirements have an optimal transfer pathway into the Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program and will be included among NLC students who have first claim to a designated number of seats each year. The partnership between NLC and UNBC enables prospective Registered Nurses to complete their post-secondary education in the north, for employment in the north.
The Associate of Arts Degree (Health Studies) at NLC and the Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program (NBNP) at UNBC are two separate programs.
- The Associate Degree (Health Studies) is a two-year introductory program offered at NLC. It gives students a strong foundation in subjects like anatomy, psychology, English, Indigenous studies, and science. It is meant to help students explore health careers and meet the academic requirements needed to apply to the Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program or similar nursing programs.
- The Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program is a professional nursing degree program offered by UNBC. Completing this program is one of the pathways to becoming a Registered Nurse.
While the Associate Degree helps prepare students academically and offers a preferred transfer pathway, it does not guarantee acceptance into the NBNP.
Important eligibility note:
The Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program is only open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. International students may complete the Associate Degree at NLC, but they are not eligible to apply to the NBNP until they meet citizenship or permanent residency requirements.
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 go on to complete UNBC’s Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program will become eligible to apply for licensure as Registered Nurses. Registered Nurses typically work in acute care, residential care, mental health, public health, and community settings, collaborating on interprofessional healthcare teams.
Details
Intakes
| Location | Starting | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Dawson Creek* | 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 |
* All students must travel for the lab components of certain Biology classes.
Certain courses may be available through video-conference and online.
Length
62 credits (1102.5 hours), minimum.
This is a two year program taken over four semesters with minimum of 5 courses (15 credits) per semester. Part-time studies will take longer and this program must be completed within four years of admission.
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 | $ 156.43 | $ 105.75 | $ 3,988.48 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 3,800.83 | $ 154.56 | $ 0.00 | $ 3,955.39 |
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
Applications for the Associate of Arts Degree (Health Studies) will open October 1st each year for admission the following September. All applicants must provide official transcripts demonstrating high school graduation or equivalent with the following:
English Requirement
a) English requirement for domestic students who received their secondary education in English: “C+” or higher in English 12, English Studies 12, English Literature 12, English 12 First Peoples, ENGL 050, or ENGL 099. Alternatively, “C” or higher in a university-level English course. Students who do not meet one of the above English requirements must complete the NLC Writing Assessment for appropriate course placement.
b) English requirement for domestic students who received their secondary education in a language other than English and for all international students: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Version with minimum scores of: Speaking: 6.0; Listening: 6.0; Reading: 6.0; Writing: 6.0; Overall Band Score: 6.5.
Math Requirement
Math requirement is a “C” or higher in Foundations of Mathematics 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, Pre-calculus 11, or MATH 040.
Biology Requirement
Biology requirement: “B” or higher in Biology 12, Anatomy and Physiology 12, BIOL 050, or BIOL 101 within five years of program start date.
Chemistry Requirement
Chemistry requirement: “C+” or higher in Chemistry 11 or CHEM 040 within five years of program start date. (Chemistry 12 or CHEM 050 is strongly recommended)
Important Notes
- The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit StudentAidBCto apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid.
- Students are required to have a computer (laptop or other mobile device) with minimum computer requirements, a medical uniform or nursing scrubs, and WCB-approved safety/nursing shoes,
- 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:
- Completion of NLC’s Accociate of Arts Degree (Health Studies) is not a guarantee of admission to University of Northern British Columbia’s Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program. However, graduates who meet University of Northern British Columbia’s grade requirements will be among NLC students who have first claim to a designated number of seats in the University of Northern British Columbia’s Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program. For the admission process, NLC students will be defined as students who have completed a minimum of 15 credits at NLC within the past 10 years.
- Preferential treatment to students continuing to complete a baccalaureate degree and transferring with an Associate Degree in BC.
- This program has a affiliation/partnership with the University of Northern British Columbia and Northern Health.
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | 25% of all coursework must be completed at Northern Lights College. |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | NLC requires a minimum of 2.00 program Grade Point Average (GPA); D grade (50%) minimum in all courses* However, the minimum admission qualifications for UNBC’s Northern Baccalaureate Nursing Program are higher. UNBC requires a minimum “B” or 3.00 cumulative grade point average on all 60 transferable credits and a minimum “B-” or 2.67 grade point average in each of the UNBC core prerequisites identified below** |
| Additional Requirements | Program must be completed within four years of admission |
*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.
Semester One
- BIOL 111 – Anatomy and Physiology I (4.0 credits) **
- ENGL 100 – Academic Writing (3.0 credits) **
- MATH 104 – Introduction to Statistics (3.0 credits) **
OR SOSC 207: Introduction to Statistics in The Social Sciences (3 credits)** - PSYC 101 – Introduction to Psychology I (3.0 credits) **
- PHIL 111 – Contemporary Moral Issues (3.0 credits)
OR WGST 100 – Women and Gender Studies (3.0 credits)
Semester Two
- ANTH 102 – Cultural and Social Anthropology II (3.0 credits) **
- BIOL 112 – Anatomy and Physiology II (4.0 credits) **
- HSCI 100 – Introduction to Health Sciences (4.0 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) - PSYC 102 – Introduction to Psychology II (3.0 credits)
OR SOCI 101 – Introduction to Sociology I (3.0 credits)
Semester Three
- ANTH 203 – Contemporary Canadian Native Peoples (3.0 credits) **
- ANTH 204 – Medical Anthropology (3.0 credits)
- HADM 310 – Organizational Structure of the Canadian Health Care System (3.0 credits)
- Elective transferable to UNBC at the 200-Level (3.0 credits)
Semester Four
- BIOL 103 – Medical Microbiology (3.0 credits) **
OR BIOL 205 – Laboratory Based Medical Microbiology (4.0 credits)** - SOCI 204 – The Family in Canada (3.0 credits)
OR PSYC 235 – Structure and Dynamics of the Family (3.0 credits) - Three electives transferable to UNBC at the 200-Level Minimum credits: 9.0
Notes
The UNBC School of Nursing reserves the right to select applicants for admission or readmission to the Northern Baccalaureate Program on a competitive basis. Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
NLC offers many electives transferable to UNBC at the 200-Level. Subject areas include Archeology, Criminology, Education, English, History, Psychology, Sociology, and Research Methods in the Social Sciences. Please see the program Chairs, UNAS Timetables, and the BC Transfer Guide.
Credential
Associate of Arts Degree (Health Studies)