The Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Diploma in Inclusive Education program at Northern Lights College (NLC) provides opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to work in early care and learning programs in British Columbia (BC) supporting the care and education of children birth through 12 years of age and their families. Educators use their specialized education to create and maintain inclusive and safe environments that encourage exploration for all children, while being responsive to children’s needs and interests. Working within diverse communities and programs, Educators use reflective and collaborative practices to support children’s understanding and engagement with the world.
The NLC ECEC Diploma in Inclusive Education program offers a variety of delivery methods including distance/online, on campus, and Work Integrated Learning (WIL), which enables students to remain in their home communities while integrating theoretical and practical experiences. The theory course work and practicum experiences prepares students to apply for BC Early Childhood Educator Registry certification (including Early Childhood Educator Assistant certification, Early Childhood Educator certification, and Special Needs post basic certification) at various points during the program.
The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Information and Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council. (Download a PDF of the current Program Completion Guide).
Career Prospects
Early Childhood Educators with BC ECE Registry certification* may be employed as educators, supervisors, managers, directors, or administrators of early care and learning programs.
With additional relevant education (e.g., a Child and Youth Care Degree, Social Work Degree, or an Early Childhood Education graduate degree), Early Childhood Educators may find work as child development counsellors or consultants, family resource center coordinators, child care resource and referral consultants/coordinators, licensing officers, researchers, or instructors.
Students planning on transferring to further post-secondary programs are encouraged to complete ENGL 100 Academic Writing in addition to the NLC’s ECEC Diploma in Inclusive Education requirements.
*For up-to-date information on the BC ECE Registry requirements, please visit their website
Details
Intakes
| Campus | Starting | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Dawson Creek | Fall | Cohort |
| Fort St. John | Fall | Cohort |
| Fort Nelson | Fall | Cohort |
| Chetwynd | Fall | Cohort |
| Tumbler Ridge | Fall | Cohort |
| Online | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| WIL | Winter | Cohort |
Distance/Online: The online course offerings make use of both an online learning platform, Desire to Learn (D2L), and an online webinar application, Microsoft Teams, to allow students to remain in their home communities to complete both theory course work and practicum experiences in early care and learning environments that are approved by NLC. Students unable to locate suitable practicum placements in their home community may need to relocate to another community for one or more of the practicum courses.
On Campus: Face-to-face cohort course offerings are available within the Northern Lights College catchment region and videoconferenced between campuses, including Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Chetwynd, Fort Nelson, and Tumbler Ridge. *International students are accepted at either the Dawson Creek or Fort St. John campus. On Campus courses may be offered in other provincial regions depending on student enrollment or special-project funding.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL): The work integrated cohort course offerings blend both an online learning platform, Desire to Learn (D2L), and an online webinar application, Microsoft Teams, to allow students to remain in their home communities at their current early care and learning centre to complete both theory course work and practicum experiences.
*Note that most courses require regular access to children in a licensed early care and learning program regardless of delivery mode.
Students and/or their employers are advised to review NLC’s ECEC Admissions web page or contact ECECPracticaPlanning@nlc.bc.ca for more information on workplace practicum options and criteria or the ece-ea-chair@nlc.bc.ca for work integrated learning practicum criteria.
Length
62 credits (1370 hours), minimum, including 16 academic/theory courses (720 hours) and 4 practicum courses (650 hours). Typically, this is a two year program taken over four semesters with a minimum of 15 credits per semester. Part-time studies will take longer.
The NLC ECEC Diploma in Inclusive Education program may be completed over a two-year period of full-time studies that may include Spring and Summer semesters/terms. Part-time study is also an option for distance/online and on campus study only. Work Integrated Learning is a full time study option only.
For both full- and part-time students, program completion time may vary depending on the availability of courses and on individual course selection.
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 | $ 152.75 | $ 969.40 | $ 4,848.45 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 3,800.83 | $ 155.20 | $ 988.78 | $ 4,944.81 |
International Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees | International Medical Insurance | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 13,346.00 | $ 162.42 | $ 103.91 | $ 289.90* | $ 13,902.13 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 14,013.30 | $ 170.54 | $ 103.91 | $ 14,287.75 |
*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
- ece-ea-chair@nlc.bc.ca if you are currently an NLC student
Admission Requirements
1. 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. Students who do not meet one of the above English Requirements must complete the NLC Writing Assessment for appropriate course placement.
2. 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)
Post-Admission Requirements
1. A clearance letter from the Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General for a Schedule B Criminal Record Check (works with Children) or (works with Children and Vulnerable Adults) must be received prior to registration in courses. Students who have completed a valid Schedule B CRC for another organization may share their results with Northern Lights College by completing the Sharing Form.
*Note that CRCs must be renewed if they expire before the program is completed.
Under no circumstances are students permitted to complete any practical work without having a CRC on file with NLC’s Office of the Registrar. Failure to ensure a valid CRC is on file with the Office of the Registrar may result in a requirement to withdraw from the program. Students are obligated to report any Schedule B criminal convictions that occur after they authorize a CRC but are still enrolled in NLC’s Early Childhood Education and Care Programs.
Please see NLC’s Criminal Records Check procedures for instructions on how to complete a CRC.
2. Submission of ECE Program Questionnaire that supports suitability for the profession and course advising.
3. Applicants to the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) cohorts must submit a completed Employer Agreement Form. (WIL applicants only)
Important Notes
- The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit StudentAid BC to 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 requirementshttps://www.nlc.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Minimum_Computer_Requirements_2025.pdf.
- Graduates of NLC’s ECEC Diploma in Infant/Toddler Education are eligible for admission to the Justice Institute of British Columbia’s (JIBC) Advanced Specialty Certificate in Community Care Licensing. Transfer Credit at JIBC may be granted for completion of both HDEC101 Human Development 1 and HDEC 104 – Human Development II.
- This program is affiliated with the ECE Registry.
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | 25% (4 theory courses and 1 practicum course) of all courses must be completed at Northern Lights College |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | 2.00 Grade Point Average (GPA); minimum grade of C 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.
Typical Year One
- HDEC 100 – Essential Skills for Human Service Workers (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 101 – Human Development I (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 102 – Health, Safety, and Nutrition (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 103 – Guiding and Caring (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 104 – Human Development II (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 121 – Interpersonal Communications (3.0 credits)
- ECEC 100 – Curriculum 1 (3.0 credits)
- ECED 101 – Principles and Practices 1 (3.0 credits)
- ECED 109A – Practicum 1 (3.0 credits)
- ECED 110 – Practicum 2 (3.0 credits)
Typical Year Two
- ECEC 200 – Curriculum II (3.0 credits)
- ECEC 201 – Building Professional Family Partnerships (3.0 credits)
- ECEC 202 – Administration and Leadership in Early Childhood Education (3.0 credits)
- ECEC 203 – Current Perspectives on Practice (3.0 credits)
- ECED 111 – Practicum 3 (4.0 credits)
- ECED 150 – The Early Childhood Education Professional (3.0 credits)
- ECED 203A – Development 3 Infants and Toddlers (3.0 credits)
- ECED 207 – Curriculum 3 Infants and Toddlers (3.0 credits)
- ECED 210 – Practicum – Diverse Abilities (4.0 credits)
- ECED 215 – Curriculum 4 Working with Children with Diverse Abilities (3.0 credits)
Additional Notes
- Graduates who have completed coursework in either NLC’s Education Assistant Certificate or Diploma programs can ladder into NLC’s Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma in Inclusive Education program
- Graduates from NLC’s Early Childhood Education and Care Inclusive Education Diploma who want to obtain their final BC ECE Registry Post-Basic ECE certification can apply to NLC’s Early Childhood Education and Care Infant/Toddler Education Diploma program OR the Human Services Professional Development (HSPD) Advanced Certificate program to take the ECED 208 (Infant Toddler) practicum course.
Credential
Diploma in Inclusive Education