The University Arts and Sciences program at Northern Lights College (NLC) 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 to engage in personal enrichment.
A Humanities Certificate is awarded to students who complete 30 credits of planned courses, with an emphasis on the Humanities. The certificate is intended to prepare students for continued university-level studies leading to a Bachelor’s Degree.
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
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
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 | |
| Tumbler Ridge | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Length
30 credits (450 hours), minimum.
This is a one year program taken over two 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 | $ 154.18 | $ 51.36 | $ 3,931.84 |
International Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees | International Medical Insurance | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 12,915.00 | $ 162.42 | $ 51.36 | $ 298.80* | $ 13,418.58 |
*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)
Note that some course options have specific prerequisites. Meeting the program entrance requirements does not ensure course prerequisites have been met for all available courses.
Important Notes
- The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans for domestic students. 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.
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); minimum D grade (50%) in all courses |
Required Courses
All of:
- ENGL 100 – Academic Writing (3.0 credits)
- HIST 103 – Canada, Pre-Confederation (3.0 credits)
- HIST 104 – Canada, Post-Confederation (3.0 credits)
And one of:
- ENGL 105 – Nonfictional Prose (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 110 – Introduction to Workplace Communications (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 111 – Poetry and Drama (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 112 – Prose Fiction (3.0 credits)
And one of:
- PHIL 101 – Introduction to Philosophy I (3.0 credits)
- PHIL 110 – Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking (3.0 credits)
- PHIL 111 – Contemporary Moral Issues (3.0 credits)
Required Electives
- Select five courses from any 100- or 200-level academic, University Arts and Sciences courses (Minimum 15.0 credits)
A maximum of two courses can come from the traditional sciences (e.g., biology, physical geography);
A maximum of one course can be from computer sciences or math or statistics.
One course with content on the First Nations peoples (FNST 100, FNST 102 or ANTH 203) and one course with content in the area of Women and Gender Studies (WGST 100) are recommended.
University Arts and Sciences courses include offerings in Anthropology (ANTH), Archeology (ARCH), Biology (BIOL), Computer Science (CPSC), Criminology (CRIM), Economics (ECON), Education (EDUC), English (ENGL), First Nation Studies (FNST), Geography (GEOG), History (HIST), Humanities (HUMA), Mathematics (MATH), Philosophy (PHIL), Political Science (POLI), Psychology (PSYC), Sociology (SOCI), Social Science (SOSC), Social Work (SOWK), and Women and Gender Studies (WGST). Other University Arts and Science courses may become available.
University Arts and Sciences courses do not include offerings in Business Management (MGMT), Early Childhood Education (ECEC, ECED, ECTA), Education Assistant (EDAS), Environmental Planning (ENPL), Health Administration (HADM), Human Development Education Caring (HDEC), Information Technology (ITC, ITEC), Practical Nursing (PNUR), and Social Services Worker Diploma (SSWD).
Credential
Certificate in Humanities