This program will prepare graduates for employment as a Human Service Worker, with a focus on serving Indigenous people on- or off-reserve. Students will acquire culturally appropriate knowledge, skills, and values while working with individuals, groups, and communities. Indigenous Human Service Worker (IHSW) Certificate graduates will earn course credits that can be applied to NLC’s Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma, Education Assistant Diploma, and Social Service Worker Diploma. Conversely, graduates from these diploma programs may apply relevant course credits to completion of the IHSW Certificate.
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
Band Social Worker, Community Wellness Worker, National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) Workers, Aboriginal Patient Liaison Worker or Aboriginal Patient Navigator (APN), Native Courtworker, Youth and Cultural Worker, Cultural Connections Coordinator, Aboriginal Support Workers. Certificate graduates may also ladder into NLC’s Early Childhood Education and Care, Education Assistant, and Social Services Worker diploma programs.
Details
Intakes
| Campus | Starting | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Fall | Full-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. Length of program may be adjusted for sponsored intakes.
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 | $ 289.80* | $ 12,557.76 |
*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)
C. Dual-credit students who do not meet the requirement A above may submit secondary school transcripts indicating successful completion of English 11 and enrollment in an acceptable Grade 12 level English course with a minimum interim grade of ‘C’.
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.
Post-Admission Requirements
- A clearance letter from the Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General, for a Schedule “B” Criminal Record Check (CRC), WORKS WITH Children and Vulnerable Adults must be received prior to registration in classes. Please see the NLC website (Criminal Records Checks.) for completion instructions and more information pertaining to Criminal Record Checks. CRCs must be renewed if they expire before the program is completed. Under no circumstance are students permitted to complete any practical work without having a CRC on file with the NLC’s Office of the Registrar. Failure to ensure a valid CRC is on file 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 while still enrolled in the program.
Important Notes
- This 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.
- The program is affiliated with the North East Native Advancing Society (NENAS) and SD 59, 60, and 81.
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | 50% 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 (A minimum grade of “C+” is required for courses being considered for transfer for IHSW 101, SSWD 120, and SSWD 215). The age of the course will also be considered in course transfer. |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | 2.00 program Grade Point Average (GPA) in all courses with a minimum grade of C+ in IHSW 101, SSWD 120, and SSWD 215. |
Semester One
All of:
- HDEC 100 – Essential Skills for Human Service Workers (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 101 – Human Development I (3.0 credits)
- IHSW 101 – Introduction to Human Service Work (3.0 credits)
- SSWD 120 – Ethics and Practice (3.0 credits)
- SSWD 215 – Interpersonal Communications (3.0 credits)
Semester Two
All of:
- HDEC 104 – Human Development II (3.0 credits)
- IHSW 102 – The Indigenous Family and Parenting (3.0 credits)
- IHSW 103 – Indigenous Wellness and Healthy Practices (3.0 credits)
- IHSW 104 – Social and Health Issues in Indigenous Communities (3.0 credits)
- IHSW 105 – Community Helping Project (3.0 credits)
Credential
Certificate in Indigenous Human Service Worker