Associate of Science Degree
Northern Lights College
Key Information
Campus location
Dawson Creek, Canada
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
CAD 10,770 / per year
Application deadline
Request info *
Earliest start date
Request info
* one week prior to semester start-dates for University Arts and Sciences courses
Introduction
The University Arts and Sciences Program at Northern Lights College 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 variety of first- and second-year courses enable learners to pursue numerous credential and career options and to engage in personal enrichment.
The Associate of Science Degree enables students to select a variety of courses in the field of science. This provincially recognized credential is designed to provide a well-rounded educational experience that prepares students for work, citizenship, and further study.
For students intending to pursue further studies, the Associate of Science Degree comprises the first two years (60 credits) of a four-year degree program (120 credits). All 60 credits comprising the Associate Degree receive full block transfer at universities throughout British Columbia. Accordingly, the Associate of Science Degree enables Northern Lights College students to complete half of a degree program while remaining in their home community.
Students transferring to universities may still be required to meet specific first- and second-year requirements for certain degree programs, so advance planning is recommended. Where viable, Associate Degree students are encouraged to select courses that also satisfy Flexible Pre-Majors.
Important Notes
In British Columbia, completion of an Associate of Science Degree offers several transfer advantages:
- Block transfer: All universities in BC guarantee 60 transfer credits to holders of an Associate Degree, even if all of the courses taken towards the degree do not transfer individually to that institution.
- Priority Admission: Additionally, at some institutions, Associate Degree holders may be offered priority admission over other students in the college transfer admission category, subject to GPA criteria developed by the receiving institution.
Note that transferring students must still meet all 100- and 200-level course requirements for specific degree programs. Accordingly, students are encouraged to check the specific degree requirements of the individual receiving institution. For more information on the advantages of an Associate Degree, see http://bctransferguide.ca/associate/transfer.cfm
The information on the page is a summary of the official Program Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council.
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
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.
Curriculum
General Requirement: 60 credits of first-and second-year courses (normally 20 courses). These must include a minimum of 18 credits (6 courses) in the Sciences at the second-year level, in two or more subject areas.
Specific Requirements:
- 6 credits in 100-level English
- 6 credits in Mathematics which shall include at least 3 credits in Calculus
- 36 credits (12 courses) in the Sciences, including:
- at least 6 credits (2 courses) in a 100- or 200-level Lab Science
- at least 18 credits (6 courses) in the 200-level Sciences, in two or more subject areas
- 6 credits (2 courses) in Arts other than English (excluding Mathematics and Laboratory-based Science courses)
- 6 credits (2 courses) in Arts, Science, or other areas at the undergraduate level (ie. ECON, EDUC, MGMT, SOWK, etc.)
Concentrations: Associate of Science Degrees with a concentration or specialization require a minimum of 15 credits in a single discipline; normally, 6 of these credits must be at the second-year level.
Flexible Pre-Majors: Where possible, students are encouraged to embed Flexible Pre-Majors in Associate Degrees with a Specialization. For more information on Flexible Pre-Majors, please see the BC Transfer Guide website.
Note: An individual course may not be used to fulfill more than one of the "specific" requirements listed above.
Career Opportunities
The Associate of Science Degree provides introductory, university-level training for many different careers, but is primarily designed for transfer to the third year of a science degree.