Medicine Hat College

Few people in our society are entrusted with the responsibility of enforcing laws and maintaining order. Professionals in this field must be equipped with technical knowledge and skills, and offer the strong character and personal discipline required to succeed in a demanding environment. The Criminal Justice program will help you prepare to take on this challenge.

Throughout the program, you will gain an understanding of the criminal justice system through studies in:

• Human relations,
• Psychology,
• Sociology,
• Investigations,
• Policing,
• Security,
• Criminology, and
• Law.

Exposure to an array of investigative techniques and practices including forensics, crime scene investigations, and threat and risk assessments will further prepare you for employment in the field of your choice.

Police services, industry trainers and educators have identified the key competencies required in the criminal justice community including leadership skills, ethics, analytical thinking, self-confidence, communication skills, flexibility, diligence, patience, self-control, problem solving, and physical skills. During the program, you are encouraged to attain the necessary skills and fitness level to pass the testing requirements demanded by law enforcement organizations, as well as volunteer for various groups and agencies to demonstrate community involvement.

Make a difference in the lives of others with a rewarding career in social work. Social workers help individuals, families, groups, and communities develop the skills and resources they need to enhance quality of life.  

This two-year diploma program combines

• Knowledge of the humanities and behavioural sciences,
• An understanding of social work theory and philosophy, and
• The development of practical skills in classroom and fieldwork settings.

It requires your personal commitment, an open mind, and a willingness to question your own values and beliefs. Taught from a broad and inclusive perspective, there is a strong emphasis on maintaining ethical practices and a focus on diversity, anti-oppressive practice, and social justice.  

Most classes are designed to provide you with the theoretical understanding of various concepts and skills necessary to work with individuals, families, groups and communities. Practicum experiences bring knowledge and skills together, formulating your identity as a social worker  

The program is designed to meet the knowledge, skills and practice competencies as defined by the Alberta College of Social Work. Graduates of the diploma program have the option of applying to the Bachelor of Social Work program through the University of Calgary (delivered/hosted by Medicine Hat College), or transferring to other Bachelor of Social Work programs.

Service Dog and Canine Studies Management is an exciting new opportunity that prepares students for a career in a wide range of canine-related fields. This program explores canine care and a variety of dog training techniques while having the student train a service dog for a specific disability that will be placed with an actual client at the end of their schooling. It is a two-year, five-semester, program including workplace integrated learning in both shelters/kennels and a two-month spring course in a service dog organization that will give the student a valuable professional experience as part of their education. The program is designed for the student who enjoys working with animals and working in a therapeutic and helping profession field.

As a Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant, you will find a rewarding career supporting Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) in their assessment and treatment of people with communication difficulties and disorders.

A communication disorder may be evident in a person’s ability to pronounce sounds, to understand what is spoken, to use vocabulary and grammar skills, to speak without stuttering, and to use their voice. You may provide treatment based on the SLP’s goals, make and develop materials and activities, document and report results, carry out screenings, maintain equipment, and assist with clerical duties. Working one-on-one and in groups, you will have the opportunity to help people of all ages to improve their ability to communicate and interact with others and make a positive difference in their daily lives.

From studio arts and digital media to advertising design and corporate identity development, art and design professionals create and organize the information we see every day. As an art and design student at MHC, you’ll have the opportunity to bring your ideas to life in a state-of-the art facility, surrounded by bright and modern studio and work spaces.

Blending fine art and design with the most recent advances in technology, this program covers virtual space, digital media and interactivity, in addition to two-dimensional, static, and print-based design. You’ll explore the entire creative and technical process, from concept through production, and have opportunities to showcase your work in the One on One Gallery.

Our applied degree offers a work term component, which consists of two 3-month paid work placements. These placements help you apply the skills learned in class and build a resume that attracts the attention of potential employers. In addition to the Bachelor of Applied Arts (Art and Design) degree, Medicine Hat College offers two 1-year art and design certificates, which are available to those who have completed a degree or diploma in art, design, or a related field.