Certificate of Health Care Assistant

at Langara College Canada

In a time of increasing globalization, where human activity is now seen to have far reaching, often adverse, implications for the worlds ecosystems it is essential to have the awareness, knowledge, skill and experience to address these issues.  Environmental understanding, protection and remediation are significant, growing concerns in today’s society.  Environmental Studies at Langara College is an interdisciplinary program within the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies. It draws from four critical study areas - biology, chemistry, english, geography – as well as including a number of specific environmental courses.  Elective courses are chosen from a wide range of subjects to suit a particular student’s interests.  A one-week field school is conducted at the end of the second year. 

The Associate of Arts in Commerce and Business Studies provides courses needed for equivalency to first and second-year Commerce and Business Administration at SFU, UBC and UVIC. (Please consult with a counsellor regarding requirements.) Students may also apply to bridge into the 3rd year of Langara's BBA program. The program leads to an Associate of Arts Degree with a concentration in Commerce and Business Studies. Transfer to UBC, SFU or UVic Faculties of Commerce or Business will depend on those institutions and each application will be considered on its merits. The need to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 cannot be overemphasized due to the highly competitive nature of admission into business faculties at all three universities.

With the opportunity to explore and design your own academic program, your studies will culminate in a two-year Associate of Arts Degree. You will have the opportunity to choose your specialization areas and tailor the curriculum to your needs. The emphasis is on developing a deeper insight into multiple disciplines, all while building critical thinking, writing, and analyzing abilities. With a solid foundation, these studies will lead seamlessly into further academic studies.

Students will gain knowledge in multiple areas of study in liberal arts and languages, and social and cultural studies. Holistically, the program aims to develop critical thinking abilities, strengthen research skills, and introduce a variety of theories.

The four Langara College programs in Health Sciences offer an interdisciplinary approach to the study of health, illness, and disease in human communities. Health is one of the largest employment sectors in the country, and is anticipated to grow at a faster than average rate. Employment options are diverse, and extend far beyond serving as doctors or nurses.  Upon successful completion, students of Health Sciences programs will have gained a strong basic background in this rapidly changing field.

Students may pursue programs in either an Arts or Science stream, and earn a Diploma or an Associate Degree. After completing an Associate degree program, students may continue their studies at Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Health Sciences or the University of Victoria’s Health & Community Services program, transferring seamlessly into third year studies.

 Students may also transfer the Diploma or Associate Degree to university in order to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science or in a related discipline.

Langara College’s two-year (four-term) Diploma in Criminal Justice prepares students for a variety of careers with public and private agencies in the field of law enforcement. It is primarily designed for those seeking an entry-level job in the field. However, individual courses may be available from time to time to non-program students at Langara College and to those who wish to upgrade their knowledge and skills from the field. It is designed to be taken full-time, but may be taken part-time with departmental permission.

Students learn about how the Canadian criminal justice system functions and the underlying theoretical concepts determining its operation. Students learn about Canada’s legal system and the rule of law. Students will examine historical and contemporary issues in policing, corrections and the expanding role of private security in Canada. Students will also learn about common research methods used in criminology and how multiculturalism and diversity impacts on the criminal justice system.

A general business management education provides the versatility to work in a variety of management careers. Langara College’s Business Management graduates are the chameleons of the work world and are able to draw on their solid business education to tackle business opportunities and problems. As well, those with an entrepreneurial spirit will gain the expertise to operate their own enterprise. In addition to courses from a variety of business areas including marketing, financial management and international business, students who choose this concentration complete general education support courses.

The Business Management Diploma Program prepares graduates for entry level management positions in small to medium businesses. It is also designed to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the practical skills and knowledge to succeed in today’s tough market place.

Design Formation is a two year, multidisciplinary foundation design program that prepares students for further specialized studies or entry-level jobs in fields ranging from visual merchandising to event, graphic, or interior design. This program is ideal for creative people of all ages and backgrounds, from recent high-school graduates to mature students wishing to update their credentials. The classroom and workshop is close-knit, intimate, and collaborative. Our faculty, who are friendly, approachable and knowledgeable about the design world at large support this community feeling.

We aim to promote a comprehensive understanding of the design process and expose students to various aspects of the field. This allows graduates to explore their own creative path with a broad set of skills and experience. Students graduate with a diploma and a professional exit portfolio. Equipped with a wide range of practical skills and knowledge, students can choose to enter the workforce at an entry-level, or continue with further studies in Design.

With the opportunity to explore and design your own academic program, your studies will culminate in a two-year Associate of Science Degree. You will have the opportunity to choose your specialization areas and tailor the curriculum to your needs. The emphasis is on developing a deeper insight into multiple disciplines, all while building lab skills, field techniques and the ability to analyse data. With a solid foundation in the sciences, these studies will lead seamlessly into further academic studies.

In many job opportunities, post-secondary experience is essential. The Associate of Science Degree provides students with a foundation of knowledge that will help in a broad range of fields. The two-year program leads into further academic study

The Library & Information Technology Program has maintained its currency and competitiveness amid rapid technological advancement. Our graduates are highly skilled in today’s essential computer applications as well as specialized library management systems. We teach students important skills for developing search strategies for library databases and open resources on the internet. Students also learn how to catalogue, maintain, and retrieve print, digital and non-print resources as well as specialized media including film, maps and photographs.

Our students have the opportunities to practice what they have learned by completing two practicum placements in the community during their studies. Our graduates are successfully employed in public, academic, or special libraries such as medical, law, corporate and governmental institutions. Library technicians hold supervisory positions or work cooperatively with librarians and other professionals to manage information resources, from helping people retrieve information and materials, to records management for technology-based businesses.

Students come to the program from various socio-cultural and age groups. They carry with them various forms of educational achievements and professional backgrounds, which gather together as they meet many challenges put forth by their instructors and fellow students.

Library & Information Technology students learn about:

• Library history and new directions
• Reference and reader’s services
• Customer services
• Library programs
• Supervisory skills
• Electronic and digital information storage and retrieval
• Acquisitions and technical services
• Subject analysis and classification
• Machine Readable Cataloguing (MARC)/Resource Description Access (RDA) for print and non-print media
• Business computer applications
• Automated library systems
• Web applications and social medias

Now, more than ever industry, governments, and health and safety groups are focusing on a proactive way to prevent workplace injury, ensure workplace compliance, and understand and produce effective processes for creating a safe workplace. Our two-year, full-time Post-Degree Diploma program prepares university and college graduates for careers in this in-demand profession.

The Health Safety and Environmental Compliance Post-Degree Diploma program is designed to provide the necessary skills to focus on workplace compliance, including labour, inspection and auditing, public and worker safety, and environmental protection. The program provides a comprehensive combination of training in all aspects of health and safety as well as environmental compliance to make you job-ready. This program is open to international students, Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Graduates of the program can find work in the following professions:

• Workplace safety experts in numerous industries
• Private contractors in Health and Safety, establishing policy and procedure
• Safety expert in construction or development
• In-house health and safety manager
• Private contractors in Health and Safety, establishing policy and procedure
• Government roles (from municipal to federal) as inspectors, park rangers, work safety policy experts, etc.
• Professional liasion between industry and government agencies