Diploma in Sustainable Innovation - Science

at Medicine Hat College Canada

Managing information has never been more important and information technology professionals are in demand,

• Installing applications,
• Designing complex computer networks,
• Developing information databases, and
• Managing systems.

Strong problem-solving and analytical skills are a must, as troubleshooting and helping others are vital aspects of the job. Additionally, since there is constant interaction with other computer personnel, customers, and employees on the job, IT specialists must be able to communicate effectively on paper, through email, and in person.

Complete the certificate in one year, or pursue the diploma, which has two majors:

• Software and Internet Development (two years)
• Technology Support (two years)

Our program is designed to be flexible. Students will select a major when they apply; however the first semester of the program is common to all so students have the opportunity to change their major at a later date.

A Co-op Program option enables highly motivated students to integrate their academic program with paid, relevant work experience in their chosen field. MHC’s IT programs incorporate all or part of the curriculum requirements for a number of industry certifications including

• A+,
• i-Net+,
• Network+, and
• various Microsoft Certifications.

The examinations for the respective certifications must still be written independently.

The Child and Youth Care Counsellor program provides you with the skills and competencies to improve the physical, emotional, intellectual and social development of vulnerable children, youth, and families who may have suffered physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect, failure, family breakdown, and may have behavioural and/or learning difficulties.

Preparation for a career in Child and Youth Care Counselling demands a commitment to learning the essential components of developing healthy, caring relationships, as well as a look inward to learn to understand yourself and your ability to help others. The dynamics of abuse and neglect and the treatment of those issues are explored through courses in professionalism, children and the law, psychology, treatment methods, counselling skills and caring for at-risk youth. Education in group process, family dynamics, and ethics is also offered to enhance personal development and growth.

As a student, you’ll be trained in professional practice, communication, self-awareness, theory, and assessment and intervention. You will also be out in the community applying your skills and knowledge in three of the four semesters of course work. Throughout, you will be involved in numerous group projects, role plays and counselling sessions. After graduation, you have the option to use your diploma as credit towards a degree at a number of partner institutions.

The path to recovery for those with compulsive behaviours such as substance abuse, gambling, sex addictions, and eating disorders requires trained professionals with theoretical knowledge and practical skills. This program prepares you for a variety of challenging and rewarding careers dealing with individuals with a variety of compulsive behaviours. If you are compassionate with a high level of self-awareness, Addictions Counselling may be a good fit for you.
This rigorous and unique diploma program is the only one of its kind in Canada, and prepares you with knowledge of a range of dependencies, while teaching multi-level intervention skills. 
Due to the nature and demands of the addictions counselling profession, the program invites both emotional involvement and an ongoing commitment to self-awareness as an integral component of becoming educated as a professional addictions counsellor.
Medicine Hat College Addictions Counselling graduates are eligible for certification with The Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF) and The Addiction Professionals Association of Alberta (APAA).

It has been widely recognized that the early years of a child’s life are essential for healthy development. Child care providers play an important role in this time of a child’s life and they need to have an understanding of working with children, families and communities. Child care providers are now being recognized and valued by both families and government more than ever, making this an ideal time to enter the field.  

In the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) program, you will learn the importance of play in the lives of children, and our classes give you lots of hands-on learning opportunities. We play with art materials, story props, and science and math materials to better understand how children learn and how we can help teach them. Our program also gives you the opportunity to apply theory to practice every semester through a five-week practicum setting. You’ll be able to practice your communication skills, better understand child development, and provide developmentally appropriate programming for children.  

Our ELCC program will help you work with children in a variety of settings or move on to other educational programs. Many students have said our program helped them grow on a personal level and was very useful when they became parents themselves. Others have entered specialized areas of child care, or assumed leadership responsibilities in a variety of settings.  

A first of its kind in Canada, MHC's Sustainable Innovation diploma, with majors in Business or Science, provides students with the ability to develop, implement and lead sustainable innovation strategies in diverse industries. Students will acquire just-in-time experience learning to develop the skills and competencies needed to analyze and evaluate the detailed ecosystems that reinforce and support our built environment.

Offered in-person and HyFlex, this two-year program of five semesters includes an integrated workplace learning experience and is designed for change makers who are excited about challenging existing standards and propelling their ideas forward to positively impact our communities and society. This program trains the next generations of leaders to initiate effective, innovative and sustainable approaches to solving challenges that impact people, places and profits by looking at new and strategic ways of doing business.

The Sustainable Innovation diploma challenges learners to broaden their perspective and create new products, services, systems, and processes that develop long-term solutions and address the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The term sustainability focuses not only on climate change but recognizes that ending poverty and other hardships naturally coincides with strategies to improve health, education, social equality, and economic growth.

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.

The business program offers you the opportunity to focus on your own strengths and career goals. Students interested in the Accounting, Marketing, Financial Services, and Management majors take a common first year of classes before concentrating on a specific area. You can also pursue a Business/Administrative Office Professional major.

Accounting prepares you for an entry-level accounting position. In addition to acquiring a basic knowledge of accounting theory and practice, you will gain a range of business skills that are of value to many businesses and organizations. If your goal is to earn recognition as a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA), you can build a program that fulfills the designation's requirements.

Financial Services is designed to prepare you for entry level positions in banks, credit unions and other financial institutions. Courses in the program include personal investing, accounting, marketing, and communications. These subjects will help provide you with a wide range of knowledge and skills related to modern business theory and practice.

Marketing prepares you for careers in the field by focusing on the skills needed to create successful relationships with consumers and organizational customers. Possible areas of employment include sales promotion, sales, customer relations/service, marketing research, advertising, public relations, and retailing.

Management students are prepared for entry-level positions in profit and non-profit organizations. Graduates may also choose to work for a small or family-owned business or to become an entrepreneur.

Business/Administrative Office Professional is appropriate for individuals wishing to work in a technical position within a business office or develop comprehensive perspective on business theory and practice. You may enter this major after completing the Administrative Office Professional certificate.

As age and illness advance, many people need support from caring individuals who have the compassion and training to provide basic health services. Our Health Care Aide program is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to function as a front-line caregiver in just eight months.

The Government of Alberta HCA Curriculum (2019) is offered through Medicine Hat College at both the Medicine Hat and Brooks campuses Individuals with related work experience as a Health Care Aide may be evaluated through Prior Learning Assessment. You must provide information from your employer(s) to confirm your learning and you will also be required to complete a written and skills evaluation.

This new post-diploma program serves as a stand-alone certificate that builds on previous knowledge of accounting theory and application. It can also provide a bridge for students pursuing CPA designation and completion of a business degree.

As a student at MHC, you'll benefit from small class sizes and personalized instruction in advanced accounting courses, as well as work-integrated learning and development of critical thinking skills. This certificate program also includes internship opportunities with participating employers in our region.

The Advanced Accounting certificate program consists of eight academic courses and one work placement, with courses are taught by a combination of full-time faculty and community experts.  With strong support from employers across Southeast Alberta, this program offers new opportunities for diploma graduates interested in pursuing a degree and professional designation.

One of the greatest rewards of working with children is learning how to see the world through their eyes. If you love caring for young children and working with families, our Early Learning and Child Care program will help prepare you for a fulfilling and playful career in this field.

Throughout the program, you will learn the importance of play in the lives of children, and our classes give you lots of hands-on learning opportunities. We play with art materials, story props, and science and math materials to better understand how children learn and how we can help teach them.  

Our program also gives you the opportunity to apply theory to practice every semester through a five-week practicum setting. You’ll be able to practice your communication skills, better understand child development, and provide developmentally appropriate programming for children in a variety of settings.