Diploma in Settlement Studies

at NorQuest College - Edmonton Campus Canada

Indigenous Studies Diploma program was approved by Advanced Education to launch in Fall 2021! NorQuest is proud to be the only post-secondary institution that offers this diploma in the Edmonton area and, in fact, in the province!

The Indigenous Studies name reflects on the subject of study that covers a wide range of Indigenous knowledge including culture, history, arts, and Indigenous ways of being and knowing. This diploma program offers learners the opportunity to broaden their understanding of the cultural, historical, social and political experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada. 

Indigenous Studies is designed for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students to explore Indigenous ways of knowing and learning, treaties agreement, culture, and health and wellness. Students will be trained through experiential learning, land-based learning, and theory-based courses. 

The full-time diploma program will run over 6 terms and can be completed in 2 years of full-time study.
Students will be involved in experiential learning through a Land-Based Learning course in term 3 of the program. Through land-based teaching, learners will develop and experience Indigenous ways of knowing through storytelling, language, traditional teachings and personal reflection, to show the resilience of Indigenous people. 

In addition, the diploma offers students an optional Community Service Learning course in term 6. Students who choose this optional course will have a unique opportunity to get to know their community, to work with an Elder or Traditional Knowledge Keeper, and to participate in a range of activities that develop skills in critical thinking, leadership, ethical decision-making, social consciousness, community engagement, and governance. 

Graduates of the program will have the knowledge and skills to work with Indigenous peoples, communities, and organizations or to transfer to university to continue their education. 

Many of the courses are university transfer, allowing for course-by-course as well as block transfer agreements with universities across Alberta and beyond. 

Current understandings include a block transfer agreement with the University of Alberta’s Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (ATEP) and course-by-course transfer to their Bachelor of Arts, Native Studies program. Courses from this program will be available in Open Studies as well.  

The Teaching English as an Additional Language Professional certificate is a flexible credit program that prepares graduates to be effective instructors of adult English language learners, and certified K-12 teachers who can better address the diverse language and cultural needs of their learners.

Students will develop a clear understanding of how curriculum, methodology, teaching materials, and assessment can be designed, selected, and effectively implemented into classrooms with English language learners. Through active engagement with second language acquisition theory, the essential skills framework, language proficiency benchmarks, and current research, students will develop the knowledge, skills, and practical experience to teach confidently within a variety of English language teaching and learning contexts.

Practicum/Work Experience
This program includes a 50-hour field placement, with 30 hours of observation and 20 hours of teaching within an adult English language classroom or (for certified K-12 teachers) in a K-12 classroom.

The Educational Assistant program prepares students to work in educational and community settings. The program focuses on diversity and inclusion, training students to support children and youth with a variety of learning needs, and helping them to reach their potential.

By providing inclusive classroom learning and hands-on practicum experience, the program equips graduates with the knowledge, interpersonal, and practical skills to support students both one-on-one and in small group environments.

The program will train students to be an education assistant through inclusive classroom learning and hands-on practicum experience. Graduates will have the knowledge, interpersonal and practical skills to support students both one-on-one and in small group environments.

Practicum/Work Experience

• This program includes a 200-hour practicum and a 45-hour practicum seminar.

The Mental Health Recovery Practitioner post-diploma certificate program provides health and human services professionals with the knowledge and skills to work with clients experiencing mental health and concurrent disorders. The program is offered in a flexible combination of online courses and live classroom instruction on evenings and weekends.

The program emphasizes acquisition of applied skills and best practices in direct client care, advocacy, ethics, and work with families and communities. A key component of the program is work in labs and practicum. The program builds upon students’ previous training and experience, and graduates are equipped to meet client and employer needs in a range of relevant settings.

Practicum/Work Experience
This program includes a practicum totalling 120 hours and 15 hours of community service learning.

The Early Learning and Child Care certificate program prepares graduates to provide quality child care in a wide variety of settings and to plan appropriate activities for the children in their care. Knowledge of child development, family dynamics, play, and program planning will equip you to support the healthy development of children through child-centred learning experiences.

Practicum/Work Experience

• This program includes two practicums totalling 400 hours.

In this nationally accredited diploma program, you will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to work in this fast-paced and highly respected occupation. This includes dispensing prescriptions, compounding medications, preparing sterile products, and providing patient care.

Student Success
Students are more likely to be successful in this program if they:

• Are detail-oriented
• Have strong arithmetic skills
• Can multi-task and problem-solve effectively
• Have access to a computer with strong computer and typing skills
• Have good written and verbal communication skills
• Have good vision and manual dexterity and can stand and sit for extended periods of time.
• Applicants are requested to review the job requirements listed below and assess their ability to fulfill the demands of the occupation of pharmacy technician.

As a pharmacy technician, you must be able to:

• Work day, evening, and weekend shifts
• Stand and sit for extended periods of time
• Use your knees, back, and arms to move objects that weigh up to 10 kilograms
• Have good manual dexterity and vision, which are essential for some tasks
• Physically and emotionally manage workplace demands
• Function effectively in stressful situations
• Multi-task and problem-solve
• Perform all skills independently
• Work collaboratively with other health-care professionals
• Communicate effectively in written and verbal form with patients, colleagues, and other health care professionals.

Additional Program Details
NorQuest’s pharmacy technician lab provides students with practical, hands-on training in compounding, sterile product preparation, repackaging, inventory management, and dispensing. In the lab, students have the opportunity to use technologies currently employed by those working in the profession, including laminar airflow hoods and Kroll® computer software.

Our state-of-the-art simulation lab prepares students to work collaboratively with other health-care professionals as part of an interdisciplinary team.
For more information on becoming a registered pharmacy technician in the province of Alberta, visit the Alberta College of Pharmacy website.

Practicum/Work Experience
This program includes two practicums totalling 320 hours.

The Community Support Worker program is an eight-month certificate designed to develop fundamental knowledge, skills, and attitudes in students to work with marginalized communities and individuals. Graduates are expected to work at the front line of human-service delivery settings.

The following are some of the agencies and organizations that provide these services:

• Street work organizations
• Group homes
• Emergency shelters
• Settlement agencies
• Cultural organizations
• Child and family service agencies
• Indigenous service agencies
• Cultural societies
• Personal and in-home supports for persons with disabilities
• Services that support older adults

Practicum/Work Experience

• This program includes a 200-hour practicum and a 45-hour practicum seminar.

The Addictions Recovery Practitioner post-diploma certificate program provides health and human services professionals with the knowledge and skills to work with clients experiencing substance use and concurrent disorders. The program is offered in a flexible combination of online courses and live classroom instruction on evenings and weekends.

The program emphasizes acquisition of applied skills and best practices in direct client care, advocacy, ethics, and work with families and communities. The program builds upon students’ previous training and experience, and graduates are equipped to meet client and employer needs in a range of relevant settings.

Practicum/Work Experience

• This program includes 15 hours of community service learning.

Laddering Opportunities

• Upon completion of this program, you can continue your studies by taking one additional semester to receive certification in the Mental Health Recovery Practitioner program.
• Laddering opportunities are being explored for related diploma and degree programs within Alberta and across Canada.

NorQuest’s Health Care Aide program is among the largest in Canada and prepares you to be part of a health-care team in a variety of different settings, providing frontline care to clients in need of assistance.

Student Success
Students are more likely to be successful in this program if they:

• Are physically and emotionally able to manage workplace demands
• Have access to a vehicle to travel to complete their practicum
• Have access to a computer and basic computer skills
• Applicants should review the job requirements listed below and assess your ability to fulfill the demands of the health care aide occupation.

As a health care aide, you must be able to:

• Work day, evening, and night shifts any day of the week
• Be on your feet for extended periods of time
• Bend, squat and lift up to 40 pounds to move clients who have minimal body strength
• Function effectively in stressful situations
• Perform all skills independently

The Health Care Aide Workplace Education option is offered throughout Alberta in partnership with health-care employers. Consult your employer if you are interested in this program option.

Practicum/Work Experience
This program includes four practicums totalling 800 hours.

Supply chain management is an increasingly important career as consumers have come to expect goods and services faster, with more convenience, and from anywhere in the world. This one-year professional certificate program is designed for individuals to complete post diploma or degree to prepare them for the various aspects of working in supply chain – including logistics, operations management, procurement, transportation, inventory & warehousing, bidding & contract management, global logistics, and business planning principles.