University Transfer: Bachelor of Commerce

at Red Deer Polytechnic Canada

Are you interested in a career in a health or wellness related field, but not sure which program you would like to study? Or perhaps you are interested in one of the Certificate or Diploma programs in Health Sciences, but do  not meet the admission requirements. The Pre-Health Sciences Certificate program is a pathway designed to give students who are interested in a health career the opportunity to explore basic concepts related to health and health care. Students may do this while taking courses in Mathematics and Biology for Health Professions that can be used for admission. The relatively low credit load of the program (22 credits) allows students the opportunity to upgrade other high school courses required for admission while they are in the Certificate program.

Students who complete this one year Certificate program will have the opportunity to explore a variety of health related careers that require either a Certificate or Diploma. They will also develop strong study skills, and, upon completion of the program and fulfilment of additional admission requirements, will be eligible to apply to the following RDC School of Health Sciences programs:

• Kinesiology Diploma
• Medical Lab Assistant Certificate
• Occupational and Physical Therapist Assistant Diploma
• Pharmacy Technician Diploma
• Practical Nurse Diploma

Psychology is the scientific study of thought, emotion, and behaviour; with a focus on the dynamic interplay of biology and environment. Red Deer College offers both Bachelor of Arts in Psychology or Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with the option of pursuing an Honours degree in either program. Students will acquire knowledge of various areas of specialization within Psychology (e.g., social, cognitive, developmental, clinical, neuro/biological, health); embedded within the program are themes of wellness and creative problem-solving. Experiential learning such as community service and applied research provide valuable hands-on exposure to the application of psychology to solve problems and create positive social impact.  Research in and application of psychology are valued within a wide variety of contexts such as universities, schools, hospitals, clinics, legal professions, corporations, and non-profit organisations. Skills developed by psychology students (e.g., critical thinking, academic writing, research and analysis, the scientific method, interpersonal communication, and emotional intelligence) prepare them for future employment in a wide variety of contexts, as well as for graduate level education in psychology or a related field, or for entry into professional programs (e.g., law and medicine).

At the end of the end of a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Red Deer College, students will be able to:

• Recognize the provisional nature, inherent complexity, and ambiguity of knowledge.
• Engage in scholarly inquiry to identify and investigate theoretical and applied questions using disciplinary methods and dissemination mechanisms.
• Demonstrate detailed knowledge in one or more specializations and integrate knowledge and perspectives across disciplinary boundaries.
• Demonstrate intellectual integrity and academic accountability.
• Reflect on diverse socio-cultural forces, and the importance of inclusive attitudes and practices.
• Analyse and interpret historical and contemporary events, texts, and data within and across disciplines.
• Demonstrate collaborative, independent, and inclusive attitudes and practices.
• Approach global and local issues from a critical and theoretically informed viewpoint.
• Recognize wellness as part of the human condition.

RDC’s Health Care Aide program prepares students to be a part of a health-care team in a variety of different settings, providing high level of front-line care to clients in need of assistance.

As a Health Care Aide students may work in acute care facilities, continuing care facilities, hospitals, as well as in clients' homes. A Health Care Aide assists individuals needing care in a variety of ways including: assisting with eating, dressing, washing and moving.

The program uses a variety of learning approaches including online readings, assignments and lessons, in-person labs with a certified instructor, and in-person clinical placements. This program follows the Government of Alberta approved Health Care Aide 2020 curriculum and successful graduates are certified as Health Care Aides in Alberta.

Program Outcomes:
Health Care Aides must demonstrate competency as specified in the Alberta Health Care Aide Competency Profile.

The Bachelor of Commerce program will provide you with background skills and knowledge in the various specialized areas of business, as well as in the humanities and social sciences. Emphasis is on developing the ability to analyze various organizational problems of a human and/or technical nature.

At RDC, students may complete Year 1 and Year 2 of the undergraduate business degree programs offered at Mount Royal University, the University of Alberta, the University of Lethbridge, Athabasca University or other Canadian universities. At RDC, students may complete Year 1 of the program offered at the University of Calgary.

When the student transfers to the University of his/her choice, a specialized area of study (a major) may be selected. These specializations include:

• Accounting
• Computer Science
• Economics
• E-Commerce
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• First Nations' Governance
• Human Resource Management & Labour Relations
• Finance
• International Business
• Marketing
• Political Science
• Supply Chain Management
• Others as offered by the University you choose      

Psychology is the scientific study of thought, emotion, and behaviour; with a focus on the dynamic interplay of biology and environment. Red Deer College offers both Bachelor of Arts in Psychology or Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with the option of pursuing an Honours degree in either program. Students will acquire knowledge of various areas of specialization within Psychology (e.g., social, cognitive, developmental, clinical, neuro/biological, health); embedded within the program are themes of wellness and creative problem-solving. Experiential learning such as community service and applied research provide valuable hands-on exposure to the application of psychology to solve problems and create positive social impact. Research in and application of psychology are valued within a wide variety of contexts such as universities, schools, hospitals, clinics, legal professions, corporations, and non-profit organisations. Skills developed by psychology students (e.g., critical thinking, academic writing, research and analysis, the scientific method, interpersonal communication, and emotional intelligence) prepare them for future employment in a wide variety of contexts, as well as for graduate level education in psychology or a related field, or for entry into professional programs (e.g., law and medicine).

At the end of a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Red Deer College, students will be able to:

• Recognize the provisional nature, inherent complexity, and ambiguity of knowledge.
• Engage in scholarly inquiry to identify and investigate theoretical and applied questions using disciplinary methods and dissemination mechanisms.
• Demonstrate detailed knowledge in one or more specializations and integrate knowledge and perspectives across disciplinary boundaries.
• Demonstrate intellectual integrity and academic accountability.
• Reflect on diverse socio-cultural forces, and the importance of inclusive attitudes and practices.
• Analyse and interpret historical and contemporary events, texts, and data within and across disciplines.
• Demonstrate collaborative, independent, and inclusive attitudes and practices.
• Approach global and local issues from a critical and theoretically informed viewpoint.
• Recognize wellness as part of the human condition.

The importance of the early years in a child's development is well established. There is a critical need for a variety of programs for children and families and for trained staff to ensure children's developmental needs are being met. The Early Learning and Child Care Program trains professionals to work with children from birth to eight years, with some related preparation for working with children from eight to twelve years of age. Throughout the program, there is an emphasis on developing caring relationships with children and families.

RDC offers a one-year certificate in Early Learning and Child Care. Each course you take focuses on a different topic important to those who work with young children - everything from child development, to guiding behavior, to planning snacks and bulletin boards, to planning and participating in play experiences, to interacting with children who have special needs.

The importance of the early years in a child's development is well established. There is a critical need for a variety of programs for children and families and for trained staff to ensure children's developmental needs are being met. The Early Learning and Child Care Program trains professionals to work with children from birth to eight years, with some related preparation for working with children from eight to twelve years of age. Throughout the program, there is an emphasis on developing caring relationships with children and families.

RDC offers a two-year diploma program in Early Learning and Child Care. Each course you take focuses on a different topic important to those who work with young children - everything from child development, to guiding behavior, to planning snacks and bulletin boards, to planning and participating in play experiences, to interacting with children who have special needs.

Instrumentation engineering and associated technologies are rapidly changing and expanding in virtually every industrial and commercial sector. Current and future demand for Instrumentation Engineering Technologists (IETs) in this multi-disciplinary field is exceptionally high. Instrumentation systems form the monitoring and control nervous system of a broad spectrum of industries and applications. Thanks to such systems, commodities like oil, gas, electric power, wood products, clean drinking water, food products, and a wide variety of consumer goods find their way to market.

Program Outcomes
Possessing a unique blend of focused theoretical and practical training, graduates of this program will be able to:

• Employ relevant industry, health and safety standards, codes, policies and procedures in accordance with current legislation, regulations and organizational policy;
• Analyze and troubleshoot instrumentation control systems, including electrical, electronic, electromechanical (pneumatic and hydraulic), analog, and digital systems;
• Design, analyze and maintain (specific configuration and modification of) computer-based systems and hardware including electronic and computer-based controllers, to optimize the performance of process control systems;
• Analyze and solve complex technical problems by applying principles of advanced mathematics and science;
• Evaluate wireless and wired control systems applying mathematical, scientific, electrical, electronic and digital principles;
• Demonstrate and apply the elements of leadership in a multidisciplinary engineering environment;
• Appraise the installation and deployment of a control system as a supervisory member of a multidisciplinary team;
• Assess the need for maintenance, reliability and life cycle management of equipment;
• Apply the principles and practices of project management;
• Research, analyze, prepare, author, and communicate in written, verbal, nonverbal, and presentation formats, technical documentation appropriate for a variety of audiences;
• Identify, develop, and demonstrate strategies for maintaining continuing competency and practice standards associated with global industry trends and practices in instrumentation.

The program persistently challenges students to critically think through planning and troubleshooting situations, apply methodologies to solve problems, and to communicate effectively (both oral and written) to any audience.

Upon successful completion of this graduate certificate program, offered over 16 months, graduates will have the knowledge and practical skills to work as Human Resources professionals in a variety of Human Resource settings. This program will also prepare graduates for the Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation.* The program has been specifically developed to align with the Human Resources Institute of Alberta accreditation framework. Graduates of an accredited program who achieve a minimum overall average of 70% (2.7 GPA) in the program may apply to the CPHR to waive the National Knowledge Exam (NKE) requirements towards the CPHR designation with Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Canada (CPHR) member associations**. Graduates who do not achieve a minimum overall average of 70% in the program will be better equipped to write the National Knowledge Exam in preparation to obtain the CPHR designation. The entrance requirement of an undergraduate degree in any field ensures that students in the program will receive instruction commensurate with their background.

Program Outcomes:

• Explain and demonstrate the strategic importance of human resources practices as they relate to the organizational strategy, best practices and trends in human resources.
• Identify key elements of ethical behaviour and professional code of conduct for HR professionals; provide examples to illustrate ability to balance interests, promote organizational values, and manage risk.
• Demonstrate the value of human resources initiatives and their impact on employee engagement and organizational results; explain the importance of involving key stakeholders.
• Identify and explain the components of creating and executing an effective workforce plan and employee value proposition.
• Outline the steps to implement an effective performance management system.
• Identify and explain employment legislation and labour and employee relations strategies used to manage risks and create a respectful, productive and engaging work environment.
• Describe the components of a total rewards structure and outline methods to evaluate a total rewards structure.
• Illustrate the steps involved in job evaluation and market comparison.
• Identify learning priorities and adult learning principles, as well as methods for measuring learning initiatives that support a learning environment, align with business strategy, and provide a return on investment.
• Develop health, wellness and safety policies and procedures in accordance with relevant legislation, regulations and standards; promote a healthy workplace as per organizational policy.
• Use metrics and HR information systems to measure and report on effectiveness of key performance indicators, and to make informed decisions.