The Archaeology Diploma program at Northern Lights College provides academic knowledge and field skills specific to archaeology sampling techniques. The field of archaeology is growing along with the oil and gas industry and other developments that disturb the land. Trained graduates can find employment opportunities with numerous archaeology and environmental consulting firms as well as government agencies.
The diploma program is ideally suited for students interested in entry-level positions that largely involve field work in remote areas under physically demanding conditions. This career can involve survey and excavation, artifact processing and analysis, and report preparation.
Using this Diploma program as a stepping stone to completion of a bachelor’s degree, students can obtain employment in upper-level positions. A degree in Anthropology or Archaeology in combination with field experience offers graduates the opportunity to become Field Directors or Senior Archaeologists.
Career Prospects
- Archaeology consulting companies
- Environmental consulting companies
- Federal government agencies
- Provincial government agencies
- First Nation band offices
- Museums
Details
Intakes
| Location | Starting | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Fort St John | Fall* | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time |
* Full-Time intakes start in the fall of even-numbered years.
Length
60 credits (945 hours), minimum.
This is a two year program taken over four semesters with minimum of 15 credits per semester. Part-time studies will take longer. Students in this program select course loads and course schedules that fit their needs and course availability. Registration is completed semester-by-semester.
Estimated Program Fees
Program fee type: Academic
Costs indicated are estimates for a full-time course load.
Book, instruments, supplies, uniforms/clothing and third-party fees are additional.
Domestic Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 3,653.03 | $ 152.76 | $ 52.87 | $ 3,858.66 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 3,726.09 | $ 155.83 | $ 105.75 | $ 3,987.67 |
International Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | International Medical Insurance | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 11,580.00 | $ 149.76 | $ 51.84 | $ 828.00 | $ 12,609.60 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 12,300.00 | $ 152.75 | $ 51.84 | $ 828.00 | $ 13,332.59 |
Still have questions?
Contact:
- info@nlc.bc.ca if you are in Canada
- info@international.nlc.bc.ca if you are outside of Canada
- academic-chair@nlc.bc.ca if you are currently an NLC student
Admission Requirements
English Requirement
For applicants from countries that practice Standard Written English, one of the following:
- English Studies 12 with a grade of B or higher, or equivalent
- English First Peoples 12 with a grade of B or higher, or equivalent
- ENGL 050 with a grade of B or higher, or equivalent
- ENGL 099 with a grade of B or higher, or equivalent
- Any university-level English course with a grade of C or higher
- NLC Writing Assessment with placement at the college level (100)
For all other applicants, one of the following:
- IELTS result with an overall score of 6.0 or higher with no band less than 6.0*
- TOEFL iBT of 78
- Canadian Academic English Assessment (CAEL) 60 overall band
- Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment (CLBA) 8 in each section
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) 57
- Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) 76
- Cambridge-Michigan Language Assessment (CaMLA) 69 plus NLC’s Writing Assessment
- A post-secondary level credential with equivalent English language requirements
- Two years of full-time secondary school education in English in Canada and completion of English 12, English Studies 12, English Literature 12, English 12 First Peoples, or equivalent with a minimum grade of B.
- Completion of the Citation in English for Academic Purposes Level 060
The General Academic English Language Proficiency Requirements outline more details of the academic English requirements.
* Students with a writing band of 6.0 or less are required to complete ENGL 099 with a B grade or higher before or during the first semester of their program.
Math Requirement
One of the following:
- Pre-calculus 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- Principles of Mathematics 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- Foundations of Math 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- MATH 040 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- Readiness for MATH 050 as determined by the CCP Math appraisal.
Science Requirement
One of the following:
- Biology 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- BIOL 040 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- Biology 12 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- BIOL 050 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- Chemistry 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- CHEM 040 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- Geography 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- Geology 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- Physics 11 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- PHYS 040 with a C grade or higher, or equivalent
- Successful completion of the BEAHR program or equivalency.
Note
Elective courses may have specific prerequisites. Meeting entrance requirements for the program does not ensure course prerequisites have been met for all available courses.
Important Notes
- This program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit StudentAidBCto apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid.
- Student must provide personal equipment including hiking or safety boots, warm and waterproof clothing, clip board, and backpack. Depending on elective course, students may be required to obtain safety tickets or purchase additional personal equipment for practicum completion.
- Course transfer agreements allow students to receive course-by-course transfer to other colleges, universities, and institutes in BC, as indicated in the BC Transfer Guide.
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | 50% of all coursework must be completed at Northern Lights College |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | 2.00 program Grade Point Average (GPA); D grade (50%) minimum in all courses |
| Additional Requirements | Students are required to complete this program within a 10 year period from their start date. |
Semester One
- All of:
- ANTH 101 – Cultural and Social Anthropology I (3.0 credits)
- CPSC 101 – Introduction to Computing (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 100 – Academic Writing (3.0 credits)
- HIST 103 – Canada, Pre-Confederation (3.0 credits)
- And one of:
- BIOL 125 – Basic Ecology (3.0 credits)
- BIOL 204 – Introduction to Ecology (3.0 credits)
Semester Two
- All of:
- ANTH 102 – Cultural and Social Anthropology II (3.0 credits)
- GEOG 112 – Physical Geography: Surface of the Earth (3.0 credits)
- LAND 241 – Petroleum Fundamentals (3.0 credits)
- LAND 245 – Inventory and Assessment Techniques (3.0 credits)
- And one of:
- ANTH 203 – Contemporary Canadian Native Peoples (3.0 credits)
- FNST 100 – Indigenous Peoples of Canada (3.0 credits)
- FNST 102 – Treaties and Aboriginal Rights (3.0 credits)
Semester Three
- All of:
- ARCH 200 – Introduction to Archaeology and World Prehistory (3.0 credits)
- GEOG 103 – The Regional Geography of Canada (3.0 credits)
- GEOG 250 – Cartography: Map and Airphoto Interpretation (3.0 credits)
- Two Archaeology Electives Minimum credits: 6.0
Semester Four
- All of:
- ARCH 230 – Introduction to Archaeological Heritage Management (3.0 credits)
- GEOG 260 – Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3.0 credits)
- HIST 210 – History of British Columbia (3.0 credits)
- One Archaeology Elective Minimum credits: 3.0
- And one of:
- POLI 100 – Politics and Government (3.0 credits)
- POLI 101 – The Government of Canada (3.0 credits)
Archaeology Electives
Elective options may vary from year to year; students should seek academic advice on elective selection based on career and educational goals.
Choose from:
- ANTH 202 – Ethnography of Canada’s First Nations Peoples (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 110 – Introduction to Workplace Communications (3.0 credits)
- FNST 102 – Treaties and Aboriginal Rights (3.0 credits)
- GEOG 114 – Physical Geography: Weather and Climate (3.0 credits)
- MATH 104 – Introduction to Statistics (3.0 credits)
- POLI 200 – Politics and Pipelines (3.0 credits)
- SOIL 117 – Introduction to Soil Science (3.0 credits)
- SOSC 220 – Research Methods for the Social Sciences (3.0 credits)
Or one of**:
- ANTH 203 – Contemporary Canadian Native Peoples (3.0 credits)
- FNST 100 – Indigenous Peoples of Canada (3.0 credits)
Or one of:
** Students are advised to take one of ANTH 203 or FNST 100, not both.
Credential
Diploma in Archaeology