Program update | Applications to this program are currently suspended. |
The Post-Degree Diploma in Business Management with a specialization in Health Administration (PDD in HADM) is ideally suited to international students who already hold a minimum three-year degree in nursing or other closely related Health Care profession. The addition of advanced studies in business and health care administration in a Canadian context will enhance employability for administrative assistant positions and movement into entry level management positions in various health professions in Canada.
The fields of study comprising this multi-disciplinary program include business administration, psychology, and specialized health administration courses. The program introduces management and health administration concepts in a Canadian context, with emphasis on interpersonal and interprofessional communications, organizational behaviour, human resource management, ethics, and change management.
The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Information and Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council, effective September 2025PDFnew window. (Download a PDF of the current Program Completion GuidePDFnew window)
Career Prospects
The objective of this program is to enhance knowledge of the Canadian health care system for internationally educated nurses as they transition into health related administrative assistant careers in Canada. The PDD in HADM may also assist students in moving into entry-level management positions in the health sector such as human resource management and management at care facilities.
Details
Intakes
No intakes are scheduled at this time.
Length
62 credits (930 hours), minimum.
Depending on a student’s start-date, academic readiness, and academic progress, the PDD in HADM may be completed in 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 | $ 0.00 | $ 3,805.79 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 3,974.50 | $ 158.30 | $ 0.00 | $ 4,132.80 |
International Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | International Medical Insurance | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 11,580.00 | $ 149.76 | $ 0.00 | $ 828.00 | $ 12,557.76 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 13,120.00 | $ 155.20 | $ 0.00 | $ 828.00 | $ 14,103.20 |
Still have questions?
Contact:
- info@nlc.bc.caemail if you are in Canada
- info@international.nlc.bc.caemail if you are outside of Canada
- academic-chair@nlc.bc.caemail if you are currently an NLC student
Admission Requirements
A. Domestic students and students from countries that practice Standard Written English (see Appendix APDFnew window) must have official transcripts demonstrating that they have met the English Requirements: One of the following with a “C” grade or higher: English 12 or English Literature 12 or English First Peoples 12, ENGL 050, or ENGL 099. Alternatively, any university-level English course with a “C” grade or higher. Students who do not meet one of the above English requirements must complete the NLC Writing Assessment for appropriate course placement.
B. International students who do not meet the requirement A. above, and domestic students who received their secondary education in French or another language, must show that they have met the NLC English requirement: see Appendix A (General Academic English Language Proficiency Requirements)PDFnew window OR must have received a minimum overall band of 6.0 on the IELTS exam, with no band less than 5.5.
plus,
C. Official transcripts demonstrating successful completion of, at minimum, a three-year degree in nursing or another closely related health care profession.
Note that some course options have specific prerequisites. Meeting the program entrance requirements does not ensure course prerequisites have been met for all available courses.
Important Notes
- This program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit Student Aid BCnew window to apply for financial assistance online.
- Student must provide a financial calculator. Students are strongly recommended to have a computer (laptop or other mobile device) with minimum computer requirementsPDFnew window.
- 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 Guidenew window
- NLC courses may transfer to professional associations such as the Certified General Accountants, Certified Management Accountants, Chartered Accountants, Aboriginal Financial Officers Association, Canadian Bankers Institute, and others. Students are responsible for confirming transferability of course credits to any external organization.
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | 50% of all coursework must be completed at Northern Lights College; Minimum C grade required for all transferred courses. |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | 2.00 program Grade Point Average (GPA); minimum grade as stipulated in each course |
*Please note the following semester break down is based on a student beginning their program in the Fall semester. Students starting in other semesters should consult with the course catalogue in Borealis and with a Program Advisor when selecting courses.
Semester One
All of:
- ENGL 110 – Introduction to Workplace Communications (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 104 – Principles of Management (3.0 credits)
- PSYC 224 – Organizational Behavior (3.0 credits)
And one of:
- CPSC 101 – Introduction to Computing (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 217 – Business Systems Analysis and Design (3.0 credits)
And one of:
- ECON 105 – Principles of Economics (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 120 – Financial Accounting (3.0 credits)
Semester Two
All of:
- ENGL 100 – Academic Writing (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 204 – Human Resource Management (Personnel) (3.0 credits)
- PSYC 220 – Interpersonal Communications (3.0 credits)
- SOSC 220 – Research Methods for the Social Sciences (3.0 credits)
- SSWD 120 – Ethics and Practice (3.0 credits)
Semester Three
All of:
- HADM 310 – Organizational Structure of the Canadian Health Care System (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 225 – Strategic Management (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 301 – Management Skills for Supervisors (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 425 – Integrated Strategic Management Seminar (1.0 credit)
- MGMT 450 – Principles of Project Management (3.0 credits)
And one of:
- MGMT 290 – Quantitative Methods for Business (3.0 credits)
- SOSC 207 – Introduction to Statistics in The Social Sciences (3.0 credits)
Semester Four
All of:
- COMM 301 – Organizational Communications (3.0 Credits)
- HADM 320 – Community Health Planning (3.0 credits)
- HADM 330 – Health Care Law and Ethics in Canada (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 303 – Non-Profit Management (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 455 – Project Management Seminar Health Administration Specialization (1.0 credits)
- PSYC 230 – Advanced Communication Skills (3.0 credits)
Credential
Post-Degree Diploma in Business Management
Health Administration Specialization