The Pre-Education Certificate comprises the first year of an Associate of Arts Degree designed for prospective teachers and is a first step toward enrolment in the Alaska Highway Consortium on Teacher Education (AHCOTE), Northern Lights College’s teacher training program.
A Pre-Education Certificate is awarded to students who complete one year of planned coursework at Northern Lights College. Credits earned may also be applied to an undergraduate degree with other post secondary institutions.
The Pre-Education Certificate is offered as part of the University Arts and Sciences program, which provides university-level learning opportunities that reflect the intellectual and creative modes of inquiry practiced in the Arts and Sciences.
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 Certificate prepares students for continued Bachelor level studies at universities or other receiving institutions, continued studies in specific programs at NLC, continued studies in professional programs, or entry-level employment opportunities.
Transfer arrangements exist with universities, colleges and institutes throughout British Columbia. See the BC Transfer Guide(opens in a new tab)new window. Course transfer beyond British Columbia is determined on a case-by-case basis. NLC students are responsible for confirming admission requirements, application procedures, transfer credit, and graduation requirements at all receiving institutions.
Details
Intakes
| Location | Starting | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Chetwynd* | Fall | Full-Timenew window, Part-Timenew window |
| Winter | Full-Timenew window, Part-Timenew window | |
| Spring | Full-Timenew window, Part-Timenew window | |
| Dawson Creek | Fall | Full-Timenew window, Part-Timenew window |
| Winter | Full-Timenew window, Part-Timenew window | |
| Spring | Full-Timenew window, Part-Timenew window | |
| Fort Nelson* | Fall | Full-Timenew window, Part-Timenew window |
| Winter | Full-Timenew window, Part-Timenew window | |
| Spring | Full-Timenew window, Part-Timenew window | |
| Fort St John | Fall | Full-Timenew window, Part-Timenew window |
| Winter | Full-Timenew window, Part-Timenew window | |
| Spring | Full-Timenew window, Part-Timenew window |
* requires a mix of online and video-conferencenew window courses, where resources and interest permit.
Length
30 credits (450 hours), minimum.
This is a one year program taken over two semesters with minimum of 15 credits per semester. Part-time studies will take longer.
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 | $ 3,892.56 | $ 155.20 | $ 105.75 | $ 4,153.51 |
International Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | International Medical Insurance | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 12,352.00 | $ 152.16 | $ 103.68 | $ 828.00 | $ 13,435.84 |
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
C. Math Requirement: One of the following with a ‘C’ grade (60%) or higher: Pre-calculus 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, Foundations of Math 11, MATH 040, or equivalent. Alternatively, readiness for MATH 050 as determined by the CCP Math appraisal.
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
- The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans for domestic students. Visit StudentAidBCnew window to apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid.
- 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.
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | 25% of all coursework must be completed at Northern Lights College; note that a minimum 60% or ‘C’ grade (60%) is required for courses to be considered for transfer into this program. The age of the course will also be considered in course transfer. |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | 2.00 program Grade Point Average (GPA); minimum D grade (50%) in all courses |
*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.
Required Courses
- ENGL 100 – Academic Writing (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 105 – Nonfictional Prose (3.0 credits);
OR ENGL 111 – Poetry and Drama (3.0 credits);
OR ENGL 112 – Prose Fiction (3.0 credits) - GEOG 103 – The Regional Geography of Canada (3.0 credits)
- HIST 103 – Canada, Pre-Confederation (3.0 credits)
- HIST 104 – Canada, Post-Confederation (3.0 credits)
- MATH 190 – Principles of Mathematics for Teachers (4.0 credits)
Pre-Education Electives
Students must select a total of four electives (12-14 credits) as:
- A minimum of one lab sciencenew window*
- Plus two or three open electives in Arts and Sciencenew window, depending on the course(s) selected as a lab science
* Students planning to enroll in the Alaska Highway Consortium on Teacher Education program at SFU, should note that in some cases, two NLC lab science courses are required to meet the SFU lab science requirement (eg. GEOG 112new window and GEOG 114new window or PHYS 103new window and PHYS 104new window)
Credential
Certificate in Pre-Education