A Dual Credit opportunity provides many benefits including:

• Save money on post-secondary education. In most cases the school division covers all, or part of the cost of the post-secondary courses. This can save the student thousands of dollars.
• It helps prepare high school students for a post-secondary environment, and eases the transition from high school to college.
• It lowers future workload by allowing students to complete courses toward a credential before entering a post-secondary institution.
• Taking a course, or courses during high school can give a student the motivational boost they need to stay in school, and build confidence to continue on a post-secondary path.
• Many students’ high school grades are positively impacted when they participate in a Dual Credit opportunity because it highlights the need for education as they consider their future careers.
• It provides an opportunity for hands-on experience that links learning to satisfying careers in the workplace, but does not interrupt high school programming.
• Time and money invested in education at a post-secondary level can be significant. Exposure to courses earlier on can assist in determining if a specific career is the right choice for a student.

How to Apply

• Meet with your secondary school counsellor
• Ensure you have completed the prerequisites before the program starts
• Design your timetable to accommodate the Dual Credit program.
• Complete the NLC Dual Credit application package and return it to your counsellor, who will forward the completed forms to the College. Note that if you are under 18 years of age, the forms will require the signature of your parent or guardian. 

Admission and Orientation

• Students are accepted on a first qualified, first served basis. For this reason it is important to complete all parts of the NLC Dual Credit application package and submit it on time.
• You and your parent(s) or guardian(s) may be required to attend an orientation with a representative of the College prior to the start of the program. The orientation is to ensure that both students and parents know what is expected from the College and to answer any questions that you may have. 

Costs of the Programs and Courses
Each school division will address costs independently; however, in many cases, the school division covers all, or part of the costs of taking the post-secondary course or program. Please see your high school counsellor for information on what costs are covered at your school.

$500 Bursary Available to Dual Credit Students
Students who are successful in a Dual Credit program now have an extra incentive to complete their high school education. Northern Lakes College offers a $500 bursary to Dual Credit students who, upon graduating from high school, enrol in the College to continue their post-secondary education. Please Note: The Dual Credit Bursary is only eligible to students attending a trades or post-secondary program, and it must be a credit program.  

For more information about the $500 Dual Credit bursary, click here ​​​

Pre-Employment Opportunities
In today’s economy, training is critical. For high school students, Dual Credit programming includes trades offerings, which are also called “Pre-Employment”. They are called this because they offer the theory portion of trades training in advance of obtaining the hands on experience with an employer. In the trades, a candidate is normally employed (a.k.a. apprenticed) in advance of attending training. Pre-employment trades offered at NLC include Carpentry, Welding, Electrician, Heavy Equipment Technician, Mobile Crane, and Industrial Mechanic.

Each program is 12 weeks long and covers the entire First Period theory of that trade. In essence, high school students complete the first year of theory required for a trade, without leaving home and without incurring the costs associated with post-secondary training!

Dual Credit Pre-Employment offerings are available close to home, in High Level, High Prairie,Peace River, Slave Lake, Grande Prairie, and Wabasca. For more information about Pre-Employment:

• Pre-Employment Explained - PDF
• Pre-Employment offerings

Most of the Dual Credit programming at NLC is delivered in an asynchronous (pre-recorded) manner using technology so that it is available to any high school. If you are interested in pursuing a Dual Credit partnership with NLC, please contact:

Brian Panasiuk​ ​ ​
Chair​, Dual Credit and Recruitment

Email: Panasiuk@northernlakescollege.ca
Toll Free number: 1-866-652-3456     
Office number: 780-751-3311     ​​​
Cell number: 780-523-6259

Explanations of Key Withdrawal Dates:

2020-21 Key Withdrawl Dates - PDF

Early Withdrawal
Students that withdraw before this deadline no record of this course will appear on your transcript. This deadline is 20% of the length of the course.

Last Drop Date
This is the last day you can withdraw and receive a "W" or Withdrawal on your transcript. After this date, you will receive a grade in the course. This deadline is 65% of the length of the course.

100% Refund Deadline
Students withdrawing within the first ten business days after the term or course start date will be refunded all fees and tuition paid less commitment and LRF administration fees. Please note refund of LRF is dependent upon the return of all relevant learning resources (unopened) to the College. Students in program and course offerings of two months or less will be eligible for a refund, less commitment and LRF administration fees, within the first five business days.

75% Refund Deadline
Students withdrawing after the first ten business days and up to twenty business days after the term or course start date will be refunded 75% of tuition and SA fees, less commitment fee (tuition refund deadline). The LRF will not be refunded. Students in program and course offerings of two months or less will be eligible for a refund of 75% of tuition fees, less commitment fee, after the first five business days and up to ten business days after term/course start date.

• Alberta Dual Credit Website
• Alberta Education Provincial Mapping Documents
• Carpenter App​​​renticeship
• Electrical Apprenticeship
• Heavy Equipment Technician Apprenticeship
• Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) Apprenticeship
• Welding Apprenticeship
• Health Care Aide - 2019 Curriculum
• Health Care Aide - 2013 Curriculum
• 4th Class Power Engineering
• 5th Class Power Engineering 
• Office Administration Professional
  
  
• NLC Grade Regulation

​

1. Enrol in Dual Credit Trades Training
2. Enrol in a Pre-Employment program with Northern Lakes College. Students have an opportunity to challenge the First Period Exam.
   1. Pre-Employment Carpenter
   2. Pre-Employment Electrician
   3. Pre-Employment Welder
3. Sign up as an Apprentice with Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT), you will receive a record book (Blue Book) to help you keep track of hours worked.
4. First Period training at Northern Lakes College and work experience.
5. Second Period training at Northern Lakes College and work experience.
6. Third and Fourth (trade-specific) Period training at Northern Lakes College, as required and work experience.
7. Journeyman Certificate
8. Interprovincial Red Seal Endorsement (RSE)
9. Blue Seal Certificate
   1. Enrol in Management Programs and Courses
   2. Enrol in a Trades to Degree program

1. Sign up with Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), for work placement opportunities with Industry.
2. Enrol in a Pre-Employment program with Northern Lakes College. Students have an opportunity to challenge the First Period Exam.
   1. Pre-Employment Carpenter
   2. Pre-Employment Electrician
   3. Pre-Employment Welder
3. Sign up as an Apprentice with Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT), you will receive a record book (Blue Book) to help you keep track of hours worked.
4. First Period training at Northern Lakes College and work experience.
5. Second Period training at Northern Lakes College and work experience.
6. Third and Fourth (trade-specific) Period training at Northern Lakes College, as required and work experience.
7. Journeyman Certificate
8. Interprovincial Red Seal Endorsement (RSE)
9. Blue Seal Certificate
   1. Enrol in Management Programs and Course
   2. Enrol in a Trades to Degree program