Human Service Careers Diplomas
Addictions Counselling Diploma
Early Learning and Child Care Diploma
Social Work Diploma
Addictions Counselling Diploma

The journey to addiction recovery requires the support of trained counsellors. If you are a compassionate individual interested in the field of addictions, the Addictions Counselling Diploma program may be for you. We offer a high ratio of student-to-instructor time, affordable tuition, and quality education.
At NLC, we understand our students need the flexibility to balance work and home. Our Addictions Counselling diploma program is flexible enough to fit into your lifestyle:
- Take classes from home, work, or on-campus
- Delivered online, through Supported Distance Learning
- Apply as a part-time or full-time student
- Two-year diploma program for those in the full-time program
Applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the term start date.

This program is available to high school students. Talk to your high school counsellor for more information.
Learn more about Dual Credit.
Program Dates
+Addictions Counselling Diploma September – June
Areas of Study
+Addictions Counselling Diploma program at Northern Lakes College will give you the training you need to work in this rewarding career. Courses include:
- An Introduction to the Study of Society
- Assessment of Addiction
- Counselling Theories and Approaches
- Critical Reading and Writing: Prose Forms
- Developmental Psychology: Life Span
- Ethics in Helping Professions
- Health Education: Personal Health and Wellness
- Introduction to Aboriginal Issues
- Introduction to Addictions Studies
- Introduction to Counselling Skills
- Introduction to English Language and Literature
- Introduction to Pharmacology
- Leadership in Helping Professions
- Practicum I
- Practicum II
- Prevention and Relapse
- Psychology for the Health Care Professional
- Sociology of Deviance and Conformity
- Suicide and Mental Health in Addiction
- Working with Families
- Working with Groups
Career Potential
+Addictions Counsellors work in treatment and recovery centres, provincial health programs, family and youth centres, and women’s shelters.
Further Educational Opportunities
+Some credits may be transferable into other NLC programs, such as Social Work and Practical Nurse. University credits are transferable to some post-secondary institutions in Alberta. Block transfer of this two-year diploma is available for entrance into year three of the four-year Bachelor of Health Sciences degree program at the University of Lethbridge.
Program Requirements, Fees, and Additional Information »
Applications now open for classes starting in May and September 2022!

Early Learning and Child Care Diploma

Would you like to take your Early Learning and Child Care certificate to the next level? With the diploma program, you will not only build upon your skills to work with children with exceptionalities, but you will also prepare yourself for administrative and supervisory positions within the field.
At NLC, we understand our students need the flexibility to balance work and home. Our Early Learning and Child Care diploma program is flexible enough to fit into your lifestyle:
- Take classes from home, work, or on-campus
- Delivered online, through Supported Distance Learning
- Apply as a part-time or full-time student
- Two-year diploma program for those in the full-time program
- There are two intakes per year into the full-time program. Students may start the program in September and January. There are three intakes per year into the part-time program. Students may start the program in September, January, and May.
Applications should be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to the term start date. Applications received with less than 4 weeks from the term start date may be processed for the next available start date.

This program is available to high school students. Talk to your high school counsellor for more information.
Learn more about Dual Credit.
Program Dates
+Full-time September – June
Areas of Study
+Early Learning and Child Care diploma program at Northern Lakes College will give you the training you need to work in this rewarding career. Courses include:
- Administration in Early Childhood Settings
- Enhanced Preschool Play Experiences
- Ethics in Helping Professions
- Introduction to Aboriginal Issues
- Language Development in Early Childhood Education
- Leadership in Helping Professions
- Math and Science in Early Childhood Settings
- Music in Preschool Programs
- Planning Pre-School Programs
- Practicum 1
- Practicum 2
- Survey of Literature for Younger Children
Career Potential
+Graduates will qualify for Child Development Supervisor Certification under the Alberta Child Care Licensing Regulation. Individuals are trained to work with children in settings such as daycares, preschools, after-school programs, and private day homes.
Further Educational Opportunities
+Graduates of the program have five University Studies courses transferable into the NLC and University of Calgary's, Bachelor of Education – Community-Based pathways degree program.
Transfer Opportunity
Upon successful completion, you are eligible to receive a Child Development Supervisor Certificate (level 3) through Alberta Human Services.
Applications now open for classes starting September 2022!

Social Work Diploma

Are you interested in helping people improve their problem-solving and coping skills and linking them with systems that offer resources, services, and opportunities? The Social Work program prepares you to work in various cultural environments, to recognize and deal with oppression, and to understand how a holistic social work practice is effective in northern and rural communities.
At NLC, we understand our students need the flexibility to balance work and home. Our Social Work diploma program is flexible enough to fit into your lifestyle:
- Take classes from home, work, or on-campus
- Delivered online, through Supported Distance Learning
- Apply as a part-time or full-time student
- Two-year diploma program for those in the full-time program
Students are accepted on a first qualified, first accepted, basis. Applications should be submitted no later than the end of June. Waitlisted students from the previous academic year, will be provided priority seating for the next offering.

This program is available to high school students. Talk to your high school counsellor for more information.
Learn more about Dual Credit.
Program Dates
+Full-time September – June
Areas of Study
+Themes in this two-year program include competency working in different cultures, recognizing and dealing with oppression, practice in northern and rural communities, and a focus on holistic practice. Courses include:
- An Introduction to the Study of Society
- Canadian Politics: Institutions and Issues
- Critical Reading and Writing: Prose Forms
- Current Selected Issues in Social Work
- Developmental Psychology: Life Span
- Health Education: Personal Health and Wellness
- Introduction to English Language and Literature
- Mental Health: A Multicultural Perspective
- Models and Practice of Social Work from an Anti-Oppressive Perspective
- Psychology for the Health Care Professional
- Social Policy
- Social Work Assessment
- Social Work Foundations - An Introduction to Social Work
- Social Work Practicum I
- Social Work Practicum II
- Social Work Practicum II
- Social Work Practicum Prep I
- Social Work Practicum Prep II
- Social Work with Communities and Organizations
- Social Work with Families
- Social Work with Groups
- The Helping Process
- Violence and Addictions: Issues in Social Work Practice
Career Potential
+Graduates find successful employment in child welfare and family support agencies, financial support organizations, mental health and addictions agencies, schools and early intervention programs, criminal justice organizations, First Nations and Métis Settlement organizations, and non-profit community agencies.
Further Educational Opportunities
+Graduates are eligible for registration with the Alberta College of Social Workers for entry-level or practice positions, and for entry into year three of a four-year degree program. This program provides direct transfer into the Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Calgary.