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Human Service Careers Diplomas

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.

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.

Program Dates

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Addictions Counselling Diploma September – June 

Areas of Study

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Career Potential

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Addictions Counsellors work in treatment and recovery centres, provincial health programs, family and youth centres, and women’s shelters.

Further Educational Opportunities

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Some credits may be transferable into other NLC programs, such as Social Work and Practical Nurse. University credits are transferable to many post-secondary institutions in Alberta; refer to the Alberta Transfer Guide

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 build upon your skills and prepare 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.

Program Dates

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Full-time September – June

Areas of Study

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Career Potential

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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

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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.

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.



Costs associated with travel to attend onsite lab sessions and the practicums are the student's responsibility. Participation and attendance in the lab sessions and completion of the practicums are mandatory for successful program completion. The dates for the onsite sessions and the practicums are not yet determined, and will be updated on the Northern Lakes College website when available.


Program Dates

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Full-time September – June

Areas of Study

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Career Potential

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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

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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.