MEADOW LAKE, THE BATTLEFORDS – North West College has announced it will be offering the liberal arts one-year certificate program and two-year diploma program starting in September 2022.
The program will be offered at both campuses — Meadow Lake and the Battlefords — and delivery will preliminarily be face-to-face with a blended online option. Admissions are currently being accepted.
NWC says the liberal arts program, which will be offered in partnership with the University of Regina, will provide an interdisciplinary focus. Both programs reflect the belief that degree-bound students ought to acquire solid critical thinking, research and communication skills through introductory study in a variety of social science and humanities disciplines. They also present an ideal opportunity for continuing education or for exploring various educational and career paths.
Tracey Conrad, post-secondary coordinator for the Meadow Lake campus, said the new offering will be a huge asset to the region.
Liberal arts will provide students with pre-social work course requirements that may allow them to pursue entry into the faculty of social work and continue their educational journey to complete a four-year degree.
“Having the opportunity to deliver the liberal arts program locally, is the first step in our journey to eventually providing the bachelor of social work right here in Meadow Lake,” Conrad said.
North West College and the University of Regina are in preliminary discussions to deliver a four-year bachelor of social work in Meadow Lake, with the possibility of also offering the program in North Battleford.
Eli Ahlquist, president and CEO of North West College, said, “We are proud to offer this new programming option to the people of our region. The launch of this program is another indicator of the critical role North West College and our partners play in supporting the people of northwest Saskatchewan.”
North West College has started its recruitment for potential instructors, with a focus on social work and sociology, and a requirement of a graduate degree.
NWC has campuses in North Battleford and Meadow Lake and provides programming for 30 communities, including 20 First Nations communities, spread over 44,000 square kilometres.
