Education

8 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2018 OPTIONS GALORE AT UCN By Jennifer McFee for the Free Press Options abound for students University College of the North. This distributed institution offers programs at 14 different locations, with main campuses in Thompson and The Pas. In addition, regional centres are set up in other northern Manitoba areas such as Swan River, Flin Flon and Churchill as well as in nine First Nations communities. There are approximately 25 programs offered through the post-secondary institution; however, not every location offers every program. "There are limitations on what we can offer where," says Dan Smith, vice-president, academic and research. "Some of those are related to clinical placements and practicum, and some of those limitations are related to bandwidth and the availability of it. It's fairly inconsistent across the north, so it's a planning factor for us. That's getting better all the time, but it is still something we have to consider." Sometimes education is also offered in additional select communities to a cohort of students for the duration of the program. Bachelor of arts degrees are available with a major or minor in Aboriginal and northern studies, English, history and social sciences. "We also have a bachelor of business administration. If you were interested in taking that program, you would start with the two- year business administration diploma and then you would take an additional two years of university study," Smith says. "We also offer a joint nursing program with the University of Manitoba and we have a bachelor of education program so you can become a teacher. Like any other university, there are a number of different patterns in the education program." In addition to these degree programs, UCN also offers certificate and diploma programs. Diplomas are available in business administration, community economic development, practical nursing, early childhood education, natural resources management technology and facilities technician. Certificate options include office assistant, educational assistant, health-care aide, law enforcement and automotive technician. Students can also pursue a certificate in carpentry/woodworking, electrical trades fundamentals, heavy-duty mechanics and culinary arts. Other options include plumbing trades fundamentals, post- diploma certificate, and early learning and childcare. In addition, a brand new primary care paramedic program is catching the attention of potential students. "It's a certificate program that we're offering in The Pas in partnership with a private vocational institution called Criti Care EMS Manitoba. It's a great partnership and we've worked together on the curriculum. We're in the admissions process now for this 16-seat program, and we've had lots of applications," Smith says. As well, three other new programs will be added this September: civil engineering technology certificate, line cook certificate and public administration certificate, which is exclusively for contract training at this point. For those who would prefer to learn a trade, apprenticeship programs are available in carpentry, millwright (industrial mechanic) and industrial electric. As well, pre-apprenticeship training is offered in industrial welding. UCN's programming is recognized by other institutions, so students can opt to transfer their credits elsewhere or move on to a master's degree. Smith foresees a bright future for UCN and its students. "It's a public post-secondary institution much like the others. We're just in the north. The institution has enormous potential. There are 80,000 people in the north. It has been historically underserved in terms of higher education, so there's lots of opportunity here," he says. "In the past 12 months, there has been a lot of activity. We're looking at how we can better use our resources to offer more programming to more students. It's exciting and there's lots going on. We're very optimistic about our future." For more information about the University College of the North, visit ucn.ca. ❚ '' "The institution has enormous potential. There are 80,000 people in the north. It has been historically underserved in terms of higher education, so there's lots of opportunity here." UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF THE NORTH

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