Human Services
FAQ
- Early learning and child care is about working with young children from birth to about 8 years old.
- Child and youth care has a broader scope--pre-natal through to 18 years of age--as well as with families in a wide variety of community agencies.
- Educational assistant focuses on you working in school system as a classroom helper.
- American Sign Language & Deaf studies teaches American Sign Language (ASL) as well as a better understanding of the Deaf culture
- Sign language interpreter prepares for entry level positions as an interpreter.
Can I take human services programs online? | ||||||
Yes!
Early learning child care certificate and diploma, child and youth care and educational assistant programs are all available both on campus in face-to-face delivery or online.
If you choose online, you’ll need a strong internet connection.
If you plan on working while completing your studies online, it will take you longer to complete your program.
Our community mental health program is only offered online. |
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Can I do my practicum in my home community? | ||||||
Yes, with one condition.
There must be a licensed or accredited agency in your home community.
We’ll review the available options with you and help you determine your practicum location. |
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Do you help us find a practicum? | ||||||
We'll help you with your placements. Some are local. Some students find placements near their home town or other locations where they have living accommodations.
You have the opportunity to do an international practicum. We do this every other year. So you could also be learning about another culture as part of your practicum placement. |
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There are international practicums? | ||||||
Our first official international practicum was to Australia in 2010. Next we went to the Dominican Republic in 2012.
In 2014 and 2016 we went to Hawaii.
We've worked at children's festivals and planted trees, helped at public and private day cares, and always had a bit of time to explore and taste the local sights and eats.
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What's the difference between the certificate and diploma early learning and child care programs? | ||||||
Besides running a community play program at the college for your first practicum in 2nd year?
You do learn a lot more including how to be a supervisor.
There's also a difference what you are then qualified to do. With a certificate you are qualified:
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How long will it take me to do the American Sign Language program? | ||||||
Starting in 2019, we’ll offer this program full-time, face-to-face at the Alberta School for the Deaf. Instead of the two years it would take to complete part-time, you’ll now just need an academic year. However, the program will only be offered every other year. The next intake date after this September will be Sept 2021. |
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What program(s) would complement the sign language and Deaf culture studies certificate? | ||||||
If you are interested in working with children in the school system or community, Lakeland has programs for you.
Early learning and child care or educational assistant are two possibilities. The combination of fluent American Sign Language and understanding children is something that schools look for as you can provide specialized skills. This program is an asset for anyone who plans on working with people. So our child and youth care program is another possibility. Start university transfer and work toward an education degree. All of this assumes you don't want to go the signed language interpreter route. If you do, we have that diploma course.
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Where are the ASL and interpreter programs offered? | ||||||
At the Alberta School for the Deaf in Edmonton.
You will be immersed in the culture and the language. What a great place to learn and practice your skills.
The address is 6240 113 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6H 3L2.
The school is close to Southgate Mall, the University of Alberta south campus and the JG O'Donoghue Centre. There's parking as well as bus and LRT connections. |
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How long will it take me to complete the sign language interpreter program? | ||||||
This program follows the college calendar, so September through April, for 2 years.
It's an intensive course even within the two years.
You really have to be committed to developing very strong skills in both American Sign Language and English. |
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Is there a practicum component in the interpreter program? | ||||||
Yes.
During first year, you do an observational practicum component.
Your final semester is focused on extensive practicum experience. |
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Do I need any special skills before I take the interpreter program? | ||||||
Yes. You need to be fluent in ASL.
Fortunately, if being an interpreter is your goal, you can start with our certificate program - American Sign Language and Deaf cultural studies. |
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What does post-credential mean as a requirement for the community mental health program? | ||||||
You need have already completed some sort of certificate, diploma or a degree program. Likely that will be in a human services field, because this is really for someone who is already working with people.
Think of it as professional development. It's intended to compliment previous knowledge and experience with a more in-depth study of mental health and wellness.
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Where can I take the Community Mental Health program? | ||||||
Do I come to a campus for the community mental health program?
No. Your campus is your computer and internet connection. All of the courses are online.
Can I complete my community mental health practicum at my place of work?
Yes. There are 2 conditions:
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How long will it take me to complete the community mental health certificate? | ||||||
Depending on how many courses you take at any one time, it make take you as little as 18 months and up to 3 years.
If you're already working, we advise that you only take 2 courses at a time. |
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If I need Microsoft Office programs on my personal computer, which version should I purchase? | ||||||
Save money because you don't have to purchase a student version, or any version, of Microsoft Office.
With your Lakeland edu email address, you have the full version of Microsoft Office 365 Plus. Included are these programs:
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- Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- Outlook
- Teams