1. POST-SECONDARY OPTIONS

2. CHOICES? Apprenticeship Certificate Diploma Bachelor’s Degree
Master’s Degree
Doctorate

3. APPRENTICESHIP 49 trades
Most trades require about 1500 hours on the job/year plus 8 weeks of training for 1 – 4 years
At completion, apprentices become journeypersons
Most trades are compulsory, some are optional Compulsory/Optional Trades

4. More on Apprenticeships…
Red Seal allows journeypersons to work in any province in Canada. Requires an Exam
Blue Seal demonstrates that a journeyperson can run a business. Requires 18 business courses at NAIT, SAIT, RDC, Olds College, etc.
Some trades can be done at a technical college Boiler Maker/Power Engineering Technology
Boilermaker trade, Power Engineering Grand Prairie Regional College

5. CERTIFICATE One year or less
Prepares students with practical skills in a specific occupation
Most require high school diploma
Health Care Aide, Veterinary Technical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Pharmacy Assistant, Educational Assistant

6. DIPLOMA Usually a 2 year program
Prepares students for entry into a particular field or group of occupations
Requires a high school diploma with certain courses and averages
Some transfer to degree program
Kinesiology (Personal Trainer), Business Administration (Accounting), Biological Engineering Technology, Horticulture, Power Engineering Technology

7. BACHELOR’S DEGREE
Undergraduate degree; Provides theory/academic program in a particular discipline
Usually a 4 year study at post-secondary
A minimum average in 5 specific Grade 12 subjects including English 30-1; May require a competitive average
Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Psychology, English, Criminology, Languages, International St.
Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Math
Bachelor of Education
B of Education, BSc in Engineering, BSc in Computer Science

8. MASTER’S DEGREE… Requires Bachelor’s degree plus 2 to 3 years
Leadership: Ex Master’s in Education
Teachers at University: Ex Master’s in English, Computer Science, Engineering
Some require a Master’s degree: Ex Master’s of Psychology to become a Psychologist
Researchers: Ex Master’s in Molecular Biology
High School Principal, Biological Researcher, Psychologist, University Professor

9. DOCTORAL DEGREE
PhD: Research based – Art, Biological Sciences, Business, Economics, medicine, law
Professional doctorates: EdD: Doctor of Education, D.Mus. Doctor of Music
Require Master’s Degree
MD: Doctor of Medicine
Require Bachelor’s Degree plus three year professional degree
MD, D.Mus., PhD

10. WHICH ONE TO CHOOSE? OCCUPATION POST-SECONDARY HIGH SCHOOL Role $
Veterinary Technical Assistant
Certificate
1 Year
Olds College
NAIT
At least 50%:
English 30-1 or 30-2, Math 20-1 or 20-2, Biology 20
Assistant to Animal Health Technologist,
Animal Shelter,
Pet Stores
Start
$33,080
Average
$35,000
Animal Health Technologist
Diploma
2 Years
High School Diploma:
At least 60%:
English 30-1,-2, Biology 30, Math 30-1, 30-2
Competitive
40 Hours WEx
Assistant to Veterinarian, feedlots, wildlife rehabilitation, Pharmaceutical Companies
$37,440
Average $45,000

11. WHICH ONE TO CHOOSE….. OCCUPATION POST-SECONDARY HIGH SCHOOL ROLE $
Veterinarian
-Pre Professional
-2 year minimum
-Most need 4 year Bachelor’s Degree
-Plus
Four Years Veterinary Medicine
Total 6 to 8 years
U of C /year
English 30-1
Math 30-1
Biology 30
Chemistry 30
Physics 30
Diagnose illnesses,
Treat sick animals,
Perform Examinations,
Advise clients
Average
$90,636
Veterinary Technology Assistant, Animal Health Technologist, Veterinarian