Aboriginal Health

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Options available

  • Bachelor of Health Sciences
  • Post-Diploma Bachelor of Health Sciences

Campus

  • Lethbridge

Intake

Fall

Program description

Indigenous health is Canadian health. The health of Indigenous peoples in Canada is a complex social justice issue that can only be addressed by people who are creative, skilled, culturally competent, committed and passionate about righting historical wrongs and acting to create a more inclusive, equitable society.

Understand the historical and contemporary causes of current issues such as poverty, water and food security, addictions, youth suicide, family violence.

Learn traditional Indigenous teachings and contemporary perspectives by engaging with elders, knowledge keepers, health care professionals and other Indigenous peoples. Learn how Indigenous values, knowledge and practices foster healthy children, youth, adults, elders, families and communities.

Develop transferable and portable skills and practices to assist organizations and communities to respond to critical health issues facing Indigenous peoples and all Canadians. Apply what you have learned and gain valuable workplace experience by completing a practicum with a provincial or Indigenous organization.

Work Environment
As a graduate of Aboriginal Health, you will carry transferable and portable workplace skills and knowledge to work within varied settings such as Indigenous organizations and communities dedicated to health and healing, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, and mainstream health facilities serving Indigenous peoples. You'll be able to help employers identify and understand the needs of Indigenous peoples and then develop the programs and services needed to make those needs, and assist with evaluating and planning for future organizational and community development.

Possible careers

  • Health promotion and disease prevention
  • Program and policy development and evaluation
  • Community-based research
  • Community outreach
  • Cultural broker/health advocacy
  • Wellness counselling

On average, people change their career three to five times in their lifetime. So, no matter what major you choose, you may still be interested in opportunities totally unrelated to your program of study. We encourage you to be open to all possibilities! Your undergraduate degree can be a springboard for other educational pursuits, and your transferable skills and experience can prepare you to work in a multitude of settings.

Admission requirements

General-ALL-ALL

​For admission, Canadian high school students in Alberta must have completed five of the following courses with a minimum 65% average across them:

This course
  • English Language Arts 30-1
Three of these courses
  • Aboriginal Studies 30
  • Art 30 or Art 31
  • Biology 30
  • Chemistry 30
  • Choral Music 30, General Music 30, or Instrumental Music 30
  • Dance 35
  • Drama 30
  • Mathematics 30-1 or Mathematics 30-2
  • Mathematics 31
  • Physics 30
  • Science 30
  • Social Studies 30-1
  • Five credits in Advanced-level CTS Computer Science (CSE)
  • One or more distinct languages at the 30 level
One additional
  • That has not already been used
  • May be from the list above
  • Must be at the 30 level
  • Must be worth at least five credits (multiple courses worth a total of five or more credits can be used)
  • Cannot be a Special Project

 

First year cost estimator

For Aboriginal Health

Let us help you understand your tuition and fees for your first year at the University of Lethbridge.

Sample classes

  • PUBH 1000: Introduction to Public Health
  • HLSC 3300: Traditional Aboriginal Health Concepts
  • HLSC 3310: Contemporary Issues in Aboriginal Health
  • HLSC 4350: Practicum in Aboriginal Health (15.0 credit hours)

Additional information

BHSc Aboriginal Health Post-Diploma program

In addition to the general admission requirements, applicants to the Aboriginal Health Post-Diploma program must have completed an Approved College Diploma and have a minimum diploma GPA of 3.00 on the University of Lethbridge 4.00 scale. If you are considering applying to the program with a diploma GPA below 3.00 (but not less than 2.00), you may be considered for admission if you have extensive practical experience in a relevant field.

BHSc Aboriginal Health Second Degree program

Applicants to the Aboriginal Health major who have previously completed an approved undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.00 will have the opportunity to complete an individualized 20-course program in just two years. 

All applicants to the Faculty of Health Sciences must meet a Spoken English Language Proficiency requirement.


For detailed current information on admission and program requirements, visit the Registrar's Office website.