Regular Programs at Vancouver Community College - British Columbia's No. 1 college
Regular VCC Programs at Vancouver Community College, BC's No. 1 college

• ABE - Computer Studies - Advanced Level
  In this online course, students will: (1) gain knowledge of the workings of computers, including computing technology concepts, system components and their functions, and computer purchasing information; (2) develop working skills in MS-Windows operation, storage and file management, word processing, spreadsheets (free OpenOffice software will be installed). Required: computing equipment running Windows 98 operating system or higher, a printer; a fast Internet connection (highly recommended). For further information see: http://bccourses.com
• Academic and Professional English - Self Paced (ESL)
  Visit the Department website at: http://eslprograms.vcc.caAcademic and Professional English - Self Paced is a flexible program which allows students to work independently at their own pace. It is designed for second language learners with professional education and experience who wish to focus on specific professional and/or academic language goals. Instructors are available for individualized tutorials.
• Academic Upgrading (including High School courses) - Class Based
  Courses are offered at the grade 10 (Intermediate), grade 11 (Advanced) and grade 12 (Provincial) levels for students wishing to earn credit or obtain academic prerequisites leading to: High school completionThe BC Adult Graduation Diploma at http://bced.gov.bc.ca/adult_graduationStudents can complete prerequisites: For institutions - e.g. BCIT, Langara, Kwantlen, etc. OR Prepare for entry into other VCC programs (e.g. Pharmacy Technician, Practical Nursing, and Electronics) OR Entrance into academic, career, or technical programs.Class-based courses are offered in three departments: ENGLISH AND SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES: http://upgrading.vcc.ca/humanities MATHEMATICS: http://upgrading.vcc.ca/math SCIENCE: http://upgrading.vcc.ca/scienceCourses are offered in instructor-led classes on a semester basis. For most grade level equivalencies, two half courses are required.Click here (PDF) to view the high school equivalencies for VCC courses, past and present.INSTRUCTIONInstruction in most courses is based on a four-month semester, with classes either in the day or in the evening. Regular attendance is essential. Arrangements can be made with instructors for shift workers to alternate between day and evening classes. Please check the semester schedule.
• Academic Upgrading (including High School courses) - Self Paced
  Visit the Department website at: http://upgrading.vcc.ca/ccaFull-time and part-time with flexible hoursSelf-paced grades 9 to 12 English, Mathematics, Science and Social Science. Guided by an instructor, students work at their own speed.- individualized instruction- workshops- seminars- field trips- group discussionsPrograms are based on entry skills, personal or career goals and time available for learning. Students may withdraw to meet job or family commitments, then return when they are ready.Students attend to:- Take credit courses at a grade 10, 11, or 12 level- Earn prerequisites for other institutions: e.g. BCIT, Langara, Kwantlen, etc.- Prepare for exams: GED, LPI, LET, etc.- Prepare for entry to other VCC courses: e.g. Pharmacy Technician, Practical Nursing, ElectronicsMany students who wish to upgrade their skills and knowledge do not require full credit courses. Students may wish to increase their competency in a topic or skill to gain confidence, prepare for a specific job or task, improve job performance, review skills or to meet a personal goal. Instructors design flexible, personalized upgrading programs to meet these needs.Click here (PDF) to view the high school equivalencies for VCC courses, past and present.
• Access to Careers and Education (ACE)
  This full-time program is designed to help students identify and act on realistic short-term and long-term educational and career goals. It provides information and experience related to a wide variety of occupations such as technology, health, trades, office, service, science, self-employment and more. Upgrading is also an option, if required. By engaging in self-assessment, extensive career exploration and testing, and by assessing opportunities in the current labour market, graduates are able to make informed training and career choices and follow through with an appropriate plan of action.
• Access to Practical Nursing
  Visit the Department website at: http://healthsciences.vcc.ca/practicalnursingThis program is offered twice a year. One intake is full-time for eight months. The other intake is part-time for 13 months (2 days per week plus full-time clinical experiences). Upon successful completion of this program, students receive a Practical Nursing certificate.This program was initiated in response to the need for recognizing the past education, training and work experience of applicants to the Practical Nursing Program who have a Resident Care Attendant (RCA) Certificate, or the Combined Home Support/Resident Care Attendant (HSA/RCA) Certificate. The underlying assumption of this program is that learners enter the program with an education background equivalent to current provincial "standards." That is, those entering with an education other than the RCA or HSA/RCA Certificate need to demonstrate their eligibility prior to entrance.
• Accounting
  Visit the Department website at: http://business.vcc.ca/businessMgmtThis microcomputer-oriented program is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to understand and apply the principles of accounting for proprietorships, partnerships and corporations. Students become conversant with financial statement analysis and departmental accounting and understand federal and provincial legislation in recording and preparing manual and computerized payrolls. Business law and effective oral and written communications is also taught. Current versions of accounting, word processing, spreadsheet and database software are integrated and applied to workplace problems.Transfer credit or exemptions may be given for related courses taken in high school or other institutions. Students must apply for transfer credits or exemptions prior to starting program.
• Accounting - ESL
  Visit the Department website at: http://business.vcc.ca/businessMgmtThis microcomputer-oriented program is designed to provide ESL students with the skills necessary to understand and apply the principles of accounting for proprietorships, partnerships and corporations. Students become conversant with financial statement analysis and departmental accounting, and understand federal and provincial legislation in recording and preparing manual and computerized payrolls. Business law and effective oral and written communications are also taught. Current versions of accounting, word processing, spreadsheet and database software are integrated and applied to workplace problems. Students improve their language proficiency and develop the necessary vocabulary and grammar to enable them to function in an English-speaking work environment.Transfer credit or exemptions may be given for related courses taken in high school or other institutions.
• Acute Care Skills for Home Support/Resident Care Attendants
  This program is intended for those who have successfully completed training and are working in the continuing care field as a home support worker or resident care attendant. Increasingly, home support/resident care attendants are finding themselves working not only with long-term clients or residents, but also with clients who are in the post acute care phase. It is also possible, given our climate of change that resident care attendants may be working in selected acute care units in larger hospitals. This course provides students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be able to function effectively in this new environment, while continuing to work within their role as a care attendant.
• Administrative Assistant
  Visit the Department website at: http://business.vcc.ca/officemgtStudents acquire the skills and knowledge to use effective oral and written communication techniques; demonstrate time management techniques by determining work priorities; create, revise, transcribe and process business correspondence and documents using a variety of electronic office equipment with an emphasis on computers. Students use word processing, spreadsheets and graphics software to perform a variety of assignments to the professional standards expected in an office. In the first