Selkirk College’s nationally accredited co-op education program is comprised of one to four paid 16-week work terms relating to the students’ field of study. Co-op education fosters partnerships between students, employers, community and institution to bring classroom learning into the workplace. By connecting students with employers, co-op education makes it possible to promote the growth and success of future graduates while bringing new and dynamic ideas to businesses.
Selkirk College’s nationally-accredited program serves students enrolled in the following programs:
- Geographic Information Systems Advanced Diploma (mandatory co-op work term)
- Geographic Information Systems Bachelor’s Degree (mandatory co-op work term)
- Integrated Environmental Planning Diploma (optional co-op work term)
- Forest Technology Diploma (optional co-op work term)
- Recreation, Fish and Wildlife Diploma (optional co-op work term)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Advanced Diploma is a 12-month program that utilizes advanced geospatial technology to provide leading edge training. An optional second-year Bachelor’s Degree is offered as well. The GIS program prepares students to be trained geospatial experts in the environmental planning, business, industry and resource sectors. Emphasis is on providing opportunities for learners to work on real-world projects that require the latest technology enabling them to build advanced expertise in GIS, remote sensing, Internet mapping technology, database management applications, global positioning systems (GPS), 3D visualization and a variety of related software applications. This is an intensive program designed for learners entering with a recognized diploma/associate degree or higher and a background in the aforementioned computerized technologies; however, applicants with the requisite work experience and a background in GIS will be considered.
The Integrated Environmental Planning Technology (IEP) program prepares students to meet growing needs for technologists capable of assisting in all areas of environmental assessment and monitoring. Program graduates are familiar with planning processes and their respective environmental information needs. Graduates of this program are trained in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data entry and spatial analysis using Arc GIS and other software, environmental chemistry, ecology, hydrology, communication, economics, and planning to name a few. Graduates possess the practical field and laboratory skills and technical competencies not only to acquire, compile, analyze, evaluate and present environmental information, but also to integrate it effectively into formal planning and review processes.
Selkirk College’s Forestry program is known throughout the country for excellence in forest technology education. As an environmental science, this program emphasizes an ecological approach to forest land management. Subject areas include applied ecology, planning, regeneration, inventory, hydrology, habitat and forest protection in a nationally accredited program. Selkirk College students spend more than fifty percent of their class time in the field learning in real world projects. The program also emphasizes achievement of proficiency in advanced technology including Geographic Information Systems and Global Positioning Systems. The college’s graduates benefit from their training as well as the recognition by government, industry and communities of the importance of better forest management.
The focus of the Recreation, Fish & Wildlife program is to provide relevant learning experience for individuals seeking careers in parks, forest recreation, fish and wildlife management, conservation or commercial recreation. The emphasis of the program is on the growing field of recreation and tourism, and fish and wildlife management in the working forest and in protected areas. The program of study is designed to lead into three major areas of interest: recreation planning and management, fish and wildlife management, and ecosystem management.