Students from BC’s north now have a simpler path into a forensics career.
BCIT’s Forensics department has announced a student transfer agreement with Northwest Community College (NWCC) in Terrace. The partnership gives successful grads of the NWCC Criminology Diploma program guaranteed admission into the third year of BCIT Forensics degree programs.*
“It’s great to have an agreement like this to help serve the northern region of the province and make the transition easier for students,” says Forensics instructor Jason Moore. “I’ve recently had a student in my class who transferred in from NWCC, and she’s done very well.”
That student, Johanna Vandenberg, was accepted into the Bachelor of Technology and Forensic Investigation program in January 2016, but she didn’t have the benefit of the new transfer system. It was passion that got her from Terrace to the Burnaby Campus of BCIT.
“I’ve been pursuing forensic science since my parents gave me a book on it on my 13th birthday and have aimed my post-secondary education in that direction,” says Johanna. Regarding the transfer announcement, Johanna says “I’m very pleased that the agreement between BCIT and NWCC is now in place, as I believe it will help smoothen the transfer for future students.”
Students with electives in Biology and Chemistry may enroll in the Bachelor of Technology Forensic Science Option. Those who complete the Criminology Diploma, and then take appropriate bridging courses (GIS and Computer Database Applications), may transfer into the Bachelor of Technology Crime and Intelligence Analysis Option.
The recent announcement was attended by local representatives including Terrace RCMP Forensics officers. The collaboration is appreciated by organizations around the province.
*some conditions (grades and elective course requirements) apply