Program at a glance
Credential
Certificate
Work experience
None
Study options
Full-time
Part-time
Open to International
No
Length
8 months
Take your first steps in your own community
Start in September
Acquire the academic skills, knowledge and credentials to move towards higher education and/or a career in the field of human services. This certificate program prepares you to earn the听admission requirements you'll听need to pursue college or university-level studies.
Upgrade your education
Taught at the听听near Brentwood Bay, you get the best of both community and college worlds.
Designed for Indigenous* students, Indigenous College Prep (ICP) program听supports and prepares you听to get the admission requirements you need to enter other college programs and pursue university-level studies.
Located in Victoria, BC, traditional territory of the Coast and Straits Salish peoples,听快猫成版视频 welcomes 1,100 Indigenous students each year.
Support from community
ICP is delivered primarily in community at the听,听part of the W瘫S脕NE膯 School Board听located on the Tsartlip First Nation near Brentwood Bay.听One course is held at Lansdowne campus in the winter semester offering an opportunity to experience college life on campus.
Students will receive help and guidance from learning skills and career readiness specialists, Indigenous advisors and Elders.听听
What you鈥檒l learn
In addition to increasing academic skills, you鈥檒l have opportunities to听explore your strengths and gifts听as you develop personal, career and educational goals.听
You'll be encouraged to build on your self-awareness and pride as an Indigenous person as you discuss issues, challenges and opportunities impacting First Nations communities. While examining Indigenous history and culture, you鈥檒l听receive guidance through circle and Elders鈥 teaching.
Are you of Indigenous ancestry?
*快猫成版视频 views any student who is a descendant of the Indigenous peoples of North America to be an Indigenous student. This includes status and non-status Indians, M茅tis, Inuit and Native Americans who reside in Canada.
驰辞耻听may be eligible for UCEP funding听(University College Entrance Preparation) if you're a First Nations Band member.
Thinking of entering this program?
If you have the opportunity to be funded by a band, and you need to upgrade to meet the program prerequisites, do so now and then apply to your band in January or February so that sponsorship is in place for beginning these programs in September.听To learn more, drop by or book an appointment to see one of the听Indigenous Advisors.
What you'll learn
Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in听.
Program outline
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.
Getting her spark back
Lorri Leonard, Shuswap Nation
For over 20 years, Lorri Leonard had a perfectly good career going as a hairdresser when not just one but two bouts of breast cancer convinced her it was time for a change 鈥 and that eventually led to her taking English upgrading at the Grade 12-level in the community, at the Saanich Adult Education Centre.
鈥淢aybe I could have gone right into college-level,鈥 she says, 鈥渂ut it was so foreign and so scary to be even thinking about going back to school that starting slower really was better.鈥
Lorri does not have fond memories of high school, to put it mildly. 鈥淚t was an incredible struggle,鈥 she says, 鈥渁nd just simply walking on campus to talk to an Indigenous Advisor brought back bad memories. It was really hard, very emotional. But Sekwan Wabasca was great. She helped me start my journey. I started back at school the same day my son started kindergarten.鈥
So far, Lorri鈥檚 journey has taken her to the very top of the School of Access academic rankings and on to completion of the听Indigenous Studies听program. Her goal: to transfer to the University of Victoria for a BA in early childhood education.
Lorri says that 鈥渨ithout Indigenous College Prep, I would probably have dropped out by now. But Camosun has given life back to me. I鈥檝e got my spark back. I鈥檓 excited again and I can鈥檛 wait to get out of bed each day.鈥
Related link
Ey膿蕯 Sq葍鈥檒ewen -听Centre for Indigenous Education & Community Connections
Tuition and fees
Effective from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025
Estimated tuition
Tuition estimates are for the entire program.
Indigenous College Prep, Certificate
$452 (domestic)
Domestic tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.
Student fees
In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to:听Student Fees.
Financial assistance
There are many financial resources to tap into while you are at college to help with your education and living costs. Apply for听scholarships & awards that are specifically given to program students, as well as awards specific to Ey膿蕯 Sq葍鈥檒ewen - Centre for Indigenous Education & Community Connections
Admission requirements
One of:
When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the program admission requirements listed above. Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar: Loading...
Ready to get started?
Missing admission requirements?
You may be able to take an assessment or upgrade with us.
Need help applying?
Find out more on How to Apply or speak to an Admissions Advisor.
Contact us
If you have questions about this program please contact听indigenous@camosun.ca,听250-370-3299
Faculty/staff profile
Sandee Mitchell, Anishinaabe (Kebaowek and Nbisiing First Nation)
Program Leader IFS & ICP and Elders Voices and Events Coordinator
mitchell@camosun.ca
250-370-3124
Ewing Building
Faculty/staff profile
Faculty/staff profile
Faculty/staff profile
Learn more
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.听
Contact information
Indigenous Education & Community Connections
We want to hear from you!