Schools/ School of Community Studies

School of Community Studies

Be a leader in building stronger communities.


Start your journey to a rewarding career.

You can have a positive impact in your community while you build a rewarding career. Start with a certificate or diploma, or expand your current career options with a post-diploma certificate and continuing education courses.

Explore all Community Studies Options How to Apply

A career with a positive difference.

We share your passion for learning, success, and community, and we promise to value you and your time.

With the School of Community Studies, you can build a career that makes a positive difference in your community. You have the commitment, dedication, and vision. We're here to help you make those dreams a reality. We offer programs, courses, and certificates in a number of specialisms. 

Your success is our focus. As a student at Bow Valley College, you have access to:

If you're ready to start the journey towards your future, our Welcome Centre staff is ready to answer your questions and guide you through the process.

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Featured Community Studies Programs

View all Community Studies programs

Justice Studies

Addiction Studies

Health and Human Services Management

Disability Studies Diploma

Early Childhood Education and Development

Education Assistant Certificate

Social Work Diploma

Child and Youth Care Diploma

Relationships and service

Practical knowledge helped me be successful in attaining employment.

"The practical knowledge helped me be successful in attaining employment. The Aboriginal focus opened up my eyes to the struggles we face every day. This was essential in my learning of my culture and how to connect with others."

- Aimee Boulton, Addiction Studies Diploma, Aboriginal Focus Graduate

Learn more about our Addiction Studies Diploma  >

Classes taught by instructors with many years of policing experience.

"Classes taught by instructors with many years of policing experience give you a realistic view into the job. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the program, and I am grateful for the friendships and experiences I gained in my studies."

- Nicholas Petruic, Law Enforcement Diploma Program Graduate

Learn more about our Justice Studies Diploma - Law Enforcement Specialization  >

Significant professional and personal growth.

"I have gained significant professional and personal growth in this program! The passionate instructors share their experience, strength, and hope for a brighter future for people with disabilities and society as a whole."

- Dan McDonald, Recipient of the Disability Studies Program Career Award and the Dean's Scholarship Award

Learn more about our Disability Studies Program  >

9 out of 10

Community Studies Graduates employed within a year

Dedicated student support

Flexible Learning Options

93%

Graduates satisfied with the quality of our programs

Stories from School of Community Studies

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College

Bow Valley College student team wins silver medal during Indigenous hand games tournament

College

New navigation menu launches for Bow Valley College website

Alumni

Bow Valley College instructor receives Canada Green Building Council Inspired Educator Award

Students

Finding community at Iniikokaan

Curt Blind's welcoming experience at the Indigenous gathering space.

Alumni

A conversation with Bow Valley College alumni and instructor Cassidy Norris

One alumna’s journey from student to instructor

College

Bow Valley College employee wins national award
Dean, Health and Community Studies
Dean, Health & Community Studies.

Nora MacLachlan, RN, Master of Science in Human Services

Nora MacLachlan guides a team of over 150 dedicated health care professionals with a wide range of experience. 

View Bio Meet Our Team
Nora Maclachlan Nora Maclachlan
Nora Maclachlan
Dean, Health & Community Studies.

Nora MacLachlan, RN, Master of Science in Human Services

Nora MacLachlan is the Dean of the School of Health and Wellness at Bow Valley College.  She has extensive experience as an instructor, having taught almost all of the courses in the Practical Nurse program at a college in southern Alberta. Nora also coordinated and developed clinical practice guidelines, and facilitated access improvement work in health care settings and coordinated building teams in physician offices. Prior to leading the School of Health and Wellness at Bow Valley College, she was an auditor, and a nursing manager in the continuing care environment.    

Nora’s education pathway moved from a Rehabilitation Practitioner Diploma to a Registered Nursing Diploma. This expanded to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and she now has a Master of Science in Human Services, with a specialization in Health Care Administration.  

She recently completed a knowledge translation project on the topic “Connecting with People with Dementia.” Her goal is to continue to develop excellence in the health programs at Bow Valley College. 

Meet Our Team

Ready to get started?

School of Community Studies

Get started on a career path with unlimited potential in a field you love. Our Welcome Centre staff is waiting to connect you with your future.

Connect with us

North Campus, Sixth Floor, 345 - 6 Avenue SE.   ◦   communitystudies@bowvalleycollege.ca   ◦    403-410-1400 

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