RDP to welcome students in four new programs in Fall 2023 Term

Red Deer Polytechnic continues to grow its breadth of industry-relevant education opportunities with the approval of a number of new or revitalized programs. Learners can apply to RDP now to begin the new programs in September 2023.  

The breadth of new programs demonstrates Red Deer Polytechnic’s continued movement to develop more ways for students to design their learning pathways while continuing to ensure those pathways connect students to employment after graduation.  

“We are excited to add these new and re-energized programs to our comprehensive mix of industry-relevant programming at Red Deer Polytechnic,” says Dr. Paulette Hanna, Interim Vice President Academic. “The knowledge and skills that graduates will possess help to address the needs of the labour market, communities and learners, advancing the economic and social interests of Alberta.” 

Red Deer Polytechnic’s new programs, which are open for enrolment for Fall 2023 Term are: 

• Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies: Students design a four-year degree that can be completed entirely in Red Deer. The program pathway allows students to achieve their specific career and learning goals by combining courses across a range of disciplines in the Humanities and Social Sciences, with elective options in Business, Health, Science, and the Creative Arts. Learners can study across several disciplines or, through thematic bundling, pursue a themed area of focus.   
• Instrumentation and Automation Engineering Technology Diploma:  In this two-year diploma, students will be equipped with knowledge and skills in areas such as robotics and automatic control of industrial machines. Students will learn to maintain and design systems used to measure and control processes within a variety of industries such as food and beverage, oil and gas, water treatment, power generation and agriculture.
• Bachelor of Business Administration: The four-year Business degree can be completed in Red Deer, and it prepares graduates to contribute to and compete in a global, dynamic business environment. Students gain a competitive advantage by bundling a concentration, business minor and non-business minor. Students may earn credits toward professional designations, such as Accounting, Human Resources or Financial Services. Students will gain expertise in management and business analytics and will participate in two 90-hour work practicums, research projects or service-learning opportunities during the four years of study.   
• Early Childhood Education Leadership Development Certificate: This one-year program offers students the opportunity to learn the theory and practices associated with a leadership role in the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) profession. It is designed for professionals who already hold a credential in this field. Through an immersive workplace learning experience, most learning will be in the students' Early Learning and Child Care workplace and supported by online learning.

In Fall 2023 Term the redesigned Mechanical Engineering Technology Diploma. is also open for enrolment. Through this two-year diploma, students will be prepared for high-demand careers in the rapidly growing manufacturing, petroleum and infrastructure design industries in Alberta. Students will use hands-on and theoretical approaches to learn mechanical engineering fundamentals, including math, solid mechanics, thermal-fluid sciences and kinematics, blended with industry-focused topics such as automation, lean and computer-integrated manufacturing and reliability. 

These five programs complement the following additional new programming, which opened for enrollment during the 2022-2023 academic year: 

• Business Certificate: The one-year Business Certificate is designed for individuals looking to acquire introductory business skills to increase their employability or augment existing work experience. It also allows budding entrepreneurs to gain a credential quickly while learning the key functional areas of business. The certificate provides credit towards the Business Diploma and Bachelor of Business Administration Degree.  
• Business Diploma: The two-year diploma program provides a broad background in the functional areas of business, and includes a 90-hour work practicum, research project or service-learning opportunity. Students will survey the functional areas of business, develop an entrepreneurial mindset through creative and critical thinking, and choose from a selection of project-based courses in human resources, marketing, accounting, financial services, entrepreneurship and small business, corporate finance and economics. The diploma provides credit towards the Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. 
• ELCC Diploma Workplace Advancement Specialization: This program is designed to reduce barriers for individuals currently working in the early childhood education sector, including those who hold an ELCC Certificate and who wish to complete the educational requirements to obtain their ELCC Diploma. This program specialization is equivalent to the second year of the Early Learning and Child Care Diploma offered at Red Deer Polytechnic. Students who complete this program specialization will be able to remain in their workplaces while developing and demonstrating program competencies under the guidance of a Red Deer Polytechnic instructor. Learners will have the equivalent knowledge and credential as students who graduate from the two-year ELCC diploma at RDP, providing the opportunity to obtain their Level 3 certification from the Alberta Government.  
• Machine Learning Analyst Diploma, Computer Programming Diploma and Life and Employment Skills for Independence programs, which were announced in September.  

To ensure that its Technology programs meet the needs of industry and students, Red Deer Polytechnic is pleased to re-introduce the enhanced Mechanical Engineering Technology and the Instrumentation and Automation Technology diplomas after pausing enrollment for the past two years.  

“We consulted with students, industry partners and content experts to enhance our Engineering Technology Diplomas to best serve the needs of learners and business communities,” says Dr. Robbie Halonen, Interim Dean, Donald School of Business, Science and Technology. “The increased component of lab-based applied learning will complement the academic theory as students develop their knowledge and skills and prepare for high-demand careers across Alberta and further abroad.”  

The expanded Business pathways will also benefit students now and in the future. “Our Business programs build on the expertise of our faculty, who have been delivering the collaborative degree program for a number of years,” Halonen explains. “These modernized programs prepare students to address the needs of businesses in our community and build strong connections with employers.” 

The breadth of other new programs reinforces RDP’s commitment to offering more. The Early Learning and Child Care credentials, new Business programs and Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies highlight the Polytechnic’s commitment to serving students, industry and communities through education, training and applied research in a breadth of subject areas.  

“Whether starting with us or returning to complete a degree, students in Multidisciplinary Studies will acquire and advance human skills, such as critical and creative thinking, verbal and written communication, as well as information literacy, analytical skills, and social and cultural knowledge,” says Dr. Jonathon Penny, Dean, School of Arts and Culture. “This will obviously contribute to their civic development, but it will also open employment possibilities in a range of social and cultural contexts and deepen the contributions they can make at work as innovators and leaders.”