Creative art and design students from across Canada can take advantage of a new partnership between Lethbridge College and the University of Lethbridge. Starting this fall, the agreement provides for an easy transfer from the college’s Fashion Design and Sustainable Production diploma program into a degree program in the University’s Department of Theatre and Dramatic Arts.

The two-plus-two opportunity enables college students, who meet program criteria, to transfer to the University and receive two years of credit for their previous work at the college. These students will enrol in the University’s post-diploma Bachelor of Fine Arts – Dramatic Arts program with a major in Technical/Design and finish their last two years of the degree program at the University. Upon graduation, students have two credentials – a diploma from the College and a degree from the University.

The college’s Fashion Design and Sustainable Production is a one-of-a-kind program providing students with skills and experience needed to shape the apparel industry. The sustainability-focused curriculum provides valuable hands-on training and experience through research projects and creative challenges. After four semesters of courses, students have the option of participating in a 200-hour intensive internship, an unrivaled opportunity in western Canada.

“Our strong partnership with the university provides valuable educational opportunities for our students,” says Dennis Sheppard, Dean, Centre of Applied Management, Lethbridge College. “This two-plus-two agreement is an example of how the college is working collaboratively with a partner just across the river to lead and transform education in Alberta.”

”This agreement really adds value for students wanting to broaden their knowledge, skills and experience,” says Dr. Edward Jurkowski, Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Lethbridge. “Students have ample opportunities to get involved during all four years of their studies, given the enormous number of fine arts activities at the University, College and in the community.”

At the University, Technical/Design majors combine academic studies with an immersive approach that prepares graduates for the ever-changing world of theatre, whether they want to work with established theatre companies or on their own artist plans. 

Although this is the first agreement involving the Faculty of Fine Arts’ programs, Lethbridge College and the University of Lethbridge have several other two-plus-two program opportunities including:

·       Agriculture Sciences Diploma – Plant and Soil Science or Animal Science into the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Studies

·       Business Administration – General Business Diploma, Management Diploma, Marketing Diploma, or Accounting Diploma into the Bachelor of Management

·       Child and Youth Care Diploma articulation into the Post-Diploma Bachelor of Health Sciences – Addictions Counselling (Extended)

·       Computer Information Technology Diploma into the Bachelor of Management or Bachelor of Science - Computer Science

·       Environmental Assessment and Restoration Diploma into the Bachelor of Science – Environmental Science

·       Renewable Resource Management Diploma into the Bachelor of Science – Environmental Science

·       Geomatics Engineering Technology Diploma into the Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Geographical Information Science

Visit the Fashion Design and Sustainable Production program page on the College’s website and the Bachelor of Fine Arts – Dramatic Arts (Technical/Design) page on the University’s website for more information.