Human Services

Community Mental Health Online Requirements

Location

Online

Credential

Certificate

Program Length

Varies/30 credits

First you need to apply

Apply to the program, then register for course(s)

At Lakeland we have different terms for how you become a student.

To us, applying is about getting into a program. It means you use the provincial application system, applyalberta.

On the other hand, registering is about taking an specific class or individual course. This means you self-register and pay using My Lakeland.

If you want to take this program online, there's a two step process. Applying and registering are two different things.

Step 1: You apply to the program

The deadline is approximately 2 months before courses start. Use the How to Apply button on the right to apply.
You can apply any time; however, applications must be received by specific dates in order to register in courses in the next term.
Check the application deadlines under Important Dates on the program page.
Your application will be evaluated by our admissions staff to ensure you have met the admission requirements.
You'll be sent a letter of acceptance.
There's no need to reapply after you finish your first classes, You simply register for courses each term until you complete all the necessary courses. The exception is if you are inactive for 3 consecutive terms, then you will need to re-apply to the program

Step 2: You register for classes

You can't register for a course until you've been accepted in the program.
You'll receive the schedule and registration information once you've been accepted into the program.
The deadline to register is 2 weeks before the course starts. This gives you enough time to purchase textbooks and any other course materials
You self-register and pay for your courses on My Lakeland. You can use a credit card or online banking bill pay.
Register early. Check the registration deadlines under Important Dates on the program page. Some classes fill up fast. If you register late, you could be bumped to the next course offering.
If you need help setting up a program planner, please contact the hsacademic.advisor@lakelandcollege.ca
There are 3 terms - fall, winter and spring.
Not all courses are available every term.

Online tips and requirements

Online learning has advantages, especially if you are "learning while earning" or are simply too far away to commute to training.

What Lakeland College expects of you

If you are thinking about online learning with Lakeland College, here's what we expect from you. To:

have access to a computer and high speed internet
have a supported browser and browser tools
have computer and web skills in order to do course work
read and write in English as all of our courses are conducted in English
commit to about 4 to 6 hours per week per course
be prepared to submit course work and complete exams within the timelines provided
register for your online course at least 2 weeks before the start date

Technical requirements

Most Lakeland College online courses will use Lakeland's learning management system, Desire2Learn or Microsoft Teams.

You aren't limited to a particular type of computer or smart device. But, you do have to have particular browsers and other software.

Most web platforms require:

up-to-date web browsers including Chrome, Edge and Mozilla Firefox
enabled cookies
enabled JavaScript

If you aren't sure what any of those requirements are, do a quick systems check on the D2L page. It will tell you if your computer is set up properly.

Tips for success

Time management is a critical part of taking an online course. Because you don't have a scheduled time to be in a classroom, you often must schedule time to work on the course. Here are some helpful hints.

Commit about 4 to 6 hours per week to your program.
Pace yourself--often it's easier to complete an hour a day instead of cramming all the work into a single evening or weekend.
Plan your work--Look over your assignments and create a calendar with deadlines. This road map will help you manage your time and get you to your destination.
Know yourself--If you procrastinate, identify how you waste time and learn strategies to improve your time management.
You can also check out our free online resources including Grammarly and online study skills.