Dental Assistant Professional Diploma

OR: Successful completion of an Alberta Education English Language Arts course that is consistent with the specified academic admission requirements for the program

OR: Successful completion of three years of full-time secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction

OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of one year of full-time post-secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction

OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of a post-secondary level English course with a minimum grade of a C (65%) or equivalent

Note: Students who submit transcripts to meet the English Language Proficiency requirement may still be required to write the Academic Assessment Test as a result of reviewing their admissions file and a formal interview with the Program Manager.

Travel and Placement Availability

• Students must be prepared to travel to various locations for clinical and practicum placements.
• Placements are provided as available. While every effort is made to accommodate within the program timeframe, delays may occur if a placement isn’t immediately available.

Practicum Requirements:

The following requirements must be met prior the start of your program and/or practicum. Important: Failure to meet these requirements can jeopardize your ability to complete the practicum portion of the program, potentially leading to withdrawal.

• Security Clearance
  • Your Police Information Check (PIC) with Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS) should be applied for at the start of your program.
  • Unclear PIC or VSS may lead to an assessment to determine practicum or program eligibility.
    • Due: Copy of Official PIC and VSS must be received prior to start of first practicum placement. This is required in order to register for your Provincial License. 

• Up-to-date Immunization Record: Proof of updated immunization status is required prior to attending practicum.
  • Hepatitis B and Rubella (MMR: Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine).
    • Due: Proof vaccination must be received prior to completing enrollment contract and attending orientation.
  • Other immunizations are strongly recommended.

• Good Oral Health: Dentist verification that all immediate dental treatments have been completed and that the student is in good oral health. 
  • • Due: Proof of up to date dental treatments to be provided within 4 months of program start. 

• CPR Certification
  • Submit a CPR Level BLS (Basic Life Support Provider). Certificate must be current for the duration of the program
  • Note: Columbia offers a 1-day course at the College  before the program start date, for a fee. Students can also take training at another recognized institution. 
    • Due: Verification of CPR must be submitted prior to the first day of clinic.

• Health and Wellness Status
  • Students with medical conditions or disabilities that may affect practicum performance should consult with the Program Chair or Admissions Advisor.

Test/Transcript Validity

Obtaining transcripts can sometimes present challenges, and their acceptance may be influenced by various factors. It’s important to be aware that transcripts may not be approved under certain conditions, such as if they are outdated, the grades do not meet the required standards, or if its unclear how they align with our admission requirements. Please consider the following points:

• Test/Transcript results are valid for two years from the day of testing or completion of a course.
• Official results must be submitted.
• Results that expire prior to the start date of the program may not be accepted, but will still be reviewed by the Registrar’s Office for consideration.
• Students with transcripts from an international institution who are looking to apply with their transcripts are encouraged to have their education assessed through the ‘International Qualifications Assessment Service‘ (IQAS).
• For questions regarding transcripts, please contact us at transcripts@columbia.ca

Admissions Assessment Test

• For students uncertain about their transcript eligibility, you have the option to apply by taking Columbia’s ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Assessment Test.
• Opting for this route exempts you from the need to submit transcripts as part of your application, providing a streamlined admission process.

Competitive Entry: Six Step Process

• Step 1: Review Program Information
  • Familiarize yourself with the program information to understand the qualities essential for student success.
• Step 2: Confirm Admissions Requirements
  • Verify that you meet all academic and non-academic admission requirements for the program.
• Step 3: Understand the Selection Process
  • Thoroughly review the selection information to comprehend the process and associated deadlines.
  • Note that submission of applications, proof of admission requirements, and all supporting documents are prerequisites for consideration in the selection process.
  • The selection commences four months before the program start date and continues until all spots are filled.
  • During the selection phase, applicants are evaluated and ranked based on their overall suitability for the program, which includes a review of the complete application and a formal interview. Admission decisions are not solely based on academic achievements. Qualified candidates may be offered a spot in the program or placed on the waitlist. Columbia College retains the discretion to accept or decline any application.
• Step 4: Application Submission
  • Apply to the program and ensure submission of your transcripts and any other required supporting documents.
  • Applicants have the flexibility to initiate their application process either online or in person at the College.
  • Please note that an application fee is required at the time of submission, and processing of the application will commence upon receipt of this fee. 
• Step 5: Admissions Interview
  • Arrange and attend your formal admissions interview as part of the application process.
• Step 6: Monitor Application Status
  • Stay informed about any changes to your application status and fulfill any outstanding admission requirements by maintaining communication with your admissions advisor.

Communication During the Selection Process

• Email serves as the primary communication channel. To ensure you receive all communications, manage your email account properly and consider adding the @columbia.ca domain to your safe sender’s list to prevent missing crucial information.
• Additionally, keeping your phone number updated is highly recommended for instances where email communication may not suffice.

Dive deep into each subject with our detailed course descriptions, ensuring you’re well-prepared for every aspect of the program. To explore the full list of courses and their descriptions, please click here.

Tuition Fees

Plan your future with clarity with our transparent tuition and general fees structure, effective from August 1 each year. For detailed information about tuition, fees, and costs associated with the program please visit our Tuition and Fees page.

Additional Fees

In addition to program tuition, students are responsible for purchasing the following for this program:

• Required Items
  • Laptop computer
  • Uniforms/scrubs and duty shoes
  • Protective eyewear
  • CPR Level BLS
  • Immunizations
  • Dental Exam + Treatment if required (cleaning, filling, etc.)
• Post Graduate Requirements
  • CADA (College of Alberta Dental Assistants) Provisional Registration fees: please refer to https://abrda.ca/
  • NDAEB (National Dental Assisting Examination Board) Exam: please refer to https://ndaeb.ca/

Refund of Tuition Fees

Please refer to the Student Contract of Tuition form for details of tuition refund policy. This form and more details regarding our refund policy are available from your Admissions Advisor. 

Transferring Credits from Columbia to another Post Secondary Institution 

Transfer opportunities are available at numerous degree-granting institutions throughout Alberta, across Canada, and internationally. These opportunities enable graduates to apply credits from completed courses towards a bachelor’s degree, potentially shortening the duration and cost of their further education.

Please note the following:

• The institution to which you intend to transfer has the final say on the acceptance and applicability of transfer credits.
• It’s crucial to consult with your prospective institution before initiating your studies at Columbia College to understand their policies and requirements regarding transfer credits.

Transferring Credits to Columbia’s Program

For detailed guidance on applying for transfer credits and to understand the specifics of the process, please reach out to an admissions advisor today. We would be happy to answer any questions.

Are you working or have worked in this field?

• Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) recognizes this non-formal learning, and you may not need to take all the courses in this program.
• We will assess your experience in determining what courses you need to take to become certified.
• Read more in the PLAR Guidelines 2016 document.

To graduate from the Dental Assistant Professional Diploma Program, students must:

• Earn 51 credits by achieving a passing grade in all 13 courses,
• Achieve an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher (equivalent to a B or 75-79% average),
• Demonstrate basic competency in all clinical/laboratory and patient care skills and,
• Successfully complete the practicum portion of the Program.

Supporting your academic journey is our priority. Tutoring services are readily available for those who need extra guidance. Please reach out to your Program Chair or Coordinator to access this resource.

Provisional Registration

• Registration with the College of Alberta Dental Assistants (CADA) is mandatory for anyone wishing to practice the profession of dental assisting in Alberta.
• As a graduate of the Columbia College Dental Assistant Professional program you will be eligible to apply for provisional registration (a permit to practice after graduation*) with the CADA.
  • *Graduates can expect to wait 2-4 weeks after completion of practicum for confirmation from the CADA that provisional registration is in effect
    before starting to work as a dental assistant.
• Information for Provisional Registration can be found on the CADA website

Ortho Module

Columbia’s Dental Assistant Professional Diploma Program is excited to offer the theory portion of the Ortho Module to students in the DAPP who are in good academic standing in each Semester.

The clinical portion of the Ortho Module is offered once they have successfully written the NDAEB exam and become a Registered Dental Assistant.