About About

Get to know VIU. As a teaching university and a research university, we offer a unique experience to students.

About VIU Why VIU

About VIU

Why VIU?

Explore where VIU is going

The Strategic Plan builds on our commitment to diverse learners and draws on our connection to the community.

Strategic Plan

Programs Programs

Explore a wide range of program offerings and learning services. Choose from degrees, vocational training, certificates and more.

Find your program Learning Services

Programs

Learning Services

January intake

Many VIU programs have intake in January. Join us and discover a world of opportunity.

January intake

Admissions & Aid Admissions & Aid

Discover how to apply to VIU and get more information about tuition and financial aid.

Admissions Tuition and Aid

Admissions

Tuition and Aid

January intake

Many VIU programs have intake in January. Join us and discover a world of opportunity.

January intake

Student Life Student Life

Make the best of your time at VIU. Get involved in campus events and enjoy island adventures.

Student Life Student Services

Student Life

Student Services and Support

Get ready for the new student orientation

Attend in-person and online events, explore campus and connect with your professors and soon-to-be classmates!

RockVIU

Support VIU Support VIU

Connect with other VIU alumni and learn about the impact of donor generosity at VIU.

Give

VIU Alumni

VIU Donors

Your support means so much to VIU students

Our donors fund over 2000 scholarships, awards, and bursaries each year.

Research Research

Discover how VIU's interdisciplinary research is making a real-world impact.

Research

Research and Creative Activity

Explore the research highlights. Includes recent publications, ground-breaking studies and more.

Research Reports

Search VIU

Vancouver IslandUniversity

Health Sciences and Human Services

A message from our Dean, Dr. Patricia O'Hagan

HHS Faculty Dean, Dr. Patricia O'Hagan

Welcome new and existing students, we look forward to our journey together!

The Faculty of Health Sciences and Human Services offers a wide range of programs, including: certificates in Health Care Assistant, Education Assistant and Community Support, and Dental Assistant; diplomas in Child and Youth Care, Early Childhood Education and Care, Practical Nursing, Social Services, Dental Hygiene, and Disability Studies; and three degree programs: bachelor of science in Nursing, bachelor of arts in Child and Youth Care, and bachelor of Social Work.

A graduate diploma in Gerontology and Active Aging has recently been approved. Plans for delivery are underway in partnership with VIU’s International Education. In addition, there are a number of short or part-time certificates within the Faculty’s Professional Development and Training unit. The Faculty is responsible for programs at all three Campuses (Nanaimo, Cowichan, and tiwšɛmawtxʷ) and is responsible for the Centre for Healthy Aging at the Parksville/Oceanside Centre. The Centre for Outreach and Community Care, operated by the Child and Youth Care Department, provides inter-professional student experiences while developing and delivering prevention programs to young people and families in the local community. In collaboration with our Vancouver Island Health partners, state of the art Nursing Simulation Suites are available to prepare health care graduates for the rigors of practice and provide for best practice in Interprofessional work.

The Faculty employs over 100 faculty and staff, and has a reputation for quality undergraduate education and research. In addition, the Faculty holds the British Columbia Regional Innovative Chair in Aboriginal Early Childhood Development, as well as a number of educational partnerships specific to the needs of Aboriginal communities. Indigenous perspectives are embedded in all programs.