Indigenous Student Services
Information for Indigenous Students
The Indigenous Student Services team provides personalized advising and hosts events to support Indigenous students throughout your journey at RDP.
Meet the Team
Lloyd Desjarlais, Dean, Indigenous Initiatives
Justice Soosay, Indigenous Student Success Coordinator
Program Options
Red Deer Polytechnic has a wide variety of programs for you to choose from. Find a program that interests you and start your journey toward a rewarding career!
Certain programs at the Polytechnic recognize the need to facilitate access to post-secondary education for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners. To facilitate greater participation of Indigenous learners, certain programs have designated seats for qualified applicants who are Status Indian/First Nations, Non-status Indian/First Nations, Métis or Inuit.
Programs with Designated Seats:
- Administrative Professional Certificate (five designated seats)
- Advanced Accounting Diploma (five designated seats)
- Alberta Health Care Aide Certificate (12 designated seats)
- Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics Diploma/Post- Baccalaureate Certificate (five designated seats)
- Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies (12 designated seats)
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (12 designated seats)
- Bachelor of Applied Arts in Film Production (two designated seats)
- Bachelor of Applied Arts in Animation and Visual Effects (two designated seats)
- Bachelor of Business Administration (five designated seats)
- Bachelor of Education (13 designated seats)
- Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences (five designated seats)
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering UT (five designated seats)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (six designated seats)
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology (five designated seats)
- Business Certificate (five designated seats)
- Business Diploma (10 designated seats)
- Computer Programming Diploma (eight designated seats)
- Culinary Arts Diploma (two designated seats)
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography Diploma (two designated seats)
- Early Learning and Child Care Certificate (four designated seats)
- Early Learning and Child Care Diploma (four designated seats)
- Educational Assistant Certificate (four designated seats)
- Human Resources Management Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (five designated seats)
- Instrumentation and Automation Engineering Technology Diploma (four designated seats)
- Justice Studies Diploma (four designated seats)
- Legal Assistant Diploma (five designated seats)
- Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Transition (three designated seats)
- Mechanical Engineering Technology Diploma (four designated seats)
- Medical Device Reprocessing Certificate (three designated seats)
- Medical Laboratory Assistant Certificate (four designated seats)
- Occupational and Physical Therapist Assistant Diploma (three designated seats
- Pharmacy Technician Diploma (three designated seats)
- Practical Nurse Diploma (five designated seats)
- Pre-health Sciences Certificate (two designated seats)
- Social Work Diploma (six designated seats)
- Visual Arts Diploma (seven designated seats)
The application fee is waived for Status Indian/First Nations, Non-status Indian/First Nations, Métis or Inuit applicants for all programs.
Applying to Attend RDP
Step 1: Search for the program that interests you.
Step 2: Make sure you are aware of the deadlines to apply.
Step 3: Looking for funding options? Click here.
Step 4: Schedule an appointment with Indigenous Students Services, if you'd like to discuss your options.
Step 5: Schedule an appointment to request an application fee waiver.
Step 6: Follow the steps on How to Apply when you are ready to apply to your program.
Housing on Campus
Red Deer Polytechnic offers a variety of Residence options for students to have a comfortable and welcoming home away from home.