Niagara Catholic District School Board

Program Details

The Health & Wellness sector provides high school students with an enriching opportunity to delve into fields such as healthcare, fitness, nutrition, and mental health. Essential certifications and hands-on workplace experience provide a strong foundation for further education and fulfilling careers.

This program includes:

A Bundle of Credits: Students must complete a bundle of nine senior credits, which includes:

·    Four major credits in health and wellness, which can include courses in health care, fitness, or family services.

·    One English credit.

·    One Mathematics credit.

·    One additional credit in Science or Social Sciences and Humanities, or an additional major credit.

*Sample Grade 11 and 12 Course Selections for a University-Bound Student Studying Health and Wellness

*Contact Student Services at your school for course availability and planning support

Two Co-operative Education Credits related to the Health And Wellness Sector. Apprenticeship, College, or Workplace bound students can take FOUR or more credits in co-op while fulfilling graduation requirements.

Certifications and Training: Students must complete sector-recognized certifications and training, such as:

•        Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Level C
•       Standard First Aid
•       Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

Experiential Learning:Opportunities for hands-on learning through co-operative education placements, job shadowing, and field trips.

·    Reach Ahead Experiences: Activities that connect students with their postsecondary goals, such as visits to colleges, universities, or workplaces.

·    Sector-Partnered Experiences: Activities that involve working with industry partners to gain real-world experience.

Example of Experiential Learning

A Health and Wellness SHSMfield trip could visit a wellness center and a health clinic. They would tour the facilities, interact with wellness and healthcare professionals, and participate in hands-on workshops and interactive sessions, gaining insights into holistic health, preventive care, and career opportunities in the health and wellness sectors.

Career Opportunities: 

Workplace Pathway:

Graduates can pursue careers such as fitness instructors, hospital porters, and medical technicians.

College Pathway:

Students can enrol in programs like kinesiology, veterinary technology, medical laboratory technology, and personal support work.

University Pathway:

Students can pursue degrees in fields such as medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, and public health.

Apprenticeship Pathway:

Students may pursue apprenticeships in areas like early childhood education, pharmacy technology, and dental assisting.

Sample of Elective Certifications within Health and Wellness SHSM