Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Community Development

Program Description

Designed and delivered in collaboration with faculty and experts–such as Dr. Ann Dale, Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Community Development and Trudeau Foundation Research Fellow – this six-month, interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Community Development will enhance your leadership skills, and impart the essential economic, social, environmental, and cultural knowledge and skills needed to develop sustainable communities. The program’s flexible schedule allows you to further your education while maintaining professional and personal responsibilities.

This year, we are pleased to partner with Poets Cove Resort & Spa on beautiful Pender Island, BC. During the September 2013 residency, students will work in collaboration with the Pender Island community to engage in experiential and collaborative learning and apply that learning to a current, local, sustainable community challenge - all while experiencing the community firsthand. Your five-nights accommodation and meals at Poets Cove during the first residency are included in the tuition for the program. Transportation costs are not included.

Sustainability and Social Change

The six-day workshop, Sustainability and Social Change (September 22-27, 2013), is part of the first residency experience on Pender Island and is available for enrollment as a standalone program for those not enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Community Development. See the workshop page for more information.

Facilitators

Ann Perodeau, MA

Shauna Fenwick, BNSc, MA, CEC

Who It’s For

If you are a professional who wants to play a vital role in building tomorrow’s resilient communities, the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Community Development program builds your foundation of leading practices for sustainable development and community engagement.

Applicants who do not have the formal academic education to qualify for admission may be assessed on the basis of both their formal education and their informal learning, in accordance with the Flexible Admission Policy.

View the Program Brochure Viewbook or download the Print Version (pdf).

Outcomes

A student will be able to:

• Analyze diverse communities through a systems lens, exploring their dynamic leverage points for change.
• Explore principles and practices to increase resiliency, innovation and transformation on the path to sustainability.
• Apply principles and practices for building community engagement, in varied contexts, to build capacity, collaboration and positive outcomes.
• Work with comprehensive tools to support community success in planning, decision-making and successful implementation.

Additional information

Read about Dr. Ann Dale’s current research related to sustainable community development.

View the Program Brochure Viewbook or download the Print Version (pdf).