Build skills to inspire sustainable local communities. Work with municipalities to tackle complex challenges. Build networks and apply your learning to create sustainable spaces and places.
Upcoming offerings
October 20, 2025
Application deadline
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Domestic tuition
International tuition
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Program description
You're a working professional who cares about community development. You believe there are better ways to sustain and regenerate the spaces and places where people live and thrive. You'd like to see more sustainable initiatives in your neighbourhood or region, and would like to make them happen.
The Graduate Certificate in Regenerative Sustainable Community Development helps you discover knowledge, leadership and practical experience to make a difference. You'll build interdisciplinary skills to the social, ecological and economic implications of on-the-ground change. In an online urban lab, you'll learn through class work, and apply your learning to a real-world project.
In partnership with various municipalities and local organizations, you will explore principles and practices of systems thinking, decision-making and community planning. And by engaging in real, socially-relevant issues focused on community challenges, you'll build skills and networks that can take your career — and your community — forward.
This program is delivered completely online.
Online learning
Online courses consist of assigned readings, synchronous or asynchronous lectures, interactive discussions, and individual and team assignments.
You’re expected to meet deadlines and contribute meaningfully to your class. Your contributions are a big part of everyone’s learning.
You'll take three online courses, one at a time, for a period of 10 weeks. Each online course requires approximately 10-20 hours of work per week.
You'll start your program with a non-credit, but required, course about academic integrity.
Work while you learn
Online courses allow you to learn without having to give up your current employment. While you'll want to check with your employer about your course schedule and any time off you might need, in many cases, employers can support and mentor you in your studies. Your employer may want to sponsor your studies.
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Standard admission
- Completion of a four-year (or comparable) undergraduate degree in a related field, from a recognized post-secondary institution.
- Normally, at least three years of relevant, full-time work experience
Flexible admission
Applicants who do not meet the standard admission requirements will be considered for flexible admission and assessed as follows:
- Normally, at least five years of relevant, full-time work experience.
English language proficiency
- If English is not your primary language, please review our English language requirements.
Additional recommendations
- Admission to this program is based on the applicant’s balance of work and life experience, including volunteer and community activities, practical experience or related training.
All applications to this program require submission of the following information and supporting documents before files can be assessed for admission:
Application form
In order to apply online, you will be required to create a log-in account using your email address. You will be required to list all credit courses and/or programs you have completed or are currently enrolled in. An application fee will be required. If your application fees are being paid by a third party, review sponsored student information. Once submitted, you may check the status of your application at any time.
Missed your application deadline? While we can’t make any guarantees, we may be able to accommodate late applications if there's still space and enough time to process. If you're interested in an intake that is now closed to applications, apply for the next available intake and email Admissions with your preferred start date. Make sure you’re prepared to submit your program's required documents right away. We can't make an admissions decision without them.
Official transcripts
Applicants are responsible for arranging for the submission of official transcripts from ALL post-secondary (higher education) institutions currently or previously attended, for all credit courses and/or programs. Transcripts are not required for non-credit programs or courses, though some programs may require proof of professional certifications or designations.
Transcripts are considered official only if submitted directly by the Registrar or other recognized authority of the providing institution in the institution's original, sealed envelope. If the envelope has been opened, the transcripts are no longer official and new (official) transcripts will be required to complete your application.
All international transcripts or credentials are subject to an international transcript and/or credential evaluation.
Personal statement
The personal statement should be approximately one page in length, and should outline your motivation for seeking entrance to the program. The statement should address the topic of how the Graduate Certificate in Regenerative Sustainable Community Development will contribute to your future career. Relate this to who you are, what you feel you will gain from the program, and the strengths you feel you could bring to the program.
Letters of reference
These documents can be written in a variety of formats. In essence, we expect two letters of reference to confirm that you are a suitable candidate for the program, why they feel you will succeed in the program, and describe how the program will benefit you. The context in which the referee has come to know you should also be mentioned (professional, academic, personal, volunteer, etc).
Detailed résumé
Your detailed résumé should include the following:
- Education: List all post secondary education, degrees, diplomas, and certificates you have achieved.
- Work experience: Please include name of organization, length of service and a brief description of duties.
- Voluntary/unpaid work experience: List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include the name of the organization, length of service, and a brief description of duties. List positions you have held in this service.
- Information technology training and experience: Briefly describe your level of training and experience in the use of information technology including computers, software and telecommunications networks as tools for business, education, teaching and personal use.
- Professional memberships/affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, community/volunteer sector.
- Other relevant information: Provide any other information which you believe is relevant to your application and will be of assistance to the review committee.
If applicable:
- Applicants declaring permanent resident or Convention Refugee status in Canada, must submit a copy of their Permanent Resident Card (PR card) along with their application.
- Transcript evaluation fee or credential evaluation report, if submitting international transcripts.
- An official English language proficiency score report or other evidence of proficiency if English is not your primary language.
- Other information or documents as may be requested to determine your eligibility.
For information on how and where to send your supporting documents, please refer to the document submission guidelines.