The Civic Governance and Innovation certificate program is designed for current municipal and regional government employees, and others interested in local governance. This program critically examines the role of local political culture in governance priorities and processes, why some good ideas take root while others do not, and ways that learners build on the best evidence available to effect change. Students collaborate across professional roles in order to identify and mold more resilient and effective organizational practices.
Entrance requirements
B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent. Non-graduates, aged 19 or older, may be considered on an individual basis.
Current employment in a municipality, regional district, First Nations Government, Improvement District, or supporting agency.
Students wishing to take courses in this program who are not currently employed in a municipality, regional district, First Nations Government, Improvement District, or supporting agency may be considered for course admission, provided space is available. Students will need to submit a Program/Prerequisite waiver form.
Note: Waivers will be reviewed and approved only after all students with the prerequisites or students in the program have had the opportunity to register.
Applicants must meet the Entry-level English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see the English language proficiency requirement section of the calendar.
When to apply
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year.
Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space.
See Continuous application
process for more information.
Additional documents required for a complete application:
Official transcripts (or interim transcripts) from all post-secondary institutions attended (excluding UFV) showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details.
Applicants will be advised of an admission decision and, if accepted, will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required prior to registration (see the Fees and Other Costs section) and will be applied toward tuition fees.
Basis for admission decision
Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.
The Civic Governance and Innovation certificate is two to three years in duration and is completed in a part-time capacity. Multiple course sections are offered throughout the year and scheduled during evenings and weekends to accommodate working professionals.
Location
All courses are offered online.
Program outline
Core courses: 18 credits
Course
Title
Credits
CIVI 200
Evidence-Based Decision Making
3
CIVI 202
Civic Governance in British Columbia and the Fraser Valley
3
CIVI 302
Changemaking in Local Government Systems
3
CIVI 311
How Cities Work
3
CIVI 312
Risk Tolerance and Capacity Building in Local Governance
3
CIVI 400
Capstone Project in Civic Governance and Innovation
3
Undergraduate continuance
Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or higher) must maintain an undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 to remain enrolled in Good Academic Standing at UFV.
Students in Good Academic Standing will have no registration limits placed on them. Failure to meet the minimum CGPA requirement will result in restrictions on registration and may eventually lead to academic suspension from undergraduate studies at UFV. Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation are limited to registering in 10 credits. For further details, see the Academic standing and undergraduate continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV’s Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).
Graduation requirements
To be eligible to graduate, students must successfully complete all six core courses.
Maximum length of time to complete program
Students must complete the program requirements within five years.
Contact Continuing Education at 604-851-6324, or 604-504-7441 local 6324, or toll-free (within Canada) 1-888-504-7441 local 4626, or continuingeducation@ufv.ca.
