Certificate in Non-Governmental Organizations and Nonprofit Studies

at Kwantlen Polytechnic University - Richmond Campus Canada

The Associate Degree in Philosophy at KPU is designed to foster the development of general critical reasoning and writing skills. Students pursuing the Associate Degree will experience a learning environment that is supportive and challenging. They will receive a solid introduction to the critical reasoning, writing, and problem-solving skills required for successful careers in any area.

The Certificate in NGO (Non-Governmental Organizations) and Nonprofit Studies at KPU is unique to this region, and is distinct from other nonprofit management programs in that it offers the following:

• 30-credit program available directly out of high school
• Program structure that bridges the Faculty of Arts, the School of Business, and the Faculty of Science and Horticulture
• Broad inclusion of local human rights, environmental, and advocacy organizations in B.C.'s Lower Mainland

Rather than developing an exclusive overseas / development focus, our program recognizes the depth of learning that can take place right here in greater Vancouver. This sector has been steadily growing for more than fifty years, at times outpacing the growth of Canada's economy as a whole. KPU identifies with the innovation characteristic of this sector, and is eager to move a new generation of learners into work in this area.

The educational experience is designed to address the NACC (Nonprofit Academic Centers Council) Curricular Guidelines for Undergraduate Study in Nonprofit Leadership, the Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy (2007), and prepares students for voluntary and entry-level work at nonprofit organizations and NGOs. Students will acquire practical and up-to-date skills, including an introduction to Imagine Canada's Standards Program, Canada Revenue Agency guidelines for the nonprofit sector, and the following skills and methods:

1. Skill sets: Marketing, minute-taking, database work, presenting, blogging, reporting, academic research and writing, literature reviews, fundraising principles
2. Methods: Participant-observation, qualitative methods, interviewing, cross-cultural understanding, face-to-face field methods, mapping, critical analysis, ethics and advocacy

There are a wide range of jobs in the nonprofit sector in Canada and the U.S., with salaries varying greatly depending on skills, experience, and region. These organizations serve a broad mandate, addressing humanitarian issues, environmental problems, human rights issues, development efforts, and the problems experienced by marginalized populations. There is an increasing move towards professionalization in this area, and KPU's targeted introduction to disciplines in the Faculty of Arts, the School of Business, and the Faculty of Science and Horticulture ensures that graduates have covered comparative perspectives on civil society, voluntary action and philanthropy, as well as key aspects of financial management and accountability.

The BSc. Major in Physics for Modern Technology will give students a solid background in physics and also in the applications of physics to modern technology. Physics is a major driving force behind the development of new technology, and in turn, new technologies allow scientists to push forward the boundaries of knowledge. The relationship is symbiotic, so this program is aimed at those who have an interest both in fundamental science and in the practical application of that science in an industrial and/or laboratory setting. As well as studying physics, students will gain technical skills that are highly relevant to work that is going on in local industry.

In the Associate of Arts Degree in History you will be introduced to the discipline and will be prepared for further study, either in History, or in other areas. By completing the Associate of Arts degree you will gain a broader understanding of the world in which you live and will become a more informed and engaged citizen. You can focus on a particular geographic region; however, we recommend that you complete as broad a range of courses as possible.

The Associate of Arts degree can be used as an entry pathway into the Bachelor of Arts Degree in History; however, you should note that the BA only requires six credits of History at the first year level and six credits of History at the second year level.
History courses are reading and writing intensive. It is therefore strongly recommended that you complete the English requirements of your degree within your first two semesters.

You have an eye for style, and a head for business. We have a two-year diploma program that combines both. Immerse yourself in photo shoots, buying plans and fashion events where you'll make industry connections that last long after you leave. Everything you learn will let you jump into careers in Buying, Merchandising, Branding, Forecasting, Styling, Public Relations, Event Planning and Sales, or continue your studies into Kwantlen's Bachelor of Business Administration Degree Program (BBA).

You have a passion for communication and connecting with people, and a desire to make a positive impact on society. In our two-year, hands-on diploma program, you will learn the theory and practice of public relations, and will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully manage relationships on behalf of businesses and other organizations through the use of creative and strategic communication.

Upon graduation, you will be prepared for careers in PR and communications, social media, publicity, media and influencer relations, public affairs, organizational communications, special events and fundraising, or continuing your studies in a Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program at KPU.

The PR Diploma curriculum is carefully aligned with the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management’s Global Capabilities Framework and Global Body of Knowledge, and was developed in consultation with an advisory committee consisting of senior PR and communication practitioners from industry, government and the nonprofit sector.

Co-operative Education
The Public Relations diploma is offered with a Co-operative Education option. Co-operative Education gives a student the opportunity to apply the skills gained during academic study in paid, practical work experience semesters. Students can complete two work semesters while completing their diploma. Work semesters alternate with academic study.

Students wishing to enter and participate in the Co-op Option must meet the following requirements:

• Declaration and Entrance Requirements
• Currently admitted to the Diploma in Public Relations program.
• Good Academic Standing
• Maximum of 30 credits completed

The one-year General Business Studies Certificate Program is designed to provide students with a broad range of fundamental business skills and an understanding of the business environment. Many classes are offered in the evening to accommodate part-time students.  The Certificate program requires completion of 10 courses and emphasizes real world business applications in key functional areas.

Students may select their elective courses according to the following guidelines for specialization in Business Management or Marketing and have the specialization documented on their transcript.

Courses in the certificate program may also be applied towards the Business Management Diploma program at KPU.

The Bachelor of Arts, Major in English program focuses on the diverse literatures of the English-speaking world, including the full range of British, Canadian, and American literary traditions, diasporic literature and literature in translation, oral and written Indigenous narratives, and classic and contemporary film. This degree will allow students to develop the knowledge, core competencies, and skills characteristic of a traditional Bachelor of Arts program, while preparing them to respond critically and creatively to a wide range of issues and challenges in our community and in society in general. In addition to critical reading, writing and thinking skills, students who complete a Bachelor of Arts in English will be prepared for entry into the labour market through the incorporation of essential employability skills into all of our courses. They will also benefit from the expertise and the commitment to teaching excellence of our faculty, as well as from the small class sizes that characterize undergraduate study at KPU. Arts degrees have high levels of student satisfaction, and the literacy and analytical skills developed in such programs will prepare students to become constructive members of society and to fit well into the workplace.

Concentration in English at the Associate level is an excellent foundation for a variety of careers and further studies. Those who wish to pursue a B.A. Major or Minor in English are encouraged to take a variety of English courses within an Associate of Arts degree.

Transfer to a Bachelor of Arts Program:-
Students who complete the Associate of Arts degree in English are eligible for admission to KPU's Bachelor of Arts, Major or Minor in English programs, as well as to KPU's Bachelor of Arts programs in other areas, as long as other third year entry requirements are met.
Students who receive an Associate of Arts degree in English from KPU will also have appropriate course coverage to be eligible to enter the English Major program at any other university in British Columbia. (UBC has additional requirements that students will need to complete, and UVic strongly recommends that students also have reading knowledge of a second language; however, direct entry is available into the B.A. English programs at most other institutions, including SFU.)

The Bachelor of Arts, Major in Applied Geography is a unique, four-year Human Geography degree with an emphasis on the urban setting of human activity. The program is distinguished by the scope and sequencing of its skills development coursework. Required skills courses include those in qualitative methods, quantitative methods, geographic thought, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and research design.

These skills-development courses are woven into a lively and relevant topical curriculum featuring introductory lab-science courses in: physical geography; introductory and advanced human geography; economic, social, political, and urban geography; options for focused study of a variety of regions; and courses in natural hazards and environmental geography. Having established a foundation of information-handling skills early in the program, students are equipped to apply their knowledge to service and research projects incorporated into their third and fourth year courses.

Graduates who complete the Bachelor of Arts, Major in Applied Geography program are able to comprehensively understand a range of contemporary urban issues and problems, and possess the practical skills to address them. They are engaged citizens, well-positioned for employment in occupations requiring knowledgeable people capable of working with diverse types of information, or for further, graduate study in Geography and related fields.