Certificate in Non-Governmental Organizations and Nonprofit Studies

Description

The Certificate in NGO (Non-Governmental Organizations) and Nonprofit Studies at KPU is unique to this region. It 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

Our program recognizes the depth of learning that can take place right here in greater Vancouver. Graduates from our program use their experience and knowledge to work for nonprofit organizations, businesses, and social enterprises both in Canada and around the world. 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). It prepares students for 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, reporting, academic research and writing, literature reviews, fundraising principles, social return on investment analysis, grant writing
  2. Methods: Participant-observation, qualitative methods, interviewing, cross-cultural understanding, face-to-face field methods, mapping, critical analysis, ethics and advocacy

Nonprofit organizations and NGOs serve a broad mandate, providing understanding and solutions to humanitarian issues, environmental problems, human rights, 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.

Faculty's website: kpu.ca/arts

Department's website: kpu.ca/arts/ngo

Admission Requirements

The Faculty's Admission Requirements, which consist of KPU's undergraduate English Proficiency Requirement, apply to this program.

Curricular Requirements

Students must complete a total of 30 credits as described below:

ANTH 1100Social & Cultural Anthropology3
ANTH 2190Non-Governmental Organizations in Context3
ANTH 3190Non-Governmental Organizations in Practice3
CMNS 1140Introduction to Professional Communication3
or ENGL 1100 Introduction to University Writing
Business
Select at least six credits, with no more than one course from each group:6
Group A
Introductory Financial Accounting I
Accounting Essentials for Non-Business Students
Not-For-Profit Management and Financial Reporting
Group B
Fundamentals of Business in Canada
Group C
Essentials of Management
Organizational Behaviour
Human Resources Management I
Values, Rationality, and Power: Developing Wise Organizational Action
Business Law
International Business
Group D
Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Macroeconomics
Money and Banking
Globalization in an Economic Framework
Group E
Advanced Organizational Behaviour
Group F
Recruitment & Selection
Organizational Development
Group G
Introduction to Marketing
Small Business Start-up
Fundamentals of Strategic Marketing Management
Marketing Analytics and Information Management
Group H
Introduction to Public Relations
Methods and Ethics
Select at least six credits, with no more than one course from each group:6
Group A
Ethnographic Research Methods and Ethics
Group B
Negotiation Skills
Group C
Foundations of Communication Studies
Visual Literacy
Media Ethics and Law
Social Media, New Technology, and Society
Group D
Theories of Counselling
Career Counselling and Career Education
Cultural Considerations in Counselling
Group E
Methods of Research in Criminology
Interpersonal and Professional Development in Criminology
Issues in Conflict Resolution
Group F
Post University Transition
Group G
Advanced Professional Business Communications
Business Analysis and Decision Making
Group H
The Urban Environment
Group I
Qualitative Methods in Geography
Quantitative Methods in Geography
Introduction to GIS
Group J
Intercultural Engagement in Practice
Group K
People Learning & Development
Group L
Creativity and Leadership in Groups
Interdisciplinary Expressive Arts 2
Group M
Introduction to Journalism
Citizen Journalism
Storytelling: Writing for Journalism
Multimedia Storytelling
Photojournalism
Podcasting and Audio Storytelling
Data Visualization
Social Issues Journalism
Group N
Integrated Marketing Communications Management
Group O
A course in PHIL at the 3000 level or higher
Group P
A course in POST at the 1100 level or higher
Group Q
Research Methods in Psychology I
Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Attitudes and Persuasion
Group Dynamics
Program Evaluation
Group R
A course in PRLN at the 1100 level or higher
Group S
Research Methods in Sociology
Qualitative Research Methods
Quantitative Research Methods
Group T
Arts Practicum
Group U (6-credit courses)
Ethnographic Field Studies
Interdisciplinary Amazon Field School
Inside-Out Prison Exchange
Service Learning in Criminology and Justice
Practicum in Psychology
Sociological Aspects of Community Service
Global Community Service
Perspectives
Select at least six credits, with no more than one course from each group:6
Group A
Sustainable Agriculture for the 21st Century
Foundations in Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable Human Economy
Group B
Cross-Cultural Women’s and Gender Studies
Indigenous Peoples in British Columbia
Indigenous Peoples in Canada
Culture and the Environment
Environmental Activism
Group C
Organized Crime
Restorative Justice
Indigenous Peoples and Justice
Group D
The Vancouver Design Experience
Group E
Environmental Economics
Group F
Social Justice and Diversity in Education
Group G
Environmental Issues
Environment and Society
Group H
Human Geography
The City
Economic Geography
Society and Urban Space
Urban Planning and Politics
Environment and Resources
Group I
Introduction to Indigenous Studies
Indigenous Activism
Group J
A course in PHIL at the 3000 level or higher
Group K
A course in POLI at the 1100 level or higher
Group L
A course in POST at the 1100 level or higher
Group M
Psychology of Genocide
Group N
Introduction to Society: Processes and Structures
Social Justice in the Global and Local Contexts
Group O
Arts Practicum
Group P (6-credit courses)
Design Thinking: Food System connectivity in Design, Business and Agriculture
Ethnographic Field Studies
Interdisciplinary Amazon Field School
Inside-Out Prison Exchange
Service Learning in Criminology and Justice
Practicum in Psychology
Sociological Aspects of Community Service
Global Community Service
Total Credits30

Credential Awarded

Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to receive a Certificate in Non-Governmental Organizations and Nonprofit Studies.

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