Industry and Careers
Specially designed in consultation with community practitioners who work in the field, this certificate helps students to develop or enhance their career in a wide variety of areas within the community engagement and services sector.
This certificate can lead to career paths in various roles. Here are some examples:
- Community educator
- Community outreach coordinator
- Housing support worker
- Labour organizer, leader, or union steward
- Manager of a hospital or other health institution
- Occupational therapist
- Physiotherapist
- Program manager for a non-governmental organization (NGO)
- Relief harm reduction worker
- School board community relations consultant
- Social housing manager
- Social worker
Who Should Take This Certificate?
- Undergraduate, and recently graduated students in fields including: social work, child and youth care, early childhood studies, nursing, midwifery, public health, urban and regional planning, political science, education, and healthcare
- Individuals who wish to pursue a career serving and interacting with community services related to development, health, housing, municipal government, and charitable and non-governmental programs
- Experienced community workers seeking to further enhance their education, skill set, and career opportunities
What Will You Learn?
This certificate is comprehensive in its teachings of community engagement and the related challenges, providing learners with a well-rounded understanding of both theory in the classroom and practice in the community. After completing this certificate, you will be able to do the following:
- Enact and support active citizen participation in community and civic affairs
- Engage excluded groups to improve the well-being of neighbourhoods and organizations
- Assess and understand the demographics of an area
- Guide community outreach and engagement initiatives
- Develop and support the implementation of an engagement plan with diverse communities
- Advocate, conduct research, and evaluate community programs
Certificate Requirements
- 4 required course
- 2 electives
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 1.67+
Admission Criteria
Recommended:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent
- With 6 Grade 12 U or M credits
OR
- Mature student status with relevant work experience
Awards and Financial Aid
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there financial support available for this certificate?
Yes. This certificate is eligible for OSAP funding. Please visit Toronto Metropolitan University's Student Financial Assistance website for more information. The Chang School also offers merit-based awards and need-based financial aid.
How much does the certificate cost?
Registration in the certificate is free. Enrolment fees vary by course, so it is best to check individual course descriptions for details. This certificate requires six courses in total.
What does the capstone course involve?
CSWP 937 - Community Engagement Capstone will provide you with an opportunity to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills you acquired through your previous courses. Individually or in small groups, and with course instructor approval, you will select a project that reflects your own personal or professional interests. For example, you might develop a presentation based on the analysis of a set of real-life scenarios or the analysis of a community issue or situation from your own professional life.
Note: You are encouraged to contact the Academic Coordinator, Jennifer Ajandi, at jajandi@torontomu.ca to plan your capstone enrolment well in advance of the term during which you plan to take this course.
How many courses should I take each semester?
You are welcome to take as many courses as you feel you can fit into your schedule. As a general guideline, in addition to your classroom time, you should expect to spend three to five additional hours per week on course work. This will vary from week to week and will depend on your learning style. For online courses, you should plan to spend an average of six to eight hours per week reading, participating in discussions, and completing assignments.
Note: In general, OSAP considers a full-time course load to be three courses per term and a part-time course load to be two courses per term.
How long do I have to complete the certificate from the time I register?
To graduate, you must complete certificate requirements within four years from the time you were first admitted into the certificate program. You must register in the certificate program before completing 50 percent of the requirements for the certificate. If some time lapses between taking courses during the four years, your student number and ID may become inactive. Please contact Jennifer Ajandi at jajandi@torontomu.ca if you need to reactivate your account.
Can I review the course outlines before I enrol?
Many of our course description pages include sample course outlines. See course descriptions for details.
Is the entire certificate available online?
Yes. The four required courses and many electives are available online, allowing you to complete the entire certificate through online courses (some electives are also available in classroom format). The Chang School provides a mini tutorial to assist students in preparing for online courses.
Visit our Online Learning support website for more information about what to expect from online courses.
What can I expect from online courses?
Our online courses use a learning program called D2L Brightspace. When you enrol in an online course, you’ll receive information on how to access your course site. Each week, course content is posted to the site, along with required readings and exercises. Reading material and activities may also be included within the course modules themselves. We also include discussion questions to which all learners are expected to respond – this happens online through a dedicated “discussion area” on the site. You’ll also submit your assignments using D2L Brightspace. One of the advantages of online learning is flexibility, allowing you to fit course work into your busy schedule.
Visit our Online Learning support website for more information.
Can I complete an undergraduate degree at Toronto Metropolitan University at the same time I am completing the certificate?
Yes, it is possible, but we encourage you to evaluate your own workload. The Certificate in Community Engagement, Leadership, and Development does not have any restrictions for students enrolled in Toronto Metropolitan University degree programs.
Visit Undergraduate Students for more information about policies and restrictions.
Contact Us
Questions? Contact Client Services.
Email: ce@torontomu.ca