Do you want your interaction with your students and clients to be a meaningful one? Do you want your teaching and facilitating to be delivered in a positive learning community and be understood by diverse audiences in an engaging way? Do you want a transformational experience that will change both the way you learn and how others learn? If so, we have four relevant and interactive professional development opportunities available right now. Whether you are upgrading qualifications or developing new skills, the Certificate in Adult Learning will help you bring your career to the next level by exploring the history, theory, and numerous practical and technological applications of adult learning and its related career paths.
All students must choose one of four specializations:
- Adult Learning specializing in Adult and Community Education
- Adult Learning specializing in Career and Academic Advising
- Adult Learning specializing in e-Learning
- Adult Learning specializing in Workplace Learning
Specialization in Career and Academic Advising
As a career development professional or academic advisor, providing information, advice and guidance to help individuals navigate transitions in education, work and life-balance is vibrant and rewarding work. The specialization in Career and Academic Advising is intended for individuals working in career development with career, employment, or immigration agencies, as well as advisors in academic secondary or post-secondary institutions. In this program, students gain the foundations, communication and assessment skills needed to facilitate, motivate and work successfully with a diverse population.
This specialization can also be completed as a 200-hour certificate, designed to meet the needs of individuals who already have a solid foundation in adult learning and are looking to expand their expertise.
This program is perfect if you...
- Work, or aspire to work, in the field of adult learning
- Enjoy online learning
- Seek a solid foundation of knowledge that can lead to positions such as a student, career, or immigration advisor
What will I get?
Students who complete this program will receive a Professional Certificate.
Program details
Online
This certificate is offered completely online with the exception of the optional courses ADL 139 Train the Trainer. Courses are scheduled at convenient times, allowing you to complete the program at a pace that fits your life.
You should plan on studying and working approximately 6 hours per week per course.
Online learning fits into busy schedules by taking the learning experience out of the traditional classroom. Students have online access to instructors, fellow learners, and learning materials.
Before taking your first online course, we recommended taking our free course: Digital Skills for Learning Online
300 Hours
All Continuing Education programs are developed with part-time learners in mind. The Certificate in Adult Learning specializing in Career and Academic Advising is a 300-hour program.
The length of time it takes to complete this program varies by student. If you take one or two courses per term, you will likely complete the program in 2 to 3 years. You will complete the program faster if you take multiple courses per term.
Students new to the field of adult learning are recommended to take ADL 106 Adults as Learners as the first course in the program.
$5,076 to $5,525
The approximate cost to complete the Certificate in Adult Learning specializing in Career and Academic Advising is $5,076 to $5,525.
This includes the $105 admission fee.
You do not require a degree or diploma to apply for admission to this program. You can take individual courses to start, and apply later.
The admission fee is $105.
To apply, you must meet the following requirements:
- 18 years of age or older
- Grade 12 diploma (recommended)
- Relevant work experience (recommended)
- If English is not your first language, you must meet the English language proficiency requirements
Programs change from time to time, so we recommend that you apply for admission as early as possible. Once admitted, your requirements to complete the program will not change – even if the program changes. You can be confident that completed and eligible courses will apply to your program.
Apply for AdmissionPrior learning from other post-secondary institutions
Advanced standing may be granted for equivalent, graded courses completed at other post-secondary institutions. Credit may be granted up to a maximum of 100 hours towards this program.
Apply for Advanced StandingTransferring credit from other Continuing Education programs
If you have completed requirements for another University of Calgary Continuing Education program, you may be able to transfer some credits to this program. For details, please review the "Credit towards other programs" information in the programs you have completed. To transfer credits, please contact a student advisor.
Maximum advanced standing and transferred credit
The combined total of advanced standing and transferred credits cannot exceed 150 hours for this program.
On completion of this program, you may wish to pursue studies in another.
Upon completing the Certificate in Adult Learning specializing in Career and Academic Advising, up to 150 hours of equivalent courses may be transferred towards Adult Learning specializing in Adult and Community Education, e-Learning, or Workplace Learning. The number of hours will vary based on certificate requirements and courses.
If you wish to pursue another program:
- Complete the Application for Admission for your next program
- Contact us to request transfer of the equivalent course credits
The transfer of course credits will not happen without your request.
If a student is able to satisfy admission requirements to the UCalgary Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science, or Faculty of Kinesiology, this program plus 100 hours of additional specified courses can be applied to a Degree Minor in Workplace Learning for the equivalent of one year towards an undergraduate degree.
The The Institute for Performance and Learning (IPL) (formerly Canadian Society for Training and Development (CSTD)), Canada's leading association of workplace learning professionals, sets the standards for training and development in Canada.
The Institute for Performance and Learning recognizes that the CAL program addresses the competency categories for the training and development industry outlined in IPL's Training Competency Architecture (TCA). Students enrolled in this program are eligible for IPL student membership, and graduates are given a credit of one year towards the work experience requirement of the Certified Training and Development Professional (CTDP) designation. For more information visit www.performanceandlearning.ca
The Certificate in Adult Learning with specialization in Career and Academic Advising is recognized by the CDAA (Career Development Association of Alberta) for CCDP (Certified Career Development Professional) designation. Please visit www.careerdevelopment.ab.ca for more information. Note that ADL 213 Ethics for Professional Practice (30 hours) should be taken as one of your optional courses to fulfil the educational requirements.
This certificate program is recognized by the BCCDA (British Columbia Career Development Association) for CCDP designation. Please visit bccda.org/ccdp-certification/
The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) approves this program for 300 hours of CEU pre-accreditation.
Each year, scholarships and awards are given to deserving students not only for their academic achievement, but also for community involvement. Award sponsors include both corporate and private donors.
To apply, you must meet eligibility criteria and submission deadlines. Students in this program may be eligible for the following awards:
It is the student's responsibility to ensure all requirements for graduation are fulfilled.
See Graduation for details.
This program does not qualify students to apply for an international study permit.
International students who wish to live and work in Canada should consider our International Professional Programs.
Get a 5% discount
Receive a discount of 5% per course by registering for three or more courses at the same time.
Register online or by calling 403-220-2866 or 1-866-220-4992. Some restrictions may apply (i.e., all courses must take place within the current academic year).