As a career development practitioner or academic advisor, providing information, advice and guidance to help individuals navigate transitions in education, work and life-balance is vibrant and rewarding work. This certificate is intended for practitioners working with career, employment, or immigration agencies, and academic/student services staff in secondary or post-secondary institutions.
You will gain theoretical foundations, communication and helping skills to facilitate, motivate and work successfully with a diverse population. Specialization courses will allow you to focus your studies on the area(s) of personal interest and relevance based on the context and clientele you work with. Optional courses from the professional management, adult learning, marketing and other related fields will provide further opportunities for development of professional and interpersonal skills.
New and aspiring advisors, or those looking for more in-depth knowledge and skills in facilitating learning and creating/administering programs for adult learners, would be better served to take the 300-hour Certificate in Adult Learning specializing in Career and Academic Advising.
This certificate aligns with the education criteria for the Certified Career Development (CCDP) designation.
This program is perfect if you...
- Work, or aspire to work, as a student advisor in an academic setting, an employment/career counsellor, or an advisor working with newcomers to Canada
- Are pursuing the CCDP designation
- Enjoy online learning
What will I get?
Students who complete this program will receive a Professional Certificate.
Program details
Online
Courses in this program are delivered online. 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
200 Hours
All Continuing Education programs are developed with part-time learners in mind. The Certificate in Career Development and Academic Advising is a 200-hour program.
The length of time it takes to complete this program varies by student. If you take one course per term, you will likely complete the program in two years. You will complete the program faster if you take multiple courses per term.
$3,754 to $3,878
The approximate cost to complete the Certificate in Career Development and Academic Advising is $3,754 to $3,878.
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 60 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 100 hours for this program.
On completion of this program, you may wish to pursue studies in another.
Upon completing the Certificate in Career Development and Academic Advising, up to 150 hours of equivalent courses may be transferred towards the Certificate in Adult Learning specializing in Career and Academic Advising.
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.
Career Development Association of Alberta (CDAA)
The Certificate in Career Development and Academic Advising is recognized by the CDAA (Career Development Association of Alberta) for the CCDP (Certified Career Development Professional) designation. Please visit www.careerdevelopment.ab.ca for more information.
British Columbia Career Development Association (BCCDA) and
Career Development Practitioner Certification Board of Ontario (CDPCBO)
We are also an approved educational provider for courses on ethics and career development theories for the Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP) designation. The courses ADL 221 Ethics for Career Development Professionals and ADL 210 Career Development Foundations are approved by the British Columbia Career Development Foundation (BCCDA) and Career Development Practitioner Certification Board of Ontario (CDPCBO).
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:
- Continuing Education Endowment Award
- Continuing Education Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Entrance Awards
- Continuing Education Indigenous Entrance Awards
- Culbert Family Award for Philanthropy
- Esmail and Safana Bharwani Award
- Esmail and Safana Bharwani Entrance Awards
- Red Rose Award for Personal Development
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).