Frequently Asked Questions & Cohort Policies
How long is each course?
Each course involves two full days of classroom instruction and also:
• Pre-course readings and in most cases a short assignment
• Identification of a local situation that relates to the course topic
• A post-course assignment
How do I earn the Certificate?
The Certificate requires the completion of the eight courses and assignments.
Can I complete the Certificate in one year?
Yes, the certificate can be completed in nine months. Cohorts should complete the program requirements within two years.
Where can I take the program in 2011 – 2012?
• Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia
What is the deadline to apply?
Deadline has been extended to August 1, 2011.
What if I only want to take one course?
We welcome students who are interested in taking a single course, however cohort students are given priority registration. Courses completed may be counted towards the Certificate.
Is financial assistance available?
Yes! To ensure employees and volunteers of non-profits and community-based organizations can access quality professional development, the Canadian CED Network, Coast Capital Savings and the Vancity Community Foundation created a bursary program providing $1000 bursaries to ten community leaders per year.
Please visit our bursary page for more information.
How many students are accepted each year?
A maximum of twenty students are accepted into the cohort each year.
Course cancellations and transfers
• Cancellations received in writing 28 days before a course start date will result in a 90% refund
• Cancellations received in writing less than 28 days before a course start date will result in a 50% refund.
• In exceptional circumstances, course tuition fees may be transferred to another course for a $50 transfer fee.
Is the program offered through distance education?
No. Community Economic Development fosters progressive social and economic change. As such, our instructors intentionally model participatory, democratic approaches that don’t translate well to online formats or self-directed study.
However, we have developed a regional delivery model for bringing the program to you. We have presented the program in partnership with over a dozen different organizations and Colleges across Canada and internationally.
We can offer the program in your region, to groups of fifteen to twenty students, in-person, via videoconference (in some cases), or a combination of both.
Please contact Nicole Chaland at certced@sfu.ca to discuss this option.
How do I register?
If you are interested in taking a single course and have not been admitted into the program, please contact Nicole Chaland at certced <at> sfu <dot> ca to inquire about registration.
What course materials and textbooks are required?
Toward Sustainable Communities: Resources for Citizens and their Governments|By Mark Roseland. Foreword by Jeb Brugmann|Paperback - 256 pages|ISBN-10 0865715351| Learn more about this book.
This required book should be read before coming to your first course.
Cohort Reader for Community Economic Development|
This collection of readings will be read over the course of the program. It includes required and optional readings for each course. The content includes guidebooks and periodicals and makes an excellent tool-kit for community economic development practitioners.
In 2009-2010 we reduced our paper use by distributing all course materials electronically. However, many of you love the tactile experience of paper and continue to use the materials for many years to come, so this year we are pleased to offer a hard copy of the reader for purchase.
To purchase a hard copy of the Cohort Reader for Community Economic Development, send an email request to certced <at> sfu <dot> ca by September 1, 2011.
Individual course materials and readings are distributed electronically, free of charge, two weeks prior to each course.
I love the new look, but what happened to the old program website?
Sometimes community economic developers are nostalgic. We took this photo for you.
