University Certificate, Counselling Women
The University Certificate, Counselling Women applies contemporary feminist theory to the practice of counselling. The program develops basic counselling skills with a particular emphasis on acquiring crisis intervention skills.
The program is ideal for professionals and volunteers—crisis workers, social workers, family life educators, adult educators, nurses, teachers, and vocational counsellors—who will acquire the skills to help women solve specific and everyday problems.
The elective courses can consist of СÓÅÊÓƵ courses and approved courses from other institutions. The certificate can be transferred to other programs at СÓÅÊÓƵ and other universities if the courses fit the requirements at the receiving institution. Students who are planning to complete the certificate in one year (based on a full-time Student Finance study plan) should first discuss their plan with the Program Coordinator.
Planning your program
Our can assist you in selecting the courses needed to fulfill your program requirements.
Counselling Services offers an assessment website, .
СÓÅÊÓƵ has also developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.
Program requirements
Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.
The following general regulations apply to all certificate programs.
University certificate programs provide interim qualifications in specific subject areas. СÓÅÊÓƵ has developed individual program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.
- Fifty per cent* of the total credits required must be completed through СÓÅÊÓƵ. Up to 50 per cent of the required credits may be transferred from another post-secondary institution.
* Some certificate programs require less than 50 per cent, e.g., University Certificate, Counselling Women. - University certificate credentials are awarded throughout the year. Students must submit an Application for Graduation Form to the Office of the Registrar (see Graduation).
- Students with less than 50 per cent of coursework completed in their current СÓÅÊÓƵ degree program may withdraw from their degree and apply into a university certificate program. Credit will be awarded (from the previous incomplete degree program) to the extent permissible under the applicable program regulations in effect at the time of the change of credential.
- Students with 50 per cent of coursework completed in their current СÓÅÊÓƵ degree program are encouraged to consult with a student advisor before changing programs.
- Students who change their program of study from an СÓÅÊÓƵ degree program to a university certificate program forfeit their standing in the degree program. If students wish to return to the degree program (after being enrolled in the university certificate program) they will be required to meet the degree requirements in effect at the time of re-enrolment (see Changing Programs) to the degree.
- Students who have completed a previous credential (degree, certificate, or diploma) from СÓÅÊÓƵ or another institution must complete a minimum of 50 per cent of the credits in course work not previously used towards any credential.
Students who have a previous credential in the same subject area as the certificate cannot enrol in the certificate.
- Students who have completed the former University Certificate, Labour Relations or the University Certificate, Labour Studies may not enrol in the University Certificate, Human Resources and Labour Relations.
Program structure
| Total credits in the program | 30 |
| Required credits | 21 |
| Elective credits | 9 |
| Residency requirement. A minimum of 6 credits must be obtained through СÓÅÊÓƵ | 6 |
| Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) credits | 15 |
Required courses
(21 credits)
Electives
(Select 9 credits from the following)
Alternative courses not listed below may be acceptable with permission of the program coordinator.
| Any senior (300/400) level WGST course | |
| Any senior level (300/400) level PSYC course | |
| ENGL 255 – Introductory Composition | (3) |
| ENGL 307 – Women in Literature | (3) |
| ENGL 308 – Indigenous Literature in Canada | (3) |
| SOCI 378/CMNS 385 – Rebel With a Cause: Social Movements in History and Popular Culture | (3) |
| INST 358 – Aboriginal Women in Canada | (3) |
| POEC 395 – Political Economy of Development: People, Processes, and Policies | (3) |
| POLI 350 – Women in Canadian Politics | (3) |
| CMNS 419 – Digital Storytelling | (3) |
| INST 420 – Indigenous Resistance | (3) |
Updated June 27, 2025 by Office of the Registrar