Credential
- Certificate
The Democratic Leadership Certificate Program
The Democratic Leadership Certificate (DLC) is designed for aspiring political and community leaders. We welcome everyone who has leadership aspirations - all those who want to make a positive difference in their communities. We welcome those who are interested in leadership in any capacity: those who want to become leaders themselves, and anyone interested in studying, teaching, or writing about leadership. You might be seeking elected office. Or you may aspire to lead or start an advocacy organizing, or occupy leadership positions in the public service. You may be a teacher who is looking for new knowledge and skills to give to your students. You may be curious and testing the waters. You may be experienced and looking for new opportunities. Everyone is welcome.
The Democratic Leadership Certificate can be pursued as a stand-alone credential or as part of an undergraduate degree program. Students will have opportunities to pursue experiential learning activities. Resources to support student activities will be made available through the endowment of the Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership at VIU. The DLC will help students develop the professional networks they will need to thrive in public life.
Students who complete the DLC may pursue careers in elected office. Or they may seek leadership positions in government agencies, community organizations, non-governmental organizations, or political parties. Students who complete undergraduate degrees alongside their DLC credential will be well positioned to enter graduate programs in leadership or related fields.
Foundation Courses (3 Courses)
At least one Foundation course must be an Introduction to Politics, either POLI 100 or POLI 151.
Introduction to Politics
- POLI 100 - (An Introduction to Power, Politics and the Public Interest)
- POLI 151 - (Law and Politics in Canada)
Canadian Politics
- POLI 221 - (Canadian Politics and Society)
- POLI 222 - (Governance and Public Policy in Canada)
- POLI 323 - (Canadian Political Parties)
- POLI 370 - (Canadian Provincial and Territorial Politics)
- POLI 224 - (Canadian Constitution: History, Development and Leading Cases)
Core Democratic Leadership Courses (3 courses)
- POLI 267 - (Democratic Leadership)
Select two of the following:
- POLI 262 - (Representing: How to be a Representative)
- POLI 394 - (Selected Topics in Leadership)
- POLI 345 - (Democratic Theory and Practice)
- POLI 363 - (Anti-Democratic Thought and Leadership)
- POLI 302 - (Global Emergencies, Humanitarianism and Leadership)
Electives (4 courses)
Choose 4 courses. Electives must be approved by the Chair of the Certificate program.
Embedded certificate option: Students completing this embedded certificate concurrently with a VIU degree or diploma do not need to apply directly to this program. They should let their program advisor, or the Registration Centre know of their intention.
Stand-alone certificate option: General admission requirements apply.
Notes on Admission
Some of the courses listed in the program outline have prerequisites.
Additional Core Democratic Leadership courses may be available at the other Jarislowsky Network universities. Students interested in these opportunities should speak with their Program Advisor about course suitability and obtaining a Letter of Permission to attend another institution as a visiting student.
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Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.