Program Length
- 8 Months
Credential
- Certificate
Location Offered
- Online
Planning for the lands and waters
Are you interested in protecting Indigenous lands and waters for future generations? VIU's Professional Indigenous Lands Management Certificate program might be right for you.
With this online program, you can attend the six courses from anywhere. You will take all classes with the same group of people, allowing you to build a professional network with people who are also interested in planning for the lands and waters.
Indigenous lands management training options
The Professional Indigenous Lands Management Certificate can open three different options for you, depending on your academic and professional goals:
Partnership with NALMA
This certificate is offered in partnership with the National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association (NALMA). NALMA recognizes this certificate as Level 1 in their two-part certification.
Standalone certificate
Complete the Professional Indigenous Lands Management Certificate as a standalone VIU certificate.
Embedded in a VIU degree
You can take this certificate as electives in your undergraduate degree program.
If you enter this program through sponsorship from the Federal government or another agency, you must meet all other requirements of that organization or agency.
What can I do with the Professional Indigenous Lands Management Certificate?
With this certification, you can pursue work on issues relating to lands, waters, sustainability and the interconnections of life.
- lands manager
- resource coordinator
- referrals coordinator
- lands and waters protection careers
- community planner
- environmental planner
About the Professional Indigenous Lands Management program
In this program you gain technical, cultural and leadership skills to help you manage Indigenous lands and waters from a perspective of sustainability and long-term planning.
This is a two-semester, seven-month program. Through six courses, you'll build a strong foundation in:
- lands planning and planning practice
- community design and engagement
- sustainability and management practices
In this program, you learn how to:
- develop land use plans that incorporate local traditional knowledge and cultural values
- support sustainable development initiatives
- advance environmental conservation and resource management projects
Sign up for more information
Courses and Concentrations
| Fall Semester | Credits |
|---|---|
| ILMC 100 - (Community and Indigenous Lands Planning) | 3 |
| ILMC 110 - (Indigenous Planning Practice) | 3 |
| ILMC 120 - (Indigenous Site Planning and Community Design) | 3 |
| Semester Total | 9 |
| Spring Semester | Credits |
|---|---|
| ILMC 130 - (Community Engagement for Indigenous Lands Managers) | 3 |
| ILMC 140 - (Sustainability & Management Practices for Indigenous Lands) | 3 |
| ILMC 150* - (Major Project) | 3 |
| Semester Total | 9 |
*This course may be taken in any semester.
Admission Information
Students completing this certificate concurrent with and embedded within a VIU degree or diploma do not need to apply to this program. They should let their degree or diploma advisor, program coordinator, or the Registration Centre know of their intention.
Notes on Admission
- Preference will be given to sponsored students who will ladder this certificate into the NALMA Program Level II Technical Training. To qualify, you must submit proof of sponsorship to the Admissions Office within two weeks of the application deadline.
- Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
Program Regulations
Students must hold English 12 or equivalent to be admitted into the program.
Students must achieve a minimum of a "C" grade in any individual course in order to register for the next course.
Students must achieve a minimum of a "C" grade in any individual course to qualify for the completed certificate.
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (18 credits x $427.27 per credit) | 7,690.86 |
| Lab Fee ($165.61 per course x 6 courses) | 993.66 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $20.37 per month) | 162.96 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.49 per month) | 179.92 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $28.87 per month) | 230.96 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Total | 9,543.36 |
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
Domestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | Online | ||
|
Application Fee:
$46.06
Accepting Late Applications:
No
Admissions Officer:
Name: Nic Ismirnioglou Phone: 250.740.6400 Email: Nicolas.Ismirnioglou@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Pam Shaw Email: Pam.Shaw@viu.ca
Document Deadline:
August 15, 2025.
Comments:
The first qualified applicants to the Professional Indigenous Lands Management program will be the first offered admission. |
|||
Beyond the Professional Indigenous Lands Management Certificate
After you've completed this training, you can apply to the National Aboriginal Lands Manager Association (NALMA) to register in NALMA's Level II Technical Training