Want to become a career development practitioner? Already working in the field, and want to upgrade your skills? Programs exist at post-secondary institutions across the country.
Please note that some courses that normally are offered in person may have shifted online due to COVID-19. This article was originally published in November 2018 and last updated in April 2022.
Yukon
Yukon University – Community Education and Employment Support
Built in collaboration with Yukon’s 14 First Nations, this unique, culturally relevant program will prepare graduates to effectively function in front-line education and employment support roles. The program consists of 10, three-credit courses. The first course is offered face-to-face, while all other courses may be accessed through a combination of online and blended delivery options to allow students to access the program from their communities. This program does not appear to be currently accepting applicants, but those interested can contact the program administrator.
British Columbia
Douglas College – Career Development Practice Certificate Program
This part-time program is available entirely online in an asynchronous learning format. Program admission is available throughout the year, and you may start the program at any time, with any course. The Ethics and Theories courses in the CDP program meet the minimum education requirements for certification as a Certified Career Development Professional by the BC Career Development Association.
Life Strategies – Career Management Professional Program (CMPP)
This online program is designed to meet the professional development needs of career/employment counsellors, career practitioners, human resource management professionals, counsellors, rehabilitation professionals and practitioners in related fields. For those interested in completing a full certificate, Life Strategies offers a 10-course specialization option providing 200 hours of foundational training needed to work in a wide variety of roles and settings within the career development sector.
Simon Fraser University – Career Development Practitioner Certificate: Employment Services
This 14-week intensive program includes 10 focused courses and workshops on a variety of essential career topics. It is a full-time program, with classes held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday. This program is recognized by the BC Career Development Association and can prepare students for designation as a Certified Career Development Practitioner.
Alberta
University of Calgary – Certificate in Career Development and Academic Advising
This 200-hour, online certificate is intended for practitioners working with career, employment or immigration agencies, and academic/student services staff in secondary or post-secondary institutions. Students will gain theoretical foundations, as well as communication and helping skills to facilitate, motivate and work successfully with a diverse population
University of Calgary – Certificate in Adult Learning specializing in Career and Academic Advising
All students must choose one of four specializations: Adult and Community Education, Career and Academic Advising, e-Learning or Workplace Learning. Students will choose optional courses to complete the 300-hour requirement.
Manitoba
Winnipeg Transition Centre – Career/Employment Coach Certificate (CECC)
CECC is a joint program between the Winnipeg Transition Centre (WTC) and the University of Winnipeg Professional, Applied & Continuing Education. The CECC Program comprises four two-day workshops. This program will benefit people already in the field looking to enhance their knowledge, as well as people transitioning into the employment coach field.
Ontario
Conestoga College – Career Development Professional
This one-year graduate certificate program provides training to enter and/or advance in the field of career development such as career and employment advisors, career resource specialists, job developers or career management professionals. This online program is also available part-time. Graduation from the program provides the full academic component and partial fulfillment of work experience hours for certification by the Career Development Practitioners’ Certification Board of Ontario (CDPCBO).
Fanshawe College – Career Development Practitioner
This part-time graduate program, delivered fully online, is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills and values of individuals who are engaged in career development work. Students will have the opportunity in the program to designate a mentor, who will mentor them through the hands-on experience of the program.
George Brown College – Career Development Practitioner Program
This one-year post-diploma certificate program provides training to enter and/or advance in the field of career development. Graduation provides the full academic component and partial fulfillment of work-experience hours for certification by the Career Development Practitioners’ Certification Board of Ontario (CDPCBO). The program includes a practicum component in the third semester.
Mohawk College – Career Consultant Certificate
This program will interest individuals with experience in career development who wish to enhance their skills, and those in human service areas wishing to add these competencies to their employment profile. Those working in education, human resources, social services, career information centres, recruitment firms, employment agencies, rehabilitation and multicultural settings may find this program valuable. Continuing Education students usually complete this program in two to four years.
Quebec
Certificate in Employability and Career Development in Indigenous Context (Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue)
The certificate in employability and career development in Indigenous context will meet the professional and personal needs of participants by allowing them to develop knowledge related to employability, career development, helping relationship in a job counselling context and ethics in an Indigenous context. This program was not accepting applicants at the time of publication.
Nova Scotia
Dalhousie University – Certificate of Professional and Leadership Studies in Career Development
This certificate is available to both new and experienced practitioners, and equips them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage effective employment services for a wide range of clients. Courses can be taken individually or as part of a six-course certificate, which includes: Career Transition Management; Theories, Models and Strategies of Career Development; Career Decision-Making; Supporting Career Searches; and Workplace Diversity and Inclusion.
National
Career Professionals of Canada – Career Development Practitioner (CDP) Certificate Program
CPC’s fully facilitated online format is ideal for adult learners who would like an intensive program that can be completed within short time frame. The distance education format is a combination of videos, reading, quizzes, online discussions, reflection exercises, small projects and final homework assignments. Courses are aligned to the Canadian Standards and Guidelines for Career Development Practitioners and the Career Development Practitioners (CDP) Competency Framework.
Did we miss something? Leave a comment below or send us a note at careerwise@ceric.ca if you have information that can help make our article even better. Read more about Uptown Aces here.
