How to pursue Graduate Certificate programs in Canada?

Graduate Certificate programs in Canada

How to pursue Graduate Certificate programs in Canada?

Graduate certificate programs are short-term graduate programs that can typically be completed within a year. But some programs like Health services and Law might take around 2 years to complete. These programs aid in extending the skills acquired in the undergraduate degree and provide the credential to work in an industrial setup. The Graduate Certificate programs in Canada can be attended through full-time, part-time, or hybrid modes of learning. Compared to a Master’s degree, the added advantage of the Graduate Certificate program is the shorter program length and low course fee, while preparing you to commence a career. Normally, a minimum average of 15 credits are required to complete the Graduate Certificate program in Canada.

Most universities in Canada offer Graduate Certificate programs in full-time or part-time mode whereas, some community colleges such as the Ontario College, Fanshawe College, Seneca college, etc. offer the Graduate Certificate program credential via online and distance education. Graduate Certificate programs in Canada are available in the areas of Accounting, Arts, Business, Finance, Administration, Marketing, Education, Social Science, Energy, Environmental Science, Engineering & Technology, Law, Health & Medical, Media, Logistics, etc.

The admission requirements for the Graduate Certificate programs in Canada are as follows.

  • A Bachelor’s degree or a three-year diploma from any recognized university.
  • Work experience is optional for some programs where you have not fulfilled the educational qualification.
  • University-specific English language requirements are to be satisfied.
  • GMAT or GRE scores are not required for admission.

Universities offering Graduate Certificate programs in Canada


The following are the list of universities and the corresponding Graduate Certificate courses available in Canada.

  1. University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, Saskatchewan : The Graduate Certificate programs offered in this university can be completed in one year.
  2. University of Victoria Victoria, British Columbia
  3. Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s, Newfoundland – Graduate Cerificate in Quality management : This program consists of 4 courses.
  4. University of New Brunswick Fredericton, New Brunswick
  5. University of Regina Regina, Saskatchewan
  6. University of Winnipeg Winnipeg, Manitoba
  7. University of Northern British Columbia Prince George, British Columbia – Graduate Certificate in Education : This course offers specializations in Leading for Learning and Special Education.
  8. Thompson Rivers University Kamloops, British Columbia – Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies : 9 credits are required for the completion of this program.
  9. Trent University Peterborough, Ontario
  10. Royal Roads University Victoria, British Columbia : The graduate Certificate programs in this university is offered via blended mode of learning.
  11. Simon Fraser University Burnaby, Canada
  12. Vancouver Island University Nanaimo, British Columbia – Graduate Certificate in Business : This is a one year program.
  13. Capilano University North Vancouver, British Columbia – International Management Graduate Certificate : This program can be completed in 4 months.
  14. Kwantlen Polytechnic University Surrey, British Columbia – Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems and Security
  15. University of the Fraser Valley Abbotsford, British Columbia – Graduate Certificate in Migration and Citizenship : This program can be completed within 8 months.
  16. Seneca College Toronto, Ontario : Graduate Certificate programs are available in the areas of Aviation, Business, Creative Arts, Animation & Design, Education, Community & Social Services, Engineering Technology, Hospitality & Tourism, Information Technology, Law, Administration & Public Safety, Media & Communications, Science.
  17. George Brown College Toronto, Ontario : Graduate Certificate programs are available in the areas of Arts, Design & Information Technology, Business, Construction & Engineering Technologies, Health Sciences, Hospitality & Culinary arts.
  18. Sheridan College Oakville, Ontario : Graduate Certificate programs are available in the areas of Animation, Arts & Design, Applied Health & Community Studies, Applied Science & Technology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Business.
  19. Niagara College Welland, Ontario : The following are the International Graduate Certificate programs by this university. Other Graduate Certificate programs are also available.
  20. Durham College Oshawa, Ontario : Graduate Certificate programs are available in the areas of Business, Office Administration Children, Youth, Counselling Community, Wellness Computers, Web, Internet Construction, Trades, Mechanical Creative, Design, Gaming Culinary, Hospitality, Tourism Engineering, Technology, Automotive Foundations, Upgrading, Pathways General Arts And Science Health, Wellness Horticulture, Farming Law, Court, Emergency Media, Communications Science, Energy, Environment Sports, Fitness, Recreation.
  21. Fanshawe College London, Ontario : Graduate Certificate programs available in the areas of Agriculture, Animal & Related Practices, Arts & Culture, Business, Finance & Administration, Communication & Languages, Computers & Telecommunications, Culinary, Hospitality, Recreation & Tourism, Education, Community & Social Services, Energy, Environmental & Natural Resources, Engineering & Technology, Fire, Justice & Security, Health, Food & Medical, Media, Professions & Trades, Transportation & Logistics.
  22. North Island College Vancouver Island, British Columbia – DIGITAL Design + Development Post Graduate Certificate : This course can be completed in 1 to 1.5 years.
  23. Georgian College Barrie, Ontario : Graduate Certificates in various fields of specializations can be completed within 2 years.
  24. Cambrian College Sudbury, Ontario : Graduate Certificate programs are available in the areas of Business and Information Technology, Community Service, Health Sciences, Law and Justice, Safety and Environmental Studies.
  25. Conestoga College Kitchener, Ontario : Graduate Certificate programs are available in the areas of Applied Computer Science & IT, Apprenticeship, Business, Community Services, Creative Industries, Culinary Arts, Engineering & Technology, Food Processing, Health & Life Sciences, Hospitality, Interdisciplinary Studies, Second Career Eligible, Trades, Workforce Development.
  26. Saskatchewan Polytechnic Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
  27. St. Lawrence College Brockville, Ontario : All the Graduate Certificate programs in this university can be completed in 1 year, except for the Business Analytics course which can be completed in 4 months.
  28. Confederation College Thunder Bay, Ontario
  29. St. Clair College Windsor, Ontario
  30. Parkland College Yorkton, Saskatchewan – Post Graduate Certificate in Global Business Management
  31. Canadore College North Bay, Ontario : All the Graduate Certificate courses in this college can be completed in 1 year.
  32. British Columbia Institute of Technology British Columbia, Canada
  33. What to do after Graduate Certificate programs in Canada?


    • If you have any plan to do a Master’s degree in the future, the course works you have done as part of the Graduate Certificate programs count towards your Master’s degree.
    • Some Graduate Certificate programs offer internships as well.
    • Since the Graduate Certificate program equips students with the industry-specific skills and hands-on practical training required for the job, you can opt to work after the program.



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