10 Community Development Degree Programs in Canada

UTP Stage II: Recreation Management and Community Development Program is equivalent to the first year of the Bachelor of Recreation Management and Community Development degree program at UM. This program provides you with practical experience in community development, sport and event management, sustainable tourism and environmental management, and social and cultural development.

Do you want to build the skills and methods that will let you lead in a community-based approach? The community development program at Acadia builds the foundation of leadership. We provide you with the core qualities you will need to pursue your passions. These could be social justice, environmental issues, community sustainability, and more. We focus first on critical thinking. Then we show you how to put strategic plans into action to make a difference.

The Aboriginal Community Economic Development program provides a first year certificate with an option of taking a second year diploma. As NVIT's ACED program fulfills the 16 competencies of the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers' (CANDO) technician status, upon completion of the 2nd year, students have the option to apply for technician status with CANDO.

The Bachelor of Early Learning and Community Development (Honours) program prepares you to work with children and families in both the community development and educational sectors and provides you with a variety of transferable skills. There is an increasing awareness of the importance of early learning in our society. Similarly, there is an ongoing need to develop and support early learning opportunities for children and their families within a variety of settings.

Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies examines the economic, social and political forces that serve to marginalize people. During the course of your studies, much of your learning will occur while actively working on problems in class and through practical supervised field education. You’ll learn to design, deliver and evaluate community-based support services and how to form alliances that promote full participation in the community.

Do you want to design and shape the world around you? Consider the Master of Community Planning degree at Vancouver Island University. Community planners play a huge role in the development of neighbourhoods, towns, cities and regions. An urban planner can also help shape a community’s response to a range of emerging issues such as climate change; and economic issues such as tourism by creating a sustainable city also known as ecocity.

SIIT shares the priorities of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) in terms of building capacity for self-determined services at the community level. SIITs vision for the IPW&HM program is to facilitate current or future Indigenous community public works and housing managers who wish to build upon their knowledge and abilities and earn a certification from SIIT.

The Community Support Worker (CSW) Associate Certificate is an option available only to experienced, employed learners. Eligible students take six Education Assistant & Community Support Worker (EACSW) courses to receive their CSW Associate Certificate and they then have the opportunity to ladder into the EACSW regular certificate program if they choose to continue their education.

Community and justice services professionals often work with clients who find themselves at a crossroads. They work within the justice system – focusing on keeping people out of it through prevention, intervention and rehabilitation. Help build stronger, safer communities by helping people at risk gain the skills and support they need to make positive life choices.

If you’re currently a manager working in First Nations housing, or want to expand your career in this fast-paced, challenging field, VIU’s fully online First Nations Housing Manager program can help you develop the skills to make a difference. Navigate the steep learning curve that often results from taking on responsibility for management of a First Nations community’s housing program with this three-month certificate program comprised of six courses delivered online.