Certificate in Social Innovation

Program description

This program, which combines management and the social sciences, helps you discover new ways of solving social problems, such as poverty, discrimination and the climate crisis.

In this program you will gain a deeper understanding of these deep-rooted problems, as well as the related systems and institutions. You will also explore models of organizations and social enterprise that can help to mobilize your community to bring about positive and sustainable change.

Throughout the program, you will have the opportunity to develop practical skills, including budgeting, strategic planning, project management and citizen engagement. Whether you are launching your own social innovation project or doing an internship in an existing organization, you can apply your knowledge in a concrete and practical way.

An innovative pedagogical approach

Practicing what it preaches, the Élisabeth-Bruyère School of Social Innovation offers a one-of-a-kind education model featuring intensive teaching blocks for mandatory courses.

Instead of attending weekly classes for different courses throughout a semester, you will take one course at a time for three weeks before moving on to the next one. This approach allows for more consistency between courses and more field-trips. It also allows you to focus on one subject at a time.

Mauril-Bélanger Social Innovation Workshop

All students in social innovation are members of the Mauril-Bélanger Social Innovation Workshop, also known as the Atelier. The Atelier is a centre for training and collaboration for people and organizations that want to have a positive impact on the community.

As part of the Élisabeth-Bruyère School of Social Innovation, the Atelier serves as a dynamic hub that cultivates innovative projects, social entrepreneurship and social innovation research. As part of the first year of your program, you will be supported by the Atelier as you work on social innovation projects in partnership with community groups.

Internships

This program includes at least one hands-on experience in the field. This experience can be done within an existing organization — in Canada or abroad — or it can involve starting a project.

Who should apply?

Engaged individuals who would like to build or work in organizations that change the world.

Career opportunities

Founder of a social enterprise or cooperative
Team coordinator in the public or private sector
Head of an NGO or foundation
Project manager in international cooperation
Leader for member engagement in a union, feminist, environmental or antiracist context

Admission details

Registration: for fall and full-time only
Program length: 8 trimesters, or 4 years
Program delivery: on campus
Language: this program is also offered in French.

For more details, please click here.

Scholarship possibilities

Students in this program are eligible for the Special School of Social Innovation scholarship, which offers $4,000 for the first year of studies.

Students who are registered in this program may be eligible for other scholarships. For more information, please click here.

This degree is offered jointly with the University of Ottawa.

DUFORT Philippe, Associate Professor
DURAND FOLCO Jonathan, Assistant Professor
MORALES HUDON Anahi, Assistant Professor
STAMBOULI Jamel, Assistant Professor
TREMBLAY-PEPIN Simon, Assistant Professor
WILSON Amanda, Assistant Professor

Applications: A step-by-step guide

STEP 1: Choose a program of study
STEP 2: Learn about admission requirements
STEP 3: Submit your application
STEP 4: Gather the documents needed for the assessment of your application
STEP 5: Assessment of your application
STEP 6: Accept your offer of admission
STEP 7: Choose your courses

STEP 1: CHOOSE A PROGRAM OF STUDY

Undergraduate programs:

STEP 2: LEARN ABOUT ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Ontario applicants

From secondary school
Have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with at least six 4U or 4M level courses, including one 4U level course in English or français.

From Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology (CAAT)

After one year of studies
You are eligible if you have completed one year of a college program and have obtained the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with one language course (English or français) at the college or 4U level.
After a two- or three-year program
If you have completed a two- or three-year college program, you can obtain up to 30 credits of advanced standing (transfer credits).

Our transfer agreements
Saint Paul University has developed a number of transfer agreements with colleges, allowing applicants to receive up to 30 equivalency credits. Find out more by consulting the tab entitled College Credit Transfer.

Quebec applicants

From secondary school
Have a Secondary School Diploma with an average of 84%, including one course in English or français at the Secondary V level.

From Cégep
Have completed 12 courses of general studies (not including physical education and refresher courses), including English (603) or français (601). Applicants who have successfully completed 12 courses of general studies may obtain up to 15 credits of advanced standing, and those who have successfully completed more than 12 courses of general studies may obtain up to 30 credits of advanced standing.

Applicants from the Atlantic and Western provinces

Have a Secondary School Diploma, including one course in English or français at the Grade 12 level.

Applicants from other universities

Applications from other Canadian or international universities will be assessed based on the applicant’s previous secondary and post-secondary studies. University equivalency credits may be granted depending on the studies completed and the program into which the person is admitted.

International applicants

Have a diploma attesting to 12 years of education equivalent to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Persons who have completed a secondary diploma attesting to 13 years of education, such as the Baccalauréat de l’enseignement secondaire français, can receive up to 30 credits of advanced standing.

Mature applicants

When the applicant’s academic record does not meet normal conditions for admission, it is possible to apply as a mature applicant, provided that the person has not been enrolled in full-time studies for at least two consecutive years. In order to be considered for admission, applicants must have experience that can be considered sufficient preparation for pursuing undergraduate studies.

STEP 3: SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

You have two options

OPTION 1

If you are applying for admission to an undergraduate program at more than one Ontario university, including Saint Paul University:

Complete the application form available at the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Because Saint Paul University is federated with the University of Ottawa, you will find programs offered by Saint Paul University listed under the University of Ottawa.

OPTION 2

If you are applying for an undergraduate program at Saint Paul University only, or if you are applying for a master’s or doctoral program:

Complete the following form.

STEP 4: GATHER THE DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF YOUR APPLICATION

In order for us to assess your application, you must submit official transcripts for all of your previous studies (secondary, college and university). These transcripts must be sent directly from your academic institution to the following address:

Saint Paul University
Office of Admissions and Student Services
223 Main Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 1C4
CANADA

However, to expedite the assessment process for your application, you can scan your documents and e-mail them to the Office of Admissions at admission@ustpaul.ca and then send your official documents through the mail.

STEP 5: ASSESSMENT OF YOUR APPLICATION

Once the Office of Admissions receives all the required documents, it will begin to assess your application. One of the following decisions will be sent to you at the email address you gave us, as well as to your postal address.

Possible decisions

Offer of admission
The Office of Admissions will send you an offer of admission (unconditional).
Conditional offer of admission
The Office of Admissions will make you a conditional offer of admission, with specific conditions that you must meet by a certain deadline. You can still proceed to registration (course selection).
Deferred decision
The Office of Admissions can inform you that some information is missing and therefore the University is unable to make a decision regarding your eligibility. If applicable, the Office will tell you which documents to send and by what date.
Refusal
The Office of Admissions will inform you of the reasons for the refusal.

STEP 6: ACCEPT YOUR OFFER OF ADMISSION

To accept an offer of admission and a scholarship offer, if applicable, you must sign the form entitled Admission acceptance form that accompanies your offer of admission and send it to Saint Paul University by email, before the deadline, to the following address admission@ustpaul.ca or mail it to:

Saint Paul University
Office of Admissions and Student Services
223 Main Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 1C4
CANADA

STEP 7: CHOOSE YOUR COURSES

With your offer of admission, you will receive all the information you will need to choose your courses. You will also receive the contact information for our academic advisors; you can meet with them one on one or during information sessions for guidance and to help you finalize your course selection.

Compulsory Courses: 24 credits

INS2101 Introduction to Social Innovation
INS2102 Theories of Social Justice
INS2103 Critical Thinking and Social Movements
INS2104 Democracy and Civic Engagement
INS2105 Social and Solidarity Economy
INS2106 Management, Administration and Social Innovation
INS3101 Self-Management in Organizations
INS3102 Practical Seminar I: Introduction to Action Research

Optional Courses: 6 credits

6 credits from:

INS3103 Capitalism, Classes and Inequalities
INS3104 Labor Movements
ECS2192 Inequality, Conflict and Social Justice
ECS2124 Local and Community Responses to Conflict
ISC2301 Communication and Organizations
ISC2328 Communication Plan

With the approval of the School of Social Innovation, students may also choose optional courses from among those offered by the School of International Development and Global Studies in order to add an international perspective to their studies.

ECS 2124 - Local and Community Responses to Conflict

Conflict is always experienced at a community level, whether its source is local or international. This course identifies and examines the many different ways in which local or community level actors respond to the causes and effects of violent and non-violent conflict in their midst.

ECS 2192 - Inequality, Conflict and Social Justice

This course consists of two components: (1) the examination of the variable linkages between inequality (economic, social, political), injustice, and violent conflict; and (2) the examination of efforts to create environments characterized by equality, equity, justice and peace.

INS 2101 - Introduction to Social Innovation

Social innovation basics, methodological foundation to study the field and best practices.

INS 2102 - Social Justice and Critical Thinking

Main contemporary theories of social justice (liberal, critical, catholic, etc.) and issues related to redistribution, recognition, capabilities and accessibility.

INS 2103 - Social Movements

Analyzing social situations through the lens of concepts developed by the most important schools of critical thinking and the approaches in social movement studies.

INS 2104 - Democracy and Civic Engagement

Fundamentals of democracy, participation and representative government needed to understand and move beyond the framework in which they are embedded within Western societies.

Students having completed the course DVM4154 Global Studies, Citizenship and Development will be credited for this course.

INS 2105 - Social and Solidarity Economy

Overview of social and solidarity economy through a survey of the field’s main texts and its most important initiatives.

Students having completed the course DVM4150 Social Economy and Local Development in Developing Countries will be credited for this course.

INS 2106 - Management, Administration and Social Innovation

Basics of management and administration necessary for the proper functioning of a social organization.

Students having completed the courses ADM1100 Introduction to Business Management will be credited for this course.

INS 3101 - Self-Management in Organizations

Structures, bodies, and modes of operation within democratic organizations.

INS 3102 - Practical Seminar: Introduction to Action Research

Basic introduction to action research through getting involved in an organization and/or implementing a project, critically reflecting on the experience.

INS 3103 - Capitalism, Classes and Inequalities

Theoretical foundations of Marxist analysis, key concepts and contemporary debates, in particular, current economic and technological changes.

INS 3104 - Labor Movements

Analysis of the trajectory and dynamics of social movements focused on issues of class and socioeconomic inequality.

ISC 2301 - Communication and Organizations

Definition of an organization. Usual approaches to communication within the organizations: functionalist, strategic, critical, and cultural. The change management issue. Impact of technology.

ISC 2328 - Communication Plan

Definition of campaign, objectives, target audience, channel, public environment, etc. Planning of strategic communications. Development of a communication plan; evaluation processes. Project management.

Office of the Associate Vice-Rector, Strategic Enrolment Management
Room 148
Saint Paul University
223 Main Street
Ottawa, ON
K1S 1C4
CANADA

Telephone: 613-236-1393
Fax: 613-782-3014
admission@ustpaul.ca

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