Certificate in Intercultural Studies (CIS)

Courses and Registration

A Certificate in Intercultural Studies is awarded after the completion of the one required course and four elective courses. Click on the course title for more information.

If you would like to register for all five courses at the same time please register by phone at 604-827-4203.

Important Notes:

Before you begin registering for courses in the CIS, you must first APPLY.

We strongly recommend taking only one course at a time if you are working or studying full time.

Please see our application page for information on cancellations and withdrawal policies.

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Required Course:

The following course is required for the Certificate of Intercultural Studies (CIS) and is a pre-requisite for all elective courses except Internationalizing Post-Secondary Institutions.

Important Note: you must APPLY before you register for courses in the certificate.

Strategies for Effective Intercultural Communication
40 hours: 7 weeks 100% online, or 2 days in class, 5 weeks online

As our workplaces and communities become increasingly diverse, intercultural competence is in growing demand.  Strategies for Effective Intercultural Communication is designed to help individuals build strong cultural awareness and communication skills to work more effectively in diverse cultural settings. Learn how culture affects communication, and how you can engage across differences with more ease and confidence. Find out how power imbalances can impact interactions and discover practical tools to reduce misunderstandings and strengthen inclusive practices.  Enhance your ability to encourage collaboration and help your organizations and communities leverage the many opportunities that diversity presents. This is a required course for UBC Chinese/English or Korean/English Certificate in Translation & Interpretation for Business.

100% Online seminar: Jan 12-Feb 24, 2012. Fee: $895. Earlybird discount: $845 for registrations received by Dec 22, 2011.

100% Online seminar: Apr 12-May 25, 2012. Fee: $895. Earlybird discount: $845 for registrations received by Mar 22, 2012.

100% Online seminar: Sept 6-Oct 19, 2012. Fee: $895. Earlybird discount: $845 for registrations received by Aug 16, 2012.

Register for Strategies for Effective Intercultural Communication

Session at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario
Face-to-face workshop Jun 11-12, 2012; Online seminar: Jun 13-Jul 6, 2012
Fee $895 + tax.

Fees are quoted in Canadian dollars.

Registration will open in January 2012. At that time, please register through Queen’s University at http://www.quic.queensu.ca/training/summerinstitutecoursesnew.asp

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Elective Courses:

Identity and Intergroup Relations
40 hours: 2 days in class, 5 weeks online

Who are we and how are we seen? Integrate intercultural and social justice perspectives to look critically at intergroup relations. Review identity development models and the relationship of culture, ethnicity and race to intercultural interactions. Consider the impact of systemic issues of power and privilege. Develop practical strategies for meaningful intergroup dialogue and engagement.

One of the required courses is a prerequisite for this course.

Attendance at the entire workshop is mandatory.

Next offered in 2013.

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Supporting International Assignments
40 hours: 7 weeks 100% online

What support do people need when they relocate? Cover the theory and practice of preparing people to be interculturally effective in their international assignments. Learn how to support people who are working, volunteering or studying abroad for a period of time, whether they are nationals preparing to leave home, or international sojourners coming to your organization/institution.

One of the required courses is a prerequisite for this course.

Attendance at the entire workshop is mandatory.

100% Online seminar: Oct 25-Dec 7, 2012.
Fee: $895. Earlybird discount: $845 for registrations received by Oct 4, 2012.

Fees are quoted in Canadian dollars.

Register for Supporting International Assignments

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Negotiating Across Cultures
40 hours: 2 days in class, 5 weeks online

What should I know about negotiating when I have to work across cultures? Examine how culture affects the preparation, decision-making and implementation stages of formal negotiations and analyze the range of approaches used in everyday informal intercultural exchanges. Explore your culture-based negotiation style and consider strategies used and preferred in other cultures.

One of the required courses is a prerequisite for this course.

Attendance at the entire workshop is mandatory.

Next offered in 2013.

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Building Multicultural Teams
40 hours: 8 weeks 100% online

Is everyone being heard? Examine the effect of culture on teams and organizational behaviour. Recognize cultural differences and explore ways of building on the strengths of team members. Enhance your skills in establishing, motivating and leading culturally diverse teams.

One of the required courses is a prerequisite for this course.

Attendance at the entire workshop is mandatory.

100% Online seminar: Mar 15 – May 4, 2012.
Fee: $895. Earlybird discount: $845 for registrations received by Feb 23, 2012.

All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars.

Register for Building Multicultural Teams

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Internationalizing Post-Secondary Institutions
40 hours: 7 weeks 100% Online

It's more than just planning orientations for the newcomers. Study the intercultural challenges faced by post-secondary organizations working to internationalize their campuses. Define the rationale, purpose and benefits of internationalization and assess the impact of a global community on your organization. Explore ways of establishing, building and maintaining successful international programs and systems.

Note: This course is designed for people working in higher education institutions.

100% Online seminar: Feb 6-Mar 23, 2012.
Fee: $895. Earlybird discount: $845 for registrations received by Jan 16, 2012.

Register for Internationalizing Post-Secondary Organizations

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Exchanging Knowledge Across Cultures
40 hours: 2 days in class, 5 weeks online

How can we learn from each other? Experts in all fields are being called upon to share their knowledge and provide training in a variety of contexts. Develop strategies to facilitate the exchange of knowledge between people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Analyze how cultural differences influence the ways information is exchanged and explore ways to adapt your program design and delivery to produce optimum learning opportunities.

One of the required courses is a prerequisite for this course.

Attendance at the entire workshop is mandatory.

Session at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario
Face-to-face workshop Jun 14-15, 2012; Online seminar: Jun 16-Jul 19, 2012
Fee $895 + tax.

Registration will open in January 2012. At that time, register through Queen's University at http://www.quic.queensu.ca/training/summerinstitutecoursesnew.asp

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Training for Intercultural and Diversity Trainers
40 hours: 5 days in class

Strengthen your training and facilitating skills to design and deliver intercultural and diversity workshops. This five-day workshop has been designed especially for UBC Certificate in Intercultural Studies participants and graduates who have prior training or facilitating experience. Practise how to assess the variety of needs in your group. Develop appropriate learning objectives and evaluation tools. Collect strategies for creating safety and curiosity around sensitive issues. Design and deliver dynamic, participant-centered sessions that engage and inspire learning.

Prerequisite: Foundations and Skills in Intercultural Communication or Strategies for Effective Intercultural Communication. Participants must have prior experience in facilitation or training.

Attendance at the entire course is mandatory.

Next course offering is in Vancouver, May 14 - 18, 2012.
Fee: $1495 includes two hours of follow-up coaching or support. All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars.

Register for Training for Intercultural Diversity Trainers

The curriculum is subject to change. All required and elective courses are subject to availability.

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