Simon Fraser University
ER-12: Sustainability Immersive Experience

The Certificate in Sustainable Community Development offers a sustainability-focused immersive experience. Students can take this program in addition to their degree or as part of their breadth courses.

The SCD certificate combines theory with practice. Certificate students gain a broad knowledge base while applying concepts and practices taught by top professionals in the field. Guest speakers, group work, problem solving and communication skill development are features of all SCD courses.

This program offers recognition to those who seek accreditation in community-based social and economic development. It offers a practical credential within an undergraduate degree with little or no extra cost. The SCD Certificate program offers a wide range of
theoretical and practicable approaches to alternate economic strategies and to ecologically sustainable communities, both rural and urban. This 19-credit hour program has been developed with the student’s need for cost and time effective accreditation in mind. Its four required SCD courses and four credit hours of pre-approved electives can be completed in two to three semesters, either in the classroom or entirely by distance education. For part-time study or in combination with a Bachelor’s program, this Certificate is also time effective. It can be completed in five semesters, one course at a time in sequence, by combining classroom and distance education options.

Students must complete a minimum of 19 credit hours of required courses and approved elective courses. They must attain a grade of at least C+ in each of SCD 201 and SCD 301 for continuance in the program. They must also maintain a CGPA of at least 2.5 over all SCD courses to obtain the Certificate. Required courses are: SCD 201-3, SCD 301-4, SCD 401-4, and SCD 403-4. The remaining 4 credit hours (minimum) are selected from a list of multidisciplinary or SCD elective courses.

The SFU SCD Certificate program can supplement any major and minor combination, offering a new perspective and practical enhancement to any degree.

The Certificate can be completed within an undergraduate degree at no extra cost because SCD courses can be used to meet both lower and upper breadth requirements for a degree.

SCD Students and Professionals work on projects like these:

* A well-run community theatre or museum that is a valued part of the local economy
* Fair trade with developing countries
* A car sharing co-operative that combines public and private transportation, and pays dividends, too
* A local currency that encourages community trading
* A community-owned, selectively-logged, sustainable forest
* Organic farmers’ markets in the heart of the city
* Aboriginal communities building their economies based on traditional values and ways
* A tourism industry that pays and houses youth well
* An ecologically-managed organic beef ranch
* A built community that takes care of its own energy generation and waste