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Certificate in Social Innovation

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  • Program requirements
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Social innovation is what enables communities to solve the problems they face by mobilizing their own resources.

Designed both for entry-level students and for professionals wishing to explore social innovation, this program provides a strong foundation in this ever-changing field.

The program is structured according to the principle that the relationship between theory and practice should be reinforced. It teaches the basics of the main analytical frameworks and takes a concrete approach to organizational and collective action techniques.

A certificate is an independent undergraduate program comprising 30 credits, leading to a diploma, or undergraduate certificate, approved by the Senate.

Do not hesitate to contact an Academic Advisor to obtain more information.

Pending approval of funding by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.

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:

 

Apply through 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.

 Apply Now

 

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, Class 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.

Contact Us

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

Notice to gmail address holders, be sure to check your junk mailbox regularly, as due to your server's firewalls our email response to your application may end up there.

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

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Please leave your documents in the mailbox in front of room 148 when our offices are closed.





Information for future students

Saint Paul University

223 Main Street
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1S 1C4

maps

Toll free
1.800.637.6859


613-236-1393

613-782-3005

info@ustpaul.ca

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