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UBC Certificate in Aboriginal Health and Community Administration
Part-TimeDeveloped in consultation with Aboriginal communities by the UBC Institute for Aboriginal Health and UBC Continuing Studies, this award-winning certificate program is designed to help Aboriginal communities increase their capacity to deliver services, coordinate programs and promote the health of their people. The program expands its focus beyond health delivery to include environmental and other community health concerns.
The UBC Certificate in Aboriginal Health and Community Administration (AHCAP) is a ten-month program consisting of five residency weekends at UBC (usually once every two months) with online assignments and discussions completed in between by students from their home communities. The program's format features peer learning through online discussions to develop team-building skills, shared learning opportunities and a supportive environment. The instructors are Aboriginal health professionals with extensive experience working in the field.
Open sections below to view program information or contact program staff at 604.822.1466 or email.
The AHCAP program addresses labour market needs by providing health and community administration training in the health and social services field, which is BC's second biggest service sector employer. The certificate program provides students with skills and knowledge specifically focused on the needs of the 273 Bands, First Nations and Tribal councils, as well as over 140 health centres, friendship centres and Aboriginal health service organizations in the province. AHCAP also provides students with skills and knowledge needed in urban Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health and other programs and organizations. AHCAP will enhance the employability skills of Aboriginal learners by providing them with the most current knowledge in the field.
Program Format
The program is interdisciplinary and focuses on the Aboriginal community. The curriculum is delivered via in-person instruction and in-class interaction (50%) and online content and discussion (50%). In-class sessions for the first four residencies takes place from Thursday to Saturday at UBC Point Grey campus (Vancouver) approximately every second month (see schedule p. 16 of the program handbook). The last residency takes place Friday to Sunday at the end of the program. Courses include approximately eight weeks of online and individual work including readings, discussions, and assignments.
Courses in the program feature peer learning and are discussion-based. During the online sessions, students respond to assigned questions by posting to an online discussion board. Everyone has access to everyone else’s postings. Students’ responses to each other and to the instructor are the basis of weekly discussions.
Everyone’s participation in these discussions affects the learning of everyone else. Posting on time and engaging with other people’s work every week is key to one’s success and to the richness of the course for others. Students require access to the Internet course site for the duration of the course.
The program can be completed in one year as outlined in the program schedule in the program handbook (see below). It is hoped that the flexible mixed-mode delivery will facilitate the participation of Aboriginal community members by minimizing the length of time they need to be at UBC, away from their families and jobs. If through unplanned circumstances a student cannot complete the entire program, s/he may apply the following year to complete the modules needed to qualify for the AHCAP certificate.
Program Fees
Tuition for the fall 2013 program is $4,500 plus a $250 materials fee.
Program Schedule
Please download the program schedule 
for key program dates. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view the pdf document. Download the free reader. If you would prefer to receive the handbook in the mail, contact us by email with your complete name and full mailing address.
AHCAP is focused on the field of health and community administration. The curriculum also includes: communication and leadership; Aboriginal history related to health services; Aboriginal community and human resource development models; and Information Technology (IT) applications and how technological change can be incorporated into the delivery of effective Aboriginal Health and Community Administration.
The following courses comprise the AHCAP certificate. All course modules provide opportunities to practise critical thinking as well as develop oral, written, and electronic communication skills for organizational and interpersonal settings. The order in which courses are offered is subject to change.
Course Objective:
To prepare current and future Aboriginal health and community administrators to be effective in their role and in their communities.
Modules:
- Leadership Module includes conflict resolution, change management, motivating staff, managing meetings, and problem-solving techniques.
- Written Communications Module includes proposal/grant writing, report writing, medical terminology, health care forms, promotion and public relations, and effective electronic communications.
- Oral communications includes developing and delivering effective presentations.
Course Objective:
To acquire the ability to effectively apply administration knowledge, skills and resources to manage programs and services in Aboriginal communities.
Modules:
This course is composed of modules for acquiring knowledge of processes in traditional community administration and contemporary health administration.
- Financial Management Module includes information on how to apply knowledge of Aboriginal health legislation, policy and funding structures to current accountability issues in Aboriginal communities and the student‟s own community.
- Human Resources Module includes roles and responsibilities (organizational and accountability structure), stakeholder relations, and negotiations (e.g., labour relations, health-related contracts).
- Community Environmental Management Module includes community resources (e.g., disaster response, health).
- Community Development Module includes program planning and needs assessments.
Course Objective:
Students learn to analyze current policies, legislation and programs with a view to the government and traditional and legal environment of health and community administration. Students also learn how to assess and apply research to improve health and community administration.
Modules:
This course is composed of modules for acquiring knowledge of processes in traditional community protocols and contemporary health and research policies.
- Canada Health Act Module includes review and analysis of existing health policies and programs specifically relating to Aboriginal health and community administration.
- Research Opportunities in Aboriginal Communities Module addresses issues around utilization of research and intellectual property rights.
- Health Data Module includes confidentiality issues, the usefulness of precise data ethics in information sharing and legal issues.
Course Objective:
Students learn to assess appropriate use of information technology systems for the effective administration of health care in Aboriginal communities.
Modules:
This course is composed of modules for acquiring knowledge of the dynamic environment of electronic health records management.
Ethical and Legal Issues in Health Management Module includes the Freedom of Information Act.
- Applied Information Management Technology Module includes health information systems and liability.
- Introduction to IT (Information Technology) Applications Module (note: training in IT software programs is not part of the AHCAP curriculum).
- Information Literacy Module offers development in the ability to locate, evaluate and use information to become independent life-long learners.
Course Objective:
Students learn the relationship of Aboriginal history to the health of individuals and their communities. Students learn strategies for effective administration of appropriate health care in Aboriginal communities with regard to models of traditional health systems and current medical approaches.
Modules:
This course is composed of modules for acquiring knowledge of traditional and contemporary health systems.
- Traditional Health Systems Module includes processes for defining community-specific traditional health systems.
- Current Traditional and Contemporary Health Systems includes application of models and health care systems for effective delivery of health care in Aboriginal communities.
- Aboriginal History and Health Module includes an overview of issues in Aboriginal Health Administration.
This program also includes a practicum component which may entail:
- On-site visits to identified Aboriginal health and community administration offices at an Aboriginal facility or organization.
- Mentoring by Aboriginal organizations and/or communities with trained administrators.
- Speakers and assignments that reflect actual administrative duties and requirements for record keeping of a health administrator.
Before applying to this program you must read and understand the terms and conditions in the program handbook . Please download and read the handbook carefully as it contains important information about the program and its policies.
You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view the pdf document. Download the free reader. If you would prefer to receive the handbook in the mail, contact us by email with your complete name and full mailing address.
The courses in the program are taught by Aboriginal educators and professionals working in the field who bring their education, community and work experience into the classroom.
The Aboriginal Health and Community Administration program has a formal admissions procedure which ensures quality education and student support services. The admissions process also helps to ensure that the needs, intentions and expectations of participants are adequately matched to the program's objectives and capabilities. Admission to the program may be limited by the availability of courses, facilities and instructors.
In addition to completing the application form thoroughly, applicants should also provide a resumé documenting educational achievements and relevant work or volunteer experience to support their application.
Evaluation of Applications
The admissions committee evaluates applications based on the following criteria:
- compatibility of applicant's intent with current program goals and objectives
- suitability of previous education and work experience
- probability of benefit to an Aboriginal community.
Once applications have been reviewed, applicants will be notified by email and by mail regarding acceptance in the program.
Admission Requirements
To accommodate learners from a variety of backgrounds, the admission requirements for the Aboriginal Health and Community Administration Program are fairly broad. However, all applicants should have the following:
- graduation from Grade 12 (or equivalent)
- Internet access (including an email address) and the ability to do basic word processing
- experience in an Aboriginal health care program or facility or experience working in an Aboriginal community.
It is also recommended that applicants have the ability to work as part of a team.
UBC Continuing Studies strongly suggests that students have the following technology and expertise in order to keep up with the program and complete projects and assignments from their computer:
- familiarity with basic Internet applications (email and web browser)
- a recent version of Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari or other web browser.
Note: On the first weekend of the program, participants will be shown how to access the online portion of this program. Lessons on software skills are not part of this program. Students should be able to do word processing, send email messages, and manage attachments to do the online portions of the course.
Application Deadline
Applicants should apply at least eight weeks in advance of the program start date.
Application Process
Applicants should read and thoroughly understand the program handbook (see the Handbook section on this webpage) before applying to the program.
Complete the online application form or use the form located at the end of the program handbook (see the Handbook section on this webpage) and then send it:
By Mail:
UBC Certificate in Aboriginal Health and Community Administration
Institute for Aboriginal Health
The University of British Columbia
422-2194 Health Sciences Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
Canada
By Fax: 604.822.6612 (Attention: Kerrie Charnley)
Applicants who send their application by regular mail or fax should include their résumé.
To discuss eligibility, prior experience and program relevance, please contact us.
Featured
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UBC Certificate in Aboriginal Health and Community Administration
Program Award of Excellence winner from the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education (CAUCE). -
Applications now being accepted for the September 2013 program. See the "How to Apply" tab.
A program collaboration of:
