Certificate in Decision Making for Climate Change
100% Online
The 100% online Certificate in Decision Making for Climate Change provides you with the knowledge and skills to make educated decisions for your organization and your community. Explore the causes and impacts of global warming; government policies and the economics of climate change; strategic planning to respond to and minimize climate change; and the financial, environmental and business aspects of mitigation efforts.
This program draws on the expertise and resources of four leading North American universities to provide you with the most up-to-date knowledge on climate change. It is a collaboration of the continuing and professional education units of the University of British Columbia, Northwestern University, the University of California, Irvine and the University of Washington. Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a joint Certificate in Decision Making for Climate Change* from the four partner universities.
Open sections below to view program information or contact program staff at 604.822.1420 or email.
This program provides you with the most up-to-date knowledge on climate change science, policy, adaptation planning and mitigation strategies. Delivered 100% online, you have the flexibility to learn and study when it is most convenient for you.
By taking this program, you gain the knowledge to:
- understand the concepts and terms surrounding climate change
- understand the factors influencing climate and the causes of global warming
- develop strategic plans to adapt to and minimize climate change
- analyze the financial, environmental and business aspects of minimization efforts
- examine and evaluate climate change policies.
A wide range of professionals will find this program valuable:
- sustainability managers, officers, coordinators, advocates, and consultants
- local, provincial/state, and federal government administrators
- environmental researchers, scientists, planners, and policy-makers
- individuals looking to expand their knowledge of climate science, policy, adaptation planning and mitigation strategy.
"This course did a fantastic job introducing me to the multi-disciplinary dimensions of climate change. The materials were presented in a very clear and consistent manner, and the instructor was helpful and approachable. Each lesson opened doors to much further research, which I will continue to explore long after the course is finished. Thank you!"
Tracy Wang, Graduate, Certificate in Decision Making for Climate Change, Washington State, USA
Format
The four courses in this part-time program are delivered 100% online. Courses are approximately ten weeks in length (some include an additional orientation week), and we recommend progressing through the program with your cohort at the pace of one course per quarter, allowing you to complete the program in 12 months.
Each course is delivered by one of the four university partners. You should be prepared to spend six to ten hours per week completing learning activities, which may include lectures, videos, quizzes, readings, assignments, projects and asynchronous group discussions.
Required Courses
All four courses are required to complete the certificate program.
Offered online through the University of British Columbia; 3 CEUs
$900 CAD + $35 CAD non-refundable registration fee
Navigate conversations about climate with diplomacy and confidence by taking part in this fully-online course, which covers the basic concepts and terms needed to understand climate science, climate change and climate policy. The course begins by exploring the science behind climate change, including an exploration of the climate system, the causes of global warming, climate modeling, and climate forecasting. The course then transitions to a general presentation of mitigation, adaptation and policy. Learning activities include lectures, videos, readings, assignments, projects and group discussions.
Note: This course may be taken individually, or applied toward the Certificate in Decision Making for Climate Change or the Award of Achievement in Sustainability Management.
- Next offered from Sep 18-Dec 4, 2013. 100% online. $935
Offered online through the University of Washington; 3 CEUs
$900 USD + $39 USD non-refundable registration fee
This class deals with the strategic planning needed to adapt to and minimize climate change. Topics include scenario building and decision making uncertainty; mapping climate change to major sectors; understanding the long-term lifecycle planning process; cost analysis; vulnerability and risk assessment; health, safety and equity issues; establishing a plan; group decision making; implementing the plan; and evaluating the effectiveness of the adaptation response.
Offered online through the University of California, Irvine; 3 CEUs
$900 USD
Making an impact in sustainability leadership requires systems thinking and a life cycle approach. In this course, participants will gain the skills necessary to identify all of the critical stakeholders and their interrelationships; explore how to integrate regenerative and resilient strategies into decision-making to create opportunities for social innovation and creativity; and develop a strategic plan for a specific organization that goes beyond corporate responsibility. This course is designed for change-agents of all kinds, including those involved in business, non-profits, public and private institutions, agencies and commissions, education, and grassroots organizations.
Offered online through Northwestern University; 3 CEUs
$900 USD
The class examines government policy development and implementation in a variety of countries as well as the economics of climate change. It starts with a description of existing policies such as the Kyoto Accord; the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (ETS); the approaches of less developed nations such as China and India with the Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development and Climate; and local approaches in the United States such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the Western Climate Initiative (WCI), and the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) in California. The course also deals with market-based and economy-wide options for reducing carbon in the atmosphere including carbon taxes, the carbon price, cap and trade programs, carbon offsets, and voluntary carbon markets as well as the use of renewable energy innovations, efficiency standards, and green forest practices.
Course Schedule
| Required Courses | Course Provider | Format | Upcoming Offerings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate Literacy |
University of British Columbia | 100% online | Sep 18-Dec 4, 2013 |
| Strategic Planning for Adaptation to Climate Change | University of Washington | 100% online | Jan 7-Mar 18, 2014 |
| Framework for Strategic Leadership (formerly Climate Protection and Environmental Sustainability) | University of California, Irvine | 100% online | Mar 31-Jun 15, 2014 |
| Policy Responses and Options |
Northwestern University | 100% online | Jun 23-Aug 24, 2014 |
Note: Curriculum, course and program duration, and requirements for completion are subject to change. All courses are subject to availability.
Fees
The instructional fee for the entire program is $3600, payable on a course-by-course basis at $900 per course, in the currency of the institution offering the course (CAD and USD). In addition there is a $50 non-refundable certificate program fee to apply to the program (please note that this fee does not guarantee admission to, or enrolment in, the program) and a $35 non-refundable registration fee for each course.
Tuition exemption benefits of individual institutions do not apply to this program. All fees are subject to change. Information on registration and refund policies and procedures is included with application materials.
Assessment and Graduation Requirements
Participants are evaluated in each course on the basis of standards established by the instructors, program administrators, and advisory board. At the end of each course, participants are notified of successful or unsuccessful completion. Students have three months to complete each course, and are expected to complete the entire certificate within two years. When the required courses are completed, participants receive a joint Certificate in Decision Making for Climate Change* from the four partner universities.
Technology Requirements
Broadband or wireless Internet connection is required to take this course, including the ability to play audio as some courseware includes voice lectures.
- BURCH, Sarah (University of British Columbia)
- DANA, David A. (Northwestern University)
- FRAPPÉ-SÉNÉCLAUZE, Tom-Pierre (University of British Columbia)
- HOSTETTER, Bruce (University of California Irvine)
- KURTOS, Linda P. (Northwestern University)
- LABADIE, John R. (University of Washington)
- LO, Veronica (University of British Columbia)
- YASUKAWA, Elsa C. (University of California, Irvine)
This is a cohort program with intakes each fall. Applications for this program are accepted on an ongoing basis, but must be received by August 23, 2013 to be considered for the Fall 2013 cohort. Applicants will be notified of the results of their application within 10 business days.
The University of Washington manages the application process. Please refer to the University of Washington website for complete fee information, admission requirements and application procedures.
Applications are currently being accepted for the Fall 2013 cohort.
Note: This 120-hour joint offering meets the requirements of an award of achievement program at UBC Continuing Studies, and of a certificate program at Northwestern University, the University of California, Irvine, and the University of Washington. (An offering must meet or exceed 150-hours of study and be approved by UBC Senate in order to qualify as a certificate program at the University of British Columbia.)
Featured
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Award Winning Program
The Certificate in Decision Making for Climate Change was honoured with a 2011 Program Award of Excellence from the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education (CAUCE). -
Apply for Upcoming Sessions
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“I would strongly recommend UBC's Climate Literacy course to anyone wishing to understand the basics of climate change, whether from a scientific, socio-economic or political perspective.”
Steven Randolph, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Washington State, USA
A program collaboration of:
