Certificate in Information and Communication

The Certificate in Information and Communication consists of four (4) fully online courses. This certificate focuses on critical communication and information management, building core competencies in communication, collaboration and engagement, information privacy and security, multistakeholder collaboration, and the impact and influence of strategic communication for public-facing contexts.

You will gain practical knowledge and tools to:

• Navigate complex information access and privacy legislation
• Communicate with credibility across diverse public platforms
• Build influence and public trust through strategic messaging
• Present confidently in public or high-stakes situations.

Courses

The certificate consists of four (4) required courses. Click on each course name for more details and specific learning outcomes:

• OLCD-LGOV0031 Navigating Information Access and Privacy Protection 
• OLCD-LGOV0032 Multi-Stakeholder Problem Solving
• OLCD-LGOV0034 Communication Skills and Public Presence
• OLCD-PALS0030 Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication

Please note: The Certificate requires a passing grade of 70% in each course. See each course for applicable tuition fees and schedule. You must register for each course individually to reserve your spot. Some of these courses fill up quickly, and registration in one course does not guarantee your spot in another. Courses can be taken in any order.  

Prerequisites

Language Requirement: University-level English language proficiency required in writing, speaking and reading comprehension. It is recommended that students have an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall or a TOEFL-IBT score of 90 overall for this program. Please see the following guidelines from Dalhousie University for more information: English Language Requirements For Undergraduate Admissions - Admissions - Dalhousie University.

Program Delivery

The program is delivered through the flexibility and convenience of Dalhousie's enriched and engaging online learning platform (OpenDal). Courses include group activities, live streaming lectures and project work. Course delivery is designed to provide maximum benefit and flexibility through online study.

Who Should Take This Certificate?

• Senior public officials who oversee communications, privacy, or stakeholder relations
• Municipal managers and department leaders who lead public-facing teams or manage high-impact information or relationships
• Public sector personnel who interact with citizens, partners, or the media
• Aspiring municipal professionals who wish to develop communication and engagement skills
• Anyone responsible for municipal records, reporting or interdepartmental collaboration

Career Opportunities

The skills learned in this certificate can help those in the following professions:

• Communications Officers
• Privacy and Access to Information Officers
• Information Officers
• Community Engagement Coordinators
• Policy Advisors
• Media Relations Staff

Recognition of Prior Learning

It may be possible to receive advanced standing in this certificate based on your prior learning from work or life experience. We provide two types of recognition of prior learning:

• Prior Certified Learning: Assessment of prior coursework or training through a provider, that is neither a university or college, for the purpose of advanced standing. Examples of certified learning may include military courses, accredited certificates, workplace training programs, etc.
• Prior Experiential Learning: Assessment of previous work and life learning that may be equivalent to learning outcomes of university courses / programs, for the purpose of advanced standing. Relevant prior learning may come from work or volunteer experience, participation on committees or boards, independent study, etc.

To discuss how to use your prior learning to apply for advanced standing, please contact rpl@dal.ca.