Certificate in Operations and Organization

The Certificate in Operations and Organization consists of four (4) fully online courses. This certificate prepares municipal professionals to lead high-performing organizations that deliver effective, efficient, and accountable public services. As municipalities face increasing complexity, changing community expectations, and growing demands for transparency, today's leaders require a broad understanding of both operational excellence and organizational performance.

Courses

This certificate consists of three (3) required courses and and a choice of electives. Learners can expect to spend a minimum of 3 hours per week on their studies. Click on each course name for more details and specific learning outcomes:

Required courses

• OLCD-LGOV0039 Performance and Auditing
• OLCD-LGOV0040 Managing Service Delivery
• OLCD-LGOV0041 Public Safety, Planning and Public Works

Electives (Choose one course from the options below):

• OLCD-FIRE0010 Disaster Management and the Fire Department (36 hours)
• OLCD-FIRE0011 Emergency Medical Service Management and the Fire Department (36 hours)
• OLCD-FIRE0033 Wildfire and Climate Change Adaptation Management (18 hours)
• OLCD-PALS0031 Organizational Behaviour (36 hours)
• OLCD-PALS0033 Introduction to Occupational Stress and Resilience for First Responder Leaders (18 hours)

Please note: This 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.

Students may occasionally wish to take multiple certificates which share the same courses. For additional certificates that use cross-over courses from those the student has completed / will complete, at least 50% NEW courses must be taken. If the student has no option to meet the 50% new course threshold with those posted on the certificate plan, administration will recommend elective courses closely related to the certificate objectives. For more information, please contact openlearning@dal.ca.

Learning Outcomes

Students who complete this certificate will:

• gain an understanding of the principles and practices that support effective municipal operations and organizational performance;
• understand how strategic planning, policy, public works, and service delivery contribute to achieving municipal priorities;
• recognize the relationship between organizational structure, leadership, and effective service delivery;
• identify opportunities to improve municipal services through performance measurement, evaluation, and continuous improvement;
• understand the role of auditing, accountability, and risk management in strengthening organizational effectiveness;
• apply evidence-informed approaches to planning, managing, and evaluating municipal operations;
• recognize the importance of collaboration, communication, and stakeholder engagement in achieving organizational goals; and
• identify opportunities and challenges facing municipalities in delivering responsive, efficient, sustainable, and data-informed public services.

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?

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.