Education Programs

Click on the course area you are interested in for a list of course offerings. Our campus programs at StFX University in Antigonish include our flagship 20-week Diploma in Development Leadership, spring and fall certificates and other specialty programs. Remember – apply as early as possible to be considered for scholarships.

Our Programs

Asset-Based and Citizen-Led Development

May 13 to 24, 2019
Applications closed

Description: Built on lessons learned from communities around the world that are driving and sustaining their own development, the course also draws from almost two decades of action-research by organizations using an ABCD approach to stimulate and support citizen-led and community-driven development.

Click here for full course description.

Building Resilient Communities

September 30 to October 18, 2019
Registration deadline: April 26, 2019

Most qualified candidates receive a bursary to assist with program costs. Those receiving a bursary are responsible for fees payable of at least $2,300 CAD.

Description: Participants will explore the nature of resilient communities and consider different approaches to how such resilience can be fostered and cultivated. Community initiatives and responses to changes in environmental, economic, political, cultural, and social systems will be explored through a lens of sustainability, inclusion and justice.

Click here for full course description.

Promoting Accountable Democracies

September 30 to October 18, 2019
Registration deadline: April 26, 2019

Most qualified candidates receive a bursary to assist with program costs. Those receiving a bursary are responsible for fees payable of at least $2,300 CAD.

Citizens have the right and responsibility to have a voice in, and hold government and other power holders accountable for, public decisions and actions that affect their lives. This course explores ways to engage citizens in deepening democratic practice and in promoting transparency, accountability, and participation in governance systems and structures. 

Click here for full course description.

Strengthening Inclusive Economies

September 30 to October 18, 2019
Registration deadline: April 26, 2019

Most qualified candidates receive a bursary to assist with program costs. Those receiving a bursary are responsible for fees payable of at least $2,300 CAD.

Description: Participants will explore key concepts related to the structure and dynamic of local economies, and examine different approaches to making these economies more inclusive and equitable. The relationship between local and global economies will be explored, along with issues and implications for driving sustainable local economic change.

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Indigenous Women in Community Leadership

Oct. 14 to Nov. 1, 2019
Applications for this program are open from February 1, 2019 and will close March 31, 2019.

Description: An award-winning initiative, Indigenous Women in Community Leadership Enhanced Mentorship program is for First Nations, Métis and Inuit women who are committed to supporting development and social change in their organizations, communities, and nations. The program is delivered using Coady’s innovative and blended approach to asset-based leadership development and prioritizes Indigenous knowledge and ways of learning.

Click here for full course description.

Social Enterprise for Inclusive Local Economies

June 10 – June 21, 2019
Applications Closed

Description: There has been growing interest in social enterprise as a vehicle to create social change while addressing the age-old question of sustainability. Beginning with an assessment of the emergence and history of the social entrepreneurship movement, this course will cover topics such as the for-profit non-for-profit divide, the need for varied capital at different stages, and aspects of institutional and personal leadership.

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Oceanpath Fellowship

Applications closed

The OceanPath Fellowship provides community-focused experiential learning opportunities for graduating students to become active and effective change-makers, bringing new ideas and working closely with communities to foster sustainable and positive social change in Canada and around the world.The Coady Institute is excited to partner with the following universities in offering this Fellowship: McGill UniversityQueen’s UniversityUniversity of Ottawa and St. Francis Xavier University.

Click here for more information.

Global Change Leaders

Aug. 12 to Sept. 27, 2019
Applications Closed

Description: Established in 2011, the Global Change Leaders Program is a seven-week education program offered by Coady Institute’s International Centre for Women’s Leadership. This program enables women from developing countries to strengthen their leadership capacities in order to contribute to innovation and change in their organizations and communities. Program participants engage in learning grounded in real world experiences and focused on Coady’s core thematic areas. Through a shared learning environment with other emerging women leaders from around the world, participants are exposed to a range of experiences and the beginnings of a potentially lifelong network of support.

Click here for full course description.

Women’s Leadership in Community Development

May 13 to 24, 2019
Application Closed

Description: This program creates space for women leaders to build their individual leadership skills and learn to better position themselves and their work within their respective organizations for creating social change. Participants will learn practical new strategies for moving community development forward with gender sensitive processes, assess their life experiences for personal strengths and motivations.

Click here for full course description.

Diploma in Development Leadership

Coady International Institute will not be offering this program in 2019. We invite you to consider the option of applying for one of the Institute’s exciting new certificate courses (Building Resilient Communities, Promoting Accountable Democracies, or Strengthening Inclusive Economies), which will be offered from September 30 to October 18. The registration deadline for these courses is April 26, 2019.

Over the coming year, the Institute will be undertaking a major re-design of the Diploma Program, which has been our flagship course for thousands of development workers over the years. We look forward to announcing our program offerings for 2020 later this year, and encourage you to check back regularly on our website and via Facebook.

Your continued interest in the educational programs of Coady International Institute is appreciated, and we will continue to provide opportunities to build a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.