Equitable Systems Design

Through the UBC Micro-certificate in Equitable Systems Design broaden your understanding of systems change and integrate the ongoing practice of equitable design. Take practical steps towards empowering, effective solutions within your organizational context. Develop a toolkit to assess and evaluate the equity-centeredness of your systems design.

This program offers you an opportunity to grow your awareness and skills in the following key areas:

• Systemic issues and impacts
• Pathways to equitable systems design
• Empowering organizational narratives by centering equitable systems design and belonging in the workplace
• Implementing practical solutions to bring about organizational and systems transformation

This program has been created for leaders, managers, and staff from all sectors and departments who are interested in implementing equity, diversity and inclusion design strategies within their organization.

Participants come from a range of roles and sectors:

• Human resources
• Corporations
• Financial Institutions
• Education
• Coaching
• Consulting
• Health care
• Hospitality
• Entertainment
• Local & global businesses
• Service industries
• Non-profit organizations
• Government and private sector
• International organizations

The program cost is $3,500 including course materials plus a non-refundable application fee of $175. Early bird pricing may be available.

All fees are in Canadian dollars, subject to change and to GST (where applicable). For details on forms of payment accepted, please see How to pay.

Find more details on refunds, cancellations and transfers.

Designed and taught by professionals with lived experience and committed allies, the curriculum reflects the voices and perspectives of equitable design practitioners.

Our curriculum blends your experience with our concepts, theories and methods of equitable systems design to continue to drive organizational change.

To complete the program, you must take the required 2 courses for a total of 75 hours of course work, to be completed over 2-years.

• Equitable Systems Design Part 1: 6 consecutive weeks
• Equitable Systems Design Part 2: 5 consecutive weeks plus a capstone

In the final week, you’ll be invited to share your capstone project and connect with peers and facilitators in a live Zoom session (5:00–7:00pm on the last Tuesday of the Part 2 course). You’re welcome to join either as a presenter or attendee who tunes in to celebrate others’ work. We just ask that you let us know in advance if you plan to present. Attendance is optional but highly recommended as an opportunity to reflect, exchange insights, and close the course together.

Required courses

This part-time program consists of 2 required courses totaling 75 hours of course work.

You can complete this program 100% online. The final capstone consists of a real-time, virtual presentation over Zoom.

Courses are facilitated by educators, practitioners and experts, and have a start and end date. You progress through the course with the same group of students. The courses are open for registration to anyone at any time.

Expected effort

For each course, be prepared to spend approximately seven hours per week completing learning activities, including readings, assignments, posting and responding to online group discussions, and other projects.

You are required to log in to your course at least every other day. We strongly recommend taking only one course at a time if you are working or studying full-time.

Technology requirements

To take this program, you need access to:

• an email account
• a computer, laptop or tablet, using Windows or macOS
• the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
• a reliable internet connection
• a video camera and microphone

Assessment

Courses are graded as complete/incomplete. You’re evaluated based on standards and competencies established by facilitators, program administrators and an advisory board. At the end of each course, you will be notified if you successfully met the requirements for the course.

Courses in the UBC Micro-certificate in Equitable Systems Design are facilitated by experienced educators, practitioners and industry experts.

The admissions process helps to ensure that the needs, intentions and expectations of participants are adequately matched to the program's objectives and capabilities. To accommodate learners from a variety of backgrounds, the admission requirements are fairly broad. However, all applicants must have the following:

• post-secondary education and/or extensive life experience
• fluency in the English language, including good written and verbal communication skills
• the academic, interpersonal and communication skills to support active participation in this dynamic program
• at least five to seven hours a week to spend on a course
• minimum technology requirements as outlined in the program format section.

You must apply and be accepted into the program before registering for courses. To discuss eligibility, prior experience and program relevance, please contact us.

Complete the following steps to submit your application:

1. Complete the online application form. You will need to include a letter of intent (max. 500 words). This should include personal and/or career goals, interests and program expectations.
2. You will be directed to pay the $175 non-refundable application fee online.
3. Once you have been accepted into the micro-certificate program, you can begin registering for courses.