Post Degree Diploma in Business Studies

at Vancouver Island University - Nanaimo Campus Canada

Do you dream of a creative career in the theatre arts? Join VIU’s Theatre transfer program to prepare for a future that could take you on stage, onscreen, behind-the-scenes, and into the spotlight.

Led by expert, passionate and deeply experienced faculty, Vancouver Island University’s Theatre diploma program prepares you for a wide range of career opportunities in the performing arts. Academic study covers the theory and history behind theatre, while you also develop strong artistic, critical thinking, communication and teamwork skills in a highly innovative, collaborative and welcoming environment.

Join your classmates on stage at VIU’s Malaspina Theatre for public performances designed to develop and showcase your talents and skills. Theatre programs are for those who love the idea of working in highly creative careers, where imagination, individuality and diversity are celebrated.

The Theatre Diploma Program
The Theatre department offers a two-year Theatre Diploma and a two-year Technical Theatre Diploma. To obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre, students will have to attend a university offering a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. The University of British Columbia, University of Victoria, and almost all Canadian universities will accept VIU’s two-year programs as university transfer. Theatre Diploma students share a common first year. After completing the first year, students continue in either the Theatre Diploma or the Technical Theatre Diploma.

The Theatre diploma program will expose students to a range of practical elements associated with theatre production, as well as the academic study of theory and theatre history. Students will learn how to translate plays from the written script to the stage; the basics of acting techniques including voice, movement, and characterization; and the elements of set design, stagecraft, sound design, lighting design, and costume design. Students will study dramatic works from early modern European origins to more recent Canadian productions. Students will also learn safe practices around the stage. This program is open to full-time students only. Upon successful completion of program requirements, students will be awarded a Theatre Diploma.

The Technical Theatre diploma program emphasizes the technical aspects of theatre to help fill the growing need across Canada for trained theatre technicians. Hands-on experience is fundamental to the program, and students will be learning the skills of technical theatre by working behind the scenes on a wide variety of shows. Students will be able to take theoretical and practical courses that explore topics such as props, costumes, sound, stage management, carpentry, running crew, front-of-house management, production management, technical direction, publicity, theatrical make-up, scene painting, special effects, and lighting. This program is open to full-time students only. Upon successful completion of program requirements, students will be awarded a Technical Theatre Diploma.

During each academic year, the Theatre department presents a season of plays and concerts and hosts professional touring theatre and dance companies, allowing students to work alongside theatre professionals.

Are you interested in a career where you can make a difference in the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in society? With a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, you can devote your career to helping solve social justice issues and helping people overcome some of life’s most difficult challenges such as addiction, mental health and domestic violence.

A degree in social work gives you the professional skills to develop interventions to solve social and personal problems. Social workers create social change by working with people as the individual, family, group, community, organization and societal levels to enhance health and overall well-being. 

Social workers can find fulfilling careers in child welfare agencies, departments of health and human services, hospitals, community mental health agencies, substance abuse and medical clinics and elder care facilities.

The Bachelor of Social Work Program:-
The purpose of the Bachelor of Social Work degree program at Vancouver Island University is to provide education in generalist anti-oppressive social work practice. 

The learning outcomes of the program include the capacity to do the following: 

demonstrate effective social work communication skills within an empowerment approach at the individual, group, and community level.
demonstrate professional ethical standards and values at the individual, team, and organizational level.
critically reflect on own ideas, behaviours, and practices. 
identify and address mechanisms of oppression, privilege, resistance, and social change. 
In addition to a generalist social work practice degree, the Bachelor of Social Work program at Vancouver Island University offers a specialization in child welfare. 

Program Delivery

The Bachelor of Social Work program at Vancouver Island University will accept students into Year 3 of the program and will be delivered through distance education. Students admitted to the program will be expected to:

Participate in an online orientation(s) prior to program commencement in September.
Have access to high speed internet and audio-video capabilities. 
Participate in courses that have both asynchronous (online access to course materials) and synchronous (online access to course materials, audio and visual discussion, e.g. Zoom) course delivery methods.

Hone your critical thinking, legal analysis, project management, communication, conflict mediation, research and analysis skills with VIU’s Criminology program.

Criminology is an exciting, dynamic field of study that looks at the social and psychological factors that contribute to criminally deviant behaviour and its consequences. Students interested in current events, psychology and social justice will find their stride with our degree in Criminology.

Criminology studies grads are attracted to a range of careers in the criminal justice system, with Crown corporations and in the private sector, such as bailiff, correctional officer, court reporter, criminal investigator, legal assistant, parole officer, police officer, research, victim services specialist, and many more. Check out the careers page on the Criminology program website for more options.

In fourth year, Criminology Majors have the option of either conducting an applied research project or participating in a field placement.

The Criminology (BA) Program
Criminology is an interdisciplinary science that focuses on law and its interpretation by the courts, patterns in crime, the explanation of deviant and criminal behaviour, and society’s reaction to law-breaking. The program introduces students to criminal law, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and case-law decisions made by the courts. Students will examine in separate courses the three main components of the criminal justice system—police, courts, and corrections—that form an organized response to crime. The program addresses the trends and correlates of crime, including the influences of age, ethnicity, gender, and social class. The major explanations for crime try to account for these patterns by looking at historical, individual, and social causes. The criminological focus is broadened with courses from other disciplines in the Social Sciences and Humanities. 

The program aims to provide students with conceptual, critical, and applied skills to work in fields where a legal/justice focus is beneficial. The curriculum emphasizes the development of professional and applied skills through training in professional ethics, conflict mediation, use of information technology for researching relevant topics, writing, presenting data, and working in small groups on specific tasks. In the fourth year, Criminology Majors have the option of either conducting an applied research project or participating in a field placement.

Although the core of the curriculum is centred on justice-related issues, students will find the degree program applies equally to areas in the private sector where research competence, project management, legal analysis, and communication skills are essential.

Are you ready to take your career in education to a new level? Vancouver Island University’s Master of Education in Educational Leadership program is designed for practicing and aspiring professionals in the education field who are focused on bringing educational and instructional leadership into their schools.

VIU's graduate program is enriched with school administration, educational psychology and educational research teachings that provide students the foundational building blocks to become innovative leaders in the school system. This program prepares students with the practical, ethical, and social tools to solve problems, manage conflict and encourage growth. Graduates of the program find employment in leadership positions in the education sector, both domestically and abroad.

The Master of Education in Educational Leadership Program
This cohort-based model is designed for students wishing to study full-time on the VIU campus. All formal coursework is completed over two semesters. The Field Inquiry and Major Project components are completed during the second year over two semesters. Students may complete these components with online support and can complete up to one semester early.

The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership provides a program of preparation for aspiring and practicing school leaders. Grounded in the rich educational leadership literature supplemented by extensive faculty expertise and experience, the program provides a balance of research, policy and practice. Graduates of our program will have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and attitudes of successful leaders as outlined in the Leadership Standards for BC Principals and Vice-Principals. These competencies are central to formal and informal leadership in schools.

The M.Ed. program will develop leaders who can:

• Guide the development and implementation of shared values, vision, mission and goals to support learning for all students;
• Foster quality learning opportunities to support student learning;
• Lead teams in becoming assessment literate;
• Create systems and structures for the effective supervision of learning;
• Provide strong leadership in the area of Aboriginal Education;
• Provide knowledgeable guidance regarding current curricula, instructional and assessment practices and their impact on student learning;
• Sustain a collaborative learning culture and climate linked to student learning and based on distributed leadership;
• Build positive and effective interdependencies amongst partner groups;
• Incorporate systemic thinking and strategic planning for school improvement;
• Demonstrate self-knowledge and the personal qualities that support positive relationships and build cultures of integrity;
• Build and support relational trust within the school and community;
• Address issues of diversity and social justice;
• Lead teams in reflective inquiry and action research.

Do you want to make a difference and pursue a career that values diversity, empathy, collaboration and inclusiveness? Social Services professionals dedicate themselves to helping people live better lives and build stronger communities.

The Social Services diploma program at VIU gives you a strong foundation in developmental psychology, adolescent and child development, trauma resiliency and conflict resolution. With a social services diploma you become an advocate for human rights and social justice, helping to protect vulnerable people.

A diploma of social work can lead to a satisfying career as a human service assistant, probation officer, rehabilitation counsellor, school counselor, or marriage and family therapist to name just a few of the occupations in this growing field of work.

The Social Services Program
The program provides advanced-level training for working in the social services field and is available on a full-time or a part-time basis. The program includes the following components:

• Courses in addictions and addiction treatment, conflict resolution, leadership and supervision, community development, interpersonal skills, and special topics;
• Elective courses drawn from a wide-ranging selection of elective options in many different disciplines relevant to the human services field.

The program uses workplace-based projects and assignments to help students integrate and apply classroom learning in practice.

Students who successfully complete the program will receive a Vancouver Island University diploma. Completion of the program also earns credit towards VIU's Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care degrees.

Students may also complete courses towards the diploma at the Cowichan campus.

Are you ready to take the next big step in your career and become a global community leader? The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Vancouver Island University (VIU) inspires learners to become professionals able to navigate and meet the challenges of an increasingly complex, digital, interconnected world. With a focus on building the leader of tomorrow, the VIU MBA program is among the most technologically integrated programs in Canada, with data analytics embedded in research courses and four dedicated, technology-focused courses. This approach allows our students to graduate with specialized expertise on how the digital and technological landscape is driving everything from organizational behaviour to industry, exploring phenomena like surveillance capitalism and digital media management.

MBA students are supported by career coaching throughout the program, and work with industry mentors during an internship where they apply their learning to a business project with the full support of experienced, dedicated program faculty.
As a VIU MBA graduate, you will launch your career with the essential disciplinary knowledge, growth mindset and creative and foundational thinking that will make you a confident leader in the broader global business community.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program
Vancouver Island University's Master of Business Administration offers students the opportunity to learn in a dynamic global setting with students from all over the world. Our small class size enables students and faculty opportunities to learn in a collegial setting, while the diversity of our students and faculty provide a relevant global perspective for today's business world. Our MBA faculty bring a unique combination of industry-based expertise and international experience into the classroom, providing academic rigor to real-world examples and cases from their own experience. 

Vancouver Island University's Master of Business Administration is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). 
The MBA program is offered in an intensive 20-month, full-time format which includes a series of well-articulated integrated courses in Management, Finance, Marketing, Accounting, Research, and Technology and a 4-month internship and an applied business project. 

All students participate in a 3-week Foundation of blended coursework at the start of the MBA program. The Foundation introduces students to the core principles of the program learning outcomes and rigorous requirements of academic writing and professional representation at the graduate level, setting our students up for success. 

Progression through the coursework in each semester is divided into 1, 2, or 3 modules. Students are provided with down time in between modules to ensure ample opportunity for knowledge retention and career exploration. Each semester ends with a 2 week official break in study. Upon successful completion of course work, students complete an internship. Working with an industry mentor, students identify a significant organizational problem that will be used to write an Applied Business Project under faculty supervision.

Do you have passion for healthy, active lifestyles, and a desire to shape those interests into a rewarding career? VIU’s Recreation and Sport Management program can help you launch a career in the growing sport, recreation, health and wellness industries.

In the program, your learning will benefit from hands-on exploration under the guidance of instructor who care about your success. Take your learning deeper with paid internships and small classes, where you will work closely with other students and your instructors on meaningful community projects.

Graduates find a wide variety of careers focused on building positivity and confidence around sport and community for people of all ages. Explore the Recreation and Sport Management Program Website (link above) to learn more about careers.

The Recreation and Sport Management Program
This program is offered as a mandatory Co-operative Education format with four academic semesters and two paid Co-op placements.

The focus of this diploma program is on the provision of recreation and sport services and products in public, private, and not-for-profit sectors within communities. The program assesses the impact of recreation and sport and the environment in order to plan and develop healthy communities. Features of the program include the provision of applied skills and knowledge, direct leadership experience, a co-operative education model (paid employment), and small class sizes.

The program prepares students for career entry; however, students interested in further studies can apply to the third year of VIU’s Bachelor of Tourism Management, Major in Recreation.

Co-operative Education
Under the Co-operative Education format, formal supervised work terms are integrated into the total curriculum on a paid basis. Students will benefit from the experience by:

• Relating academic study more effectively to the field of practice;
• Developing a clearer career focus;
• Gaining valuable practical experience;
• being able to finance a larger portion of their education.

Access to Co-operative Education placements is based on students’ GPA (minimum of 2.33 (“C+”) is required) and their willingness to work as a team member with faculty and Co-operative Education staff to find appropriate placements.
Students in Co-operative Education work terms pay a fee, which is due during the second month of each work term.

The Information Technology and Applied Systems - Systems Administration and Networking Diploma Program

The ITAS - Systems Administration and Networking program prepares students for careers in the design, installation, operation, and administration of network and Internet-based information systems. The program combines rigorous theoretical and technical education with hands-on, project-based learning. Using the most up-to-date curriculum, the ITAS program develops a student's technical skills, as well as teamwork, communications, and project management skills that align with VIU's graduation attributes, to satisfy industry demands for well-rounded, highly employable technology graduates. 

The program will cover modern IT systems administration skill sets and set up students for careers in the implementation and management of Information Technology hardware, networks, operating systems, cybersecurity and virtualized cloud computing. 

ITAS - Systems Administration and Networking is offered as a two-year diploma program. The program consists of two 4-month terms per year, plus a one month practicum work experience session at the end of the first academic year. 

The first year of the program provides students with a solid foundation in Information Technology hardware, Windows and Linux client and server operating systems, wired and wireless networking and project management. 

In the second year of the program, students will install, configure, and administer a wide variety of Information Technology services such as Active Directory, E-mail, web site servers, cloud and virtualized systems, network routing and switching, and cybersecurity best practices, in a mix of Linux, VMware and Windows Server environments. Second year graduates receive a diploma in Information Technology and Applied Systems - Systems Administration and Networking.

The Graduate Diploma in International Trade is an integrated, graduate level cohort-based program with a specialization in international trade management. Students will be immersed in the core theories supporting the specialization before demonstrating their knowledge in an Integrative Applied Project. Elective options will advance their understanding in an area of interest.

The Bachelor of Tourism Management program is a continuation of the knowledge developed through the hospitality, tourism, and outdoor recreation diploma programs. With community-based projects and two paid co-op semesters, students gain opportunities to forge valuable industry connections and experience.

Upon graduation students find exciting career opportunities in commercial recreation and tourism, adventure tourism, tour operations, not-for-profit agencies, and inclusive leisure. VIU’s Tourism degree gives students the leading edge in this high-demand and growing industry.

The Bachelor of Tourism Management Program
The Bachelor of Tourism Management (BTM) program builds on existing diploma programs in Recreation and Sport Management, Tourism Studies and Hospitality Management that stress career-entry skills. Students may apply to the third year of the degree program after completing a diploma in various fields including Recreation, Travel and Tourism, or Hospitality, Physical Education, and Outdoor Recreation.

The degree program will provide applied skills and concepts related to the design of tourism products and management of tourism services. The degree will focus on the development of management and entrepreneurial skills needed for people wishing to assume greater responsibilities within an organization, or for those wishing to start new enterprises.

Co-operative Education

• Co-op Fees for co-operative education and internships are due during the second month of each work term.