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Faculty of Environmental Studies (ES) – BES Certificate Programs

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While working towards the completion of their BES degree, students may opt to pursue a certificate in addition to their degree program. Students can choose from one of five areas: geographic information systems and remote sensing (GIS), community arts practice (CAP), refugee and migration studies (GSRM), sustainable energy (SE) or urban ecologies (UE). In order to do so, students are required to complete a number of required and elective courses, in addition to completing other degree requirements. Contact the FES Office of Student and Academic Services, 137 HNES or the Student Success Coordinator for more information on applying to these certificate programs.

Minimum Requirements for Multiple Certificates

Students may acquire more than one certificate during the course of their studies provided that at least 18 credits in each certificate program are unique to the specific certificate.

Residency Requirements

York University's residency requirement for undergraduate certificate programs is 18 credits for certificate programs requiring up to 36 credits, and 50 per cent of the required credits for certificates comprising more than 36 credits. Normally, for undergraduate certificate programs requiring 18 credits or less, all credits are completed at York.

Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing

York University degree candidates and non-degree students may earn a Certificate in GIS and Remote Sensing. GIS and Remote Sensing encompasses the art, science and technology involved in collecting and managing geographically-referenced information.

Required courses (24 credits):

Elective courses:

Note: students intending to pursue the GIS certificate with the Faculty of Environmental Studies should enrol in ES/ENVS 2009 3.00 in their second year of study.

Other requirements:

Students working towards this certificate must:

  • maintain a cumulative grade point average of 6.00 (B) in the certificate required courses and achieve a cumulative grade point average of 5.00 (C+) in all courses; and
  • register in the program after completing 24 credits and must maintain continued enrolment in the Honours program.

Students who have been exempted from any of the required courses or non-degree students who have successfully completed the equivalent of any of the required courses must substitute additional credits from the certificate program elective courses list, for an overall total of 24 credits in the certificate program.

Certificate in Community Arts Practice (CAP)

The Certificate in Community Arts Practice (CAP) may be completed either as a direct entry or concurrently with a degree program at York University (a three-year degree or an Honours degree) or completely separate from an active degree program. Candidates who previously completed an undergraduate degree in a related field must have a minimum grade point average of 5.00 (C+). As well, individuals without an undergraduate degree but have previous relevant work experience may also apply to this program. Consideration of non-degree applicants will be based on the level and appropriateness of their work experience and applicants may be invited to an interview by the program coordinator.

The certificate prepares students to collaborate with communities to make art of all forms, to express diverse identities, to explore and take action on social and environmental issues. Students develop artistic skills, deepen their social analysis and learn to facilitate creative processes with groups working for social change.

Requirements for the Community Arts Practice (CAP) Certificate

12 credits of core courses:

12 credits of electives:

select at least one course from each of the following four categories:

Community and popular education:

Introductory or advanced studio courses in an artistic discipline:

Advanced community-related artistic practice:

Critical social analysis:

Other requirements:

Students working towards this certificate must:

  • meet the minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) requirement for their program;
  • to receive the certificate, achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 4.00 or greater in the courses taken to satisfy certificate requirements; and, York students must complete their degree in order to be granted the certificate.

Note: BES students pursing the CAP certificate are not required to enrol in ES/ENVS 4000 6.00 regardless of area of concentration. Information on courses is available by contacting the Faculty of Environmental Studies and the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design.

General Certificate in Refugee and Migration Studies (GSRM)

Faculty of Environmental Studies students may earn a General Certificate in Refugee and Migration Studies while, and in addition to, fulfilling the requirements for the BES program.

Students should apply to enter the certificate program at the beginning of their third year. Students admitted to the certificate program must submit a completed checklist for the General Certificate in Refugee Migration Studies to the education coordinator at the Centre for Refugee Studies (CRS), to ensure that all certificate requirements have been considered. Further information is available from the education coordinator, Centre for Refugee Studies, or the coordinator’s academically accredited designate.

Required courses:

A list of pre-approved environmental studies courses follows. Other relevant courses may be selected and submitted for approval with the student's study plan, which must be reviewed by the education coordinator, Centre for Refugee Studies or the coordinator’s designate.

Environmental studies courses for the General Certificate in Refugee and Migration Studies:

Other requirements:

To be awarded the certificate, students must:

  • maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 5.00 (C+) or higher in the certificate required courses.
  • attend a minimum of eight Centre for Refugee Studies seminar presentations over the course of their degree.
  • complete 15 hours of volunteer participation in the Student Caucus and/or Centre for Refugee Studies activities.

Other courses are listed in the Faculties of Glendon and Liberal Arts and Professional Studies sections of the Undergraduate Calendar. For more information, please visit the Centre for Refugee Studies website at http://crs.yorku.ca/.

Certificate in Sustainable Energy (SE)

Explore and gain applied skills in the area of sustainable energy (SE), specifically in energy efficiency, conservation and demand management and renewable energy sources. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has identified sustainable energy technologies and practices as foundations of cost-effective strategies to prevent dangerous climate change. There is a growing market for sustainable energy practitioners in Canada and around the world.

The certificate encompasses the policy, economic, technological and managerial aspects of sustainable energy and provides students with applied skills in the field.

Students will complete the certificate as part of their Honours BES degree. The SE certificate will enhance the theoretical foundation provided by student’s Area of Concentration with expertise in sustainable energy policy, economics, law, technology, management, communications and evaluation and hands-on applied training. These skills are in high demand in the growing sustainable energy sector. Students completing the certificate program can pursue career paths with government agencies, local energy distribution companies, renewable energy developers and energy service companies.

Application form

To apply for the Sustainable Energy Certificate Program, students must fill out the SE application form (PDF) and submit it to the Office of Student and Academic Services (OSAS) at the beginning of the third year of their Honours BES program and after completing 48-60 credits.

Required courses (24 credits):

and 6.00 credits from the following list of elective courses:

Elective courses

Other requirements

Students working towards this certificate must:

  • maintain honours standing with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 6.00 (B) in the certificate required courses;
  • achieve a cumulative GPA of 5.00 (C+) in all courses; and
  • register in the certificate program after completing 48-60  credits.

Students who have been exempted from any of the required courses or Special Students who have successfully completed the equivalent of any of the required courses must substitute additional credits from the certificate program elective courses list, for an overall total of 24 credits in the certificate program.

Certificate in Urban Ecologies (UE)

The Urban Ecologies (UE) Certificate is an interdisciplinary program designed to help you learn how the many conflicts between the natural and urban environments emerge, is represented and can be addressed. The certificate program emphasizes urban ecology as an innovative and interactive approach to critically study the social and biophysical configuration of urban landscapes, places, sites and ecologies.

Through this certificate, you will develop theoretical and practical knowledge to help address complex contemporary urban environmental challenges through thoughtful planning, design and ecological action.

Application form

The certificate is open to any York University student enrolled in an undergraduate Honours program. To register for the Urban Ecologies Certificate program, you must fill out the urban ecologies application form and submit it to the Office of Student and Academic Services (OSAS) in 137 HNES. Your application will be forwarded to the Urban Ecologies program coordinator.

Required courses (24 credits)

Other requirements

To be awarded this certificate, students must:

  • maintain a minimum grade of 5.00 (C+) in each course credited to the certificate and maintain honours standing;
  • maintain a cumulative grade point average of 5.00 (C+).

Note: BES students pursing the Urban Ecologies Certificate are not required to enrol in ES/ENVS 4000 6.00 regardless of area of concentration.