Adding a certificate to your studies enables you to explore subjects outside of your major and enhance your professional qualifications.
A certificate is a grouping of courses that are complementary to a major in a degree program or are cross-disciplinary but with a thematic coherence. It may also be a group of courses designed to enhance a specific skill or professional expertise. A certificate is distinct from an undergraduate degree program, stream or specialization.
Each certificate will indicate whether it can be taken concurrently with your studies in a degree program, or if it is offered independently and does not require students to pursue a degree at the same time.
At graduation, students will receive a printed copy of any certificates awarded and a notation is made on future transcripts showing certificates earned.
How to Register for a Certificate
If you’re an existing York student, contact the school or department that houses the certificate to register.
If you’re not an existing York student, contact the Office of Admissions to enrol as a non-degree student, then register with the school or department that houses the certificate.
Search our Certificates
Certificate in Accounting (57 credits)
School of Administrative Studies
Add an accounting flavour to your degree with this certificate program. Learn the basics of accounting and position yourself competitively in accounting adjacent careers.
Certificate in Advocacy & Public Engagement (30 credits)
Department of Anthropology
This certificate encourages student activism by offering a critical, cross-cultural perspective on major public issues. It also demonstrates how to effect change by drawing on political forces outside the discipline.
Certificate in Anti-Racist Research & Practice (24 credits)
Department of Equity Studies
Learn to challenge systemic and institutional racism by discussing topics that deal with racial issues in the workplace, schools, health care, immigration, law enforcement, media and the expressive arts.
Certificate in Black Canadian Studies (24 credits)
Department of Humanities
This is the place to learn and examine the histories, cultures and experiences of Black Canada. You’ll learn about people of African descent in the Americas through cultural studies, history, literature and music.
Certificate in Children’s Literature (24 credits)
Department of Humanities
Engage with texts to examine how modes of representation shape our perceptions of children and youth in the contemporary world.
Certificate of Proficiency in Chinese Language (18 credits)
Department of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics
Learn the most spoken language in the world and one becoming increasingly prominent politically and economically.
Certificate in Culture, Medicine & Health (24 credits)
Department of Anthropology
Medical Anthropology provides an anthropological perspective on health and illness processes. It also explores the socio-cultural factors shaping the experience of illness, patterns of health and disease and access to health care services.
Certificate in Emergency Management (24 credits)
School of Administrative Studies
Learn to prevent and manage local, regional and international disasters. Become a sought after emergency management professional with this robust program.
Certificate in Financial Planning (39 credits)
School of Administrative Studies
Become a skilled financial advisor for individuals, companies and other organizations. Help people and institutions plan and manage their financial resources effectively.
Certificate in French Proficiency (12 credits)
Department of French Studies
Become certified as holding one of three levels of French language proficiency. This certificate can be taken together with a bachelor’s degree.
Certificate in Gender & Women’s Studies (24 credits)
School of Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies
Designed for students with no previous exposure to women’s studies, this certificate offers a survey into issues and themes in the field. The program invites you to explore the lives and experiences of women, historically and cross-culturally, and to critically examine the social, political and economic institutions shaping women’s lives.
Certificate of Proficiency in German Language (18 credits)
Department of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics
German is a vital tool for academic work in numerous disciplines across the fields of humanities and social sciences. It is also a major language of business, diplomacy and tourism in the European Union and has over 100 million speakers.
Certificate of Proficiency in Modern Greek Language (18 credits)
Department of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics
Modern Greek has its roots in Classical, Hellenistic and Byzantine Greek. It is spoken by about 13 million people, primarily in Greece and Cyprus, but also in many places around the world to which Greeks have immigrated. Toronto has a sizeable population of Greek speakers, as does the United States, Great Britain and Australia.
Certificate in Health Services Financial Management (33 credits)
School of Administrative Studies
This program will help you become the go-to financial planning resource for health services organizations. Contribute your skills to organizations providing front line care and other crucial health industry services.
Advanced Certificate in Hebrew & Jewish Studies (36 credits)
Department of Humanities
Take a deep dive into the study of Hebrew and the history of the Jewish people with this specialized certificate.
Certificate of Proficiency in Modern Hebrew Language (18 credits)
Department of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics
Learn one of the most important languages for Biblical, anthropological and historical literature studies.
Certificate in Jewish Studies (24 credits)
Department of Humanities
Focus on the history and cultural practices of Jews around the world and in different eras.
Certificate in Human Resources Management (30 credits)
School of Human Resource Management
This certificate is designed for current York students and as a stand-alone program for former university students looking for HRM education. The program offers courses in organizational behaviour, human resource management, industrial relations, employment law, training and development, HR planning, compensation, labour economics and recruitment.
Certificate in Indigenous Studies (24 credits)
Department of Humanities
Engage with the Indigenous history, culture and arts. Learn about contemporary and legacy colonial issues facing Indigenous people and efforts at redress.
Certificate in Information Technology Auditing & Assurance (60 credits)
School of Administrative Studies
Help organizations ensure compliance and growth in their IT operations.
Certificate in Investment Management (42 credits)
School of Administrative Studies
Direct individuals and organizations to invest their resources optimally. Learn to manage and grow portfolios.
Certificate of Proficiency in Italian Language (18 credits)
Department of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics
Known as the “language of music” due to its influence on opera and musical terminology, Italian has significantly influenced European arts and culture. It is also a prominent language of politics and commerce in Europe as the second most widely spoken native language in the European Union.
Certificate of Proficiency in Japanese Language (18 credits)
Department of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics
Engage with one of the most prominent Asian languages and gain an appreciation for Japanese culture in the process.
Certificate in Law & Society (24 credits)
Department of Social Science
Give your degree a current degree a law & society flavour. In this program, you will explore different approaches to law, acquire critical skills for socio-legal study and research and understand how law operates in our daily lives.
Certificate in Logistics (27 credits)
School of Administrative Studies
Optimize the processes that go into delivering people, goods and information in a timely manner.
Certificate in Management (42 credits)
School of Administrative Studies
Become a highly competent managerial professional and manage high performing teams.
Certificate in Marketing (24 credits)
School of Administrative Studies
Learn the fundamentals of marketing management, consumer behaviour and marketing research. You will discover how marketing helps organizations sell their goods and services.
Certificate of Proficiency in Portuguese Language (18 credits)
Department of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics
Portuguese is the fourth most spoken language in the world. It is the official language in nine countries and is the working language of 12 international organizations. The Portuguese & Luso-Brazilian Studies program will introduce you to the language, literature and culture of Portugal, Brazil and the entire Lusophone world across all continents.
Certificate in Practical Ethics (24 credits)
Department of Philosophy
Practical ethics is an exciting new area of multidisciplinary study and research which provides the opportunity to apply ethical concepts and principles to contemporary social issues. The courses address questions of applied ethics and public policy in the fields of anthropology, economics, environmental studies, humanities, philosophy, political science, social science and sociology.
Cross-Disciplinary Certificate in Public History (24 credits)
Department of History
This certificate introduces you to the theory, methods and practices in historical, heritage and cultural institutions. It also provides a critical understanding of the production and presentation of historical knowledge for public audiences.
Certificate in Public Administration & Law (24 credits)
School of Public Policy & Administration
This professional certificate is aimed at individuals who wish to combine knowledge of public administration and law with expertise in another area demonstrated through the achievement of at least an undergraduate degree.
Certificate in Public Policy Analysis (24 credits)
School of Public Policy & Administration
This certificate is for you if you’re interested in public policy analysis and want your academic record to reflect a public policy analysis emphasis. Upon completing the certificate, you will be ready to analyze public policies in light of the role of government in civil society.
Certificate in Refugee & Migration Studies (24 credits)
Department of Equity Studies
This interdisciplinary certificate addresses issues concerning ethnic communities, gender, racism, migration, policy, cultural identity and international relations.
Certificate in Sexuality Studies (24 credits)
School of Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies
The Sexuality Studies certificate offers interdisciplinary training in sexuality studies to York students, professionals, activists and community leaders. The certificate provides those who are interested in doing (or who currently do) sexuality studies work, activism and/or community outreach with theoretical and applied knowledge along with university credentials.
Certificate of Proficiency in Spanish Language (18 credits)
Department of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics
Spoken by over 400 million people, Spanish is the second most widely spoken language worldwide. It is the official language in over 20 countries. As such, Spanish is an ideal foundation for work in many different areas. Qualified bilingual and multilingual graduates are in demand in fields such as law, business and finance, media, social services, medicine, education and hospitality.
Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (27 credits)
Department of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics
As the world becomes increasingly internationalized, there is a growing demand for qualified ESL/EFL teachers. In response to this demand for accredited English language teachers, the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics offers a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).