International Development

In a rapidly changing global landscape, the call to address pressing global inequities has never been stronger. Humber's International Development graduate certificate program empowers you to make a difference on a global scale. In this post-colonial world, our program is guided by the industry trend towards localization and the development of authentic partnerships with agencies in the Global South. This management program provides students with the hard and soft skills required and requested by industry partners to develop and grow international development and disaster relief projects globally. Contemporary issues such as climate change, gender disparity and conflict are crosscutting themes in courses focused on training managers for the international development field. Graduates may find themselves doing humanitarian assistance in some of the most difficult environments in the world, or they may work here in Canada to further the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our distinguished faculty members are chosen for their extensive expertise in the industry and their deep knowledge of international development. Many of them maintain active roles in various international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and United Nations agencies while teaching part-time at Humber. This real-world experience enriches your education and ensures you're learning from those who are actively shaping the field.

You will gain industry experience and build your international development network with a mandatory field placement within the areas of community development, international development or humanitarian sectors. Many students choose to do this field experience overseas, but it can also be done here in Canada.

With the program co-ordinator’s support, field experiences are found through a combination of your interests and contacts with alumni and industry partners. The educational foundation for the field experience includes learning how to optimize resumés, LinkedIn profiles and cover letters, as well as covering the broad set of skills needed to be comfortable and safe working outside of Canada.

Many students choose to do their field placement overseas with international development agencies or the United Nations. These placements typically take place during the Summer semester.

Through the International Department at Humber, there are a limited number of bursaries available for students who may need financial assistance to complete an unpaid placement overseas. There are also also a number of bursaries available for students to assist financially those who are completing an unpaid domestic placement.  

Agencies in Canada and abroad are in need of skilled individuals to write policy, advocate to developed nations’ governments and to manage programs around the world. In addition, global disasters (such as Covid-19), conflict and climate change create an enormous need for humanitarian assistance and for the people who can deliver it.

Our program will prepare you for a variety of career paths. As most international development work is contract based, one can expect to have a variety of positions over a multi-year career. Some of our recent graduates have gone on to be:

• administrator for the UN Peacekeeping mission to Democratic Republic of Congo
• climate justice officer for a major charity in Canada
• communications officer for World Vision Canada
• founder of their own NGO
• liaison to the US Mission at World Food Programme
• logistics officer for food security related to Covid-19 in Toronto
• program manager for a major UK charity

The potential is limitless.