International Development
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Program Overview
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.
Courses
At Humber, courses are delivered in a variety of formats:
In-Person - An in-person course is delivered fully on campus.
Online Asynchronous (A) - An online asynchronous course has no fixed class schedule and allows students to engage with the course at different times according to their needs. Faculty provide modules, which are completed independently by the students according to established deadlines.
Online Synchronous (S) - An online synchronous course is delivered fully online and requires faculty and students to participate in real-time according to a fixed schedule. Classes are scheduled for a specific day and time.
Hybrid - A hybrid course is a combination of in-person and online classes and follows a set schedule. Students must be available to attend in-person classes at scheduled times during the semester.
The chart below outlines the delivery options available for each course in this program, by campus. For some academic terms, there may be more than one delivery option available. You’ll be able to select your preferred options when building your course schedule during open enrolment. Preferences for course delivery will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Some Humber programs are also delivered fully online, where all courses are delivered online.
International students: the impact of studying from outside of Canada on Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility differs significantly based on when you start your program. Please review the PGWP eligibility before choosing your program and course delivery.
| Course code and Name | Delivery Type by Location | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Code | Course Name | North | Lakeshore | Downtown | DL/Online |
| Semester 1 | |||||
| BUS 5012 | Introduction to Development in the Canadian Context | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| BUS 5013 | Management Skills for International Development | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| BUS 5014 | Project Design and Planning | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| BUS 5015 | Management Information Systems | N/A | Online (A) | N/A | Online (A) |
| BUS 5017 | Data Analytics and Storytelling | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| WORK 5017 | Career Orientation | N/A | In-Person TBD |
N/A | N/A |
| Semester 2 | |||||
| BUS 5027 | Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| BUS 5506 | Project Design and Planning: Simulation | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| BUS 5528 | Humanitarian Assistance | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| FIN 5502 | Financial Management | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| MGMT 5503 | Operations Management | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| Semester 3 | |||||
| BUS 5016 | Communications, Fundraising and Impact Investment | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| BUS 5501 | Issues and Sectors in International Development | N/A | In-Person | N/A | N/A |
| WORK 5018 | Field Experience - International Development | N/A | TBD | N/A | N/A |
Work-Integrated Learning
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.
Humber Advantages
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Initiatives & Events
IDI initiatives also include events such as the IDI Symposium held at Lakeshore Campus involving faculty, students and many key representatives from the NGO industry. Students participate in breakout sessions alongside NGOs to discuss current international development issues. International Development Week is another enriching experience held annually at Humber and organized by students. This week long event includes industry guest speakers, a marketplace developed with industry partners as well as interactive workshops and events.
International Development Week 2024
The week of February 5th - 9th was a busy one for International Development students and alumni as Canada celebrated International Development Week.
International Development Post Grad Program Goes to CFB Trenton
Watch this video of Humber’s International Development Students teaming up with the Canadian Armed Forces for a three-day simulation exercise and experiential learning experience.
Study Abroad
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.
Your Career
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.
Related Programs
Program Availability
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Lakeshore | Open |
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Lakeshore | Open |
Humber is a publicly funded institution. International students graduating from a PGWP Eligible program at Humber are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International students in Canada could be eligible for an automatic scholarship*. Apply now!
Check out the step-by-step Admissions Road Map for helpful information and additional resources.
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Lakeshore | Open |
Humber is a publicly funded institution. International students graduating from a PGWP Eligible program at Humber are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International applicants outside of Canada can apply through Humber International. Check out the step-by-step Admissions Road Map for helpful information and additional resources.
Upcoming Recruitment Events
International Development Alumna, Sabrina Rubli
Watch this video of alumna, Sabrina Rubli and the work she is doing with Femme International to defeat stigmas and taboos around menstruation while empowering women in East Africa to stay in school.
News Feed
Industry Experts Share AI and Digital Fundraising Insights with International Development Postgraduate Students
Thu, June 05, 2025
Students in the International Development program gained insight into an evolving world of digital strategy, AI, and fundraising innovation.
BMO Launch Me Winner Launches New Course for Entrepreneurs
Fri, March 07, 2025
Four years ago, Nina Staer Nathan founded Sunflower Communications with a clear mission: to help purpose-driven organizations tell their stories and amplify their impact.
International Development Students Take Center Stage at “Positioning for the Future” Event
Thu, February 13, 2025
Humber Polytechnic sponsored the OCIC Symposium, titled Positioning for the Future: The Future of International Development in Ontario.
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