Diplomas and Certificates

The Faculty offers the following diploma and certificate programs:

• Diploma in Fine Arts (see below)
• Diploma in Cultural Resource Management (see this page)
• Certificate Program in Foundations in Indigenous Fine Arts (see this page)
• Professional Specialization Certificate in Heritage Conservation Planning (see this page)
• Professional Specialization Certificate in Collection Management (see this page)

Diploma in Fine Arts

The Fine Arts Diploma Program is designed for persons who wish to pursue a personal interest in the fine arts through part-time study. Its focus, structure, content, and flexibility are well suited to active people who may also be balancing jobs, families, and community responsibilities. While the diploma program may have some career benefits, its primary purpose affirms the traditional university value of learning for its own sake. Applicants must be admissible to the University of Victoria and have demonstrated interest in the fine arts.

The Program offers students the opportunity to take selected courses from the Departments of History in Art, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Writing, based on themes of study that are selected and approved at the time of application. A total of 15.0 units, made up of the core course FA 101 Creative Being (1.5 units), and elective courses from the Faculty of Fine Arts that enable the student to pursue themes of particular interest, are required for the Diploma. Up to 3.0 units of credit may be taken outside the Faculty of Fine Arts with the approval of the Associate Dean. As this program is primarily intended for students pursuing a personal rather than a professional interest in the arts, studio or performance courses are not normally emphasized.

Students may apply to obtain up to 6.0 units of transfer credit to be used towards their Diploma for equivalent UVic courses, as long as the credits have not been used in a previous credential.

Credit obtained within the Fine Arts Diploma Program may be transferable to a regular undergraduate degree program. However, such transferability of credit is always subject to the specific requirements of the degree program.

The Fine Arts Diploma Program is offered by the Faculty of Fine Arts in cooperation with the Division of Continuing Studies. Admission is subject to the approval of the Associate Dean of Fine Arts. For further information about the Program, please contact Brenda Weatherston at Continuing Studies at 250-721-8504 or by email at bweatherston@uvcs.uvic.ca.

Certificate Program in Foundations in Indigenous Fine Arts

In co-operation with the En’owkin International School of Writing and Visual Arts in Penticton, BC, the Faculty offers a Certificate in Foundations in Indigenous Fine Arts. This Certificate is only available for students who complete course requirements at the En’owkin Centre. All courses meet the academic standards of the University of Victoria, but emphasize indigenous peoples’ perspectives and cultural content.

Students take a total of 13.5 units of courses, including 3 units of core courses and 10.5 units of electives in visual arts and/or writing. Course work completed at the En’owkin Centre will be identified by the letter E following the course number; e.g., CW 150E, ART 101E.

The Certificate Program is designed primarily for mature indigenous students who wish to develop specialized skills in creative writing and/or visual arts in an indigenous context. Students may complete the program on a part-time basis but must successfully complete at least 13.5 units of course work over a period of two to six years.

Admission Requirements

Students wishing to be admitted to the Certificate in Foundations in Indigenous Fine Arts should contact:

Admissions to the Certificate Program are made through the En’owkin International School of Writing and Visual Arts. As part of the En’owkin admission process, students complete a University of Victoria application form which will be forwarded to the University of Victoria Undergraduate Admissions by the En’owkin School no later than September 30 for entry into the Winter Session. Transcripts will be required at this point only to identify course credits that satisfy the University of Victoria Academic Writing Requirement.

Please note that students will be admitted through the En’owkin School for the Certificate Program only. Students who wish to continue their studies in any other University of Victoria courses or programs must apply to reregister through UVic Undergraduate Records and provide complete transcripts of all prior academic work. Credit obtained within the Certificate Program may be transferable to a regular UVic degree program. Transferability of credit is, however, subject to the specific requirements of the degree program. Students who wish to pursue a BA or BFA in Visual Arts or Writing at the University of Victoria must re-apply to UVic Undergraduate Records and fulfill all normal admission, program and course requirements. Students are strongly advised to consult the Chair of the appropriate department as early as possible.

University of Victoria Academic Writing Requirement

All students wishing to complete the Certificate must satisfy the “Academic Writing Requirement”. The En'owkin Centre normally provides the English Placement Essay and required course work to satisfy this requirement.

Core Courses

Students must choose 3.0 units of core courses from the following:

Elective Courses

Students may select either Creative Writing or Visual Arts courses to complete the required 13.5 units.

Note: Students wishing to apply to a degree program in Visual Arts at the University of Victoria must complete both ART 100E and ART 101E.

En’owkin Centre Courses

Descriptions for most En’owkin courses are in the Calendar under the departments that offer equivalent courses on campus. The following courses are offered only through the En’owkin Certificate Program: ART 100E, 101E, 130E, CW 150E, 155E, 156E, 160E, 212E.