Newfoundland and Labrador Regional
Economic Development Association

The NLREDA mandate is to represent the 20 Regional Economic Development Boards of the province on issues of common concern. As well, the association was formed to promote and strengthen relationships, communications, human resources and organizational developm ¬ READ MORE

New Certificate program in Regional Policy and Development designed with NL in mind

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When it comes to regional policy and development issues, Newfoundland and Labrador is a unique place, with specific challenges and opportunities— that’s why Memorial University’s Division of Lifelong Learning is proud to announce a new university-level certificate in regional policy and development, specially tailored to meet the needs of this province.

Created and proposed in partnership with the Harris Centre and the Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Economic Development Association (NLREDA), the program’s first students will begin classes in September, 2010.

While some of the elective courses will be located at Memorial’s St. John’s campus, many of the courses will be offered online, reducing the need for individuals to travel for training in regional policy and development issues, and offering an in-province training option.

Aimed at those working, or interested in working, in regional development and policy, the program will be a strong professional development opportunity for a wide range of individuals, from those employed with regional economic development boards and municipalities, to those with not-for-profit agencies, social enterprises or in government.

With a broad range of required and elective courses spanning seven Memorial departments, the program will help students make informed decisions related to regional policy and development, focusing on various key topics including strategic planning, management, economic development, and others.

Throughout the planning of the certificate, there was a continued emphasis on ensuring the content of the program would be relevant to the actual day-to-day experience of those working in regional policy and development. As a result, three of the six core courses that all students must complete to earn the certificate have been designed in direct consultation with the Harris Centre and NLREDA.

There is also a significant hands-on portion to the course—all students must complete an intensive community field placement to add context to the class work, and give them a chance to put their new knowledge into action.

While the immediate aim of the program is to offer students a relevant and practical grounding in regional policy and development issues, the program is expected to have a significant positive effect on a provincial level, by increasing the number of individuals with training in regional policy and development in Newfoundland and Labrador, and creating a greater pool of skilled candidates to tackle regional policy and development issues in the future.

There is also significant potential for practitioners from outside the province to sign up for the program, creating increased networking and partnership opportunities.
For more information on the Certificate Program in Regional Policy and Development, please visit www.mun.ca/lifelonglearning.

Certificate in Regional Policy and Development

The Certificate Program in Regional Policy and Development is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills required to effectively work in the sector.

• policy analysis and development;
• community engagement and local democracy;
• strategic planning and thinking;
• opportunity management systems;
• business retention and expansion;
• new venture creation;
• investment attraction;
• cooperative development;
• social enterprise;
• municipal entrepreneurship;
• proposal writing;
• project management;
• spatial planning and
• culture compatible development.

Certificate Requirements

1. Certificate credit courses are specifically developed for certificate programs and as such may not be applied towards the satisfaction of requirements for any other existing diploma or degree program.

2. In order to register for certificate credit courses, you must be admitted to Memorial. For admissions and registration information, please consult the Office of the Registrar.

3. Certificate requirements may be offered variously on-campus day and evenings as well via distance delivery. For availability of courses in any semester, please consult the Office of the Registrar's course offerings link.

4. No candidate will be awarded a certificate unless s/he has obtained an average of 2 points or better on the total number of credit hours required for the certificate.

http://www.mun.ca/lifelonglearning/programs/univ_cert/regional.php