This certificate is part of an innovative partnership between UBC and Fraser Valley Institute (FVI). It offers UBC students and prisoners incarcerated at FVI the opportunity to take courses and learn together as peers in classrooms at FVI. Classes will be a mix of half UBC and half incarcerated students. FVI students are admitted through the UBC Access registration process.
The courses offered towards this certificate come from a variety of departments across the university, with approximately one course offered each year. The certificate offers students an experiential and intensive way of learning that is based in the Walls to Bridges program model. Students will be immersed in courses that integrate academic instruction with small group discussion and deep reflection on the course content in relation to everyday experiences.
The certificate is available only to FVI students. (UBC students will get academic credit for the course taken towards their degree.) Courses offered at FVI are listed on the Geography department webpage. For information on the application process students can visit fvicertificate.arts.ubc.ca.
Both UBC and FVI students apply to the course instructor for course admission. Admission is based on readiness to respectfully engage everyone in the class as equals, level of maturity, an openness to breaking down stereotypes about “us” and “them” and an openness to non-traditional and collaborative learning.
Certificate Requirements
To complete the certificate FVI students must complete at least 9 UBC course credits at FVI.