Undergraduate Certificate, Indigenous Community Economic Development and Planning

Regulations effective Sep. 1, 2025.

The University Certificate, Indigenous Community Economic Development and Planning will provide learners with training and in-depth knowledge of the unique context of Indigenous communities, Nations, and organizations:

  • The principles of Indigenous business and governance.
  • Indigenous law and how it applies to Indigenous communities.
  • Economic development and community planning.
  • Essentials of project management.
  • Unique insight into your community or organization through a community-led capstone project.
  • Methods of community engagement and facilitation.

This new and unique program, written and developed by Indigenous business scholars and practitioners, is offered only at Athabasca University. This program will enable learners to effectively manage Indigenous organizations and businesses, by integrating traditional and contemporary Indigenous knowledge and principles with management practices. This program prepares learners to meet the needs of Indigenous organizations and to understand the unique context in which they operate.

The University Certificate, Indigenous Community Economic Development and Planning is offered by Athabasca University’s Faculty of Business. For more information, contact us.

Planning your program

Our online program plans can assist you in selecting the courses needed to fulfill your program requirements.

Athabasca University has also developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.

Program requirements

Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.

Transfer credit will not be accepted if course(s) completed more than:

  • 10 years ago in Business and Administrative Studies area of study at the (300/400) level;
  • 5 years ago in the CMIS (all levels);
  • 10 years ago in Statistics (all levels).

If you are currently working in the field and provide evidence of work being completed, this restriction may be waived. Transfer credit being used to satisfy options other than those in the Business and Administrative Studies area of study will not be restricted.

The following general regulations apply to all certificate programs.

University certificate programs provide interim qualifications in specific subject areas. Athabasca University has developed individual program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.

  1. Fifty per cent of the total credits required must be completed through Athabasca University. Up to 50 per cent of the required credits may be transferred from another post-secondary institution. 
  2. University certificate credentials are awarded throughout the year. Students must submit an Application for Graduation Form to the Office of the Registrar (see Graduation).
  3. Students with less than 50 per cent of coursework completed in their current Athabasca University degree program may withdraw from their degree and apply into a university certificate program. Credit will be awarded (from the previous incomplete degree program) to the extent permissible under the applicable program regulations in effect at the time of the change of credential.
  4. Students with 50 per cent of coursework completed in their current Athabasca University degree program are encouraged to consult with a student advisor before changing programs.
  5. Students who change their program of study from an Athabasca University degree program to a university certificate program forfeit their standing in the degree program. If students wish to return to the degree program (after being enrolled in the university certificate program) they will be required to meet the degree requirements in effect at the time of re-enrolment (see Changing Programs) to the degree.
  6. Students who have completed a previous credential (degree, certificate, or diploma) from Athabasca University or another institution must complete a minimum of 50 per cent of the credits in course work not previously used towards any credential.

    Students who have a previous credential in the same subject area as the certificate cannot enrol in the certificate.

  7. Students who have completed the former University Certificate, Labour Relations or the University Certificate, Labour Studies may not enrol in the University Certificate, Human Resources and Labour Relations.

Program structure

program structure
Total credits in the program 24
Required credits 21
Options 3
Residency requirement. A minimum of 12 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University 12
Maximum Prior Learning and Assessment (PLAR) credits 6

Required courses

(21 credits)

required courses
INBU 201 – Introduction to Indigenous Business (3)
INBU 250 – Financial & Management Accounting for Indigenous Institutions and Organizations (3)
INBU 330 – Public Administration & Law for Indigenous Business (3)
INBU 350 – Indigenous Marketing and Data Collection and Analysis (3)
INBU 386 – Introduction to Indigenous Human Relations (3)
INBU 461 – Indigenous Community Planning & Development I (3)
INBU 462 – Indigenous Community Planning & Development II (3)
Options
(Select 3 credits from the following)
INBU 490 – Applied Research in Indigenous Business (3)
Any junior (200) level course (3)
Any senior (300/400) level course (3)
Information effective Jan. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2025.

Updated December 10, 2025 by Office of the Registrar