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Global Development Studies Certificate Program

Queen’s Global Development Studies Certificate (formerly the DEVS Certificate Programme) is designed to provide working professionals and upper-year students in professional programs a deeper understanding of development issues at home and abroad. The flexible yet rigorous courses are designed to accommodate demanding work schedules. New online courses begin in May, September, and January.

Our current course offerings focus on health and engineering professions, but we welcome participation by interested professionals from other areas.

Continuing Medical Education Credits

Physicians can request Continuing Medical Education credits (64 CFPC Mainpro – M1 credits) from the College of Family Physicians of Canada upon the completion of each online course.

What You'll Gain from the Program

critical awareness of development issues both in Canada and in other countries
preparation for global citizenship and professional ventures
a comprehensive understanding of international development issues to help you engage formally or informally within your professional organizations
knowledge of the context and history of development and social justice movements in Canada
awareness of the health and technology impacts of global organizations, NGOs, and multinationals
ways that development and social justice issues affect men and women

For more information on this Certificate, visit the Development Studies Department's Certificate Program webpage.

Who the Program Is For

Physicians, nurses, and other health professionals interested in global development health issues
Engineers and technology professionals interested in global development and technology issues
Professionals in other disciplines interested in expanding their understanding of development issues

Goals of the Program

To provide you with a solid understanding of development and social justice issues so that you can apply them in your professional and/or personal life
To offer enough flexibility to accommodate your schedule while providing rigorous, in-depth study of the key issues in development.
To expand the reach of global development research so that it can impact the professions where it can make the most difference
To provide professionals with an academic foundation for engaging formally or informally with development programs and policies

Program Requirements

Option 1: Complete five online courses. See Course Descriptions below.
Option 2: Complete three online courses plus a one-week capstone on-campus seminar course related to your profession.
Participants can start in May, September, or January. Each course is eight weeks long.

Components

Each course uses readings, lectures, and multimedia content. Online forum discussions with the professor and fellow participants create opportunities to engage with others and discuss the relevant issues.

Each program begins with a mandatory introductory course. Health and technology professionals take one core course tailored to their profession. (Other participants may take these courses as electives). The remaining courses are electives.

You have the option of finishing your program with a Capstone On-Campus Seminar Course in lieu of two online elective courses. This one-week course is offered in the summer on Queen's campus. Capstone courses are not offered every year and are dependent on enrollment. Accommodation is available.

Course Descriptions

DEVS-CERT 101.1: Introduction to Development Studies

What do people mean by Third World, Fourth World, Global South, and majority world? Why are some countries so rich while others are poor? Why are there seemingly intractable pockets of poverty within otherwise wealthy communities? What is development? Learn the theories and debates behind these questions in this introductory course. Deepen your understanding of the history of global development efforts and the impact of colonialism. Appreciate the complexity of these issues.

DEVS-CERT 201.1: Introduction to Health and Development (Core)

What does global development mean for health? How do we measure global health? Examine the impact of globalization, global institutions, and NGOs involved in health. Explore key topics in health, such as HIV/AIDS, displaced peoples, and aboriginal communities. This core course is tailored to healthcare professionals.

DEVS-CERT 202.1: Introduction to Technology and Development (Core)

What impact can and does technology have in developing and developed countries? Explore the links between technology, capitalism, colonialism, racism, and states. Analyse case studies about the typical role of engineers and NGOs in development projects. Take a critical approach to development concepts such as efficiency, sustainability, charity, and solidarity. This core course is tailored to technology professionals.

DEVS-CERT 211.1: Globalization and Gender and Development (Elective)

What impact does gender have on the success of development projects? Explore the social underpinnings of gender, including gender planning, mobilization, globalization, neoliberalism, privatization, militarization, and poverty. Analyse case studies from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Discuss critically the role of women’s resistance and activism movements and the influence of international aid and feminist organizations.

DEVS-CERT 212.1: NGOs and Global Civil Society (Elective)

Examine the rapidly expanding field of nongovernmental organizations from their early roots to their current roles. Explore the relations of power between NGOs, states, and communities. Discuss critically the impact of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Topics include the role of corporations and private companies, microfinance, infrastructure, and democratic movements.

DEVS-CERT 213.1: PERSPECTIVES ON WORKING AND VOLUNTEERING IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH (Elective)

This course explores some of the current thinking around the role that volunteers, skilled professionals and development workers from the Global North play in relation to their counterparts in the Global South. Through a survey of literature, films and popular publications on the subject, we consider some of the challenges and ethical issues that arise out of relationships that are usually based on good intentions yet sometimes have unintended or unanticipated outcomes. By weaving together the literature on development-related issues and theory, international experiential learning models and global citizenship, we explore and reflect on some of the ethical challenges related to working and volunteering in the Global South.

DEVS-CERT 214.1: Issues and Actors in Development (Elective)

Building on the topics covered in the introductory course, this course explores the actions and motivations of the major players in global development: multinational corporations, states, NGOs, and individuals. Apply principles learned in this program to evaluate current and future issues, such as aboriginal rights, environmental issues, food security, and anti-globalization movements.

Capstone Course Descriptions

DEVS-CERT 401.2: Advanced Seminar in Health and Development

DEVS-CERT 402.2: Advanced Seminar in Technology and Development

These two capstone courses are intended for healthcare or technology professionals who have already taken DEVS-CERT 201-1 or 201-2. The course format includes lectures, seminar style discussions, and group activities lead by healthcare and development experts from both inside and outside Queen’s. These courses will provide a collegial, participant-centred setting for you to learn from and interact with leading scholars and practitioners in the field.