The normal admission requirements include:
However, if you don’t meet these requirements, you are encourage to explore your admission options with the Program Director.
You should complete the Diploma Program Application (link to online form for SJ), outlining your work and educational background, and your reasons for wanting to join the program. An application fee of $150.00 is payable to the Division of Continuing Studies.
Yes, this is a University credit Diploma program. If you have been admitted previously, but haven’t taken a credit course in the past year, you must seek authorization to reregister by selecting the term in which you wish to begin and completing the form that is available through Undergraduate Records.
If you haven’t been admitted to the University of Victoria before, you will need to complete an Application for Undergraduate Admission by following the directions and specifying this program in the Faculty of Social Sciences. Please note the application deadlines to ensure that you aren’t required to pay late application fees. If you prefer to complete and submit a paper application, you’ll find the form available in a PDF. Please be sure to submit the application fee to ensure that your application is processed in a timely manner. As this is a Diploma Program, you are not normally required to submit transcripts. The Social Justice Diploma program is designed for people with both traditional and non-traditional educational backgrounds. If your application to the Diploma Program is approved by the Program Director, your application to the University will be approved as well.
This is not an extra fee. UVic requires that every newly admitted student confirm their offer of admission by paying a deposit of CAD$200. You will not be authorized to register in your course(s) until this is done. This payment is deducted from the balance of the tuition you will pay to the University for your first course. You should not pay the CAD$200 unless you are sure you will take a course during the session in which you are admitted, as it is not refundable if you do not register.
Once you are admitted to the Program and to the University, you will receive information on how to apply for and use your unique Netlink ID. This gives you access to an online site called USource where you will find course timetables, the registration system, along with access to your student account, your record and your grades. It is your responsibility to identify and register for the courses in your program and to ensure that you have submitted your fees prior to fee payment deadlines.
Course timetables are generally posted online approximately one month before the registration period begins. Registration for the Fall and Spring Sessions begins in late June, and registration for Summer Session begins in late March. You will be advised of the first date on which you can use the registration system to register in courses. Please note that since both Fall and Spring courses tend to fill quickly once registration begins, you should select your courses at your earliest convenience.
You will find comprehensive information on the registration process online through Undergraduate Admission, Registration and Records.
If you are studying part time you will be able to complete the Diploma program in as few as six four-month terms, depending on whether one or two courses are taken each term and whether registration continues through the summer months (see sample course schedule).
Here is a sample outline of the costs to attend this program. Please note: course fees are subject to increases upon approval from the Board of Governors.
| Type of Fee | Amount | Payable To | Special notes |
| Application | $150 | Division of Continuing Studies (DCS) | 1 x only |
| Course fee (for each 1.5 unit course) | $476.61 | University of Victoria | Based on domestic fees – check UVic website for international fees |
| Student Fees (per term) | The amount varies according to the number of courses taken. For one course per term, the fee is $140.34 | University of Victoria | Includes UVSS, Athletics and UPass Transit Fees |
The University will provide an online receipt through your USource account for income tax purposes in February for fees assessed in the previous calendar year. You should also keep the receipt for your Diploma Program Application fee as it is tax deductable.
Yes, you have the same access to the library as all students at UVic. Library services can be accessed electronically by Netlink ID. If you wish to borrow books and other materials, you must obtain a student card from the Information and Photo ID Centre in the lobby of University Centre.
The student card you obtain from the Information and Photo ID Centre in the lobby of University Centre is used to access student services. If you wish to use the Weight Room at the Ian Stewart Complex, you should visit the Vikes Recreation website (http://vikesrec.uvic.ca/) to learn more about services and fees.
During the winter session, you will spend three hours a week in class for each course. In addition, you should plan to spend another 3 to 6 hours per week outside of class reading reference materials and completing assignments.
This program involves the completion of 12 courses (18 units) including 4.5 units of core courses (3 courses: SJS 100, SJS 200 and SJS 400A) and 13.5 units of electives (9 courses). SJS Diploma students have the option of taking the practicum, SJS 400B, or substituting for this course a 1.5 unit elective at the 300 or 400 level, chosen from a list of electives. SJS 400B will be offered to SJS students who have completed SJS 100, SJS 200 and SJS 400A. This course will give you the opportunity to have hands-on practical experience in civic and community engagement. View course information. And you can always talk with the Program Coordinator in Continuing Studies or the Social Justice Studies Program Director, Professor Bill Carroll in the Department of Sociology.
Yes, you will attend courses with students registered in Bachelor’s programs at UVic. Many of these students will be completing a minor in Social Justice Studies.
While some courses are available in late afternoons and evenings, others are scheduled in the morning or early afternoon, so some degree of flexibility in your work schedule is needed to participate.
You will need to familiarize yourself with the requirements for the degree by reading the UVic calendar (http://web.uvic.ca/calendar2009/) . Most degrees require a certain number of credits in a major and a minor area of interest, as well as electives. In addition, there may be such regulations as no more than five 100 level courses can be applied to a degree. When you are nearing completion of your Diploma you should go to the Advising Centre for Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences (University Centre A205) to discuss a plan to work towards a degree. Most courses you will take for the diploma should be transferable to a degree, but it will depend on the degree you choose as well as a number of other factors.
With the permission of the Program Director, you may transfer up to six credits of relevant coursework from other UVic departments or other universities as long as you have not previously used this credit towards a degree. The transfer credit must be at a third year level. Conversely, you may transfer credits earned within the diploma to a degree program.
Computers are becoming more and more of a necessity at university. You will register for your courses and manage your student account online. You do not need to have a computer at home as you are entitled to use the computer labs at UVic. You may also have a UVic email address.
All credit (diploma) students need to be familiar with the regulations listed in the first 35 or so pages of the UVic calendar. See the UVic Calendar website or pick up a copy of the calendar at the Bookstore. If you have been admitted, you will receive a voucher for the calendar in your registration guide. If you have not yet been admitted, the cost of the calendar is CAD$4.00.
Program Coordinator, Division of Continuing Studies, is your first point of contact
Tel: (250) 721-8457
Email: socialjustice@uvcs.uvic.ca
In order to perform maintenance on the UVic servers, there will be intermittent outages this Thursday, May 24 from 6:00-8:00 am (Pacific Time). You may not be able to log in to your courses during this period.
If you experience any problems after 8:00 am on Thursday, May 24, please contact the Onlinehelp Desk at 250-721-8476 (toll-free 1-888-721-8476 in North America) or by email at dehelp@uvic.ca.