Professional Development Certificates

NAIT’s one- to two-year, full-time* professional development programs will earn you a professional development certificate and prepare you for the Canadian workplace. 

  • Our professional development certificates are designed to leverage your previous education and work experience 
  • Our unique programming and start dates offer specialized education tailored to advance your career options in Canada 
  • Gain job-ready skills and knowledge with the latest technology, trends, and methodologies 
  • Certificates are closely tied to the needs of the Alberta labour market 
  • Be eligible to apply for your Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) upon completion 
  • Study on campus in Edmonton, Canada in a vibrant face-to-face environment 

*Full-time for Corporate and Continuing Education programs is considered a minimum of 150 instructional hours per program term. 

Benefits of Professional Development Certificates

Study in Canada

Workforce-Ready Training

Professional Certification

Career Progression

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Current programs

Leadership and Project Management for IT

NAIT’s one-year, full-time, professional development program will earn you a professional development certificate and prepare you for the Canadian workplace.

Construction Leadership & Management

This certificate will help you prepare for a leadership role in site-based construction trades professions.

Length: 1 to 2 years, full-time*

Class delivery: in-person

Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

International tuition fee: varies by program**

Start Dates:

  • Leadership & Project Management for IT: August 2023
    • Applications now open
  • Construction Leadership & Management: January 2024
    • Applications opening soon
  • Health & Life Sciences Management: January 2024
    • Applications opening soon
  • Clean Fuel Operation: January 2024
    • Applications opening soon
  • Business Intelligence & Data Engineering: January 2024
    • Applications opening soon

Study permit: international students are eligible to apply for a Canadian study permit for these programs

PGWP: these programs are non-credit professional development certificates which may qualify for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) if all other eligibility criteria are met

*Full-time for Corporate and Continuing Education programs is considered a minimum of 150 instructional hours per term. 

** See individual program pags for full details 

Dates and Deadlines

Applications can be submitted any time before the application deadline, but we recommend submitting your application at least 90 days before the application deadline. 

  • Applications open: a minimum of 6 months before the program begins (see program details for a list of programs with open applications)
  • Applications close: 
    • With a valid study permit: 10 days before program begins
    • Without a valid study permit: 30 days before program begins

Inquiries after the deadlines need to be sent to continuingeducation@nait.ca

Program Availability

Currently there is 1 Professional Development Certificate that is open for applications. 

Additional programs will be opening over the next several months.

The status of each certificate is reviewed and addressed as applications are received. Program availability is subject to change without notice. 

Entrance Requirements

Each Professional Development certificate program values education from within and outside of Canada. All our programs require students to have: 

  • Post-secondary studies from an accredited institution, including one or more of a completed: 

    • Certificate (achieved inside Canada only) 

    • Diploma,  

    • Degree

    • Masters/Post-Graduate 

Please see the individual program pages for entrance requirement details.

English Language Requirements

If you are from an exempted country or you studied  in one, you will not be asked to provide proof of English language proficiency.  

Otherwise, you are required to provide proof of English language proficiency. Please note, many language exams expire 2 years after the testing date. To be accepted by this program, your test cannot expire before Term 1 begins. If it does, you will need to submit a new test before you can be admitted. The following are acceptable as proof of English language proficiency:  

  • IELTS (Academic Format) - minimum of 6.5. 

    • 6.5 in the speaking component 

    • 6.0 in the reading component 

    • 6.0 in the listening component 

    • 6.0 in the writing component 

  • Pearson Tests of English Academic - minimum overall score of 55, with no less than 40 in each skill (speaking, listening, reading, writing). 

  • TOEFL Internet Based or TOEFL Special Home Edition test - minimum of 83, with no individual component below 20, and the writing component no less than 23. 

    • 20 in the speaking component 

    • 20 in the reading component 

    • 20 in the listening component 

    • 23 in the writing component 

  • NAIT's Level 6 Courses NEAP611, NEAP621 and NEAP631 

    • successful completion of all 3 courses with 60% or higher in each course. 

  • NAIT English Language Proficiency Exam - minimum of 75% or higher in each of the four components (speaking, listening, reading, writing). 

  • Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLB) - minimum of 8 in each component (speaking, listening, reading, writing). 

  • Duolingo English Test - minimum overall score of 115, with no band limits.

  • International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC) - successful completion of Pathway 3.2 with a mark of 75% or higher. 

Applications and Admissions

Applications 

Application Dates 

Applications open: a minimum of 6 months before program begins. Please see program details tab for programs with open applications. 

  • Application deadline for students:  
    • With valid study permit, CAD citizens, or PRs: 10 days before classes begin
      • 10 days before classes begin 
    • Without valid study permit: July 17, 2023  

      • 30 days before classes begin 

Inquiries after this deadline need to be sent via email to: continuingeducation@nait.ca 


Admissions 

Admission Criteria 

All admissions criteria can be found on the Admission Requirements tab of each program page.  

  • Academic Requirements: must have post-secondary or other accepted education.

  • English Language Requirement: view the minimum English language proficiency found on the Admissions Requirements tab of each program page. 


Proof of Study permit 

If you will be a temporary resident in Canada, you are required to have a valid Study Permit to study this program. You will need to provide proof of study permit approval before your program begins. Proof of valid study permit approval can include:  

  • Copy of current study permit, if received; 

OR 

If you don’t believe you will get your study permit before the refund deadline, please reach out to ContinuingEducation@nait.ca to discuss your options. 


Waitlist Process and Policy 

If the program is full, a waitlist will be started in order of date applied. While we would hope to create space in this program for all students, there is no guarantee students will be invited off the waitlist to join the program. 

  • Waitlists are managed by the program. 
  • If students on the waitlist are offered a seat, they will be offered on a first-applied, first qualified basis. 
  • Applicants will be notified of their waitlist status from the program area up until the first day of class. 
  • Payment deadlines may differ from the standard deadline if late admission is offered. 

Tuition and Fees

Currency 

All fees are in CDN 


Application Fee 

$0 


Tuition Fee 

$17,997 to $28,000 CAD

Tuition fees are dependent on program length and content. For exact tuition fees, please see the individual program page. 

Acceptance Letter 

The first term tuition p ayment is required to receive an acceptance letter. Tuition is refundable, minus a $250 administrative fee.  


Tuition Fee Deadlines 

  • Term 1: within 30 days of being accepted into the program  

  • All other terms: tuition is due 30 days before each term begins


General Tuition Policies 

As you navigate your program, it’s important to be aware of the following policies:  

  • A payment will be applied against any outstanding balance from a previous term before being applied to current or future tuition and term fees. 

  • Students are responsible for all fees charged to your student account.

  • You must meet payment deadlines even if you have applied for financial support. 

  • Deadlines are strictly enforced.  

  • If you are admitted to the program within 30 days of the program start date, payment must be received before the first day of class.


Payment options 

NAIT accepts multiple forms of payment options which can be found on NAIT’s Payment Options page. Please note, the Continuing Education Students tabs do NOT apply to Leadership and Project Management for IT students. You can ignore the information found on those tabs. 


Additional Fees

Book fees are not reflected in the tuition fees. Book costs may range from $50 to $200 per term. Please see the program page for more details


Optional Fees 

These fees are not mandatory, and students can decide if they want these services or not. 

ETS TRANSIT PASS: $100/month 

  • You can purchase this from NAIT’s bookstore or elsewhere upon arrival into Edmonton 

Recreation Fees: $130.27/term 

  • Find out what the recreation fee provides here 

  • This can be purchased at NAIT’s one AT NAIT Card office or at the main desk of the Fitness Centre.  

  • Please note, this can be purchased only after activating your one AT NAIT card! For more, see here.  

Drop Deadlines, Withdrawals and Deferrals

Admission Deferral Policy 

Deferrals are possible to the next academic year but may have a fee change. Fees are reviewed annually, and deferred students would be subject to any applicable additional fees. Please note, deferrals are allowed once per student. 

Eligibility 

To be considered for a deferral, you must: 

  • Have paid your tuition deposit to accept an offer of admission to NAIT and continue to meet any conditions outlined in your offer of admission 

  • Be impacted by study permit processing delays from Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) 

  • Submit an admission deferral request within the deferral timeline via email: continuingeducation@nait.ca 

Deadlines  

  • With valid study permit, CAD citizens, or PRs: August 6, 2023 

  • 10 days before classes begin 

  • Without valid study permit: July 17, 2023  

  • 30 days before classes begin 

Inquiries after this deadline need to be sent via email to continuingeducation@nait.ca 


Drop Deadline (before classes begin) 

If you decide to drop a course before the program begins, there are deadlines in which your request needs to be submitted to NAIT. Please note, completion of every course in this program is required to get your Certificate of Completion. 

  • With valid study permit, CAD citizens, or PRs: August 6, 2023 

  • 10 days before classes begin 

  • Without valid study permit: July 17, 2023  

  • 30 days before classes begin 

Inquiries after this deadline need to be sent via email to continuingeducation@nait.ca  

*Please refer to the Refunds tab for refund information 


Withdrawals (after classes begin) 

If you decide not to attend NAIT after the program begins, you must formally request a withdrawal from the program in writing.  Non-attendance does not constitute withdrawal; you will be held responsible for all fees incurred.  

Inquiries need to be sent via email to: continuingeducation@nait.ca  


Re-entry Policy 

Student cases are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  Please email our advisors @continuingeducation@nait.ca 


Re-open Application Policy and Process 

Student cases are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  Please email our advisors @continuingeducation@nait.ca 

Refunds

If you need to request a refund, NAIT provides a refund, less $250 if you cancel or are denied a study permit. There is no application fee collected, so this serves as an administration fee. NAIT can provide a refund if you change your mind or for any of the following reasons:  

  • Study permit denial  

  • Study permit processing time delay 

  • Travel restrictions 

Inquiries around refunds can be sent via email to continuingeducation@nait.ca 


Tuition Refund Request Deadlines 

  • With valid study permit, CAD citizens, or PRs: 10 days before classes begin 

  • Without valid study permit: 30 days before classes begin 

Inquiries after this deadline need to be sent via email to continuingeducation@nait.ca 


Application Fee Refund 

N/A - This program does not have application fees. 


Deposit Fee Refund 

N/A - This program does not have application fees. 


Refund method 

If you are eligible for a refund, the refund method depends on how your original payment was made. For more information on refunds, please visit  NAIT’s Refund Policy page.  


Processing times 

Refunds typically take between 4 to 6 weeks to process from the time you withdraw from a class or submit your refund request for processing. Once the refund is processed, it may take 5-10 business days for the refund to be reflected on your account. 

Other

Failure to Complete Policy and Deadlines 

Students who have failed a course are required to meet with the program area within 5 calendar days after the class grades have been posted to explore options to complete. Please email @continuingeducation@nait.ca 

Failure to complete all required courses by the program end date will result in a program failure grade and no completion certificate will be issued. Students who do not complete will need to reapply to the program, pay all required fees, and complete the classes.  


Attendance 

Students are required to attend 100% of classes. If a student is absent from a portion of a course, they will be responsible for connecting with the instructor to make up the assignment/study time. 

If a student is absent from a whole course, they are responsible for connecting with the program to be enrolled in a makeup course. 


Class Cancellation 

NAIT reserves the right to restrict enrolment or to cancel any class or program for which there is insufficient enrolment. If the course you have enrolled in is cancelled, we will make every effort to contact you prior to the start date. Fees for cancelled classes will be refunded or applied to another course. 

International supports at NAIT

NAIT provides many supports and services for international students! Home to hundreds of international students, NAIT is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and supportive space for all students. When you’re a student at NAIT, there are many international services and resources you can access.

International and Intercultural Community Centre 

NAIT’s International and Intercultural Community Centre (IICC) is NAIT’s hub for international and intercultural community-building, capacity development, outreach and connection. At the IICC, students can access:  

NAIT’s IICC team actively meets with current NAIT students to support and celebrate their learning journey! 

Photo of international students posing in front of a NAIT mural

Immigration & Visa Information 

NAIT.ca/immigration is an excellent international and immigration resource for prospective and current international NAIT students. Information that can be found here includes:  

Visit nait.ca/immigration to begin your immigration research! 

Pre-departure and Arrival information 

Have you been accepted to NAIT and are planning to travel to Edmonton, Alberta? If so, NAIT offers many helpful resources and information for this exciting journey. Find information about:  

We are here to support your journey to Edmonton, Alberta!

Recruitment Events 

Are you interested in joining NAIT? Our NAIT representatives travel around the world, attending education fairs and conducting NAIT seminars. Join us to learn more about studying, working and living in Edmonton, Canada. Come meet with us at: 

Ask us

Need help? We're here to support you

Phone: (780) 378-6990
9:00AM – 12:30PM, Monday – Friday

Toll-Free: 1 (844) 558-8753

Email: ContinuingEducation@nait.ca
8:00AM – 4:00PM, Monday – Friday

In person: L-159
8:00AM – 2:00PM: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
CLOSED: Monday, Friday

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Professional Development Certification Program

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