McMaster, Mohawk launch joint certificate in social sciences

A unique new program launching Wednesday will allow students in McMaster’s Faculty of Social Sciences to pursue a Mohawk College certificate while simultaneously completing a university degree.

The affiliated certificate partnership will see classes offered through the Hamilton college recognized as McMaster electives – alleviating the need to take extra classes after-hours.

“The beauty of this program is that the quality of an undergraduate education is not diminished in any way,” says Lori Campbell, associate dean of social sciences. “It’s an integration of both applied and theoretical learning.”

Participants can choose between certificates in Business Studies and Leadership and Management in the Not-For-Profit Sector, while a third certificate titled Introduction to Autism is currently in development.

Six half-year classes are required to complete each certificate, and all courses will be held at the University’s main campus. Upon graduation from McMaster, students will receive an official certificate from Mohawk College to complement their degree.

“Students in the social sciences will benefit immensely from this new partnership,” says McMaster President Patrick Deane. “We’re pleased to be working with Mohawk College on this exciting endeavour, and I know students will find the material to be challenging, engaging and rewarding.”

Mohawk College President Rob MacIsaac agrees. “Mohawk and McMaster have a history of developing groundbreaking collaborative programs that give students the best of both a college and university education. The joint social sciences certificate program builds on these successes and strengthens the spirit of collaboration between our two schools.”

Depending on the stream, class subjects will include Board & Staff Responsibilities, Human Resources Management, Financial & Managerial Accounting, Introduction to Marketing and Personal Financial Management, among other topics.

“It’s important that students feel academically confident as they prepare to enter the job market,” says Campbell. “We spent a great deal of time analyzing how to structure the program, and these classes will offer a whole new set of tangible skills.”

A pilot program involving the first of the Business Studies courses began last year, but the official launch party will take place Wednesday, Sept. 5 at Convocation Hall (Room 213) from 12-2 p.m.

Hamilton Mayor Bob Bratina, Ward 1 Councillor Brian McHattie, Deane and MacIsaac are among the list of confirmed speakers. Local folk-rockers Of Gentleman and Cowards are also slated to perform. The McMaster student band recently won a contest to perform live on the Late Show with David Letterman.