About the Certificate

Communicate Across Cultures. Stand Out in Your Career.

Employers increasingly look for graduates who can work effectively with people from diverse cultural, linguistic, and international backgrounds.

The Certificate in Intercultural Communication (CIC) recognizes your ability to communicate across cultures by combining academic learning, language development, and real-world intercultural experience.

Whether you plan to work internationally or build your career here in Canada, the Certificate demonstrates skills that are increasingly valued in a global workplace.

Who can complete the Certificate?

The CIC helps you develop the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to communicate effectively across cultures. By completing the Certificate, you will:

• Strengthen your intercultural communication skills
• Develop greater cultural awareness and a global perspective
• Build your language and communication abilities
• Gain valuable community or international experience
• Demonstrate competencies that employers value
• Graduate with an additional credential on your official Dalhousie transcript

Who can complete the Certificate?

The Certificate in Intercultural Communication is open to undergraduate students from all Faculties at Dalhousie. Whether you're studying Arts and Social Sciences, Science, Engineering, Health, Management, Computer Science, or another discipline, the Certificate can complement your degree and broaden your academic and professional profile.   

What will you do?

The Certificate combines four components:

Academic Credit

Take approved courses that examine communication across cultures from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.

Language Learning

Develop your proficiency in another language through language courses or, if you already demonstrate proficiency in another language, through approved upper-level courses in language, literature, culture, cinema, linguistics, or related fields.

Experiential Learning

Apply what you learn through meaningful intercultural experience, locally or internationally — study abroad, community engagement, internships, volunteering, mentoring, research, or other approved opportunities.

ASSC 3150.03

Bring together your academic, language, and experiential learning in the Certificate's required interdisciplinary course.

Together, these four components build a strong foundation for communicating effectively in diverse cultural and professional settings.

Who benefits from the Certificate?

The skills developed through the CIC are valuable for careers in:

• Education
• Healthcare
• Government and Public Service
• International Development
• Business and Global Commerce
• Law
• Engineering
• Community Organizations and NGOs
• Media and Communications
• Immigration and Settlement Services
• International Relations
• Research and Academia

How do I get started?

Getting started is simple.

Step 1

Declare the Certificate through Dal Online.

Step 2

Complete 6 credit hours from the approved courses listed below. This may consist of one approved 6-credit-hour course or two approved 3-credit-hour courses from different departments.

Step 3

Complete the academic credit, language study requirement, experiential learning, and ASSC 3150 requirements.

Step 4

Apply to graduate with the Certificate when you're ready to graduate. This is a separate declaration from your degree's graduation application — if you're completing both, you'll need to submit each one by the relevant deadline.

Once all requirements have been completed and verified, the Certificate will appear on your official Dalhousie transcript, and you'll receive your Certificate at Convocation.

Meet with the CIC Advisor

Interested in adding the Certificate to your degree? Meet with the CIC Advisor to discuss your academic plan, explore eligible experiences, and see how the Certificate can fit into your program.

Book an appointment today and start building the intercultural skills that will prepare you for a global future.