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Putting social justice at the centre.

We live in a world in crisis, a world facing enormous socio-political and ecological challenges. The Social Justice Studies (SJS) diploma program provides critical perspectives on these challenges and on the possibilities for moving beyond unjust and unsustainable ways of life. Whatever your vocational or academic aspirations, SJS furnishes a common ground for understanding our troubled world and exploring alternative futures.

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Description

Courses and fees

Application information

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Program at a glance

Program description

The aim of the Social Justice Studies (SJS) diploma program is to provide you with a thorough understanding of the range of ways in which scholars, researchers and students address and engage with issues surrounding social inequities and injustices in the contemporary world. SJS will provide you with a strong foundation for understanding and researching social justice issues from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.

SJS also offers considerable practical value. Our program is designed to complement and enhance your undergraduate education. The SJS program will not only deepen and broaden your understanding of social and political issues, it will strengthen your qualifications for a great range of graduate programs, professional schools and occupations. 

Combined with a disciplinary Major, a Minor or Diploma in Social Justice Studies will broaden career opportunities while improving the effectiveness of advocacy work or social activism in areas such as human rights, community development, environmental protection, inter-cultural communication, conflict resolution and development in the global south.

Program partners

University of Victoria logo

Faculty of Social Sciences

 

Who is this program for?

  • Undergraduate students wanting to complement their degree program with a Minor or Diploma in Social Justice Studies
  • Inter-disciplinary professionals looking to further enrich their expertise and experience with a respected credential

Career options

Some of our learners pursue careers in the following roles:

Courses and fees

This program involves successful completion of 10 courses (15.0 units): three core (required) courses and seven electives. The program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.

Three (3) required courses
Plus seven (7) electives

SJS 100: Introduction to Theories of Social Justice (1.5 units).

Seven elective courses (10.5 units), selected from the list of approved elective courses.

These electives must include a minimum of three units from each of the two designated areas of Social Justice Studies:

  • Theory and method
  • Substantive analysis

No more than three units from any one department or school may be counted for credit towards the diploma.

Note: Normally, students complete SJS 100 first, but SJS 100 and SJS 200 may be taken in either order, or concurrently. SJS 100 and SJS 200 are interdisciplinary team-taught courses.

Students typically take 18 months to complete the requirements of the diploma program. However, with careful course planning it may be possible to finish the program in as little as one year, or, in the case of students who start the program in January, 8 months. 

  Domestic students International students
Program application fee $125.00 $125.00
UVic application fee $82.50 $147.00
Three required courses $1,849.68 $8,914.59
Seven elective courses $4,315.92 $20,800.71
Additional UVSS and other miscellaneous fees may apply $740.00 $740.00
Estimated Total $7,088.10* $30,702.30*
*IMPORTANT NOTE:
Fees listed in this section are an estimate for the full one-year program. Total program fees may vary depending on delivery format, tuition rate, course selections, student and service fees, textbooks and taxes. Tuition and fees are subject to annual increases. 

Application information

Admission requirements

Program admission is non-competitive. To apply to the program you must generally have one of the following:

  • registration in a concurrent academic program at UVic
  • a previous Bachelor's degree
  • successful completion of at least two years of post-secondary education and experience working in the area of social justice

However, if you do not meet these requirements, we encourage you to explore your admission options with the Program Director.

How to apply

Application is a two-step process. Students must apply for acceptance into the diploma program and for acceptance to credit study at the University of Victoria.

  1. Complete an online application to the Social Justice Studies diploma program.
  2. If you are accepted, then you need to submit an application to UVic using the My UVic online application. All applicants to the University of Victoria must demonstrate proof of English-language proficiency.

Applications are accepted for the September intake and the January intake. In some cases an application may be considered for the May intake. Please contact the program coordinator to discuss your application if you are considering the May intake. New applicants to UVic should note that application processing times can vary and, as such, we encourage you to apply to UVic three to four months before the start of the term in which you intend to begin studies. Please note that the Social Justice Studies program is not responsible for processing times of applications through UVic Admissions.

Application dates

Starting in
September 2025
Availability
Accepting Applications
Apply by
July 1, 2025
Apply online Contact us for more info

Questions?

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