Program description
The Micro-certificate in Teaching the Holocaust offers a specialized pathway for in-service and pre-service teachers preparing to integrate Holocaust education into the BC secondary school curriculum as mandated by Premier David Eby and the BC Government for the 2025/26 school year. Developed in collaboration with leading Holocaust educators, this non-credit micro-certificate examines the origins, progression, central characters, key sites and enduring legacies of the Holocaust, one of the most horrific events of the twentieth century. This program familiarizes teachers with this subject matter, introduces them to the latest scholarship and provides grade-appropriate resources for their classrooms.
The Holocaust was the systematic mass murder of European Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators during World War II. This program prioritizes Jewish experiences of Nazi terror while also exploring how Nazi racial policy targeted other social and ethnic groups. Additionally, it examines post-1945 representations to understand the ongoing significance of the Holocaust, including the graphic narrative But I Live, edited by Dr. Charlotte Schallié, a professor of Germanic Studies at the University of Victoria. Notably, learners will also have the opportunity to hear the testimony of Julius Maslovat, a child Holocaust survivor living in Victoria, BC.
Participants will engage in critical reflection on moral and ethical issues, cultivating essential knowledge and skills for facilitating nuanced, age-appropriate, and trauma-informed learning experiences for diverse learners. Graduates will gain insights into key issues surrounding racism, discrimination and human rights violations, enabling them to navigate a diverse range of topics with enhanced empathy, sensitivity and understanding. These transferable skills play a pivotal role in conveying to students the profound impacts of discrimination and in empowering them to become informed and compassionate global citizens.
In addition to the 8-week online module, learners can attend an optional in-person Professional Development Workshop in Spring 2025 at the University of Victoria campus.
Program highlights
This program is delivered online, allowing you to work independently within deadlines set by your instructor. With this format, you don't have to worry about travel or scheduling conflicts while you study. You can work at your own pace, on your own schedule and maintain a balanced lifestyle.
The University of Victoria is one of Canada's leading universities, recognized for preparing students for careers in a wide range of disciplines. Upon successful completion of this program you will receive a micro-certificate.
Our Teaching the Holocaust program is designed with a busy lifestyle in mind. Learn at your own pace, set personal deadlines and propel your career journey forward.
In-service and pre-service teachers are eligible for subsidies.
Our instructors are industry professionals with years of experience. They’re dedicated to helping you develop the knowledge and skills to realize your full potential.
Through the StrongerBC future skills grant, students may be eligible to receive funding for this program. View details and eligibility.
