Information Access and Privacy Diploma
3 Certificates
303 Hours
Online
Diploma Description
In today’s data-driven world, privacy is no longer just a compliance requirement—it is a business advantage. Cisco’s 2025 Data Privacy Benchmark Study revealed that 96% of organizations see greater returns from their investments in data privacy than the costs incurred, while 86% support strong privacy legislation. These findings confirm that skilled privacy professionals are essential to building organizational trust, resilience, and innovation.
This diploma equips you with the practical skills to become an effective access to information administrator, while also deepening your expertise in privacy theories, best practices, and regulatory frameworks. You will explore how access to information and protection of privacy intersect with records management, IT, and security, ensuring you can respond confidently to complex challenges in any workplace. With guidance from leading privacy experts across Canada, you will gain the judgment, tools, and connections to advance in this rapidly evolving field.
With this diploma, you’ll be prepared to navigate one of the fastest-growing fields in today’s economy. Best of all, you can build your diploma without paying additional program admission fees. Complete certificates fully online, in any order that fits your goals and schedule, giving you the flexibility to learn your way while working toward a recognized credential.
Questions? Please contact our program team: iappuofa@ualberta.ca
Who Will Benefit?
This diploma is designed for individuals who want to build expertise in privacy, access to information, and data governance. Those who will benefit most include:
- 🗸 Aspiring Access to Information and Privacy Officers looking to gain the practical skills and legislative knowledge to enter a growing and in-demand profession.
- 🗸 Records and Information Management Professionals seeking to strengthen their ability to align records practices with privacy and access requirements.
- 🗸 IT and Security Specialists aiming to understand how privacy laws and access rights intersect with cybersecurity and data protection responsibilities.
- 🗸 Compliance and Risk Management Practitioners wanting to build confidence in applying best practices, frameworks, and sound judgment in evolving privacy environments.
- 🗸 Mid-Career Professionals Seeking Advancement looking for flexible, recognized training that can be completed online to prepare for leadership opportunities in data governance and privacy.
What You'll Learn
- 🗸Develop the practical skills needed for you to become an effective access to information administrator.
- 🗸Engage in issues tied to privacy theories, best practices, and exercising sound judgment.
- 🗸Understand how access to information and protection of privacy impact records management, IT, and security.
- 🗸Share and network with industry leaders and experts from across Canada who specialize in information access and privacy.
- 🗸Be part of an award-winning program that’s been recognized with several national awards for excellence and innovation in the field.
What You'll Earn
- 🗸 Earn a digital badge for each course, a digital certificate for completing a program, and stack certificates to work toward a diploma.
- It’s designed for part-time study and can generally be completed within one to two years.
- You have the flexibility to schedule courses around your availability. Most students complete 1–2 courses per semester.
- EXIAPP 8171 Information Access and Protection of Privacy Foundations is a prerequisite to most courses in the program.
- Grading is through assessments, which might include quizzes, exams, discussion forums, papers, and presentations.
- It’s a flexible online experience, with courses offered in an online asynchronous format. More info about online delivery formats can be found here.
- Course materials are shared in ConEd Canvas. Some courses may require additional resources, such as textbooks.
- Please note that continuing education classes are not eligible for student loans.
- If you're seeking financial assistance for these courses, please explore the scholarship, bursaries and funding opportunities specifically designated for continuing education students.
- Approximate cost of the full program: $7,425 CAD
- Flexible payment options: register and pay for all courses at once or pay course-by-course as you go.
- Courses are GST-exempt.
- Some courses may require additional resources, such as textbooks.
- To earn this diploma, students must complete all required certificates in the program pathway. Please visit the program map for more information.
- Transfer credit will be reviewed only after program enrollment and submission of a transfer credit request. To learn more about transferability from other institutions, see our Transfer Credit information.
- International Students are welcome to enroll and pay the same course fees as local students.
- Proficiency in English and a stable internet connection are needed to participate and succeed in our courses.
- Please note that non-credit programming does not qualify for a study permit, therefore, this program cannot be used for immigration to Canada. For more information, please contact University of Alberta International Student Services.
Additional Details
Application
Register for Individual Courses
Information Access and Privacy: Essentials Certificate
3 Course(s)
Information Access and Privacy: Policy and Practices Certificate
3 Course(s)
Data Privacy and Security Certificate
3 Course(s)