Records Management Certificate

Program Overview

The Records Management Certificate program is designed to equip students with essential skills to manage records effectively in various organizational settings, including law firms, healthcare facilities, government agencies, and other entities with substantial document collections. With the increasing reliance on digital technologies, this program emphasizes industry standards and best practices for the creation, organization, security, archiving, and tracking of both electronic and paper records to facilitate retrieval and ensure legal compliance.

Credential

• Awarded: Certificate

Format and Delivery

• Study Format: Part-time
• Course Delivery: Online courses with no scheduled meeting times; practicum conducted in person at an assigned work site

Duration

• Program Length: 1–3 years

Tuition and Fees

• Approximate Tuition: $3,800 (Tuition is assessed on a per-course basis)
• Note: Tuition is subject to change without notice; textbooks are not included in tuition fees.

Practicum Requirement

• Practicum Required: Yes
• Application Deadline: Applications are accepted at any time and students will be considered for the next available intake.

Entrance Requirements

• Students are encouraged to refer to the UFV Academic Calendar for specific entrance requirements.

Program Outline

To complete the Records Management Certificate, students must successfully finish eight courses along with a practicum.

• Course Structure:
  • Courses can be taken in any order; students may commence the program in Fall, Winter, or Spring.
  • All courses do not have prerequisites, but completion of all courses is mandatory before qualifying for the practicum.
  • Most courses are offered once per year, while some may be available twice.
  • All courses are delivered online without scheduled meeting times.

Course Schedule

Fall — September to December

• (RM01) Fundamentals of Records Management | Online | 15 hours of instruction | 3 weeks
• (RM02) Records Classification | Online | 30 hours of instruction | 5 weeks
• (RM05) Databases: Access | Online | 15 hours of instruction | 3 weeks
• (RM08) Business Communications | Online | 15 hours of instruction | 3 weeks

Winter — January to April

• (RM01) Fundamentals of Records Management | Online | 15 hours of instruction | 3 weeks
• (RM03) Record Management Systems | Online | 30 hours of instruction | 5 weeks
• (RM04) Digital Age Literacy | Online | 15 hours of instruction | 3 weeks
• (RM05) Databases: Access | Online | 15 hours of instruction | 3 weeks

Spring — May to August

• (RM06) Spreadsheets: Excel* | Online | 15 hours of instruction | 3 weeks
• (RM07) Word-Processing: Word | Online | 15 hours of instruction | 3 weeks
• (RM09) Records Management Practicum | Off-site | Mon-Fri | 3 weeks

*Students may opt to take Excel Level I in place of RM06: Spreadsheets: Excel.

Practicum Information

The practicum, a key component of the program, lasts two weeks and provides students with a valuable work-like exposure to a professional records management environment. To qualify for the practicum, students must have completed the required courses within the program.

• Students based in the Fraser Valley or Lower Mainland will have assistance in securing a practicum placement through UFV's network of partner organizations.
• Students residing outside these regions are responsible for identifying and securing their practicum sites.

Evaluation

Assessment methods include classroom participation, assignments, study projects, practicum evaluations, and examination results.

Graduation Requirements

Upon fulfilling all course requirements and meeting grade benchmarks, students can apply for graduation. It is important to note that a graduation application fee is applicable. Successful applicants will receive notification via email regarding the availability of their graduation parchment.

Withdrawal Deadlines

Please refer to the School of Continuing Education's refund and withdrawal schedule for specific deadlines.

Employment Outlook

The demand for records managers and document controllers is strong, particularly in organizations with extensive data repositories. Industries such as healthcare, banking, multinational companies, legal firms, and educational institutions increasingly require professionals with specialized skills in records management. According to PayScale, the average salary for records managers in Canada is approximately $51,475. The outlook for records management professionals is favorable, particularly within the healthcare sector, where expanding population needs create a demand for skilled information management and document control specialists.

Additional Information

Students are advised to check for textbooks using the UFV Bookstore's designated tools and to ensure they have the necessary computer specifications and supplies for successful participation in online courses.

Records Management Certificate Program - UFV

Degree Overview:

The Records Management Certificate program equips individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to efficiently manage records in various settings, including law firms, government agencies, and any organization with a large document repository. This expertise can enhance career opportunities in administration, legal, healthcare, and other fields.

Program Objectives:

• Understand the principles and practices of records management.
• Learn industry-standard methods for classifying, organizing, and storing records.
• Develop skills in using technology for records management.
• Gain knowledge of legal and ethical considerations in records management.
• Prepare for a career as a records manager or document controller.

Outline:

• Certificate: Records Management Certificate
• Format: Part-time
• Delivery: Online courses with no scheduled meeting times; practicum in person at an assigned work site
• Duration: 1-3 years
• Tuition: Approximately $4,000 (subject to change)
• Practicum: Available, two-week duration

Courses:

• Fundamentals of Records Management (RM01)
• Records Classification (RM02)
• Record Management Systems (RM03)
• Digital Age Literacy (RM04)
• Databases: Access (RM05)
• Spreadsheets: Excel (RM06)
• Word-Processing: Word (RM07)
• Business Communications (RM08)
• Records Management Practicum (RM09)

Assessment:

• Continuous assessment through assignments, study projects, practicum performance, and examinations.
• Emphasis on reflective classroom participation.

Teaching:

• Online delivery with no scheduled meeting times.
• Experienced instructors with expertise in records management.
• Focus on practical skills and real-world application.

Careers:

• Records Manager
• Document Controller
• Administrative Assistant
• Medical Records Technician
• Legal Records Specialist
• Archivist
• Information Management Specialist

Other:

• Graduates are qualified to apply for the Certified Records Manager (CRM) designation.
• The program is eligible for funding through the StrongerBC Future Skills grant.
• Students can complete the program at their own pace and start in any term.
• Individual courses can be taken without completing the entire certificate.
• Textbooks (prices available from the UFV Bookstore)
• Transportation to practicum site

The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is a fully accredited, public university located in the beautiful Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada, just east of Vancouver. Enrolling approximately 15,000 students per year across campuses in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Hope, as well as a growing presence in Chandigarh, India, UFV is a comprehensive university that combines the variety of a large institution with the small class sizes and personal connections of a community-focused one. Students come to UFV to learn in a hands-on environment where they know their instructors and are known in return.

UFV is situated in the traditional territory of the Stó:lō peoples. The Stó:lō have an intrinsic relationship with what they refer to as S'olh Téméxw (Our Sacred Land), and UFV expresses its gratitude and respect for the honour of living and working in this territory.

Changemaking

At UFV, changemaking is not a slogan; it is the organizing principle of the university's identity. As a designated Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, UFV prepares students to lead collaboratively, think critically and contribute to stronger communities through innovation, reciprocity and a shared commitment to positive social change. Changemaking at UFV means turning knowledge into action, connecting learning to the real challenges facing communities in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia and the world beyond.

Academic structure

UFV is organized across six colleges, faculties and a school:

• College of Arts
• Faculty of Education, Community, and Human Development
• Faculty of Applied and Technical Studies
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Business and Computing
• Faculty of Science
• School of Graduate Studies

Programs

UFV offers more than 100 programs across academic, vocational, continuing education and trades pathways, including three master's degrees, 21 bachelor's degrees with majors, minors and extended minors in more than 35 subject areas, four graduate certificates, and more than a dozen trades and technology programs. Programs are available across a wide range of disciplines:

• Arts, humanities and social sciences: Bachelor of Arts in History, English, Philosophy, Communications, Political Science, Indigenous Studies, Global Development Studies, Latin American Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, and more
• Business and management: Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Administration Diploma and Certificate, Agriculture Management BBA, Trades Management BBA, Accounting Certificate, Marketing and Sales Certificate
• Computing and technology: Computing Science BSc, Computer Information Systems (Bachelor, Diploma, Certificate), Automation and Robotics Technician Diploma, Engineering Physics Mechatronics Diploma, Engineering Common Core Certificate
• Creative arts and design: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic and Digital Design BFA and Diploma, Creative Writing BA and BFA.
• Education: Bachelor of Education, Adult Education Degree, Early Childhood Education Certificate and Diploma, TESL Certificate, Master of Education (Educational Leadership and Mentorship)
• Health sciences: Nursing BSc, Practical Nursing Diploma, Certified Dental Assistant Certificate, Child Life and Community Health Graduate Certificate
• Social work and human services: Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work, Child and Youth Care BA, Social Service Worker Diploma (Indigenous Focus)
• Trades: Carpentry, Electrician, Plumbing and Piping, Welding, Automotive Service, Automotive Collision Repair, Cabinetmaking, Heavy Mechanical Trades Foundation, Electronics Technician, and Culinary Arts Certificates
• Indigenous studies: Indigenous Studies BA, Stó:lō Studies Certificate, Social Service Worker (Indigenous Focus) Diploma
• Upgrading and access: Adult Basic Education, English Language Studies, Workplace TASK for adults with disabilities

Campuses

• Abbotsford (main campus): 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 7M8 — the largest campus, home to the majority of UFV's faculties, research institutes, library, athletics facilities, housing and student services
• Chilliwack: a full-service campus offering a wide range of programs in the eastern Fraser Valley
• Mission: delivering programs and services for Mission-area students
• Hope: outreach and programming for the Hope community
• Chandigarh, India (UFV India): UFV's international campus, extending the university's reach to South Asia

Sustainability

UFV has achieved a Gold sustainability rating from AASHE (the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education), recognising its performance across environmental, social, and governance sustainability dimensions. Sustainability is embedded across campus operations, curriculum and community engagement, and UFV's Peace and Reconciliation Centre has earned international recognition for its work in restorative justice and reconciliation.

Open education

UFV is a leader in open education in British Columbia, committed to making learning more affordable and accessible through open textbooks, open educational resources and flexible learning models. Students who take courses using open textbooks save significantly on the cost of materials, reflecting UFV's belief that quality education should be accessible to everyone regardless of financial means.

Indigenous UFV

Indigenous affairs and reconciliation are woven through UFV's institutional identity. The Indigenous Affairs office, the Indigenous Student Centre, and dedicated programs in Indigenous Studies and Stó:lō Studies reflect a deep commitment to supporting Indigenous students, honouring Indigenous knowledge and advancing reconciliation with the Stó:lō peoples on whose territory the university stands. UFV is actively engaged in implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action in its academic programs and institutional culture.

Research

UFV is an active research university, with faculty engaged in applied and community-focused research across all disciplines. The Centre for the Social Sciences and Humanities, the Peace and Reconciliation Centre, the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies, and multiple research chairs bring structured research activity to the Fraser Valley community. UFV's research approach emphasises community engagement and real-world impact, consistent with its Changemaker Campus identity. Alumni have gone on to achieve notable research and professional milestones, including the development of North America's first mobile, modular soil-washing facility by a UFV alumnus in 2026.

Student life and housing

UFV offers a full range of student services, housing, and co-curricular programming to support student success and wellbeing. The new EverGreen residence on the Abbotsford campus offers modern suites and social spaces. A shuttle bus service connects campuses. Cascades Athletics supports varsity and recreational sport. CIVL Radio gives students a student-run campus radio station. The Academic Advising Centre, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights Office, and a dedicated Safe Student Community programme round out UFV's student support offer.

Contact

• Main address: 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, BC, Canada V2S 7M8
• Phone: 1-604-504-7441
• Toll-free: 1-888-504-7441
• Email: info@ufv.ca

Why UFV

1. A fully accredited Canadian public university enrolling approximately 15,000 students, offering more than 100 programs from trades certificates through to master's degrees
2. A designated Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, preparing graduates who lead collaboratively, think critically and contribute to positive social change
3. Small class sizes with accessible, dedicated faculty across campuses in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Hope, plus a growing international campus in Chandigarh, India
4. A Gold AASHE sustainability rating and a nationally recognised Peace and Reconciliation Centre, reflecting UFV's commitment to environmental and social responsibility
5. A leader in open education in British Columbia, making learning more affordable through open educational resources across all programs
6. Deep Indigenous roots, with dedicated Indigenous Affairs and Indigenous Student Centre offices, Indigenous Studies and Stó:lō Studies programs, and active reconciliation commitments on Stó:lō territory
7. Located in the Fraser Valley, one of Canada's most scenic and economically dynamic regions, with easy connections to metropolitan Vancouver