Credit Union Institute of Canada Program

An Overview

The success of credit unions has been due largely to the dedication and commitment to service excellence of credit union management and staff. In a rapidly changing financial services environment, providing service excellence to members rests increasingly on the ability of employees to learn new skills and keep pace with changes in the financial services industry.

Many credit unions are finding that the best way to keep pace with change is to encourage their staff to broaden their knowledge and skills through continuing education programs offered by the Credit Union Institute of Canada (CUIC). The CUIC provides credit union employees with a challenging curriculum of study aimed at enhancing their job skills. These programs provide greater job satisfaction and open doors to new career opportunities within the credit union system.

What is the Credit Union Institute of Canada (CUIC)?

The CUIC is the education and credentialing body of the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA). The CCUA is the national trade association that provides services to Canada’s credit unions, caisses populaires (outside of Quebec), and regional central organizations. CCUA is distinct in its commitment to cooperative values and is the first national credit union-governed organization in Canada. The education department, including CUIC, provides professional development and training to more than 40,000 learners across the country.

Programs

The CUIC currently offers two professional studies programs that are co-sponsored by Dalhousie University's Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development. Each program comprises a series of courses leading to a professional designation recognized throughout the credit union system. Some courses may be taken at approved colleges, universities, professional associations or other institutions. Others are offered directly through CCUA.

The Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development and CUIC jointly determine the academic content and standards of the programs. The CUIC oversees all administration. Professional designations for each program are awarded jointly by CUIC and the Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development.

General Studies Program (GSP)

The GSP is a nine-course program that provides a general overview of credit union administration and management. This program is suitable for entry-level, supervisory and middle-management employees. GSP graduates are awarded the professional designation, "Fellow of the Credit Union Institute of Canada" (FCUIC). Introduced in July 1992, this program replaced the Canadian Credit Union Institute's longstanding Fellows' Program.

Management Studies Program (MSP)

The MSP is a twelve-course program that offers a mix of general and credit union-specific courses on credit union business management. This program is suitable for credit union employees in, or preparing for, middle-and upper-level management positions. MSP graduates are awarded the professional designation, "Associate of the Credit Union Institute of Canada" (ACUIC).

For more information, please contact our Student Services team at openlearning@dal.ca.