Graduate Certificate in Visual Analytics

The graduate certificate in visual analytics (VA) is an interdisciplinary graduate program consisting of technology and theory courses along with courses on applications of this new field from the Schools of Interactive Arts and Technology and Computing Science, from the Faculty of Business, Faculty of Education, and the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology.

The graduate certificate in visual analytics (VA) is an interdisciplinary graduate program consisting of technology and theory courses along with courses on applications of this new field from the Schools of Interactive Arts and Technology and Computing Science, from the Faculty of Business, Faculty of Education, and the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology.

The graduate certificate combines the four key aspects of visual analytics: cognition, technology, society, and integration. Integration is realized in a practical sense through completion of a substantial research project using visual analytics methods, typically the student’s thesis work or a separate significant research project. This falls under the jurisdiction of the student’s department or school, and is thus outside of the scope of requirements for the VA graduate certificate. Support for integration is provided by the VA graduate certificate program however, through facilitating participation of the SIAT Graduate Program Committee members on supervisory committees and through the Visual Analytics seminar series.

A bachelor’s degree from SFU or its equivalent from a recognized institution

A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale

Submitted evidence, usually references from qualified referees, of the applicant's ability to undertake advanced work in the area of interest

English Language Requirements:

Internet-based TOEFL: 93 with minimum of 20 in each category

Paper-based TOEFL: 580 and TWE 5

IELTS (academic): overall band score of 7.0 of the academic (NOT general) test with a minimum of 6.5 in each section

CAEL: overall 70; minimum 60 in each section

Pearson Academic (PTE): overall 65; minimum 60 in all of their sections

Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced - minimum score of 193; C2 Proficiency - minimum score of 200

Duolingo English Test (DET): Provisionally through the Fall 2026 admission cycle - Duolingo English Test (DET) 130 overall with a minimum of 120 in each section.