语言和文化专业证书包括15个学分：专业语言的一年级和二年级4个课程（12个学分），与该语言相关的一种或多种文化相关的1门课程（3个学分） 。母语为英语的学生无法获得该语言的证书，因为他们不能以该语言修读较低级别的课程来获得学分。学生可以选择用一门语言课程代替一门额外的文化课程，这种选择可能对那些在高中学习过语言并因此不需要从100/101起获得全部12个学分的学生感兴趣。
VIU’s Proficiency in Language and Culture certificate is a two-year program that merges reading, writing and oral practice with culture and literature in your chosen language specialization. Choose from French, Spanish, Japanese or Chinese (Mandarin) language courses to give you a competitive advantage in career and business and a better understanding of how to connect with people you are dealing with.A recognized language credential can open doors, deepen your interest in international business culture, and provide the language skills required to develop a career in education, research, business, tourism, fisheries, forestry and federal government services.The Proficiency in Language and Culture Certificate consists of 15 credits: 4 courses (12 credits) at the first- and second-year level in the language of specialization, and 1 course (3 credits) relating to the culture or cultures associated with that language. Students who are native speakers of a language are not able to obtain a certificate in that language since they cannot take lower-level courses in that language for credit. Students would have the option to substitute an additional culture course for one of the language courses, an option which may be of interest to students who have done languages in high school and thus do not need to take all 12 credits from 100101 onwards.