Certificate in General Arts and Science - Pre - Trades

at Algonquin College - Ottawa Campus Canada

The one-year Geographic Information Systems Ontario College Graduate Certificate program provides you with knowledge and skills relating to geographic and cartographic science, with a focal point on information systems technology.

In this program, you use both hands-on and theoretical approaches to explore topics such as:

• Field data collection
• Programming
• Remote sensing
• Enterprise geo-database design and management
• Cloud-based services
• Application development
• 2D and 3D cartographic design
• Spatial analysis and project management

A key part of this program is the independent project that you begin in your first semester and complete throughout your studies. You identify an area of interest, develop a project proposal, and then implement and complete your project, all in collaboration with an industry or government sponsor.

Cooperative education (Co-op)    
Cooperative education (Co-op) allows students to integrate their classroom learning with a real-world experience though paid work terms. Two academic terms prior to the cooperative education work term, students are required to actively participate in and successfully complete the self-directed co-op online readiness activities and in-person workshops.

Students must actively conduct a guided, self-directed job search and are responsible for securing approved program-related paid co-op employment. Students compete for co-op positions alongside students from Algonquin and other Canadian and international colleges and universities. Algonquin College`s Co-op Department provides assistance in developing co-op job opportunities and facilitates the overall process, but does not guarantee that a student will obtain employment in a co-op work term. Co-op students may be required to re-locate to take part in the co-op employment opportunities available in their industry and must cover all associated expenses; e.g., travel, work permits, visa applications, accommodation and all other incurred expenses.

Co-op work terms are typically 14 weeks in duration and are completed during a term when students are not taking courses.

The two-year Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician Ontario College Diploma program, delivered in a compressed format over 42 weeks, is approved by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) and is taught in Algonquin`s state-of-the-art Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE) building. By studying in the ACCE building, you have the opportunity to work in a fully-outfitted facility where you learn both traditional and advanced technologies used in the industry.

Start the program by learning electrical and heating essentials – all courses have a strong hands-on component. To better prepare you for a career in the industry, vocational subjects are enriched with courses in:

• Communications
• Mathematics
• Related sciences
• Computer applications

Continue to enhance your knowledge and skills throughout the remainder of the program, and learn about controls, forced air gas/oil heating systems, hydronics and refrigeration concepts.

Algonquin College`s program also includes an approved curriculum for:

• Gas Technician 3 (G3) and 2 (G2)
• Oil Burner Technician 3 (OBT3) and 2 (OBT2).

This means that you have an opportunity to prepare for and write your TSSA exams, in order to become licensed as a Gas Technician and Oil Burner Technician during the program. At the end of your second term, you may be eligible to apply to write your G3 and OBT3 certificates of qualification. At the end of your final term, you may be eligible to apply for your G2 and OBT2 certificates of qualification, making you more employable in the field.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Relate effectively to heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning supervisors, coworkers, and customers.
• Work safely and in accordance with all applicable acts, regulations, legislation, and codes to ensure personal and public safety.
• Select and use a variety of heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning tools and equipment safely and properly.
• Solve math and applied science problems required to effectively install and maintain heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning systems, and associated components.
• Prepare and interpret electrical, mechanical, and piping drawings.
• Install, service, and troubleshoot heating, refrigeration, air conditioning systems, and associated components.
• Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development, that will lead to enhanced work performance and career opportunities, and keep pace with industry changes.
• Identify and apply discipline specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

The General Arts and Science Concept Art Foundations is a one year Ontario College Certificate with the graduates receiving a certificate in general Arts and Science-One year with a concentration in Concept Art Foundations and revolves around the students exploring a blend of traditional theory and digital image creation techniques to create concepts, characters and environments for the entertainment industry. 

The course is delivered via a mix of online video tutorials and classroom training in smaller groups to allow the students a chance of receiving the required hands-on training. The curriculum of the program makes sure that the students get the necessary individualized feedback and support in the production of a professional portfolio in concept art and digital imaging.
 

Specialize with a challenging and rewarding career in finance

Earn a flexible diploma that shows you are aware of all areas of business, and that you also have specialized education in finance. Finance is one of seven majors available to Business Administration students. This three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma program starts with three semesters learning a variety of essential business skills before ultimately deciding on a Major.

The Business Administration - Finance program prepares you to meet the high proficiency standards needed to complete professional designations and licensing courses in the financial services industry.

Learn how to become a strategic, skilled financial expert whom individuals and businesses will trust to create and analyze financial plans. You learn from experienced faculty who provide you with an education based on all areas of finance, including:

• Financial analysis and decision-making
• Customer service, sales and marketing financial products and services
• Wealth management
• Retirement and tax planning
• Insurance and estate planning 

Develop an understanding of the operations and importance of financial services. Use a hands-on approach to explore topics such as:

• The time value of money
• calculating return on investment and tax treatment of returns
• The relationship between risk and return
• Canadian financial institutions and regulators
• Financial planning steps and the components of a financial plan 

The one-year Financial Services Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you for a challenging and rewarding career in the customer sales and service areas of:

• Banking
• Insurance
• Financial planning
• Wealth management

In this program, you build on your pre-existing business skills, financial knowledge and professional experience. You are introduced to financial products and services and financial advising. You learn how to create and present financial plans. As well, you practise collecting and analyzing client information and providing financial advice based on that information.

You also participate in work-integrated learning. This gives you the opportunity to practise your skills and knowledge in a realistic financial services workplace context.

Algonquin College partners with The Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) to offer the Financial Services Graduate Certificate program, which is an approved educational path to Personal Financial Planner®(PFP®) designation and prepares you to write the Applied Financial Planning Certification examination, which is necessary to obtain the PFP® designation.

Play a central role in operational success - explore a career in office administration

The one-year Office Administration Ontario College Certificate program provides the knowledge and skills that prepare you for a rewarding office administration career.

Develop both theoretical and applied skills during various simulated office situations . Practice conducting administrative procedures and producing industry-standard documents. Enhance your ability to use digital tools by conducting research and mastering Microsoft Office applications and other industry-standard software packages.

Our experienced faculty are dedicated to preparing you with the skills you need to succeed in your career. Graduate with essential office skills, as well as critical skills for success, such as resourcefulness, responsibility, creative thinking and problem solving.

After graduating, this flexible one-year program gives you the option to pursue a specialized education by taking one of Algonquin College`s Office Administration diploma programs. Earn a diploma after completing one more year of studies in either the Executive, Health Services, or Legal Studies specializations.

Graduates may find employment opportunities in a variety of entry-level support staff or administration positions in both public and private sectors.

Turn your passion for sport into a rewarding business career

The Sport Business Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you for an exciting career in the ever-growing, multi-billion dollar sports industry.

The program positions you to work in the management and business aspects of the sports industry. Study in Canada`s capital, where there are professional sports franchises and more national governing sport bodies and multi-sport organizations than any city in Canada.

Receive cross-disciplinary training and sport management professional preparation. Learn:

• Event planning and management
• Sport bidding and hosting
• Sport tourism
• Sport marketing
• Sport finance and economics
• Sport sponsorship
• Ticket sales

Understand sport business in the social context, community sport issues, sport governance and the legal aspects of sport. Acquire skills in entrepreneurship, customer service, and project management.

Your program experience includes team work, case studies, role playing, and a variety of applied assignments. Connect with business management within the sport industry, with access to influential industry leaders, who share their experiences in the classroom. The program includes an intensive, hands-on work placement. For a minimum of 16 hours per week, you can apply your skills and knowledge to projects with organizations and clients in the sport industry. Network with industry professionals as you complete your work placement activities. Many students take advantage of these opportunities and receive further placement hours.

Upon graduation, students are well-prepared to begin working as a sport business professional. Your career could involve:

• Event planning
• sales
• Marketing
• Facility management
• Business administration

You could work within:

• Professional sport
• National and provincial sport governing bodies
• Public agencies
• Community recreation departments
• Sporting goods companies
• Sport marketing agencies
• Sport agent operations
• Athletic service organization

The two-year Early Childhood Education Ontario College Diploma program prepares you to become an educator of children in a variety of early learning settings. Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to work with families and other professionals to support children`s learning and development.

This program provides you with the ability to create, implement and assess play-based curricula while building stimulating child-centred environments. Benefit from both theoretical and hands-on learning opportunities. You have three field placements during the program that focus on children from birth to age 12. These real-world experiences allow you to integrate theory with professional practice in early learning programs.

You assist in providing guidance to children while planning, implementing and evaluating programs. Through your placements, you gain valuable hands-on skills and experience to help you understand the diverse roles, settings, and responsibilities of an Early Childhood Educator.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Create learning contexts to enable, build and maintain caring, responsive relationships in partnerships with children, families and communities that value and respect social, cultural and linguistic diversity including Indigenous peoples’ worldviews and Francophone identity.
• Co-create, facilitate and reflect upon inquiry and play-based early years and child care programs and pedagogical approaches to support children’s learning, holistic development and well-being following children’s capabilities, interests, ideas and experiences.
• Co-design and maintain inclusive early learning environments to value and support equitable, accessible and meaningful learning opportunities for all children, their families and communities in a range of early years and child care settings.
• Collaborate with children, families, colleagues, agencies and community partners to create, maintain, evaluate and promote safe and healthy early learning environments to support independence, reasonable risk-taking and healthy development and well-being.
• Use observation strategies to identify children’s strengths and challenges and to ascertain when children and families might benefit from additional support or community resources.
• Use professional communication in interactions with children, families, colleagues, employers, the regulatory body, government authorities and children’s service agencies to meet legal and ethical standards of the early years sector.
• Act in accordance with relevant legislation, regulations, College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, agency policies and procedures and principles of evidence-informed practice and reflect upon their impact on one’s own role in early years and child care settings.
• Identify, report and document when a child is in a situation of perceived risk for, or actual neglect or abuse, in accordance with legislation, the College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, policies and procedures.
• Create and engage in partnerships with families, communities, colleagues, inter-disciplinary professionals, authorities and child service agencies to advocate for quality early years and child care programs and services.
• Engage in reflective practice and continuous professional learning in accordance with principles of lifelong learning, evidence-informed practices in the early years sector and requirements of the College of Early Childhood Educators.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment an environmental stewardship.

Begin your path to a career as a paralegal.

The Paralegal Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you to apply to the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) to become a licensed paralegal. This program is offered in three consecutive semesters followed by a mandatory 120-hour field placement.

This program is accredited by the LSO. It prepares you for a career in which you provide legal services to the public in specified areas of practice. Learn in a hands-on environment, acquiring practical skills from experienced and dedicated faculty.

Study areas of law that are relevant to the type of work a licensed paralegal can perform, as governed by the LSO. You learn about case management and trial preparation in areas such as:

• Small claims court proceedings
• Provincial offences and summary conviction matters
• Proceedings before administrative tribunals
• Complete hands-on activities, including participating in mock trials. Learn about ethics, Professional responsibility and the requirements of running a legal services firm.

Benefit from completing a field placement lasting 120 hours. This gives you the opportunity to practise your skills and apply your knowledge to a real work environment.

Interactive Media Design is a two year Ontario College Diploma program designed to prepare you for a variety of careers in the digital media industry. Web-design and programming, as well as video and motion graphic skills, are in demand in all employment sectors. You explore the primary elements of media project planning and development with equal importance given to the creative and the technical aspects. This balanced learning experience prepares graduates to be generalists in the media industry, meaning you can jump into a wide variety of roles as you begin your careers.

Strong emphasis is placed on hands-on media production through courses in computer-based web design and programming, as well as video and motion graphics. Through a number of program-specific elective courses, you can focus your path towards specializing as a video producer or a web developer, or you can choose to remain as a generalist, depending on your interests. You plan and execute individual and team-based projects under the guidance of a faculty, industry experts in the media field. You gain practical experience working with live clients through applied projects. You navigate these learning opportunities with the operating system of your choice, such as Apple OS X, Windows or other platforms.

This industry-driven program provides you with the diverse skillset that makes you adaptable in today`s dynamic job market across all sectors. Graduates may find employment in a wide variety of fields utilizing their skills in dynamic media development, web design and programming, photography, videography, motion graphics, project management, UX design, graphic design and content management. Other opportunities involve start-up businesses and a wide variety of alternate professional fields.

Students also have the option to gain real-world experience through a paid co-operative education (co-op) work term (see Additional Information for more details). Please note that places in the co-op version of the program are subject to availability. Students who elect to apply to the non co-op version of the program may not have the opportunity to transfer to the co-op version at a later date.