Certificate in Music, Media and Film Foundations

at Algonquin College - Ottawa Campus Canada

With a focus on organizational and creative writing, the two-year Professional Writing Ontario College Diploma program teaches you the skills and flexibility to work as a writer in a variety of fields. You learn writing skills for electronic and print media from nationally recognized writers, authors and communications experts.

Acquire the necessary skills to write independently and collaboratively in freelance and organizational settings. With attention to detail, learn to research, write, edit and proofread. Many writers balance freelancing with other employment, so the program focuses on the development of creative skills along with knowledge of the existing market for fiction and creative non-fiction in Canada. You gain highly marketable communications, writing, and editing skills that are useful in many industries in both for-profit and non-profit sectors.

During the program, local freelancers lead workshops and may mentor you in the field. You participate in a work environment for a seven-week field placement where you have the opportunity to apply your writing skills while building connections with potential clients and employers.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Recognize the fundamental concepts of storytelling.
• Write for media in Canada with an awareness of historical and cultural contexts.
• Demonstrate understanding of the production process of print, live events, broadcast, the Internet and film.
• Employ computers and writing software proficiently.
• Work in independent, collaborative, and organizational settings.
• Write in a broad range of styles appropriate to a variety of media.
• Write scripts for presentations, live events and speeches.
• Create plots, characters and themes that engage audiences.
• Effectively edit their own and others` writing.
• Demonstrate superior time management skills.
• Manage their writing career on sound small-business principles.
• Market their writing skills in their chosen field.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

The one-year Human Services Foundations Ontario College Certificate allows you to explore career opportunities within human services and prepare for the most appropriate academic and professional pathway for you. Human services supports individuals, families and communities to attain a higher quality of life. As a student, you examine how different human services professionals collaborate to contribute to a better society.

In this program, you develop core skills that are common to all areas of human services, such as relationship building, team work and stress management. You increase your own awareness of issues of diversity and inclusion in Canada and how social issues influence human and community development. You develop a strong understanding of client and community needs, and the impact that systemic barriers have on marginalizing specific populations. This exploration empowers you to select a population group and industry that you would like to focus on. You develop academic skills and career planning skills to support you through the next stages of your academic study.

This foundational training provides students with an introduction to more advanced human services programs including, but not limited to:

• Child and Youth Care
• Social Services Worker
• Community and Justice Services
• Early Childhood Education
• Developmental Services Worker

The Building Information Modeling - Lifecycle Management (BIM-LM) Ontario College Graduate Certificate program is a fast and effective way to increase your career options. Expanding your skills to include how to manage data and process the lifecycle of a building in the architecture, construction, building owner or operator industry areas.

This one-year program is tailored to develop your skills in BIM management techniques, which support productivity improvements in construction and facilities management. Recognized by both the Canada BIM Council (CanBIM) and building SMART Canada (bSC), this program is taught by industry professionals who have specialized Building Information Modelling expertise.

Through a series of theory courses and extensive practical labs, you learn:

• The history and development of the BIM field and how it is being used in the core (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Owner and Operator (AECOO) industry
• The tools and technologies used, and the appropriate applications of them
• Planning and collaboration skills and techniques
• Project management, including contract language, project delivery methods, information exchange standards and the requirements and legal matters that need to be considered
• Ongoing standards and guidelines

You also participate each semester in a week-long project called BIM Blitz, where you demonstrate your accumulated knowledge in a simulation of a real-world project.

BIM is a rapidly-emerging field, and demand is increasing for those who have specialized in this sector. Graduates of this program may work in all levels of government, including municipal, provincial and federal - as well as within the construction, architecture and interior design industries.

With a focus on business and technology, the Bachelor of Commerce (e-Supply Chain Management) Honours degree program provides you with skills and knowledge for a rewarding career involving supply chain management. Businesses are looking for skilled leaders who demonstrate the ability to create and execute plans to improve processes in all industry sectors.

This program recognizes the importance of the relationship between the supply chain and technology. Take courses developed to build a foundation of skills rooted in business, technology, communication and analytical thinking.

Learn the fundamental skills required to use SAP software that the supply chain management industry relies on. In the final term, work with an external business advisor to manage a project and create a report analyzing an issue in the industry.

Complete three paid cooperative (co-op) work terms. This allows you to work while applying your knowledge and skills and building industry connections.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Graduates will be competent knowledge workers able to apply fundamental concepts, principles and skills of e-supply chain management in a variety of private and public business settings.
• Graduates will be effective collaborators able to use communication and interpersonal skills to fulfill a leadership role on interdisciplinary business teams.
• Graduates will be critical and creative thinkers able to analyze and solve problems and develop innovative solutions and products in a variety of situations.
• Graduates will be informed citizens able to adapt and contribute to the changing world in which they live and work.
• Graduates will be continuous learners able to update their knowledge and skills and to apply their learning with confidence in changing situations.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

This Ontario College Graduate Certificate program, delivered in a 42-week consecutive format, prepares you for a career in the field of recreation therapy. Recreation Therapists work with individuals facing key health issues and cognitive, physical and/or mental health challenges across the lifespan from children, youth, adults to seniors. In this program, you develop a strong foundation of skills and knowledge to use the tools of recreation and leisure to ensure people of all ages and abilities have a healthy social, physical, emotional and cognitive lifestyle.

Develop advanced knowledge of how to complete client assessments, create individualized and group programs and document client outcomes. Apply a variety of facilitative techniques to promote meaningful recreation and leisure participation, improve functional ability, and enhance quality of life and wellness. Through collaboration, teamwork, research and professional involvement, you learn to adapt, implement and evaluate recreation activities to meet the needs of people in a wide range of settings including hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centres, municipal community programs and mental health agencies. Through a combination of theory and industry-based work terms, you gain theoretical and practical knowledge and experience.

As a current institutional member of Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (TRO), students enrolled in the Therapeutic Recreation program receive a Therapeutic Recreation Ontario Student membership for the duration of the program. Graduates may apply to become registered members of TRO and/or other professional associations. As well, Algonquin College is working closely with TRO in seeking recognition of this program, thus allowing graduates to apply to become a Registered Therapeutic Recreation Ontario member.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Provide for the safety of clients, self and others in compliance with applicable legislation, regulations, standards and ethical practices.
• Assess individual needs, strengths, challenges and interests of people experiencing barriers to healthy leisure lifestyle in order to assist them in meeting their goals.
• Maintain accurate documentation in accordance with ministry guidelines, professional standards of practice and organizational policies and procedures.
• Plan, implement and evaluate holistic individual and group recreation therapy programs which respond to identified needs, align with assessment results and adhere to current best practices.
• Provide individual and family therapeutic functional intervention, leisure education support, and opportunity for recreation participation.
• Research, analyze and evaluate recreation therapy activities and programs using evidence based practices.
• Plan, implement and evaluate community, private and institutional programs and/or services and processes to enhance quality of life for clients.
• Collaborate with individuals, caregivers, interprofessional teams, volunteers and community service providers using a person-centered approach to promote personal, social, economic and the health-related benefits of recreation therapy services.
• Develop and plan for ongoing personal and professional growth and development.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

In the two-year Social Service Worker Ontario College Diploma program, you gain the skills and knowledge to work effectively with individuals, groups and communities dealing with personal and social problems.
Through theory and practical experiences, the program prepares you to support a wide range of client groups and communities who are in the process of change or growth, including those impacted by issues such as:

• Loss and separation
• Family crisis
• Poverty
• Violence
• Homelessness
• Addiction
• Disability
• Unemployment
• Oppression
• Resettlement issues

As a student, you complete three semesters in field placement experiences totaling almost 700 hours. You identify, practice and incorporate theoretical knowledge at a level that provides top client service. As well, you strengthen the bond between yourself and the community by participating in various applied research projects and direct practice opportunities. With these opportunities, you are ready to work on the front line of social services.

Graduates may secure employment as Social Service Workers in provincial, municipal and private social service agencies including:

• Social service departments
• Long-term care facilities
• Addiction and mental health services
• Schools and youth services
• Community health and resource centres
• Shelters
• Residential treatment programs

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.
 

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.  

In the two-year Horticultural Industries Ontario College Diploma program you learn how to create landscapes from design to implementation. By offering a condensed format over 16 months, the Horticultural Industries program allows you to fast track your career.

Learn the key aspects of this dynamic industry, including:

• Urban and rural landscape design, installation and maintenance
• Nursery production and management
• Sustainable urban agriculture
• Green roof and living wall technology

The program offers a hands-on learning experience during the industry`s prime production period in the spring/summer/fall. Practice skills in Algonquin College`s extensive campus gardens surrounding the Horticulture Centre and within the attached greenhouse complex.

The various plant collections and the vegetable garden provide you with the perfect opportunity to study plant identification, plant selection and ideal growing conditions. You take active part in further developing and maintaining the grounds in smaller work-groups, simulating the industry.

To further your skills and make connections in the industry, you complete a 12-week co-op placement as part of the program. The landscape industry is fast-paced and constantly evolving, with a high-demand for skilled horticultural specialists and landscape designers.

Graduates may find work, either as employees or self-employed, in:

• Construction and maintenance firms
• Landscape design
• Nurseries and garden centres
• Urban food production
• Tree care industry
• Park systems
• Consulting or teaching

Start your music industry career sooner by learning the world of audio production and the business of music.

With a condensed format of 42 weeks, the Music Industry Arts Ontario College Diploma program prepares you to start your music industry career sooner. You learn how to work as a producer, engineer or music professional in today`s music industry.

As a student, you produce multi-track recordings in a real studio environment where you learn the full range of audio engineering and music production skills.

Although the primary focus is on audio production, the program also has a significant focus on the business side of the music industry. Explore:

• Legal contracts
• Copyright issues
• Royalties
• Music publishing

Discover the inner workings of recording and the business of music, which could help you further your music career. Experienced, industry-connected faculty prepare you to budget, schedule and prepare a business plan for a recording project.

During the program, you work in small studio lab classes to gain hands-on experience in the recording studio with guidance from an instructor. Individual time in the studio lets you experience what it is like to control your own recording session. You can use this time for your own projects, mastering the equipment or applying techniques learned in class.

There are many different career paths in the industry after graduation. You may find employment as:

• A performing artist or songwriter
• An audio engineer
• A producer
• A personal manager
• A music publisher
• A concert promoter