Diploma in Public Relations

at Algonquin College - Ottawa Campus Canada

The two-year Financial Services-Canadian Context Ontario College Graduate Certificate program is specifically designed to support students transitioning into the Canadian work environment in the customer sales and service areas of:

• Banking
• Insurance
• Financial planning
• Wealth management

In this program, you build knowledge and skills to evaluate and recommend financial products and services based on clients` individual needs. You develop techniques to collect and analyze client information to create and present customized financial plans. Sales strategies and relationship building techniques are applied while adhering to legal and ethical practices and industry standards. Throughout the program, you develop a professional competencies portfolio to document marketable skills. The fourth semester of the program focuses on experiential learning within a variety of real-world scenarios.

Through experiential and simulated workplace learning, you develop financial advising strategies to facilitate clients` short- and long-term financial goals. Topics include:

• Saving and borrowing for major purchases
• Postsecondary education and retirement planning
• Insurance for wealth protection
• Investing for diversification, growth and tax efficiency
• Estate planning for succession and wealth transfer

Graduates are eligible to write the Canadian Securities Course designation exams. Algonquin College collaborates with the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) and the Canadian Institute of Financial Planning (CIFP) to offer the Financial Services Graduate Certificate Program, which meets FP Canada`s Core and Advanced Curriculum educational requirements. The program provides a pathway to the following designations upon completion of their additional requirements and exams:

• Canadian Securities Course (CSC designation)
• Qualified Associate Financial Planner (QAFP) designation (see FP Canada website for additional requirements)
• Certified Financial Planner(CFP) designation. (See FP Canada website for university degree and additional requirements)

Learn engineering design, and offer solutions as a mechanical engineering technologist

The three-year Mechanical Engineering Technology Ontario College Advanced Diploma program teaches you to apply scientific and engineering principles to solve mechanical engineering problems in a variety of industries.

Through a series of classroom-based courses and extensive practical labs, you acquire skills specific to mechanical engineering technologists, including:

• Modifying and improving engineering designs using conventional and computer-based methods
• Performing engineering tests
• Supporting product development
• Using engineering software and systems to conduct engineering design and analysis
• Designing specialized jogs and fixtures
• Analyzing problems involving machine design, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and heat transfer
• Understandingand applying design standards (i.e. ASHRAE and ASM International)
• Using design software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD and MasterCAM

During your third year in the program, you complete a capstone project under the guidance of your faculty members. You work with external stakeholders in the industry during the project to analyze, plan and execute your project.

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.

Graduates may find work in the research, design and testing of mechanical systems, or with:

• Manufacturing processes
• Electro-mechanical control systems
• Automation
• Green-energy and building systems

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

This one-year Design foundation Ontario College Certificate allows you to develop fundamental design skills and to explore a range of design-related disciplines, in order to discover where your strengths and interests lie.

Throughout the program, you develop foundational knowledge and skills used in a variety of design elements such as:

• Principles of design and layout
• Typography
• Drawing and sketching
• Perspective
• Colour theory
• 3D structure
• Time management
• Web design
• Industry-standard software.

You explore your own aptitudes and interests through research and a speaker series of professionals, to help determine which area of design best suits you. Your work accumulates into a portfolio that represents your best design and artwork, which can be used to apply for future programs of study. An annual showcase provides an opportunity to exhibit your portfolio and interact with industry professionals, peers and the community.

Learn to capture, create and alter images at a professional level

The two-year Photography Ontario College Diploma program encourages you to express your creative side while designing and capturing images that communicate effectively. You demonstrate a professional level of craft and creativity in digital imaging using high-end equipment and the Mac OS platform.

Learn the fundamentals of photography and create images that meet the needs of your client. By creating a state-of-the-art portfolio and a personal website using high-end digital cameras to capture professional-level work, you show your creative and technical abilities.

In addition to photography design and techniques, gain knowledge and skills in the areas of:

• Entrepreneurship
• Networking
• Branding
• Marketing
• Business practices 

Our studios have up-to-date studio and location lighting systems, lighting booms, soft-boxes and professional backdrops.

At the end of the program, enhance your knowledge and skills with a real-world experience during a two-week field placement where you gain valuable practical application and industry contacts. The program concludes with a student-run networking trade show, which potential employers and industry representatives attend.

There are many job opportunities in the industry after graduation. Graduates may find employment as a photographer in areas such as:

• Commercial and industrial photography
• Wedding and portrait photography
• Scientific and medical photography
• Photojournalism
• Image manipulation/retouching
• Print and graphic production companies
• Visual content creation 

In the Electrical Engineering Technology Ontario College Advanced Diploma program, you use state-of-the-art facilities to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to enter the electrical engineering field. This program is the continuation of the Electrical Engineering Technician program, and is open to students who already have an Algonquin College Electrical Engineering Technician Ontario College Diploma and meet the admission requirements.

Through a series of theory courses and extensive practical labs, you learn skills specific to becoming an Electrical Engineering Technologist. You expand your knowledge base of the following:

• Electrical principles
• Codes
• Circuitry
• Industrial control systems
• Computer applications
• Machinery
• AutoCAD
• telecommunications
• Electronics
• Instrumentation and robotics

Take on a complex project, either in partnership with an industry client or based on your own research interest, and use project management skills learned in the program to analyze and solve it. Complete your project by creating deliverables, monitoring and controlling project resources, and presenting results both orally and through written presentations.

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.

Electives during this program help you specialize in either automation or utilities.

OACETT (Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists) recognizes this program as meeting the academic requirements for certification in the Certified Technician (C.Tech) category. While a student, you are encouraged to register as an Associate member of OACETT.

Upon graduation, you may find employment in many different areas of the Electrical Engineering Technology field. You may have titles such as:

• Electrical designer
• Electrical technologist
• Electrical engineering technologist
• AutoCAD draftsperson
• Project estimator
• control system designer
• Instrumentation and controls (I&C) technologist
• Building automation engineering technologist
• Telecommunication quality assurance technologist

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 Energy Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate prepares you for an exciting career in energy, innovation, entrepreneurship and the development of efficient new energy technologies.

Learn about energy solutions such as efficiency, conservation and sustainability. Participate in laboratory work, contribute to a real-world project and learn from case-studies in the energy management industry. Explore how to implement, manage, administer and work on energy management practices throughout the program. By analyzing data sets, evaluating the impact of energy efficiency and conservation programs and performing cost-benefit analyses, you obtain highly-regarded skills for the industry.

During your final semester, participate in an energy management project with peers and industry partners. Through in-class discussions and collaboration, you plan and create an energy strategy for a commercial building.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Analyze an organization`s current energy profile to plan and establish an energy management strategy.
• Monitor, track and benchmark energy data to compare performance and establish baselines and targets to determine trends.
• Conduct energy assessments to propose optimal energy solutions.
• Recommend energy management options, solutions and technologies to maintain long-term operational and infrastructure efficiency.
• Prepare and present technical reports and proposals in a scientific format using accurate energy terminology.
• Research and apply industry accepted standards for energy analyses.
• Create and present persuasive business cases for energy projects.
• Manage energy project implementation to successfully meet organizational goals.
• Evaluate energy performance using measurement and verification strategies.
• 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 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.

In the one-year Marketing Research and Analysis Ontario College Graduate Certificate program you master the current and emerging techniques in marketing research. This program prepares you for a data-driven career in the marketing research discipline.

You learn to investigate how and why people purchase products and services. In this program, you develop the employable skills to conduct marketing and opinion research in the public, not-for-profit and private sectors. The curriculum emphasizes the marketing research process including:

• Research design
• Questionnaire construction
• Moderator`s guide construction
• Data collection
• Basic and intermediate statistical analysis and interpretation, and
• Report writing and presentation skills

In addition, you become familiar with the scientific method of hypotheses testing and reaching conclusions to solve business problems.

Graduates may have opportunities to work in a wide variety of research settings in government, not-for-profit organizations, research providers and private businesses that use marketing research.