Diploma in General Arts and Science

at Conestoga College - Doon Campus Canada

Applied research is designed to answer specific questions aimed at solving practical problems. While fundamental research answers the initial question of how things work, new knowledge acquired from applied research has specific objectives in the form of products, procedures or services. The pace of change in the applied research and information mobilization has never been as fast as today. Whether designing, implementing, and evaluating applied research projects, or targeting and tailoring research evidence for decision-making, people who engage in applied research create meaning and impact across multiple sectors. In this graduate certificate program, you will learn practical research methodologies, data analytics, data visualization, and knowledge mobilization to accelerate the impact of applied research. The second semester allows you to work in interdisciplinary teams to implement your skills in an applied research impact project. In addition to this hands-on experience, you will have the opportunity to expand your real-world practice through an optional co-op term.

The two-year Office Administration - Legal program provides students with a specialization in legal administrative procedures and processes to meet the needs of an increasingly global and technologically advancing legal industry. 

In the first year, students build strong technological, administrative, and communication skills, and are introduced to office procedures specific to the legal environment. Students begin their legal studies with an introduction to civil litigation and legal accounting.

In the second year, students continue to apply substantive and procedural law to the production of legal documentation in the areas of family law, litigation, real estate, wills and estates, and corporate law. Students receive extensive administrative training, with an emphasis on problem-solving skills, by completing client files and accounting procedures, integrating a variety of current computer programs and specialized legal software.

Throughout the program, students are exposed to a wide variety of hands-on practical applications with an emphasis on organizational, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. As a capstone to the program, students showcase their skills by completing a 90-hour work placement.

Today's manufacturing sector requires highly skilled individuals with in-depth knowledge of current quality assurance and management practices. If you have the desire to be part of a quality movement, and want hands-on experience with the tools to support your career goals, then this program will be of interest to you. This two-semester Quality Assurance Manufacturing and Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate will provide you with the knowledge and techniques to improve the delivery and quality of goods and services. This program focuses on the use of modern quality improvement methods that support the achievement of performance excellence in manufacturing and associated business processes. A combination of theoretical and practical learning opportunities will prepare you for a variety of management and quality assurance organizational opportunities.

Program Outcomes

• Implement and document quality processes that ensure conformance to international quality standards.
• Evaluate the results of experiments for process improvement and product development to form recommendations using various process improvement tools.
• Evaluate quality issues, opportunities, and performance metrics using current and relevant tools such as Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Root Cause Analysis.
• Lead advanced product quality planning activities in an industrial environment using accepted quality assurance techniques including Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP).
• Plan the implementation of quality management processes within an industrial organization using accepted philosophies.
• Select the correct device or instrument to accurately measure product parameters and conduct a Measurement System Analysis (MSA).
• Conduct audits for Quality and Environmental systems in order to report findings and recommendations to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Apply test procedures and techniques to confirm that product design requirements are met.
• Communicate technical information effectively to customers and various internal stakeholders in management, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and sales.
• Interpret information from a variety of technical and specialized sources to support quality processes.

Whether you are interested in following in the footsteps of your favorite radio host or in becoming the newest podcast star, the Broadcast-Radio diploma program will provide you with the hands-on experience you require. You will learn from industry professionals and have access to state-of-the-art digital audio studios, providing you the opportunity to learn on equipment and software currently used in your field. You will hone your on-air skills taking shifts at our streaming station Q2 or our radio station 88.3 CJIQ FM, one of the largest campus radio stations in the country. As a radio student, you will become fully immersed in the operation of the stations and their online presence. Specific attention within the program is paid to on-air performance, announcing, audio production, creative writing, research and interviewing, news presentation, sales, marketing, promotions and podcasting, as well as social media and digital content production for multiple platforms. A field placement provides an opportunity for you to work alongside industry professionals and make valuable contacts.

Conestoga's Police Foundations (PF) program offers a two-year integrated learning experience to help you develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values of a preferred candidate in public sector law enforcement. This program focuses on understanding justice though a lens of social equity and modern policing and has been designed to provide an overall base for a variety of careers in criminal justice and public safety. In this program, you will be exposed to the many complexities that are facing modern day policing. Through a combination of theory and simulation-based experiences, you will experience a person-centered approach to community policing. This program will prepare you for the acquisition ofknowledge and skills relevant to entry-level positions in public sector law enforcement.

Global Hospitality Management
The Global Hospitality Management graduate certificate program is open to international students with a background in hospitality. This program will complement an already earned diploma or degree in business, hospitality or a related field, and enable applicants to gain a work visa in Canada. Graduates of the Global Hospitality Management program will develop more management and operational ability specific to the hospitality industry and provide graduates with opportunities to obtain a supervisory or management level position in hospitality organizations. The program will focus on essential management and operational areas needed in hospitality organizations through an exploration of theory and practice in the field of management. Students will earn a TrainCan Food Safety Certificate, Smart Serve (responsible alcohol service) Certificate, and WHMIS as part of the core curriculum. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term instead of the Guided Career Management course.

Project Management
Learn how to manage simple to complex projects from start to finish, and become a critical part of an organization’s most exciting achievements. Develop the skills you need to oversee project management activities such as planning, managing scope, costs, time while balancing client expectations. Learn organizational Agility with practices such as Scrum. Establish goals for your project team and lead them to overcome obstacles to achieve success, meeting stakeholders needs. Earn project management education hours towards a variety of certifications: Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile Scrum Master (ASM), Risk Management Professional (RMP), or Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) designations. Interested in taking this program on a part-time basis? It's possible to complete this program while still working full-time and fulfilling your other commitments. 

Accelerate your career by learning best practices, tools, techniques and cutting-edge technologies to be a successful Business Analyst in today's data-driven digital economy. The role of the business analyst is evolving from just gathering requirements to one helping align and drive organizational strategy. In this Ontario College Graduate Certificate program, you will discover how to enable change in an organization by articulating needs and recommending solutions that deliver value to stakeholders. You will develop the ability to write detailed requirements for system changes and enhancements and ensure system changes are well tested by developing test cases and managing defect resolution along with coordinating user acceptance testing. A solid grasp of the end-to-end process of making effective decisions with data will give you an edge to facilitate enhanced decision making. In addition, you will learn leading industry software to build a solid skills portfolio in data modelling, emerging technologies, project management, and change and risk management.

In today's competitive job market students need an advantage. As a student in this advanced diploma program, you will integrate academic studies with practical, creative and analytic skills integral to all types of businesses.The program presents great career opportunities for those who are creative, intuitive, disciplined, problem solvers with above average analytical and communication skills. Graduates will be prepared for leadership roles and careers in advertising, brand development, selling, online marketing, entrepreneurship, new media marketing, research and many other rewarding choices. This hands-on program takes a project-oriented approach and provides opportunities to work with real-world clients. As an advanced diploma, focus is placed on ensuring graduates can perform a number of more complex functions including applying principles of financial analysis and control, using analytical and evaluation skills to support a variety of management functions, development of integrated marketing plans that drive towards business goals and objectives and embracing new technology. Instructors are experts in their disciplines and use interactive approaches to enrich the learning environment. The program provides marketable skills, validated by ongoing input from an advisory committee of marketing experts.The 3-year Marketing program has one of the highest direct employment rates in the College.Conestoga College is an Accredited Partner of the Canadian Professional Sales Association (CPSA). This program is accredited by the CPSA Institute as providing all 35 hours of pre-requisite education toward the Certified Sales Associate designation, the first level of the Graduated Certification Framework. Students successfully completing this program are eligible for their Sales Certificate from the CPSA Institute. 

In just 30 weeks, graduates of the Data Processing and Reporting program are prepared to assume roles entering and organizing data in an office role. You will develop the skills and strategies required to interact with customers in a professional and appropriate manner in a diverse business environment. This Ontario College Certificate program prepares you to use various electronic data applications, while gaining hands-on experience to organize data, visually present data, develop basic data reports, validate accuracy of data and support digital marketing platforms. Through a variety of projects, case studies and interactive learning opportunities, you will develop the workplace interpersonal skills needed to support all phases of your career. A field placement is included; allowing you to translate theoretical knowledge from the classroom into applied practice in a workplace setting.

Recognition of the need for managers with sustainability expertise continues to grow as local and global organizations are re-positioning sustainability as a central value. The Sustainable Business Management graduate certificate program provides students with the diverse skill set needed to succeed in this dynamic and exciting field. Whether developing a new product or service, enhancing an existing one through a triple bottom-line approach, leading an organization to more sustainable operations or managing change and promoting engagement for sustainability, graduates will be able to apply their skills in a variety of settings. Students are provided with flexible project options, including opportunities to work with local clients and community partners in developing plans to generate greater value, enhanced corporate responsibility and innovative marketing solutions. Students may also take advantage of experiential learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom, such as volunteering at a local sustainability-oriented organization, and attending field trips, workshops and networking events. Upon program completion, graduates will be well positioned to write the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) exam and become a Sustainability Associate (SA).

Applying to the Co-op Stream
All applicants apply to the non co-op program. Students will be informed of the application deadline and process to apply for the Co-op Stream. Labour market conditions determine the number of co-op seats in optional co-op programs. Every student who meets academic eligibility requirements may not be admitted to the co-op stream.
To be considered for admission to the co-op stream, students are required to achieve a minimum overall 80% session weighted average in Level 1 with no dropped or failed courses.

Co-op Information
Co-op programs add value to your education. Earn while you apply what you learn in a real workplace environment. See the Co-op webpages.
The College cannot guarantee co-op employment. All co-op students are required to conduct an independent co-op job search in addition to the supports and services provided by the Department of Co-op Education.
Students are responsible for their own transportation and associated costs in order to complete work term requirements. Work locations may not always be readily accessible by public transportation.