Graduate Certificate in Applied Research (Optional Co-op)

at Conestoga College - Doon Campus Canada

This program is intended for students who wish to develop a basic level of competence in business. Students will study the principles of business organization, accounting, marketing, operations management, and business communications. Completion of the program will assist students to confirm their intentions and to define the business discipline they wish to study should they choose to continue with one of Conestoga's business or business administration programs. 

Upon completion of the program students will be able to transfer directly into the second semester of Business diploma programs: Business, Business Administration Management, Accounting and Supply Chain and Operations Management. Alternatively, students will receive up to 7 transfer credits towards other Business diploma programs. Students who achieve over 75% in their first semester can apply for an early transfer to Level 1 of Business or a Business Administration program should they choose to.

To effectively contribute as a leader in today's manufacturing sector, it is important for you to have an understanding of project direction, manufacturing design software, communication, human resources and safety practices. If you are a graduate of an engineering or engineering technology program and want to expand your knowledge, the Applied Manufacturing Management program will bolster your leadership skills aimed for a manufacturing sector. This Ontario College Graduate Certificate will help you launch your leadership career within a Canadian manufacturing environment. In this program you will apply project lifecycle techniques and develop the ability to utilize and integrate complex manufacturing design software. Team management skills will be refined to aid in meeting Canadian industry goals. Through theoretical and practical courses, you will be exposed to real life situations that arise in the workplace. You will work individually and in groups using current software to simulate the management of manufacturing initiatives while incorporating quality assurance, and process and project management techniques. You will focus on meeting challenges in a production environment from both operational and strategic perspectives in this management-tailored program.

Business is ever evolving to include more and more information technology (IT) resources for staff which allows for increased productivity in the workplace. This two-semester Ontario College Certificate program enables you to gain the critical knowledge and skills required to configure and troubleshoot end user computers, server operating systems, infrastructure services, and networks. Students refine their skills by completing activities that are typical in a business setting within an IT support role focusing on client needs.

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. 

Global Business Management
The Global Business Management graduate program provides an internationally-focused body of knowledge and skills for individuals interested in extending their business understanding beyond the domestic environment. The curriculum emphasizes the skills and knowledge necessary to operate in different roles within international cultural, legal and political contexts. This broad-based program will explore the field of management both in theory and through practical applications considering different organizational lenses. Graduates will be eligible to apply for the FITT (Forum for International Trade Training) diploma, and the CITP (Certified International Trade Professional) designation (subject to one year of work experience).

Senior management require strong administrative and analytical support, relying on assistants, business, and office managers with technical competency, superior organizational skills, the ability to manage conflicting demands and a variety of responsibilities. Graduates will be able to coordinate activities on the executive's behalf and ensure the executive successfully navigates through a multitude of functions and responsibilities. Students will complete courses designed to develop proficiency in the use of integrated software and financial processes, apply managerial principles and processes, strengthen verbal and written communication, and develop expertise in administrative procedures and processes. Graduates of this program will be ready to become integral parts of the leadership team in any business by providing support for the activity of the senior executive group.

Conestoga's Bachelor of Public Relations degree was the first to be approved in Ontario and the fourth of its kind in Canada. Public relations is the management of communication between an organization and its public. Public relations specialists work in employee communication, media relations, investor relations, marketing communication and other specialized communication functions. This profession demands strong communication skills, diplomacy, strategic thinking and the ability to understand complex issues, and Conestoga's Bachelor of Public Relations degree responds with a case-based approach. The goal is to provide graduates with the critical thinking skills and the practical experience required to manage reputations, responses, and relationships on behalf of their organization.We offer students the opportunity to combine their learning with paid co-op terms to allow students to apply theory to public relations practice. Courses in public relations management, global public relations, business and project management, and the ethics and philosophy of public relations offer unique perspectives.Students will be encouraged to join one of several professional organizations during their degree program. Professional development, networking, and volunteerism are of tremendous benefit to the public relations graduate throughout their career.

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. 

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.

The Educational Support program will prepare graduates to work effectively with learners of all ages with exceptionalities. Through this program, students will develop a variety of educational interventions and techniques that will allow them to become contributing members of an educational team working with learners with exceptionalities. They will experience real-life opportunities that connect theory and practice through in-class projects and engaging and meaningful work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences.

To be successful in business today, you need to be proactive, forward thinking, and able to anticipate outcomes and behaviours based upon the data you collect. Predictive analytics is an area of statistics that deals with extracting information from data and using it to predict trends and behaviour patterns. If you have a background in computer science, computer programming, mathematics, or statistics and enjoy working with statistical data, then this could be the program for you. In this Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Predictive Analytics, you will learn about statistical applications for data analysis, data modeling practices, and big data analytical techniques. Through individual and group activities and case studies, you will use predictive modeling and analytical techniques to bring together the management, information technology, and business modeling processes in order to make predictions about future trends. Businesses and industries can use the patterns found in the data to identify risks and opportunities for future decisions and effectively interpret data for their benefit.