Advanced Diploma in Public Relations and Strategic Communications

at Durham College - Oshawa Campus Canada

Put your imagination to work in the exciting world of animation. You could be working on the latest TV series or animated feature, animating a triple-A game or doing visual effects for a Hollywood blockbuster. This challenging 3D and 2D digital animation program focuses on character performance and storytelling, supported by modelling and rigging, cinematics, lighting, surfacing, and design. The production pipeline and career paths are studied in depth. This diverse program of study will ensure you can handle any professional challenge in the animation, visual effects or games industries.

The Animation – Digital Production program was developed with input from veterans in the animation, games and visual effects industries and continues to garner enthusiastic support from studios and professional artists across the country. All of our professors come from industry, ready to share their knowledge and experience with students. This challenging 3D and 2D digital animation program focuses on character performance and storytelling, supported by modelling and rigging, cinematics, lighting, surfacing and design.

The production pipeline and career paths will be studied in depth. This diverse program of study will ensure you can handle any professional challenge in the animation, visual effects and games industries.

Whether it’s a small business or a large publicly traded corporation, accounting professionals are needed in all areas of the economy, in both the public and private sectors. Our program is taught by industry-connected professors who will give you the skills and knowledge to excel in the field. You will learn how to apply the latest tools and technologies – making you instantly valuable to an employer.

You will have the opportunity to hone your skills and gain valuable work experience through a co-operative education (co-op) option or field placement. This program gives you a powerful combination of knowledge, skills and real-life work experience. 

With a unique combination of business skills and a solid understanding of the sport industry, sport managers oversee professional and amateur athletes and teams; co-ordinate sporting events; and work behind the scenes at some of the biggest sporting venues in the world.

As Canada’s longest-running college sport management program, our team will prepare you to excel in an administrative or management role in the business of sport. Our program focuses on developing skills related to all aspects of the Canadian sports scene. When you complete the program, you will be prepared to enter into specific sport-related fields by applying the knowledge, experiential learning and concepts gained inside and outside of the classroom.

The program begins with coursework in fundamental business skills and sport industry understanding, progressing to more advanced applications and hands-on learning experiences in the subsequent semesters. Concluding the third year, you will have the opportunity to complete a full-semester (500-hour) field placement available in collaboration with industry partners.

In addition to formal classroom work, this program offers numerous volunteer and networking opportunities, an overnight leadership camp in the third year and a variety of experiential learning options to prepare you for this chosen career.

Please note: After completing two years of sport study you may choose to graduate with a diploma in Sport Administration.

If you hold a three-year diploma or degree with an overall average of 65 per cent or higher, you may wish to explore the two-semester Sport Business Management graduate certificate program.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Examine the role of management in organizations and apply those skills to the sport industry.
2. Apply marketing concepts to the sport industry.
3. Assess the political, sociological, economic, historical and ethical parameters that influence sport.
4. Develop and apply personal and professional ethics.
5. Explain the structure, governance and operations of sport organizations.
6. Apply accounting knowledge and skills to the operation of sport business.
7. Develop attitudes, skills and knowledge for career success in a workplace environment.
8. Establish a personal and professional career plan.
9. Plan, execute, and evaluate events.

Web developers act as a vital bridge between the design of a website and back-end coding to create a seamless user interface by applying traditional design methods to emerging technologies while being flexible, creative and quick to respond to the design challenges of the ever-changing digital landscape.

Building on the fundamentals of interactive media design, this program prepares students for an exciting career in the field of web design and web development. Delivered by the School of Media, Art & Design, students will have access to the latest software and web technologies in studios built specifically for interaction and web design. Unlike other web development programs, students will approach interactive elements through a creative lens to develop the graphic and technical skills to become highly competent designers and deliver dynamic, cross-media content in a complex and competitive business environment. With the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to design and develop web content for all digital platforms, graduates will be familiar with the latest trends and techniques when entering the workforce.

In this program, students differentiate themselves by taking their marketing skills to the next level.  They are immersed in digital technologies (such as artificial intelligence for marketing automation), data analytics, international marketing, and gain a deep understanding of the psychology of consumer behaviour and experience design. By applying this learning, students contribute to real business strategies.

Prepare to enter an exciting career where you can help develop business strategy and design customer experiences. You will have the opportunity to participate in marketing simulations, events and inter-collegiate competitions (local, provincial, and national). You will also have the opportunity to grow your professional network and gain valuable industry experience in preparation for launching an exciting marketing career.

CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION (CO-OP)
The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals. Similar to an academic course, work terms are a mandatory component to this form of experiential learning. 

From magazine ads and interactive graphics to book covers and digital signage, graphic designers have the power to express emotions, influence decisions and bring ideas to life. Students learn to design and produce logos, brochures, magazine layouts and annual reports. Graduates of this program create advertising and branding campaigns, corporate identity systems, and packaging prototypes. They develop two and three-dimensional illustrations and produce integrated media content for the web.

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop.

This program prepares graduates for work as entry-level designers. Students learn skills required to solve specific visual problems through practical work that covers a broad spectrum of visual communication in corporate, editorial, advertising and package design. The program of studies in first year includes:

• Design concepts
• Digital technology
• Drawing
• Fundamentals of design
• Typography

Your second and third year will give you an opportunity to apply these principles to a variety of design problems.

Other areas of study include:

• Advertising
• Branding
• Editorial and corporate design
• History of art
• History of graphic design
• Packaging
• Photography

You will spend your sixth semester off campus as an intern at a design or in-house studio. As a graduating student, you will have the opportunity to display design projects from your Portfolio Studies course at an annual student spring exhibit in Toronto.

Career options:

• Art director
• Creative director
• Digital art director
• Digital production designer
• Freelance graphic designer
• Graphic designer
• Marketing co-ordinator
• Production artist
• Prepress technician
• Web designer

This program will provide you with the ability and confidence to seek opportunities and provide support within the dynamic world of engineering, including the automotive, energy generation, construction and manufacturing sectors. Your future role may steer you towards a career in industrial design, metal and non-metal fabrication including machining or technical support. Students train and explore in our premier advanced automation facility through an experiential learning path that engages them with real-world controllers, operator touch screens, industrial networks, robotics and more.

This program will appeal to you if you prefer hands-on experience and like technology. You will learn to create computer-aided drawing (CAD) models of machine parts and assemblies, program computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software and manufacture designs using computer numerical control (CNC) code. The program is taught in up to date laboratories, utilizing the latest design software and manufacturing and testing equipment.

From the manufacturing and production to power generation and oil and gas industries, employment opportunities exist in:

• Engineering design and drafting
• Installation
• Manufacturing
• Product/system testing
• Operating
• Quality management and evaluation
• Technical sales
• Servicing of mechanical systems

Revenues for the global esports industry are projected to exceed $1 billion in 2019 and are closely mirroring those of established, mainstream professional sports leagues, including the NBA, NFL and NHL. In turn, the demand for skilled esports business professionals and the number of career opportunities in the field are growing at an exceptionally fast rate. This program will prepare students from a variety of backgrounds to successfully transition into the high-growth field of esports. Graduates emerge as highly skilled professionals possessing a unique combination of expertise in online marketing, copyright law, licensing, sponsorship, event management, content creation and much more. In addition to the tactical skills needed to support and generate revenue within the esports ecosystem, graduates possess deep understanding of gaming culture, including players, fans and the games themselves, which are vital to growing a successful career in this exciting field.

Accounting is often referred to as the universal language of business. Durham College’s Accounting – Business program is the next step towards a career in the field of accounting. Learning from industry-connected professors, you will develop your knowledge of accounting using the latest tools and technology in order to gain the skills employers need. You will be exposed to QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, Sage 50 and Profile. You will also have the opportunity to earn Microsoft Office specialist certifications

Used in a wide variety of organizations, accounting involves measuring business activities; processing information into financial reports and statements; and communicating information to the appropriate decision-makers. To meet the wide range of accounting employment opportunities, Durham College incorporates a variety of simulations into the courses to help prepare students for the workplace. Students will be exposed to QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, Sage 50, Profile and will have the opportunity to receive Microsoft Office specialist certifications. Courses include:

• Business Mathematics
• Communication
• Computerized Accounting and Excel
• Managerial Accounting
• Financial Accounting
• Personal Taxation

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Record financial transactions in compliance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for sole proprietorships, partnerships, private enterprises, publicly accountable enterprises, and non-profit organizations.
• Prepare and present financial statements, reports, and other documents in compliance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for sole proprietorships, partnerships, and private enterprises.
• Contribute to recurring decision-making by applying fundamental management accounting concepts.
• Prepare individuals’ income tax returns and basic tax planning in compliance with relevant legislation and regulations.
• Analyze organizational structures, the interdependence of functional areas, and the impact those relationships can have on financial performance.
• Analyze, within a Canadian content, the impact of economic variables, legislation, ethics, technological advances, and the environment on an organization’s operations.
• Outline the elements of an organization’s internal control system and risk management.
• Contribute to recurring decision-making by applying fundamental financial management concepts

Are you a pro at managing money with an added interest in stocks, bonds, investing and financial planning? Have you considered getting paid to help others manage their financial portfolios? The two-year Finance – Business program provides a concrete foundation in business as well as training in various areas of financial planning, investments, and life and health insurance. During the program you’ll have the opportunity to write the Canadian Investment Funds Course (CIFC)® exam to be eligible for mutual fund licensing, as well as the Canadian Securities Course (CSC)® exams to be eligible for a securities license. The requirements for each designation/certification listed are set by the granting body, not Durham College. In order to qualify for any of these designations/certifications, students need to follow and meet the required processes.

The Finance – Business program will provide students with the skills and training required to work in a variety of areas within financial services including, firms dealing with pension plans, scholarships, educational savings plans, and investments funds. In addition to a foundation in business, learning will be focused on a range of areas including, personal financial management, tax and retirement planning, investments and estate planning, with an emphasis on training in financial services. Graduates of this program will have skills such as financial analysis, planning and control.

You will learn how to:

• Keep a simple set of books for small businesses using accounting concepts and practices
• Understand the needs of clients in order to create relevant financial goals that are specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time-sensitive
• Examine other countries, businesses and individuals to observe how they tackle the problem of scarce resources in order to satisfy needs and wants
• Efficiently use industry-standard money management software to perform transactions, keep track of sales and expenses and create financial reports.
• Efficiently use retirement planning software to forecast retirement scenarios for different situations or clients.
• Students may also be prepared to seek related licenses in finance.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Process and maintain financial records in compliance with relevant policies, procedures and regulations for individuals and/or organizations.
• Prepare and present financial information in compliance with relevant legislation and regulations for individuals and/or organizations.
• Generate financial reports for individuals and/or organizations by applying financial mathematics and statistics.
• Contribute to the development and the implementation of a financial plan to meet individuals’ and/or organizations’ needs and objectives.
• Contribute to the development and the implementation of marketing strategies to promote financial products and services and to enhance customer service.
• Develop and implement strategies to establish and maintain professional networking and business relationships in the finance sector.
• Analyse, within a Canadian context, the impact of economic variables, legislation, ethics, technology and the environment on individuals’ and/or organizations’ operations.
• Develop and implement ongoing strategies for personal and professional development, highlighting ethics, values and standards in the finance sector.