Diploma in Social Service Worker (Accelerated)

at George Brown College - St. James Campus Canada

The Business – Finance diploma program provides students with the knowledge and skills to work in the financial services sector. The financial services sector continues to grow and adapt to the needs of clients through the use of technology. People with customer service skills and knowledge of financial planning, call centre operations, investments and risk management are needed in this fast-paced environment.

Upon completion of this program, you will be able to:-

• Help clients take steps to achieve their life goals through an integrated approach to the management of all their financial affairs, including such areas as:
  • Financial Management – assess the client’s current and future financial position, based upon their cash flow, budget and net worth.
  • Investment Management – assess the nature of the client’s assets based on their risk tolerance, time horizon and expected rates of return
  • Retirement Planning – compare the client’s expected lifestyle in retirement to their current retirement assets and planned savings
  • Tax Planning – assess the client’s current and future tax obligations and strategies employed to minimize or defer taxation
  • Insurance and Risk Management – manage the client's exposure to an unexpected financial loss due to death, health issues, property damage and other risks.
  • Estate Planning – assess how the client can meet their objectives upon death in the most efficient and cost-effective manner

PROGRAM STANDARDS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• 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.
• Analyze, 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.

Social Service Worker (Accelerated) is an innovative one-year program (three semesters) designed to guide you in developing the knowledge, values and skills to work directly with a wide range of people in need.

This program stream is available to college and university graduates with a diploma or degree related to the field of social or community work. In this program, you’ll learn to identify and act upon the systemic barriers that can impede access to social and economic justice in today’s society.

Students will examine the expanding professional roles and responsibilities of social service workers in large urban centres and within a rapidly changing society.

In addition to the theoretical models, methods and skills of social service work practice, you will learn about:

• Group facilitation
• Allyship and anti-oppressive practice
• Counselling skills
• Social change and proposal development
• Social innovation
• Mental health
• Substance use and addiction

Many of the Social Service Worker faculty have professional experience with:

• Marginalized communities
• Institutional health and social service organizations
• Federal, provincial and municipal governments
• Research and initiatives in social innovation
• A range of not-for-profit organizations and agencies
• Direct practice with individuals, families, groups and communities

Students in the Business Administration – Project Management advanced diploma program will be prepared to manage project scope and change, project control, project staffing and risk management, provide motivation and goal setting, utilize project management tools and perform other functions in careers that incorporate project management or in stand-alone project manager positions. Graduates of this program will have demonstrated their knowledge, skills and abilities related to business in general and project management in particular.

This learning experience will enable graduates to demonstrate:

• Analysis of the impact of an organization's project management initiatives on its human resources, management, financial and business strategies, policies and practices
• Implementation of a project plan including making trade-offs among competing objectives and taking timely action to deal with problems and opportunities
• Application of accounting and financial knowledge to the management of projects
• Allocation of human resources required to manage project tasks using leadership and teamwork skills
• Working with teams and stakeholders effectively and in a professional manner, respecting differences

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Evaluate the impact of global issues on an organization’s business opportunities by using an environmental scan.
  • Apply principles of corporate sustainability, corporate social responsibility and ethics to support an organization’s business initiatives.
  • Assess and use current concepts/systems and technologies to support an organization's business initiatives.
  • Conduct and present research to support business decision making.
  • Plan, implement and evaluate projects by applying project management principles.
  • Perform work in compliance with relevant statutes, regulations and business practices.
  • Apply human resource practices to support management objectives and the organization’s goals.
  • Use accounting and financial principles to support the management and operations of an organization.
  • Assess marketing and sales concepts and strategies and apply them to the needs of an organization.
  • Outline principles of supply chain management and operations management and assess their impact on the operations of an organization.
  • Participate in the development of a business plan.
  • Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance in the business field.
  • Outline strategies used to manage risks in an organization's business activities.

This postgraduate program in Design Management builds the skills needed to lead a multidisciplinary design team. Students will learn how to develop design strategies for products and services based on business objectives. This program teaches practical tools and interpersonal facilitative skills, as well as the business knowledge required to manage a consultancy or corporate design division.

Who should take this program:

• Design professionals with a global perspective who want to become active partners in helping firms develop and grow through expanded participation in strategic management.
• Designers looking to enhance their career opportunities in supervisory or management positions.
• Designers seeking to integrate strategic design into the workplace.
• Designers with an entrepreneurial spirit looking to start their own company.

Courses in design process and strategy, project management, finance, team management, design research, contracts, business planning, communications and intellectual property protection complement a major studio course featuring real-world design projects. The courses cover the essential elements of a business strategy and how design contributes to the definition and realization of the strategy.

Your Field Education Options

• A mandatory Design Management Internship (DESN1031) course is taken in Semester 2. An external field placement role is not guaranteed in this course; students who are not placed externally will be given a design management role within the School of Design or as part of George Brown College.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Manage multi-disciplinary design groups using practical working models of management systems.
  • Analyze evolving market needs to identify design strategies required for the development of new products and services.
  • Plan, implement and control project plans that are flexible and reflect the evolutionary environment of the design process.
  • Enhance leadership skills, management skills and design expertise through the development of personal professional development strategies and plans.
  • Establish working relationships with clients, customers, and designers which maintain and strengthen their loyalty to their organization, as well as recognize design discipline protocols.
  • Develop and implement business strategies to recruit clients and new business opportunities.
  • Design and deliver sales presentations persuasively and accurately in oral, written, graphic and digital form.
  • Formulate and present comprehensive business plans for design projects.
  • Develop design strategies based on perceived value, competitive pressures and corporate objectives.
  • Evaluate results of design activities using criteria relating to application of best practices, costs, and profits.

George Brown College has been delivering this nutrition program with great success for more than 30 years. We'll build on the culinary skills you already have by teaching you about food modification, clinical nutrition, physiology, nutrition analysis, sanitation and safety. Through classroom instruction and work placements, you'll learn how hospitals, retirement homes and long-term care facilities provide their patients and residents with nutritious food and care.

This top nutrition program is accredited by the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management, which is necessary for employment as a Food and Nutrition Manager in Ontario.

Program Schedule

• The schedule for the Food and Nutrition Management program is based on a five-day week, Monday to Friday, with classes from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This allows students to pursue part-time positions in related health-care fields while in school.

Your Field Education Options

• As part of the program you will practice your skills by completing a work integrated learning opportunity in our student-run Café. Students will complete 35 hours including weekends as this models our café business operation. This valuable work experience can be added to your resume.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to
  • Plan menus to accommodate the nutritional, dietary and medical needs, cultural and religious requirements, and personal preferences of clients.
  • Manage handling, preparation and service of food to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies, procedures, and industry best practices for health, safety, sanitation, quality assurance and client satisfaction.
  • Manage nutritional needs of diverse clients in health care and other food service settings in collaboration with or under the direction of health care professionals.
  • Support others to work professionally and ethically in accordance with industry, organization and legal standards.
  • Monitor relevant local, national and global trends, emerging technologies, changes to legislation and best practices to enhance work performance and guide management decisions.
  • Deliver customer service that anticipates, meets and/or exceeds individual expectations and is consistent with organization standards and objectives.
  • Manage hiring, coaching, training, scheduling, work performance and evaluation of department staff in accordance with human resources, labour relations, workplace health and safety, and industry best practices.
  • Manage inventory, suppliers and procurement of goods and services according to industry best practices, financial constraints, and principles of social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
  • Analyze food and nutrition services and operations, and manage the implementation and evaluation of changes, to support continuous improvement.
  • Plan and manage budgets consistent with organization objectives and legal requirements for food and nutrition service departments.
  • Select, use and support the use of information and industry-specific technologies to enhance individual work performance and the management and delivery of food and nutrition services.
  • Promote food and nutrition services and healthy living to support marketing plans and the general well-being of stakeholders.

The Digital Design – Game Design program develops the production and design abilities of students in management scenarios through courses in design documentation, milestone and pipeline scheduling, game design theory and psychology. Taught by faculty with industry experience and mentored by local game industry leaders, students will learn how to design and develop games, not only for the entertainment market but also for serious gaming applications in health, education, construction, marketing and other sectors.

Students will have the unique opportunity to develop commercial quality games in a simulated video game studio environment, at times working with industry partners, game artists and programmers.

It is anticipated that graduates of this program will find employment in the game industry. Prior to graduation, each student will have assembled a portfolio/demo of their creative work demonstrating their ability in game design and highlighting their chosen area of specialization.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Design environment and characters using the principles of game design.
  • Read, analyze and create game design documents for effective game creation and management.
  • Create environments, objects and characters for integration within a video game.
  • Import game assets and levels into game engines to create appropriate high-end 3D game applications or engines.
  • Produce a 3D game using appropriate tools and game management techniques.
  • Create and produce digital components, games and documentation using a variety of computer platforms.
  • Prepare a variety of industry standard documents and prototypes in a skilled manner and demonstrate professional presentation and organizational skills.
  • Develop and present a working game design document for a marketable game.
  • Use an existing game engine to create a prototype game.
  • Evaluate different types of games and platforms and select the appropriate ones for a particular game strategy.
  • Present the game design prototype and document using innovative techniques as well as digital, verbal and written skills.
  • Manage the design and production process of a game prototype.

Do you want to learn Italian cooking? Join this specialized Italian culinary and culture program; learn from the experts here in Canada and live, learn and work in Italy too! Acquire the techniques that make Italian cuisine famous around the world. Experience the special connection between food and life in Italy. Embrace the kitchen experiences and courses in Italian art and culture that will deepen your understanding of this great tradition. The Culinary Arts – Italian postgraduate program delivers this and more.

Through this program, you will:

• Experience hands-on learning in both Canada and Italy with the pre-eminent Italian chef professors in the country.
• Build your knowledge of Italian culinary traditions and embrace emerging trends in Italian cuisine.
• Benefit from our partnership with ALMA, the world-famous Scuola Internazionale di Cucina Italiana, near Parma, Italy, which is one of Italy’s finest chef schools.
• Experience the vineyards, cheese producers and local markets of Italy as your open-air classroom.
• Study in some of the best restaurants and hotels in Italy where you will get attention, training and an inspiring experience.

You will put theory into practice as you are showcased alongside Italian top talent and serve discerning urban diners in the heart of Toronto’s culinary scene. After your experiences in Italy, showcase what you’ve learned at The Chefs' House, George Brown's signature restaurant.

This program has a long-standing reputation for excellence among Italian restaurateurs in Toronto and beyond, which will make you a sought-after employee when you graduate. “Che bello.”

Program Schedule

The schedule for the Culinary Arts – Italian postgraduate program currently operates from Monday to Friday.

Note: some classes may begin at 7 a.m. and others may run until 10 p.m.

Your Field Education Options
Study in some of the best restaurants and hotels in Italy where you will get attention, training and an inspiring experience. George Brown works with employers and industry partners to identify potential work experience opportunities. Students are also strongly encouraged to pursue self-directed industry work experience opportunities they believe would provide the learning experiences they value and meet the learning outcomes of the program. This valuable work experience can be added to your resume.

In addition to more formal on-the-job work experience, George Brown College endeavours to provide learning opportunities with real-world challenges and clients. Find out more about field education at the Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Create and implement an authentic Italian menu including food preparation and service, and the selection of wines that reflect the regional differences found in Italy.
  • Converse in basic Italian and use the correct Italian terminology within a culinary operation.
  • Identify, assess and select appropriate food products for authentic Italian Cuisine.
  • Integrate into the Italian culture through the use of language, interpersonal interactions and professional conduct.
  • Prepare Italian cuisine within Canadian and EU Health, Safety and Nutrition regulations, standards, guidelines and processes.
  • Develop and present a marketing plan for a restaurant consistent with regional demographics and culture.

George Brown College’s Honours Bachelor of Interpretation (American Sign Language – English) is the first degree of its kind in Canada. Developed to address the growing demand for qualified Sign Language Interpreters, this degree helps prepare graduates for work in this dynamic field.

An interpreter is a fluent bilingual-bicultural professional, facilitating communication between those who do not share the same language or culture.

To be a sign language interpreter requires manual dexterity, critical thinking skills, visual-spatial recognition, short-term and long-term memory, cognitive processing abilities in order to process information instantaneously at a level of bilingual and bicultural expertise beyond conversational fluency. For non-Deaf interpreters this will also include auditory-processing capabilities.

Over the course of four years, students will continue to improve and hone both their English and American Sign Language proficiencies while studying to become interpreters. This program focuses on seven areas of learning:

• Language and Culture
• Field Fundamentals
• Interpreting Skills
• Research Methods/Trends
• Ethics and Professionalism
• Breadth Electives
• Field and Community Experience

Interpreting is a very rewarding but demanding field of work. Successful interpreters typically possess the following attributes:

• a strong command of both English and American Sign Language
• an excellent memory
• the ability to concentrate and focus easily and for long periods of time
• the ability to process and analyze information quickly (cognitive processing skills)
• multitasking ability
• versatility
• a willingness to be flexible
• strong communication skills
• excellent interpersonal skills

In preparation for field placement, students will be required to work in multiple small and large groups, both in classes and community settings. Attendance and participation are key elements of program success.

PROGRAM STANDARDS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Analyze and critically apply current interpreting research trends as they inform meaning-based interpreting practices.
  • Analyze the power dynamics that affect human communication including the impact of the interpreter’s decisions and influence.
  • Respect cross-cultural needs of participants in an interpreted interaction in a professional and ethical manner.
  • Articulate societal views of Deaf culture, the Deaf community, multiculturalism, oppression, audism, global history of Deaf people, sign language linguistics and language variations.
  • Use current research literature to analyze key issues relating to the practice and profession of interpreting.
  • Determine appropriate modes of interpreting using evidence-based practice, effective interpersonal and professional skills.
  • Perform effectively as an interpreter by incorporating current research and recognizing contextual factors including language and culture.
  • Perform accurate and effective translations, consecutive and simultaneous interpretations.
  • Use communicative language abilities in first and second language as required to accommodate specific dialogic interactions.
  • Use professional and ethical judgment in decision making while respecting diversity, equity, equality and rights of all participants.
  • Engage in life-long learning and reflective professional development.
  • Assess personal competencies and limitations in the use of multicultural and multi-contextual approaches to communication.

The field of International Business encompasses a variety of disciplines including finance, sales, marketing, and human resources. Consequently Business Administration – International Business program graduates will be prepared to perform in a variety of specialized areas such as international market entry and distribution, international trade management, international negotiation and trade research, international marketing, international trade finance, planning, logistics, legal aspects of international trade and other functions related to business in general and international business in particular. Graduates of this program will have demonstrated their knowledge, skills, and abilities related to international business, and will have prepared for careers that include negotiators, freight forwarders, logistics, and marketing.

You will learn about:

• Documents and procedures supporting the movement of products and services in a global supply chain
• Statutory and regulatory compliance
• International payment instruments and options
• Foreign exchange strategies
• Human resource strategies in an international operation.

PROGRAM STANDARDS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Conduct an environmental scan to evaluate the impact of world issues on an organization’s international business opportunities.
  • Conduct, evaluate and present market research to support an organization’s international business decision-making.
  • Prepare and analyze documentation and follow procedures to support the movement of products and services in the organization’s global supply chain.
  • Analyze the impact of statutory and regulatory compliance on an organization’s integrative trade initiatives.
  • Develop and implement strategies to negotiate effectively within various cultural environments and to address the impact of cultural differences on an organization’s integrative trade initiatives.
  • Develop and present an international marketing plan, and evaluate sales strategies that support an organization’s integrative trade initiatives.
  • Identify and interpret relevant international financial documents and assess financial strategies that support an organization’s integrative trade initiatives.
  • Analyze the impact of an organization's integrative trade initiatives on its human resources management strategies, policies, and practices.
  • Develop and present an international business plan.
  • Plan, implement and evaluate team projects by applying project management principles.
  • Analyze principles of corporate sustainability, corporate social responsibility and ethics, and apply them to an organization’s integrative trade initiatives.
  • Select and apply current technologies to support an organization’s integrative trade initiatives.
  • Develop and present a plan for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance within the international business field.

Interaction Design is an interdisciplinary field merging design skills such as user experience, interface development and graphic design with programming to create meaningful experiences between the user, digital and physical platforms, such as websites, wearables and mobile devices.

Modified by the psychological, social, economic and cultural factors that shape our present and future world, this ever-evolving field envisions new ways of human-computer interaction within systems, services, products and spaces across multiple industries.

Throughout the Interaction Design program, students will be expected to address such topics as mixed realities, immersive environments, usability, spatial relations and human factors. An emphasis on usability testing, research, collaboration and real-world projects distinguish this program.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Collaborate in a team environment with various stakeholders to design multi-disciplinary products and services.
  • Apply the appropriate tools that allow for designing, building, visualizing, and programming digital interactive experiences.
  • Assess the requirements of a complex interactive media project.
  • Plan the development and execution of an interaction design project in response to resource and budgetary requirements.
  • Design a complex media project (interface, navigation, graphics, text treatment) using best practice design and development principles, and applying conceptual and theoretical frameworks.
  • Make interactive products, environments, systems and services using appropriate technologies, materials, and manufacturing methods.
  • Perform all work in compliance with regulations, legislation, security policies, industry standards and codes of ethics.
  • Use research skills to assess and inform optimal digital user experience within interactive interfaces.
  • Apply creative and innovative thinking techniques to manage change and solve design problems.
  • Make recommendations based on human computer interaction design guidelines to improve user experiences with interaction design.
  • Design an interactive product or service that delivers a usable interactive experience.
  • Contribute to a variety of interactive platforms and environments, incorporating the principles and elements of design.
  • Create a design solution in accordance with strategies, recommendations and state of the art methodologies.