Graduate Certificate in Professional Writing and Communications

at Humber College - Lakeshore Campus Canada

By combining the latest recording technologies and entrepreneurial business strategies with performance, production, songwriting and composition in jazz, pop, R&B, Latin and world music, you will be well equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for success in today’s music world.

Founded in 1972, the program has consistently produced many of the most successful commercial and jazz musicians in Canada and the world. With more than 350 students and a faculty of 18 full-time and 80 part-time teachers, our program is one of the largest, most diverse and highly regarded programs of its kind in the country. Long known for the strength of its professors, Humber offers you the opportunity to study privately, in classroom situations, and in several of the more than 50 ensembles directed by a who’s who of Canadian music. As Toronto is the centre of Canada’s entertainment industry, Humber attracts the top professionals in jazz, musical theatre, television, film, commercials and pop.

After two years of core music courses, you will continue with lessons on your major instrument, as well as take classes in music production and music business while also choosing from electives in arranging, composition, advanced improvisation, film scoring, music production techniques, songwriting, ethnomusicology or pedagogy.

You’ll develop musicianship and artistry by presenting your own recital, arranging and composing original material, and recording and marketing your own music.
In addition, you will take courses in music history, theory, aural training and improvisation, and have the opportunity to participate in a variety of ensembles.

All students complete a major recording project/portfolio in their fourth year. The assembled portfolio, which includes a complete press kit and professional-quality recording, as well as other promotional materials, functions as your calling card for entrance into the music industry upon graduation.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

• Perform, compose, produce music at a professional level for entry to the competitive, global music industry.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of diverse musical styles and contextualize themselves within contemporary music history: specifically defined as the idioms of African American musical genres, mainstream pop music, country/folk music, Latin music, music for musicals and film, art music and jazz.
• Demonstrate, through performance and composition, a technical and musical mastery of harmonic, melodic and rhythmic structures.
• Demonstrate, through performance, an extensive knowledge of contemporary musical repertoire and apply appropriate performance skills in diverse music contexts.
• Compose and arrange in a broad range of contemporary music styles.
• Prepare and present a portfolio of recorded material reflecting a broad range of styles.
• Record, edit and produce a broad range of contemporary music.
• Apply computer applications/music technology skills in composition, arranging and production.
• Critically analyze and evaluate sound recordings and describe their production characteristics.
• Demonstrate, through production and performance, organizational, project management, and implementation skills.
• Demonstrate leadership, teamwork, communication, critical thinking, research and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of contract law, copyright law, intellectual property rights, royalties, and rules of public domain.
• Make use of entrepreneurial music business skills to engage in the competitive contemporary music industry.
• Demonstrate professional “freelance” etiquette relating to job seeking and keeping skills.
• Demonstrate an ability to research and present findings from primary and secondary sources.
• Formulate, articulate and present their own ideas about music, art and society through discussion and writings.
• Demonstrate an artistic awareness and understanding of musical aesthetics.
• Assess personal strengths, musical and business skills, knowledge, artistic vision, interests, and abilities.

Work Placement

• You will participate in a work placement designed to mirror the professional music world, which is largely characterized by contract, freelance and part-time employment. You are responsible for accumulating the equivalent of 420 hours of experience which will allow you to establish contacts and relationships with key companies and industry professionals.

Humber’s Bachelor of Social Science – Criminal Justice degree program provides you with a broad-based understanding of the criminal justice system, why crime occurs and how best to respond to crime on both a societal and individual level. The curriculum combines both theory and applied skills, providing the breadth of knowledge and experience you need to meet the demands of working in this field. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the perspectives of offenders, front-line professionals, administrators, the community and others who come into contact with the criminal justice system.

In your first year of study, you will participate in a social science foundation year (common platform with other students from the Faculty of Social and Community Services). In years two through four, the curriculum will then focus on content specific to the criminal justice system. Your studies will allow you to develop knowledge and skills critical to a variety of fast-paced, ever-changing settings within the justice field. You will gain a fundamental understanding of key concepts and theoretical approaches developed in relation to crime, victimization, criminalization, criminal justice, sociology, policy studies, law, and correctional practice. Your courses will include an in-depth study of the nature and causes of crime, processes for managing crime, deviance, victimization, mental health, community safety, rehabilitation, recidivism, social policy, restorative justice, and alternatives to incarceration.

Humber’s multidisciplinary teaching approach emphasizes critical thinking, as well as analytical, organizational, research and writing skills. These are combined with the development of professional skills including communication, interpersonal skills, conflict management, problem solving, team building and leadership.

 Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will

• Describe and critically examine a range of key concepts and theoretical approaches within criminology and criminal justice and provide an evaluation of their application.
• Evaluate complex social problems in terms of criminological theories of crime, deviance, victimization, crime control and penal practice.
• Provide an analytical account of social diversity and inequality and their effects in relation to crime, victimization, crime control and penal practice.
• Analyze the value of criminological work as it applies to crime, crime victims, policing, criminal justice and penal policies.
• Outline and interpret the historical development of the Canadian Correctional System while discussing the core values and principles associated with the Criminal Justice System and evaluate the various ethical systems.
• Analyze the structure and operation of correctional facilities.
• Evaluate the complex role of the community in the Criminal Justice system while discussing the roles of the various players within the criminal justice system and the interdependence that exists among them.
• Identify the process of program management and measure the cost and effectiveness of correctional programs.
• Discuss the challenges and rewards of working with special populations in an institutional and community setting.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of institutional and community correctional intervention by comparing provincial, national and international jurisdictions while evaluating alternatives to the current correctional intervention strategies, with a view to anticipating future directions.
• Examine and apply a range of research strategies and methods and assess the appropriateness of their use.
• Formulate and evaluate criminological questions with clarity while analyzing the ethical implications of criminological research in a variety of applied research settings.
• Discuss criminological topics with an appreciation of criminological theory, of evidence, limitations, and of relevance to current debates and present conclusions in a variety of appropriate academic formats.
• Employ effective interpersonal communication skills and techniques to interact with clients, team members and the community overall, working effectively and assertively in groups or teams to achieve desired goals and resolve differing and/or opposing ideas and points of view through the use of effective conflict management skills.
• Acknowledge the limits of knowledge in the field of social science and criminal justice through academic writing and professional practices.
• Adhere to the laws, codes, regulations, standards and practices to protect the health, safety and welfare of clients, the public and other professionals in the Criminal Justice System.
• Demonstrate ongoing self-reflection, self-awareness, self-confidence, self-direction, self-management and use resources to plan for and attain personal, career and work-related goals.

Work Placement
Students engage in one 420 hour field placement on a full-time or part-time basis. Field placements provide students with practical learning opportunities where they can apply theoretical and course-based content to real-world job experience. The field placements, which are typically unpaid, are arranged with the assistance of a placement advisor.

Humber’s Theatre Arts - Production diploma program provides you with the skills and knowledge needed to launch your career working in the professional theatre industry. You will learn how to build exquisite props, puppets, costumes, set pieces and painted scenery; how to incorporate light and sound into a theatrical performance; and how to serve the collaborative team through stage and production management. You will develop hands-on expertise mounting productions for the Humber Theatre season in partnership with students enrolled in our Theatre Arts - Performance program. The Humber Theatre season is fully integrated with the academic curriculum to ensure a balanced learning environment.

We focus on creative work in a collaborative artistic environment with professional discipline, broad-based training and education in all areas of production for the performing arts, while instilling a commitment to lifelong learning in this constantly changing field.

All of our faculty have substantial industry experience, and part-time instructors have full-time professional careers. As well, professional directors, designers, rehearsal stage managers, fight directors and other specialists outside of the faculty are brought in for the Humber Theatre season and other projects. We hire directors and designers who are known for their unusual and innovative approaches. Their creativity brings constant challenges, excitement and learning opportunities to the Humber Theatre production season and enhances in-class instruction. These professionals often provide our students with contacts, references and employment

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

• Design and construct the physical elements for stage and actors to achieve production-specific goals.
• Provide a cohesive production experience through the integration and operation of theatre technology.
• Collaborate with all members of a production team to enable the creative expression of diverse ideas and concepts.
• Maintain safety standards for theatre operations.
• Manage all phases of a theatre production to industry standards.
• Integrate applied research on national and international theatrical history and culture to inform professional discussions.

The Advertising - Art Direction Graduate Certificate is designed to arm you with a comprehensive understanding of advertising art direction, design and copywriting combined with marketing, branding and strategy development. This combination of skills enables students to create effective communication and advertising solutions across a wide range of media – both emerging and traditional

Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
  • Conduct secondary research to derive insights for proposed advertising and marketing solutions.
  • Create a campaign that influences the attitudes and behaviours of a described target audience evidenced by identified metrics of campaign success.
  • Analyze the social, cultural, political, economic, psychological, technological, and historical influences on current practices and emerging trends in art direction to design creative advertising campaigns.
  • Complete all work in a professional, ethical and timely manner.
  • Express concepts, ideas, information, brand stories and research insights presented through verbal and visual techniques appropriate to the audience.
  • Collaborate in professional team environments to produce and present creative solutions to client challenges.
  • Self-assess to identify the lessons available in failure and the place of critique in the improvement process.
  • Develop a showcase portfolio to represent industry ready competency in art direction.
  • Generate visual content for use in various media channels that aligns with the creative brief and is in compliance with legislation, industry standards and accepted business practices.
  • Question assumptions and biases through listening, reading and observing critically to validate the intentions of a proposed advertising solution prior to presentation

Humber’s Comedy: Writing and Performance diploma program helps you develop your craft while gaining an understanding of the commercial side of the industry. Our faculty is comprised of seasoned, award-winning professionals who are active in the comedy industry. You’ll learn stand-up, improvisation, scriptwriting, sketch comedy and all other aspects of the craft. In addition, the program’s strong alumni network supports you through reunion shows, business opportunities and continued coaching. The program features many mainstage class shows, weekly Humber student shows at Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club and Comedy Bar, and an organized showcase at Second City Toronto for scouts, directors and agents with students included on the basis of merit. Upon graduation, you will have the tools you need to embark on an exciting career in one of North America’s fastest growing industries: comedy.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

• Produce a variety of comedic materials including sketches, screenplays, sitcoms and variety shows.
• Prepare and perform stand-up comedy routines.
• Discover their comedic voices and create materials that stem from these voices.
• Study both dramatic and comedic performance techniques, and apply those techniques to their own work.
• Prepare written humorous materials for magazines and newspapers as well as for radio broadcasts.
• Practice individual and ensemble comedic performances both in the classroom and in comedy centres.
• Apply the technical requirements of all genres of comedic writing.
• Respond to improvisation demands and create characters quickly on stage.
• Evaluate the business of comedy and develop career strategies and contacts.
• Learn from well-known North American comedic writers and performers and network with those individuals.

Humber’s Bachelor of Paralegal Studies program is the only four-year degree program to receive accreditation by The Law Society of Ontario as an accredited paralegal education program. This program combines legal theory with practical applications in courses covering ethics and professional responsibility, negotiation and mediation, evidence, advocacy, tort law, contract law, insurance law, and employment law. Students are provided with the legal foundation needed to consider a career as a licensed paralegal.  

We believe that properly representing a client includes understanding the client’s background and motivation. As a result, our program has eight electives which provide students with the opportunity to study social science, humanities and science electives. 

Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
  • Explain the relationship between a wide range of legal concepts, values, principles, and rules of law related to paralegal practice within the Canadian legal system.
  • Outline relevant philosophical, historical, political, social, cultural, economic, and ethical contexts in which law operates.
  • Define legal terminology accurately and give appropriate, current examples of their use.
  • Research relevant information from a wide range of professional texts and legal data bases using sophisticated search methods and standard techniques of legal interpretation.
  • Use of methods of negotiation and advocacy in order to advance a client’s legal position in a contentious context.
  • Solve complex legal problems through selection of appropriate legal remedies for substantive issues and the related legal and procedural issues.
  • Develop a cogent legal argument based on an organized body of relevant facts verified through corroborating sources.
  • Present legal issues and solutions in client-centered plain language. 
  • Summarize the issues and arguments in a range of complex law cases.
  • Write a range of polished documents used in paralegal practice with accuracy, clarity, conciseness and organization.   
  • Evaluate issues to determine whether a case falls within the paralegal scope of practice and where appropriate, seek support and/or refer the case to a lawyer.  
  • Contribute effectively and professionally in a team environment to complete required tasks within set deadlines.
  • Take initiative to expand personal and professional competence in order to make on-going improvements in meeting client needs.

Work Placement

• Work placements offer on-the-job experience where you will use and sharpen the skills you’ve learned in class and apply them to real-world situations.
• The work placement is from May to August after Semester 6 and lasts 14 weeks/420 hours. You will work with your placement advisor to find a placement that fits your career goals. We provide placement support, such as working with the legal community, to identify work placement employment opportunities.

If you define yourself as creative but can’t draw, Advertising Copywriting may be the right program for you. Not only that, you love to pursue creative writing and conceptual thinking, enjoy working in a high-intensity environment and are energized by collaborating with other creative minds.

Humber’s Advertising Copywriting graduate certificate program teaches the specialized skills necessary to create powerful and effective copy for all forms of printed advertising, radio and television commercials, web, mobile, and social media. Over two intense semesters, you will develop a wide variety of strategic, conceptual and practical skills. You will learn fundamental production, design and presentation skills, how to generate ideas in pictures and in words and how to focus your creativity using industry-standard techniques. You’ll also learn how to strategically engage with target audiences. 

You will create portfolio samples with industry-standard software such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator. Acquired skills will be demonstrated in a comprehensive portfolio of work which will be exhibited at a portfolio show at the end of the second semester. 

You will hone your already excellent editing and proofreading skills and apply them not only to your own copywriting but eventually to that of your corporate clients. 

Work Placement
Students will gain practical, hands-on experience in the industry by completing a mandatory work placement following their final semester of study

In the current knowledge economy and information age, and as organizations recognize the growing need for research on which key policy and strategic decisions are based, the demand for social, market, and marketing research has increased substantially. The Research Analyst graduate certificate program focuses on the theoretical, practical, and ethical underpinnings of research, while equipping you with the statistical, technical and professional skills necessary to do applied research in a variety of different settings throughout the public and private sectors.

In this program, you will focus on all of the major aspects of the research process including research design, information retrieval and evaluation, data collection, analysis and interpretation, and the preparation and presentation of research findings.

Special features of the program include an emphasis on professional, ethical and legal implications when designing research studies; new research technologies for data collection; analysis; presentation; proposal writing; research entrepreneurship; project management; and program evaluation.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

• Interpret primary and secondary data applying principles of currency, relevance, authority, accuracy and purpose.
• Design and execute a marketing or social research project to provide recommendations and actionable insights.
• Manage research projects with due consideration to budget, schedule, quality, scope, ethics, and data governance.
• Prepare a variety of effective social and marketing research documents and deliverables using knowledge translation and mobilization practices.
• Communicate results of research using effective and engaging written, oral, visual and multi-media modes, that are appropriate for diverse audience needs.
• Respond to the evolving sensibilities/concepts of equity, diversity and cultural sensitivity in conducting research.
• Mitigate risk by the detection of bias in research design and processes.
• Collect data using varied robust, effective and appropriate quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Organize and analyze primary and secondary data using industry standard software tools.
• Conduct research projects in accordance with legal, ethical and professional standards.
• Develop a career ready profile through goal-setting, on-going professional learning and industry exposure.
• Evaluate research evidence and findings for the identification of assumptions, soundness of logic and the veracity of claims.
• Select and synthesize academic, trade, business, institutional, governmental, or non-governmental resources for appropriate research purposes.

Work Placement

• Students complete a twelve-week placement allowing them to gain valuable practical and professional experience.

Humber’s Bachelor of Creative Advertising degree program will give you the solid foundation necessary for a variety of advertising careers. A wide range of courses cover important topics in digital marketing, communications, copywriting, promotion, persuasion and typography. Many instructors have significant and ongoing industry experience and will help you develop head-turning creative approaches to advertising.

Our program is enriched by opportunities to work in BuildingF, our in-house creative shop, giving you the chance to work on briefs for real clients while gaining valuable experience, connections and skills. With instruction in industry-standard design and production software, marketing and business principles, and content development and production, you will have a thorough understanding of contemporary advertising and insights into its future. Throughout this program, you will work in creative teams and gain the collaborative skills that will prepare you for the agency workplace.

The program is designed to offer you the flexibility to choose an area of focus, be it account management, art direction or copywriting. Should you find an avenue that suits you, you can immerse yourself in Humber’s advertising graduate certificate programs and continue to hone your abilities and marketability.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

• Discuss key historical influences on current practices in creative advertising
• Identify relevant legal, regulatory and ethical considerations that apply to specific advertising areas
• Analyze the social, cultural, political, economic and technological influences on consumer behaviours
• Conduct effective primary and secondary research to derive insights applicable to advertising or marketing issues
• Employ a variety of creative strategies to generate ideas for solving advertising or marketing problems
• Create a campaign to solve an identified business challenge that influences the attitudes and behaviours of a described target audience
• Develop a targeted creative brief informed by insightful interpretations of marketing demographic and user experience research
• Contribute to a creative advertising team using acquired specialized competencies in one of creative strategy, art direction, or copywriting
• Express concepts, ideas, information, brand stories and research insights presented through refined verbal and visual techniques appropriate to the audience
• Questions assumptions and biases through listening, reading and observing critically
• Self-assess continuously to appreciate the lessons available in failure and the place of critique in the improvement process
• Collaborate effectively in team environments to achieve identifiable goals
• Employ entrepreneurial skills and thinking to identify market opportunities.
• Develop a showcase portfolio to represent industry ready competency in creative advertising

Work Placement
Students will gain practical, hands-on experience in the industry by completing a mandatory work placement in the winter semester of 4th year. As students are often hired directly from their placements, the final summer term is fully online.

Humber’s Introduction to Commercial Jazz Music certificate is a performance-based program designed to help you assess and strengthen your skills. It solidifies your knowledge of the fundamentals of western music and develops your current performance skills through the jazz-specific areas of improvisation, repertoire development and small group ensemble performance. You will emerge from the program with a clearer understanding of the field and your own career potential within it, and as a stronger candidate for entry into postsecondary music degree and diploma programs. All courses have a particular focus on the commercial jazz field.

Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
  • Recognize & identify common styles of music.
  • Describe the commercial/jazz field in terms of tradition, artists, & styles.
  • Explain the contribution of various artists to the development of particular styles & idioms.
  • Analyze the components & performance differences of recorded selections.
  • Play a repertoire of memorized materials that are considered standards in the commercial/jazz field & reflect the various styles inherent in this music.
  • Write diatonic melodies in various styles demonstrating knowledge of relevant harmonic & melodic concepts & structures of form.
  • Perform in an ensemble demonstrating basic ensemble skills such as intonation, tuning, time, feel, balance & dynamics.
  • Identify their own musical strengths & weaknesses in terms of a performance career in the commercial/jazz field.
  • Implement strategies & plans for on-going personal & professional growth & development.
  • Establish a practice of critical self-assessment & professional goal setting.