Certificate in Design Foundations

at Algonquin College - Ottawa Campus Canada

The Retirement Communities Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate program provides the specialized skills and knowledge to help you meet the demand for skilled managers in the retirement communities field.

Learn from seasoned industry professionals. The program aligns curriculum with Ontario`s Retirement Homes Act, 2010 and prepares you for entry into this expanding field, or advancement within retirement communities.

Discover the organizational structures and day-to-day operations within the industry, including:

• Human resources
• Recruitment
• Fiscal management
• Resident care
• Food service operations
• Marketing
• Recreation activities
• Legislation and regulatory bodies

Apply management skills related to all of these areas through activities, case studies and industry work. Plan, implement and execute fiscal and operational strategies to optimize organizational efficiency. Focus also includes knowledge of resident care best practices.

A three-week field placement in the industry expands your real-world experience. During this time, you make valuable industry contacts.

Reputation can be a company`s biggest asset: develop public relations expertise blending theory with practical experience.

The two-year Public Relations Ontario College Diploma program emphasizes professionalism and attention to detail, as well as creative and critical thinking in all public relations activities. In this program, you acquire both theoretical and applied knowledge, and gain real-world experience by working with not-for-profit organizations to help them reach their target audiences.

Learn how to deliver strategically sound, creative and robust public relations solutions, which may include media relations, social media, and event coordination. The program combines theory with hands-on experience in:

• Writing
• Editing
• Visual communications
• Time/resource management
• Research and measurement
• Public speaking
• Teamwork
• Media monitoring and social listening
   

The Personal Support Worker Ontario College Certificate program prepares you for immediate work in healthcare. This two-semester program provides you with the knowledge and practical skills to work as a care provider in a range of healthcare settings.

Develop the ability to engage with persons and families of various ages and health-related needs to promote healthy living. Learn how to assist clients with their daily personal care needs, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting. In your career, you help those who need assistance to remain as independent as possible.

Through theory, lab practice and clinical/community experiences, learn how to deliver person-centred care, encourage independence and improve the quality of life for your clients.

Participate in clinical experiences, where you focus on the various skills needed to succeed in the field. In these clinical placements, you demonstrate your knowledge and expertise and learn about applying different concepts to real-world environments. These clinical experiences provide you with the opportunity to continue learning as a student member of a healthcare team.

After graduating, you may find employment as a Personal Support Worker. In this role, you work under the supervision of Registered Nurses and/or Registered Practical Nurses in:

• retirement homes
• long-term care facilities
• home care agencies, and
• hospitals

Build your career potential with an in-depth understanding of building and construction

Architectural Technology is the third year of an Ontario College Advanced Diploma program that prepares you for a career in the architectural profession and the construction industry. The program gives you the credentials, the knowledge and the skills necessary to further define your career. Graduates of the two-year Architectural Technician Ontario College Diploma program may consider taking the third year, Architectural Technology program to build on their previous studies.

In the Architectural Technology program, you focus on commercial construction and large buildings, as defined in the Ontario Building Code. You participate in a team project that brings together all facets of building construction, including:

• Design and technical resolution with the integration of building and material detailing
• Structural and mechanical layout design for a commercial building assembly
• Revit Architecture is used to execute the design and technical resolution for the project. 

Students also have the option to gain real-world experience through a paid co-operative education (co-op) work term (see Additional Information for more details). Please note that places in the co-op version of the program are subject to availability.

Graduates of this program may find work with:

• Architects` offices
• Contractors in multiple sectors
• Engineering offices
• Building materials sales representatives
• Municipal offices such as the City of Ottawa
• Federal and provincial agencies dealing with construction
• Drafting service offices using AutoCAD and Revit
• Real estate and facilities management companies
• Companies that provide construction, maintenance, and planning services 

The Cyber Security Analysis (CSA) Ontario College Graduate Certificate program is designed to prepare you to meet the market demand for cyber security professionals in the public and private sector.

Throughout the program, you focus analytically on key cyber security principles including threat and vulnerability management, event analysis, laws and ethics relating to security compliance and implementation, cryptographic solutions for data confidentiality and communication protection, cyber incident response, digital forensics processes, disaster recovery and business continuity following cyber incidents and related tools and security appliances. You develop the skills and knowledge necessary to select and deploy the optimal tools and security solutions given unique scenarios.

Graduates possess the theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills to assess, recommend, implement and troubleshoot various advanced security solutions and countermeasures. Utilizing IT concepts and tools, you evaluate the technical aspects and risk levels of security solutions, security and penetration tests and vulnerability assessments. You also examine the legal process and proper evidence gathering procedures, effective design of corporate security policies, analysis and management of risks or threats as well as ethical and social implications related to security, Canadian and International laws, privacy laws and compliance. Algonquin College`s state-of-the-art computing facilities, running the latest Windows and Linux/UNIX-based operating system (O/S) platforms and supporting a wide variety of pre-installed software applications, support you to be well-prepared for entry into the field of cyber security. You gain exposure to real-world technologies currently used within industry including specialized networking, Cisco and hardware labs along with several network-based O/S servers. The Cyber Security Analysis curriculum has been designed to closely align with the Canadian Center for Cyber Security`s (CCCS) curriculum guidelines and also assists in preparing graduates to achieve a number of industry certifications. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to attain certifications including:

• ISC2 SSCP and CISSP
• SANS GSEC and other GIAC certifications
• EC-Council`s CEH and CHFI
• CompTia CySA+ and CASP

The one-year, two-semester Veterinary Assistant Ontario College Certificate program provides you with a strong foundation of theory and practical skills necessary to provide quality care and support in the veterinary clinics and related animal care settings. Areas of study include animal handling and restraint techniques, surgical preparation, common diseases, animal behavior, laboratory procedures, grooming techniques, business procedures, client service skills. The development of strong interpersonal and communication skills is emphasized. The program relies on a variety of course delivery formats including traditional in-class labs and lectures, hybrid and off-site labs. The focus is primarily companion animal care, with additional information on large animal, shelter animal and laboratory animal care.

Employment opportunities for veterinary assistants are varied and may include veterinary clinics, animal shelter and rescue organizations, wildlife sanctuaries, research facilities, grooming and pet care businesses.

The one-year Business Intelligence System Infrastructure (BISI) Ontario College Graduate Certificate provides you with specialized knowledge and skills to support the corporate use of Business Intelligence (BI), Data Visualization, Data Science, Cloud Services, and Agile Project Management. Research and evaluate current BI trends and theory as you specialize your career.

A technical program, BISI is ideal for students who have existing degrees or advanced diplomas in Computing Science, Engineering, Business, Mathematics or a similar relevant business-science- technology field.

BISI provides you with hands-on experience in:

• Database design, implementation and SQL
• Data warehouse design and development
• Data modelling and rendering
• Operating systems and programming fundamentals
• Data science essentials
• Cloud fundamentals
• Agile project management
• Selected current topics

As a student in this program, you collect, analyze, design, build, integrate and manage systems in order to facilitate data-driven decision-making. Use current versions of in-demand, enterprise grade software to access multiple data sources, including complex databases and data warehouses, for application and/or enterprise Cloud/Hybrid/on-premises solution delivery.

Undertake a project, as part of a small team, to use and build upon your acquired knowledge and skills while addressing client requirements. An optional paid cooperative (co-op) work term opportunity exists at program end for qualified students that meet employer requirements.

BISI graduates may work in the public or private sector. They have the knowledge and skills to become Business Intelligence Systems specialists liaising with IT technical support and subject matter experts, as well as Technical Business Analysts designing, developing, and implementing responsive data models. In some situations, the graduate`s previous field of study opens specialized opportunities in emerging markets.

Based on the foundational knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program, BISI graduates may choose to pursue various certifications, in areas like:

• IBM Cognos CA and related disciplines
• Tableau data visualization
• Cloud foundations
• Python programming

The two-year Computer Systems Technician - Networking Ontario College Diploma program prepares you for a career in information technology with a focus on network and system administration.

You learn to set up, configure and maintain all components that constitute an effective network: computer hardware, operating systems, networking and virtualization technologies, security and task automation. In addition you develop problem solving skills and troubleshooting techniques to help support an IT infrastructure. Throughout the program, you also develop your oral and written communication skills, customer support, and ethics relevant to the information technology workplace.

As a student in this program, you have access to the latest software and equipment including Cisco and Aruba hardware labs, network-based operating systems, including Microsoft and GNU/Linux, as well as other industry-standard tools and resources.

This program offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience by taking part in back-to-back cooperative education (co-op) work terms (see Additional Information for more details). Please note that places in the co-op version of the program are subject to availability. Students who elect to apply to the non-co-op version of the program may not have the opportunity to transfer to the co-op version at a later date.

You can work towards industry recognized certifications including Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Linux+ and Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA). Upon successful completion of this program, you may transfer credit for the first two years of the Computer Systems Technology - Security three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma, as long as you meet its admissions requirements.

Upon graduation you may find employment opportunities in a wide range of sectors including government, private and public for entry-level positions or self-employment in:

• Network and systems administration
• IT infrastructure
• Installation, migration, and support
• Technical and customer service support
• Computer training and consultation

The practical and integrated theoretical two-year program is offered in a compressed format of 45 weeks preparing students with the knowledge and the skills required to become professional estheticians in the wellness industry.

The course builds a strong foundation in areas related to body treatments, nail care, skin care, hair removal and the promotion of health and wellbeing and the graduates get employed in resort spas, day spas, cruise ships, cosmetic firms, beauty institutes, salons and health clubs. 
 

The one-year Teachers of English as a Second/Foreign Language Ontario College Graduate Certificate program is designed to give you a theoretical and hands-on foundation to help you develop proficiency in English as a Second/Foreign Language teaching methodology.

This program is officially recognized by TESL Ontario and TESL Canada and is available on campus or through synchronous online delivery.

Learn effective approaches to teaching, lesson planning, curriculum design and evaluation. Take courses such as:

• Pedagogical Grammar
• Educational Technology in Second Language Teaching
• Language Learning and Culture

Apply your theoretical knowledge to real-life teaching. Begin the program by completing an Independent Learning Project that requires you to work one-on-one with an assigned English as a Second Language (ESL) student and complete a learner profile for them. Then, gain further practical experience by taking part in two practicum placements. You even have the option to pursue an overseas teaching internship.

Upon completion of this program, you receive an official TESL certification that enables you to pursue ESL teaching opportunities in Canada and abroad.

Graduates may find employment in:

• Continuing education
• Government-funded community-based programs
• Colleges
• Universities
• Private language schools