Graduate Certificate in Interdisciplinary Studies in Human-Centred Design (Co-op)

at Algonquin College - Ottawa Campus Canada

Begin your path to a career as a paralegal.

The Paralegal Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you to apply to the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) to become a licensed paralegal. This program is offered in three consecutive semesters followed by a mandatory 120-hour field placement.

This program is accredited by the LSO. It prepares you for a career in which you provide legal services to the public in specified areas of practice. Learn in a hands-on environment, acquiring practical skills from experienced and dedicated faculty.

Study areas of law that are relevant to the type of work a licensed paralegal can perform, as governed by the LSO. You learn about case management and trial preparation in areas such as:

• Small claims court proceedings
• Provincial offences and summary conviction matters
• Proceedings before administrative tribunals
• Complete hands-on activities, including participating in mock trials. Learn about ethics, Professional responsibility and the requirements of running a legal services firm.

Benefit from completing a field placement lasting 120 hours. This gives you the opportunity to practise your skills and apply your knowledge to a real work environment.

The two-year Office Administration - Executive Ontario College Diploma program prepares you for a rewarding career as an administrative professional in the public or private sector.

Develop essential skills through extensive applied practice in a simulated office in the areas of human resources, social media, office management, domestic and international travel, event planning and finance. Enhance your MS Office suite abilities through document production, transcription, desktop publishing, accounting practices, and database and project management.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Conduct oneself professionally and adhere to relevant legislation, standards and codes of ethics.
• Manage the scheduling, coordination and organization of administrative tasks and workflow within specific deadlines and according to set priorities.
• Coordinate the collection, analysis, distribution and response to communications in the workplace to facilitate the flow of information.
• Operate and provide support related to the use, maintenance and procurement of office equipment and technologies.
• Evaluate, establish and administer a variety of records management systems* to ensure confidential, secure, accessible and organized electronic and paper records.
• Produce financial documents and reports by identifying and compiling relevant information and using accounting software.
• Prepare and produce a variety of business documents using available technologies and applying industry standards.
• Use interpersonal, leadership and client service skills to respond to diversity and to support the vision and mission of the organization.
• Research, analyze and summarize information on resources and services and prepare summary reports with recommendations.
• Select and use information technologies to support communication with internal and external stakeholders and to promote the organization.
• Organize and coordinate meetings, conferences, special events and make travel arrangements, including the preparation of related documentation.
• Support the implementation of projects by applying basic principles of project management.
• Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

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).

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 Financial Services-Canadian Context Ontario College Graduate Certificate program is specifically designed to support students transitioning into the Canadian work environment in the customer sales and service areas of:

• Banking
• Insurance
• Financial planning
• Wealth management

In this program, you build knowledge and skills to evaluate and recommend financial products and services based on clients` individual needs. You develop techniques to collect and analyze client information to create and present customized financial plans. Sales strategies and relationship building techniques are applied while adhering to legal and ethical practices and industry standards. Throughout the program, you develop a professional competencies portfolio to document marketable skills. The fourth semester of the program focuses on experiential learning within a variety of real-world scenarios.

Through experiential and simulated workplace learning, you develop financial advising strategies to facilitate clients` short- and long-term financial goals. Topics include:

• Saving and borrowing for major purchases
• Postsecondary education and retirement planning
• Insurance for wealth protection
• Investing for diversification, growth and tax efficiency
• Estate planning for succession and wealth transfer

Graduates are eligible to write the Canadian Securities Course designation exams. Algonquin College collaborates with the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) and the Canadian Institute of Financial Planning (CIFP) to offer the Financial Services Graduate Certificate Program, which meets FP Canada`s Core and Advanced Curriculum educational requirements. The program provides a pathway to the following designations upon completion of their additional requirements and exams:

• Canadian Securities Course (CSC designation)
• Qualified Associate Financial Planner (QAFP) designation (see FP Canada website for additional requirements)
• Certified Financial Planner(CFP) designation. (See FP Canada website for university degree and additional requirements)

In the one-year Interactive Media Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate program, you develop the hands-on skills to plan and develop websites, online media and dynamic content. While learning industry-standard practices, you gain the solid foundation in interactive media that you need to further your career in today`s dynamic job market.

You experience the complete design and development process lifecycle of a media-rich product and learn the fundamentals of the industry standard software package Adobe Master Collection, which includes Photoshop, Illustrator and more.

While acting in the role of an interactive media producer , you develop and implement multimedia projects with rich media content to create various ways of interacting with consumers.

Throughout the program, as you apply your skills on solo projects and team-based applications for a wide variety of users and audiences, you may deal with regional, national and international clients.

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 

Start your music industry career sooner by learning the world of audio production and the business of music.

With a condensed format of 42 weeks, the Music Industry Arts Ontario College Diploma program prepares you to start your music industry career sooner. You learn how to work as a producer, engineer or music professional in today`s music industry.

As a student, you produce multi-track recordings in a real studio environment where you learn the full range of audio engineering and music production skills.

Although the primary focus is on audio production, the program also has a significant focus on the business side of the music industry. Explore:

• Legal contracts
• Copyright issues
• Royalties
• Music publishing

Discover the inner workings of recording and the business of music, which could help you further your music career. Experienced, industry-connected faculty prepare you to budget, schedule and prepare a business plan for a recording project.

During the program, you work in small studio lab classes to gain hands-on experience in the recording studio with guidance from an instructor. Individual time in the studio lets you experience what it is like to control your own recording session. You can use this time for your own projects, mastering the equipment or applying techniques learned in class.

There are many different career paths in the industry after graduation. You may find employment as:

• A performing artist or songwriter
• An audio engineer
• A producer
• A personal manager
• A music publisher
• A concert promoter

Turn your passion for sport into a rewarding business career

The Sport Business Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you for an exciting career in the ever-growing, multi-billion dollar sports industry.

The program positions you to work in the management and business aspects of the sports industry. Study in Canada`s capital, where there are professional sports franchises and more national governing sport bodies and multi-sport organizations than any city in Canada.

Receive cross-disciplinary training and sport management professional preparation. Learn:

• Event planning and management
• Sport bidding and hosting
• Sport tourism
• Sport marketing
• Sport finance and economics
• Sport sponsorship
• Ticket sales

Understand sport business in the social context, community sport issues, sport governance and the legal aspects of sport. Acquire skills in entrepreneurship, customer service, and project management.

Your program experience includes team work, case studies, role playing, and a variety of applied assignments. Connect with business management within the sport industry, with access to influential industry leaders, who share their experiences in the classroom. The program includes an intensive, hands-on work placement. For a minimum of 16 hours per week, you can apply your skills and knowledge to projects with organizations and clients in the sport industry. Network with industry professionals as you complete your work placement activities. Many students take advantage of these opportunities and receive further placement hours.

Upon graduation, students are well-prepared to begin working as a sport business professional. Your career could involve:

• Event planning
• sales
• Marketing
• Facility management
• Business administration

You could work within:

• Professional sport
• National and provincial sport governing bodies
• Public agencies
• Community recreation departments
• Sporting goods companies
• Sport marketing agencies
• Sport agent operations
• Athletic service organization

Sharpen your skills in world-class culinary labs

This one-year Culinary Skills Ontario College Certificate program teaches you the cutting-edge skills you need to succeed in the high-growth culinary industry. Learn essential food preparation skills and techniques from industry professionals in Algonquin College`s world-class culinary labs. Topics include nutrition and food theory, food cost control, menu planning and sanitation and safety procedures.

The hands-on experience and knowledge you gain opens many doors for you and helps to shape your career as a professional cook.

Some classes are held in the evening and on the weekend in Restaurant International, Algonquin College`s on-campus fine-dining restaurant, to give you a taste of your career before graduation.

Expand your real-world experience and make industry connections with an 80-hour field placement. With opportunities to participate in community events, culinary competitions and activities, you have many opportunities to refine your skills and gain further experience. You also have the exciting opportunity to experience food and culture abroad in Italy, if you choose to participate in the annual culinary trip.

The skills you gain may open doors to your culinary career as cooks or assistant cooks in:

• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Resorts
• Clubs
• Cruise ships
• Catering companies

The one-year International Business Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you for a rewarding career involving international business management. This program offers an in-depth understanding of versatile international management skills and knowledge. You help meet the need for trained professionals who can work with the increasing volume of cross-border traffic around the globe.

This program`s courses are scheduled to accommodate professionals who have to balance work and school. Faculty consists of experts who are dedicated to preparing you for a high level of career success. Take a hands-on approach, learning to investigate, analyze and manage domestic and international business activities. As well, learn to identify international partners and develop global networks. Activities, projects and case studies simulate a work environment and help prepare you for a career in International Business upon graduation.

Practice preparing documents, including international marketing, research and management plans. Develop strategies for overcoming language and cultural barriers and working with security requirements related to international logistics.

This program prepares you for success immediately after graduation. We put a strong emphasis on connecting students with prospective employers. Upon graduation, you have met the academic requirements for application to the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation granted by the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT). One year of relevant work experience is also required to qualify for this designation. Graduates may find employment in a wide range of international fields, including:

• Government
• Banking
• Financial services
• Industry
• Logistics
• Supply chain management
• Marketing
• Sales
• Management consulting
• Entrepreneurship
• Administration