Certificate in Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas

at Conestoga College - Doon Campus Canada

This unique two-year graduate certificate program is geared to experienced internationally educated nurses holding a four-year bachelor's degree in nursing. The program will support you in acquiring essential nursing knowledge and skills required to practice within the Canadian healthcare system, with a focus on caring for seniors throughout the continuum of care. You will learn from experienced nursing faculty in active learning environments such as state-of-the-art nursing laboratories and immersive simulation suites. Emphasis is placed on development of professional practices including nursing assessment, intervention, care planning, and critical inquiry and evidence-informed decision making. The program is developed based on the College of Nurses of Ontario professional standards and entry to practice competencies for Registered Nurses. Learning of Canadian nursing practices will occur through a variety of evaluation methodologies including, scholarly writing, case studies, projects, presentations, and simulated patient encounters. You will apply theory to practice during field placement in diverse healthcare settings including medicine, surgery, complex continuing care, and long-term care. This program provides you with extensive hands-on clinical experience, including over 400 placement hours. In addition, in preparation for the nursing registration examination, you will complete NCLEX and OSCE style courses.

The Bachelor of Design is a four-year degree in visual design with a complement of courses in entrepreneurship, marketing, and management. The program will ensure graduates have both the creative and visual acuity, and the knowledge of business strategy, that are necessary to create design solutions for current market needs. Conestoga’s Bachelor of Design is unique in Ontario for offering students a truly interprofessional perspective that blends visual design, entrepreneurship, and liberal studies courses with co-op opportunities, enhanced studio space, printing facilities and access to advanced technology, as well as state-of-the-art on-campus facilities. Limited enrolment and small class sizes ensure student access to faculty with professional experience in the fields of visual design and business development. As a comprehensive design program, students take courses in typography, visual design, colour theory, design studio, drawing and illustration, photography, interactive design, as well as entrepreneurship, branding, marketing, business management, writing and presentation skills, and group dynamics. The program employs a project-based learning approach that addresses design and entrepreneurship skills, as well as a variety of prescient issues including accessibility, sustainability, and corporate and social responsibility. Students engage in dynamic studio projects for both in-class and live clients.

In this two-year diploma, students develop the medical base of knowledge, technical and administrative skills and professional communication expertise required to take on more progressive responsibilities in today's increasingly complex and dynamic health care environment.

With a strong emphasis on problem solving, hands-on application and critical thinking, the Health Office Administration program prepares graduates to confidently assume administrative positions integral to the success of health care organizations. Coursework in medical and dental office management, hospital unit administration, insurance practices, and medical transcription, coupled with current business computing applications, bookkeeping, and office management procedures ensure that graduates are in-demand in a wide variety of health care settings.

In addition to participating in health office simulations, students will have the opportunity to consolidate their skills in the fourth semester of this program in a seven-week (minimum 245 hour) unpaid work placement in a local health care organization.

This program is designed to train and prepare individuals as qualified fitness and health promotion practitioners working within the fitness, health promotion and lifestyle industry. Graduates are equipped with the skills to accurately assess and monitor health and fitness levels to prepare safe and effective programs that meet clients' goals. As fitness and health promotion practitioners, graduates will provide services and programs to a variety of diverse populations such as healthy individuals, youth, seniors and those medically compromised. The program offers instruction in the areas of anatomy and physiology, fitness assessment and exercise prescription, health promotion, lifestyle coaching and behaviour modification, nutrition, therapeutic exercise, program planning, marketing, leadership and entrepreneurship, motivation and interpersonal skills. Courses will be offered using online components, as well as theory and hands-on application. Students gain valuable field experience during their on-campus internship and field work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences. Students will also have the opportunity to obtain internationally recognized fitness certifications such as Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer.

The Educational Support program will prepare graduates to work effectively with learners of all ages with exceptionalities. Through this program, students will develop a variety of educational interventions and techniques that will allow them to become contributing members of an educational team working with learners with exceptionalities. They will experience real-life opportunities that connect theory and practice through in-class projects and engaging and meaningful work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences.

This two-year diploma program is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills to practice evidence-informed hearing healthcare and to function as an integral member of the interprofessional health- care team. Graduates of the program will have demonstrated the necessary patient-focused skills to manage the needs of the hard of hearing. The program provides a rich learning environment that utilizes classroom education, laboratory simulation, various interprofessional exercises, and clinical exposure to hone competency. The course work is designed to ensure the student is capable to assess hearing and provide hearing patients with appropriate rehabilitation options – in particular, the selection and fitting of today’s technologically-advanced hearing aids. Additionally, the course work will prepare the student to manage minor hearing aid and earmold repairs and modifications. It will prepare students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and critical thinking ability for proficiency within a hearing healthcare environment. After successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to write national/provincial examinations and to complete 1000 hours of supervised internship through the Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners (AHIP).

This one-year certificate program is designed for students who wish to acquire a general education in the arts and sciences while having the flexibility to explore further educational options within the college or pursuing a degree at a local university. Students will acquire knowledge and skills in communication, critical thinking and research, while exploring contemporary issues in today's global society. Students will select and explore a topic of interest through the construction of a research project, paper, and portfolio that culminates in a presentation to an audience. During this program, students will participate in a course that will enable them to discover career opportunities. In the second semester, students will consult with their program coordinator to select from a variety of post-secondary courses in disciplines of their choice. The program is designed to allow students to explore options that meet future academic goals either through selecting courses in a major discipline or courses eligible for credit transfer to local university partners (courses are subject to availability). After successful completion of this program, students may wish to transfer to the Two-year General Arts and Science Diploma program, apply to programs within Conestoga College, or pursue further education at other institutions.

Design Foundations is an intensive one-year certificate program that is intended for students who are interested in exploring a career in applied design and communications. This foundation year provides an opportunity to create a competitive and individual design portfolio, demonstrating skills in 2D and 3D design, drawing, life drawing, colour theory, idea development, presentation skills, portfolio development, digital production, design history, and written communication. 

Students experience a year of goal-setting, guidance, skill development and refinement through a variety of hands-on projects. Students will plan, implement, and present visual communications in a wide range of media. Completion of this studio-based program will effectively prepare students for acceptance into a variety of programs leading to careers in the design and communication fields.

This Bachelor of Community and Criminal Justice is a four-year, paid co-op degree program that emphasizes the importance of individual values, principled leadership, and inter-professional and multi-sector collaboration to address both individual and societal issues related to crime, community safety and community wellbeing. Our program is anchored to a strong foundation in values, service and action, and draws from a rich network of community and institutional collaborators and partners. Through an intentionally designed learning journey, students are exposed to ideas and they learn skills that will enable them to contribute and adapt to changing needs and demands. Our “ecological” focus on individuals, groups, organizations and society helps students tackle the increasing complexity of the community safety landscape. Our combination of classroom based and work integrated learning forms a “bridge to practice”, so students can develop the capabilities that will position them as preferred graduates for the labour market of the next decade.

Imagine pursuing your passion in the highly creative profession of visual merchandising. Visual merchandising is 'marketing' and 'branding' - designing and creating visuals to sell a product or service. It is the process of creating an inviting and interactive environment for the consumer utilizing a variety of mediums.

You will study fashion trend forecasting, costume design, colour theory, prop-making, drawing and painting, event planning, mannequin detailing, photography, graphic design, scale modeling, planograms, window display and commercial merchandising. This two-year diploma program focuses on project-based, hands-on learning for the creative problem solver! You will use cutting edge industry software to design three dimensional spaces and planograms.

If you are passionate about design and decorating spaces, you will enjoy learning the latest skills in our state-of-the-art studio complete with a 'retail store' within the space. Use your natural creative talent and experience the many opportunities to design and display your work within the community.

A field placement opportunity is provided to gain industry career experience before graduating, most often leading to full-time positions in the field of visual display and merchandising.
Conestoga is the only college offering Visual Merchandising Arts graduates the opportunity to earn a second two-year diploma in Interior Decorating in just one year! Successful students become even more marketable, capable of designing for both commercial interiors and home interiors!