Diploma in General Arts and Science

at Conestoga College - Doon Campus Canada

In today's competitive job market students need an advantage. As a student in this advanced diploma program, you will integrate academic studies with practical, creative and analytic skills integral to all types of businesses.The program presents great career opportunities for those who are creative, intuitive, disciplined, problem solvers with above average analytical and communication skills. Graduates will be prepared for leadership roles and careers in advertising, brand development, selling, online marketing, entrepreneurship, new media marketing, research and many other rewarding choices. This hands-on program takes a project-oriented approach and provides opportunities to work with real-world clients. As an advanced diploma, focus is placed on ensuring graduates can perform a number of more complex functions including applying principles of financial analysis and control, using analytical and evaluation skills to support a variety of management functions, development of integrated marketing plans that drive towards business goals and objectives and embracing new technology. Instructors are experts in their disciplines and use interactive approaches to enrich the learning environment. The program provides marketable skills, validated by ongoing input from an advisory committee of marketing experts.The 3-year Marketing program has one of the highest direct employment rates in the College.Conestoga College is an Accredited Partner of the Canadian Professional Sales Association (CPSA). This program is accredited by the CPSA Institute as providing all 35 hours of pre-requisite education toward the Certified Sales Associate designation, the first level of the Graduated Certification Framework. Students successfully completing this program are eligible for their Sales Certificate from the CPSA Institute. 

Do you want to create engaging video content and build a brand for your own business, or someone else's? Conestoga’s one-year graduate certificate in Broadcasting Performance and Digital Media is the program to kickstart your online presence. You will learn how to shoot and edit high-quality video content, write engaging copy and perform on and off camera with confidence. This program is geared to open opportunities for storytellers and content creators of all types and interests. Building on your past education, business experience, or hobby you will create an online presence which includes a website, video series and engaging social media posts leading to opportunities as a vlogger, podcaster or influencer. Taught by faculty with direct industry experience, courses in research, interviewing, on-camera performance, and storytelling give you the skills to work as a multi-media journalist or news anchor. This program is delivered from Conestoga’s state-of-the-art radio and television studios in a hands-on environment and teaches you how to setup a home studio, increasing your opportunities for employment upon graduation. You will also learn what it takes to start your own business as a sole proprietor, when to incorporate, and how to generate leads as a freelancer. No matter what industry or educational background you specialize in, Broadcast Performance and Digital Media will give you the skills to take your online presence to the next level.

Working within the payroll function of an organization requires a diverse set of skills along with specific knowledge of bookkeeping, payroll, and legislative applications to ensure all aspects of the accounting and payroll cycles and compliance elements are met. This two-year Ontario College diploma program provides the necessary skills and knowledge to perform effectively in entry-level bookkeeping positions as well as providing a solid knowledge of the payroll functions within organizations and the skills to perform the payroll and accounting tasks for manual and computerized systems. This program will also look at industry trends and best practices related to the compensation, benefits, and payroll functions within organizations. Topics addressed will include the payroll cycle and related calculations, how to work with agencies to ensure compliance with all legislative and government requirements, and documentation processes. Graduates will gain a solid foundation of the payroll functions within organizations and will be able to perform payroll functions for various organizations working with specific accounting systems and processes utilized in Canadian businesses. As well, graduates will provide valuable contributions to the interpersonal dynamics of an organization based on their knowledge of organizational planning and operations. Graduates that achieve Canadian Payroll Association (CPA) minimum grade requirements will be eligible to become a certified Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) with just 12 months of related work experience (8 months for co-op graduates). This designation ensures you have the payroll compliance knowledge and skills you need to succeed, helps you command a higher starting salary, and opens the doors for future advancement. When you get certified, you join a growing community of supportive professionals and gain access to the resources you need to stay current and compliant. Graduates will also have completed the 3 transfer credits required for the Certified Payroll Manager (CPM) certification which is the next step for PCP certification holders looking to enter a management position. Graduates will only need to complete 2 further payroll courses with CPA and demonstrate 2 years of work experience, being responsible for the payroll function of an organization. CPM certification provides the valuable payroll compliance and management skills needed to advance.

Process Quality Engineering
This advanced-level graduate certificate program provides individuals with the knowledge and techniques to improve the delivery and quality of products and services. The material that is taught in this program can be applied within any area of an organization. The focus of this program is on the achievement of performance excellence through the use of modern quality improvement methods. The program develops the skills required to perform process quality roles in a broad range of organizations and sectors.The program content aligns favourably with selected American Society of Quality's (ASQ) Bodies of Knowledge. This program is non-industry specific as it provides the proficiencies demanded by organizations in today’s market place.

Project Management
Learn how to manage simple to complex projects from start to finish, and become a critical part of an organization’s most exciting achievements. Develop the skills you need to oversee project management activities such as planning, managing scope, costs, time while balancing client expectations. Learn organizational Agility with practices such as Scrum. Establish goals for your project team and lead them to overcome obstacles to achieve success, meeting stakeholders needs. Earn project management education hours towards a variety of certifications: Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile Scrum Master (ASM), Risk Management Professional (RMP), or Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) designations. Interested in taking this program on a part-time basis? It's possible to complete this program while still working full-time and fulfilling your other commitments. 

This one-year certificate program is designed to support students as they prepare to enter a variety of career-based academic programs in the human service fields. The program will strengthen students' academic skills and assist them in developing greater knowledge and awareness of the range of human service career options. Through intentionally designed program activities, students will engage with relevant career programs in order to develop a fuller understanding of the professional requirements of those programs and determine personal suitability and fit.

This graduate certificate program will provide students with the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to manage projects from inception to completion. Projects range from basic work projects to increasingly more complex projects for stakeholders in all sectors of the economy.

To effectively contribute as a leader in today's manufacturing sector, it is important for you to have an understanding of project direction, manufacturing design software, communication, human resources and safety practices. If you are a graduate of an engineering or engineering technology program and want to expand your knowledge, the Applied Manufacturing Management program will bolster your leadership skills aimed for a manufacturing sector. This Ontario College Graduate Certificate will help you launch your leadership career within a Canadian manufacturing environment. In this program you will apply project lifecycle techniques and develop the ability to utilize and integrate complex manufacturing design software. Team management skills will be refined to aid in meeting Canadian industry goals. Through theoretical and practical courses, you will be exposed to real life situations that arise in the workplace. You will work individually and in groups using current software to simulate the management of manufacturing initiatives while incorporating quality assurance, and process and project management techniques. You will focus on meeting challenges in a production environment from both operational and strategic perspectives in this management-tailored program.

Quality Assurance - Manufacturing and Management
Today’s manufacturing sector requires highly skilled individuals with in-depth knowledge of current quality assurance, problem solving, and management practices. If you have the desire to be part of a quality movement, and want hands-on experience with the tools to support your career goals, then this program will be of interest to you. This two-semester Quality Assurance Manufacturing and Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate will provide you with the knowledge and techniques to improve the delivery and quality of goods and services. This program focuses on the use of modern quality improvement and problem solving methods that support the achievement of performance excellence in manufacturing and associated business processes. A combination of theoretical and practical learning opportunities will prepare you for a variety of management and quality focused career opportunities.

Process Quality Engineering
This advanced-level graduate certificate program provides individuals with the knowledge and techniques to improve the delivery and quality of products and services. The material that is taught in this program can be applied within any area of an organization. The focus of this program is on the achievement of performance excellence through the use of modern quality improvement methods. The program develops the skills required to perform process quality roles in a broad range of organizations and sectors.The program content aligns favourably with selected American Society of Quality's (ASQ) Bodies of Knowledge. This program is non-industry specific as it provides the proficiencies demanded by organizations in today’s market place.

This newly updated program provides strong pre-service preparation for individuals seeking a career with today's and tomorrow's fire services. Our curriculum provides the knowledge, skills, and professional development for success as a fire services recruit, and the foundation for further career progression opportunities in this important area of public safety. 
With a focus on professionalism, integrated skills acquisition through simulation-based training and inter-professional collaboration, students build towards internationally recognized credentials (National Fire Protection Association - NFPA) relevant to careers in fire suppression and also prevention through training in public education. They also develop critical thinking, situational performance skills, and lifelong wellness practices that enhance their personal and professional development and adaptability, serving as the foundation for ongoing learning, and adding value and lowering risk to themselves and to prospective employers.

Consider this unique advanced diploma program delivered at one of the most advanced woodworking training facilities in North America. During the first year of the program, which is common with the Woodworking Technician program, you will spend a significant amount of time learning the set-up and operation of woodworking machinery and equipment, laminating, veneering, machining, sanding, assembly, and finishing. The second year, which is also common with the Woodworking Technician program, involves extensive project work, introduction to production management skills, manufacturing of kitchen cabinets, and architectural millwork. The final year of the program focuses on plant layout/support systems, materials handling, quality control, cost estimating, and computer-aided drafting. Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the trade schooling for an Ontario cabinetmaker apprenticeship are embedded in the program and this will provide you with a recognized advantage when starting your career. The co-op delivery mode affords students the opportunity to relate in-school training with real industrial experience. Due to the placement of co-op work terms, the academic semesters are fall/winter in year 1 and fall/spring in year 2 and winter/spring in Year 3. Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the trade schooling for an Ontario Cabinetmaker Apprenticeship are embedded in the program. Graduates of this program may be exempt from apprenticeship in-school training should they choose to pursue a Cabinetmaker Apprenticeship.The optional co-op stream includes three co-op work terms.

Applying to the co-op stream

• All applicants apply to the non co-op program. Students will be informed of the application deadline and process to apply for the Co-op Stream. Labour market conditions determine the number of co-op seats in optional co-op programs. Not every student who meets academic eligibility requirements will be admitted to the co-op stream.
• To be considered for admission to the co-op stream, students are required to achieve a minimum overall 70% session weighted average in Level 1 with no dropped or failed courses.
• Students who are not admitted into the Co-op stream or students in the non-co-op stream will have co-op semesters off instead of participating in co-op work terms. These off semesters enable students to gain part-time or full-time work or volunteer experience to build their resume and/or can catch up on academic work if scheduling permits.
• International students will require work permits to utilize the co-op job board for job search and to accept employment. Students are currently experiencing longer than usual wait times for work permits. Please be advised that there will be no co-op program service fee refunds after the program withdrawal for refund date. Students that have not received their work permit and choose to remain in co-op after the program withdrawal for refund date do so at their own risk and will not be refunded. If you are concerned about receiving your work permit in time to achieve co-op employment, please discuss your situation with your co-op advisor as early as possible.

Co-op information

• Co-op programs add value to your education. Earn money while you apply what you've learned in a real workplace environment. Visit Co-operative education for more information.
• The College cannot guarantee co-op employment. All co-op students are required to conduct an independent co-op job search in addition to the supports and services provided by the Department of Co-op Education.
• Students are responsible for their own transportation and associated costs in order to complete work term requirements. Work locations may not always be readily accessible by public transportation.