Diploma in Visual Merchandising Arts

at Conestoga College - Doon Campus Canada

This two-year diploma 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 to pursue a degree at a local university. Students will acquire skills in communication, critical thinking and research, while exploring contemporary issues in today's global society. Students will explore a topic of interest through the construction of a research project, paper, and portfolio that culminates in a presentation to an expert 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 constructed 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 at the University of Waterloo (courses are subject to availability). After successful completion of this program, students may wish to apply to programs within Conestoga College or pursue further education at other institutions.

Predictive Analytics
To be successful in business today, you need to be proactive, forward thinking, and able to anticipate outcomes and behaviours based upon the data you collect. Predictive analytics is an area of statistics that deals with extracting information from data and using it to predict trends and behaviour patterns. If you have a background in computer science, computer programming, mathematics, or statistics and enjoy working with statistical data, then this could be the program for you. In this Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Predictive Analytics, you will learn about statistical applications for data analysis, data modeling practices, and big data analytical techniques. Through individual and group activities and case studies, you will use predictive modeling and analytical techniques to bring together the management, information technology, and business modeling processes in order to make predictions about future trends. Businesses and industries can use the patterns found in the data to identify risks and opportunities for future decisions and effectively interpret data for their benefit.

Financial Technology
The field of financial technology is evolving as it responds to the challenges facing the 21st century financial sector. This means that professionals employed in the field must be equipped to support diverse client groups such as individuals and company-based financial institutions. If you have a background in the computer industry, finance or other related fields, and are ready to attain in-depth competencies to help consumers and businesses track, manage, and facilitate their finances, this Ontario College Graduate Certificate program will be of interest to you. Through a variety of projects, case studies and interactive learning opportunities, and using current and relevant resources to support the latest trends in financial technology, you will develop the skills needed to help individuals and businesses secure their finances. You will study topics such as applications, emerging market trends, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship and management. In just eight months, graduates will be job-ready to take the lead in the financial technology industry in various roles such as Business Analyst, Blockchain Business Analyst, Financial Technologist and other roles related to financial technology.

Business Administration - Accounting is one of five business administration programs at Conestoga College. Students in this advanced diploma program acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for careers in an intermediate-level accounting position, along with the fundamentals necessary for advancement to managerial positions. Advanced financial accounting, managerial skills, cost-accounting systems and controls, computerized accounting and income tax knowledge are emphasized. Students learn computer skills in up-to-date labs, gaining familiarity with current versions of accounting software and other business software.

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.

Business Analytics
The need for business analytics in today’s fast-paced world necessitates that employees possess the skills, technologies, and practices for continuous exploration and investigation of past business performance to gain insight into what happened and why. A well-trained business analyst will use the insights to help drive change and business planning within organizations. You will learn how to describe, interpret, and inform business decisions in specific areas of data-driven business. You will improve your data literacy skills and develop an analytic mindset that will help you make strategic decisions based on data. The Business Analytics Ontario College Graduate Certificate program focuses on two of the four types of analytics used in business - Descriptive Analytics and Diagnostics Analytics. Using these two types of analytics, you will practice summarizing data findings to communicate what is currently going on in business and help stakeholders see what contributed to the outcome of your findings.

Predictive Analytics
To be successful in business today, you need to be proactive, forward thinking, and able to anticipate outcomes and behaviours based upon the data you collect. Predictive analytics is an area of statistics that deals with extracting information from data and using it to predict trends and behaviour patterns. If you have a background in computer science, computer programming, mathematics, or statistics and enjoy working with statistical data, then this could be the program for you. In this Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Predictive Analytics, you will learn about statistical applications for data analysis, data modeling practices, and big data analytical techniques. Through individual and group activities and case studies, you will use predictive modeling and analytical techniques to bring together the management, information technology, and business modeling processes in order to make predictions about future trends. Businesses and industries can use the patterns found in the data to identify risks and opportunities for future decisions and effectively interpret data for their benefit.

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.

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.

Conestoga's Interior Decorating program offers you a dynamic environment to build the creative and technical skills needed to excel in the diverse field of Interior Decorating.
Learning from industry experts, you'll develop essential and practical skills through studio, lab and lecture experiences, in addition to field trips and guest speakers. You'll take courses on colour, textiles, finishes and fixtures which are enhanced with access to our large sample library. With the benefit of current, industry-standard software, you'll focus on space planning, drafting and visual 2D and 3D presentations that bring your design concepts to life. Multiple courses on business practices and entrepreneurship will further prepare you for success in the industry.
A field placement opportunity in your last semester will allow you to gain hands-on career experience before graduating. Many students have secured full-time employment as a result of their placement with employers such as decorating/design firms, product showrooms, design magazines and home staging companies.
Not only is our two-year diploma program recognized by the Decorators and Designers Association of Canada (DDA), Conestoga is the only college offering Interior Decorating graduates the opportunity to earn a second 2-year diploma in Visual Merchandising Arts with the completion of one additional year. As a graduate of both programs, you can expand your employment potential in the design industry to include both residential and retail spaces.

Global Hospitality Management
The Global Hospitality Management graduate certificate program is open to international students with a background in hospitality. This program will complement an already earned diploma or degree in business, hospitality or a related field, and enable applicants to gain a work visa in Canada. Graduates of the Global Hospitality Management program will develop more management and operational ability specific to the hospitality industry and provide graduates with opportunities to obtain a supervisory or management level position in hospitality organizations. The program will focus on essential management and operational areas needed in hospitality organizations through an exploration of theory and practice in the field of management. Students will earn a TrainCan Food Safety Certificate, Smart Serve (responsible alcohol service) Certificate, and WHMIS as part of the core curriculum. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term instead of the Guided Career Management course.

Global Business Management
The Global Business Management graduate program provides an internationally-focused body of knowledge and skills for individuals interested in extending their business understanding beyond the domestic environment. The curriculum emphasizes the skills and knowledge necessary to operate in different roles within international cultural, legal and political contexts. This broad-based program will explore the field of management both in theory and through practical applications considering different organizational lenses. Graduates will be eligible to apply for the FITT (Forum for International Trade Training) diploma, and the CITP (Certified International Trade Professional) designation (subject to one year of work experience).

If you are attracted to modern manufacturing technologies and enjoy working with machines, this skills-based program will appeal to you. It prepares you for entry into the tool and die/tool maker skilled trade or related career in the manufacturing sector, including apprenticeship. You will learn the high-precision hand fitting, positioning, aligning and assembly techniques involved in the production of stamping dies. Also, the program incorporates a number of months of paid co-op education work, and covers all the learning outcomes for Level 1 and Level 2 of the related apprenticeship program in Ontario. As a graduate of this program, you may not be required to complete the in-school apprenticeship training or take an exemption exam for Levels 1 and 2 should you choose to pursue a tool and die maker apprenticeship. The optional co-op stream includes two back-to-back 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. Every student who meets academic eligibility requirements may not be admitted to the co-op stream.
• To be considered for admission to the co-op stream, students are required to achieve a minimum 65% session weighted average as well as successful completion of Precision Machining Theory I (MACH1940) and Precision Machining Practice I (MACH1955).
• 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.

Co-op Information

• Co-op programs add value to your education. Earn while you apply what you learn in a real workplace environment. See the Co-op webpages.
• 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.