Graduate Certificate in Applied Research (Optional Co-op)

at Conestoga College - Doon Campus Canada

Applied research is designed to answer specific questions aimed at solving practical problems. While fundamental research answers the initial question of how things work, new knowledge acquired from applied research has specific objectives in the form of products, procedures or services. The pace of change in the applied research and information mobilization has never been as fast as today. Whether designing, implementing, and evaluating applied research projects, or targeting and tailoring research evidence for decision-making, people who engage in applied research create meaning and impact across multiple sectors. In this graduate certificate program, you will learn practical research methodologies, data analytics, data visualization, and knowledge mobilization to accelerate the impact of applied research. The second semester allows you to work in interdisciplinary teams to implement your skills in an applied research impact project. In addition to this hands-on experience, you will have the opportunity to expand your real-world practice through an optional co-op term.

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.

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 is evolving. Are you uncertain about the exact career path you would like to follow? If your answer is ‘yes’, then the two-year Business diploma program is perfect for you, as it is designed to expose students to many different disciplines, ensuring diverse career opportunities. The Business program provides a broad education encompassing all functional areas of business, including business accounting, finance, marketing, sales, operations and human resources management. Today’s world is full of business opportunities; graduates of this program will have work-ready skills that will enable them to operate in multiple business departments, return to their family business or start their own business venture.

Want to turn your passion for games into a fulfilling career? Start with Conestoga's two-year diploma program in Game – Design, where you will learn how to create games, apps, and simulations for use in the games industry, entertainment, education, and beyond. Located in the technology hub of the country, Game - Design places you in the middle of the action with access to industry standard software and technology. Taught by faculty with extensive experience in the game world, this program is designed to provide you with a strong set of skills and knowledge for game design, gameplay programming, and employment across various parts of the production pipeline. Through individual and collaborative projects, the program also offers the chance to build a portfolio of original work, and a field placement opportunity to help you take your first steps into the industry.

Accelerate your career by learning best practices, tools, techniques and cutting-edge technologies to be a successful Business Analyst in today's data-driven digital economy. The role of the business analyst is evolving from just gathering requirements to one helping align and drive organizational strategy. In this Ontario College Graduate Certificate program, you will discover how to enable change in an organization by articulating needs and recommending solutions that deliver value to stakeholders. You will develop the ability to write detailed requirements for system changes and enhancements and ensure system changes are well tested by developing test cases and managing defect resolution along with coordinating user acceptance testing. A solid grasp of the end-to-end process of making effective decisions with data will give you an edge to facilitate enhanced decision making. In addition, you will learn leading industry software to build a solid skills portfolio in data modelling, emerging technologies, project management, and change and risk management.

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.

This program provides students with the laboratory skills, technical knowledge, fundamental understanding, and employability skills for careers in Biotechnology and Life Science industries. Students will experience an integrated curriculum and applied learning environment that focuses on scenarios relevant to current innovations in the growing fields of Biotechnology and Life Sciences. The program offers independent and collaborative opportunities to develop personally and professionally, and to perform laboratory duties in compliance with all legislative guidelines. Training includes practical and technical instruction in several areas including biology, biochemistry, microbiology, analytical chemistry, cell culture, molecular biology, and computer applications. Graduates of the Biotechnology Technician program will compete in emerging professions within diverse sectors of the bio-economy including: environmental, agricultural, food, pharmaceutical and biomedical technologies, analytical chemistry, and many other exciting fields.

The Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas program offers two semesters of full-time study. It is designed for students who wish to concentrate on the health sciences field and prepares students for application to Conestoga College's School of Health Sciences certificate and diploma programs. Students will be introduced to the health sciences field, to college life and college workload, and will be able to increase their competitiveness to support their application to health sciences programs.

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.

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 accelerated program is offered over two calendar years and provides the same learning outcomes as the three-year advanced diploma program. It is ideal for those who are interested in bridging into the Accounting, Audit and Information Technology (AAIT) degree program. Graduates would receive credit for the first two years of the AAIT degree program if they maintain a 70% overall average. Diploma graduates would normally start in September and complete two co-op work terms. Graduates with work experience may also receive credit towards one work term.The program provides the knowledge and skills necessary for a career in an intermediate-level accounting position, along with the fundamentals necessary for advancement to managerial positions. Graduates of this program are able to apply computer, communication, and mathematical skills and employ management accounting techniques to support accounting activities, including the maintenance of accounting records and the preparation of financial statements and individual and corporate tax returns. In addition, graduates are able to perform a variety of more complex functions, including applying principles of financial analysis and planning and control; using analytical and evaluation skills to support a variety of management functions; and collaborating in the design of an organization's system of internal control.