Advanced Diploma in Public Relations and Strategic Communications

at Durham College - Oshawa Campus Canada

The Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas (PHSC) is designed for individuals interested in pursuing a health sciences career. This two-semester program provides the foundation necessary for success in a college health sciences program such as Paramedic, Practical Nursing, Dental Assistant, Dental Hygiene, Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant. It is also designed for individuals who would like to strengthen their communication, mathematics, biology, chemistry and critical thinking or physics skills as well as familiarize themselves with college life and college workload.

In addition, the program provides students with the opportunity to learn about potential careers in the health sciences while earning post-secondary credits that can be transferred to other health sciences or science-related programs.

The Practical Nursing program is designed to prepare graduates who are able to meet the challenges of the expanding role of nursing in today’s society. As a practical nurse, you will combine your knowledge, skills and judgement to provide safe, competent, ethical nursing care to meet the unique needs of all patients throughout the continuum of care.

Approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), the Practical Nursing program teaches the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to practise as a safe, competent and professional practical nurse. Using the concept of caring as the basis of nursing, you will develop knowledge, skills and judgment in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care for all age groups as they experience various health challenges. A particular focus is placed on the ability to communicate in a caring and therapeutic manner.

With a strong emphasis on practical hands-on experience, you will apply theory gained in the classroom and simulated lab practice to environments including:

• Community
• Long-term care
• Maternal/child
• Mental health

Upon completion of your program, you must successfully complete the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE) to become a registered practical nurse (RPN) in Ontario and a member of the CNO*.

Please note: In Ontario the following conditions are laid out by the Nursing Act to be registered as a practical nurse. These conditions may impact your ability to register with CNO as an RPN post-graduation.

To register as a RPN in Ontario you must:

• Be fluent in written and spoken English or French
• Have evidence of your suitability to practice as an RPN in Ontario including not suffering from a physical or mental condition/illness, which may affect your ability to practice nursing
• Have a good character including providing a Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) Criminal Reference Synopsis as part of the registration process. Please note: If your CPIC synopsis is not clear, CNO may determine that you are not eligible for registration
• Not be subject to proceedings with respect to professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity in nursing or other health profession in Ontario
• Pass the CPNRE
• Provide proof of Canadian citizenship, landed immigrant status or authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

This program will provide you with the ability and confidence to seek opportunities and provide support within the dynamic world of engineering, including the automotive, energy generation, construction and manufacturing sectors. Your future role may steer you towards a career in industrial design, metal and non-metal fabrication including machining or technical support. Students train and explore in our premier advanced automation facility through an experiential learning path that engages them with real-world controllers, operator touch screens, industrial networks, robotics and more.

This program will appeal to you if you prefer hands-on experience and like technology. You will learn to create computer-aided drawing (CAD) models of machine parts and assemblies, program computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software and manufacture designs using computer numerical control (CNC) code. The program is taught in up to date laboratories, utilizing the latest design software and manufacturing and testing equipment.

From the manufacturing and production to power generation and oil and gas industries, employment opportunities exist in:

• Engineering design and drafting
• Installation
• Manufacturing
• Product/system testing
• Operating
• Quality management and evaluation
• Technical sales
• Servicing of mechanical systems

Students in this program explore the nature of creative storytelling by writing, shooting and editing documentaries, short narratives and corporate videos. As you become technically proficient and critically informed, you’ll tap into the power of video to capture the compelling stories of our time, and create fictional stories in fictional worlds. Learn camera operation, composition, lighting, sound design, post-production, and the entrepreneurial skills needed to operate a small video production business.

The Video Production program will prepare you for a career in the exciting world of film, video and television. You will be introduced to:

• Basic principles of electronic field production
• Composition
• Lighting
• Principles of camera operation
• Sound design
• Studio production
• Video editing

The program will also help you develop an editing practice that is technically proficient and critically informed in addition to learning how to:

• Build and design a portfolio suitable for various markets
• Price, estimate and invoice assignments
• Protect your copyright
• Register and operate a small video production business.

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop. For specific hardware and software requirements for this program  click here.

Do you have a passion for health care and a desire to provide relief to people dealing with pain? An aging population, as well as greater public awareness of health issues, has resulted in more job opportunities in health occupations. The demand for massage therapy is also fueled by its growing popularity as a means of relaxation, stress relief and rehabilitation in today’s busy society.

In this program, students will acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to provide safe, effective and ethical care at the entry-level of practice within the massage therapy profession.

Major emphasis is placed on the development of effective interpersonal and communication skills, critical thinking, empathic responses and decision making. Students learn how to meet legal and ethical obligations according to legislative and profession-specific guidelines. Anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, massage theory, communication, entrepreneurial and professional skills are also emphasized.

The program’s foundation is based on the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics identified by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO).

In six semesters, students will have demonstrated the ability to:

• Conduct a massage therapy practice within a legal, professional and ethical framework.
• Apply business principles relevant to a massage therapy practice.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively and professionally with clients, colleagues and members of the inter-professional team.
• Develop and maintain therapeutic relationships to optimize clients’ health and wellness.
• Collect and assess clients’ information to determine their state of health and the treatment goals.
• Develop, implement and evaluate a plan of care according to the client’s condition and the treatment goals.

Project management professionals have the knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to successfully manage projects for a wide range of industries. To remain competitive in a global economy, organizations are using project management expertise to shorten product development cycles; respond quickly and effectively to opportunities or threats; re-evaluate their processes; capitalize on technical knowledge within the organization; and control the bottom-line. Project management is one of the top skill sets sought by organizations to help ensure their objectives are met on time and on budget. In fact, it is expected that by 2020 there will be a greater need than there will be candidates for these roles. Students start with basics and through a rigorous two-semester program supported by experienced teachers, graduate with real, applicable project experience under their belts.

Professionals with knowledge in international business can help organizations understand marketing, law, trade and finance as they apply to the global village we live in. As a professional in this field you may investigate, analyze, administer and manage human, physical and operational resources, as well as complex strategic and practical management issues. In particular, you will gain skills in strategic decision-making, and conducting operational and marketing analysis for business firms on a global scale. Graduates of this program often work on cross-functional and global project teams in order to serve their clients.

Durham College is a Platinum Accredited Partner of the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT – www.FITTforTrade.com). This partnership means that Durham College offers an international business program that has been validated by FITT as meeting their high standard of industry excellence. Students registered in our FITT-accredited program have a direct link to FITT and its full range of global trade credentials.

This program will help you to develop the knowledge and skills required to effectively address two of Canada’s leading health care issues – mental health and addictive behaviours. You will gain both a theoretical understanding and the clinical skills required to help your clients successfully navigate their challenges with mental health and/or addictive behaviours as they begin their journey to wellness.

Designed for students with previous, relevant education, this highly specialized program was developed in consultation with recognized experts in the fields of addiction and mental health including Lakeridge Health Corporation.

Program highlights include the opportunity to:

• Expand the skills required to practice in addiction and mental health settings
• Gain experience with a broad spectrum of clinical settings where addiction/mental health related issues arise
• Develop an understanding of the particular needs of diverse populations
• Receive training in evidence-based approaches to counselling.

Please note: Some courses may be delivered in online or blended formats using the college's learning management system.C

From magazine ads and interactive graphics to book covers and digital signage, graphic designers have the power to express emotions, influence decisions and bring ideas to life. Students learn to design and produce logos, brochures, magazine layouts and annual reports. Graduates of this program create advertising and branding campaigns, corporate identity systems, and packaging prototypes. They develop two and three-dimensional illustrations and produce integrated media content for the web.

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop.

This program prepares graduates for work as entry-level designers. Students learn skills required to solve specific visual problems through practical work that covers a broad spectrum of visual communication in corporate, editorial, advertising and package design. The program of studies in first year includes:

• Design concepts
• Digital technology
• Drawing
• Fundamentals of design
• Typography

Your second and third year will give you an opportunity to apply these principles to a variety of design problems.

Other areas of study include:

• Advertising
• Branding
• Editorial and corporate design
• History of art
• History of graphic design
• Packaging
• Photography

You will spend your sixth semester off campus as an intern at a design or in-house studio. As a graduating student, you will have the opportunity to display design projects from your Portfolio Studies course at an annual student spring exhibit in Toronto.

Career options:

• Art director
• Creative director
• Digital art director
• Digital production designer
• Freelance graphic designer
• Graphic designer
• Marketing co-ordinator
• Production artist
• Prepress technician
• Web designer

The skills of Behavioural Science Technicians are increasingly in demand as Canada’s population continues to age, more people seek support for mental health and addictions, and diagnosed cases of Autism Spectrum disorder continue to rise. If you have an interest in human behaviour and a desire to help others improve their quality of life, then this interdisciplinary program is for you.

Through a comprehensive mix of theoretical, research and applied courses, you will develop in-demand professional competencies that link the science, clinical, communication and ethical aspects of behavioural science.

You will gain knowledge and skills of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to support clients from various age groups.  You will  learn how to assist with behavioural assessments and contribute to the design and application of behaviour change plans for clients with developmental disabilities, autism, acquired brain injuries, dementia and other conditions associated with aging.   

Graduates will enter the field with the ability to engage in ethical decision-making and collaborate with other professionals when providing behavioural treatment. Behavioural Science Technicians are employed in a variety of settings related to education, family support services, mental health treatment and gerontology.