Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship Management

at George Brown College - St. James Campus Canada

The food sector is always changing, particularly when it comes to hospitality and culinary arts. This constant change has reinforced the need for a more holistic approach to culinary education – one that allows students to examine the food system while mastering a variety of culinary techniques.

The Honours Bachelor of Food Studies program provides the food leaders of tomorrow with the skills, insights and knowledge to succeed in this rapidly changing field. It offers extensive career pathways for foodservice professionals, while providing the food sector with leaders who can thrive in both for-profit and non-profit organizations.

Graduates will be positioned to succeed in a wide range of food-related occupations including roles in culinary, education, tourism, recreation, health, food security, sustainability, economic development, agriculture, public policy and research. There are growing opportunities for careers informed by both culinary experience and versatile critical thinking.

Toronto provides a unique setting for this program because of its wealth of multicultural and Indigenous food traditions. In the classroom and beyond, students will be introduced to the vibrant world of food in a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. Students will participate in a paid co-op placement focused on the application of culinary and food animation skills. In addition, throughout the program, selected courses will include community-engaged learning opportunities. 

Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Articulate the interconnected structures and functions of food systems at the local, national and international levels.
• Analyze social, cultural, political and environmental influences on current and emerging food-related theory, policy and practice.
• Recommend informed responses to both practical and scholarly issues and challenges using insights from food systems theory and the study of global cuisine.
• Acquire foundational culinary skill proficiency and operational knowledge appropriate to entry into the culinary industry.
• Integrate a healthy, equitable, and sustainable food systems perspective into culinary theory and practice.
• Construct coherent arguments to address debates within the broad field of food studies.
• Appraise research methodologies used across disciplines related to food studies.
• Communicate effectively in a variety of formats appropriate to academic, government, non-profit, business and media environments.
• Articulate how uncertainty, ambiguity and limits to knowledge influence perception and interpretation of debates in food studies and consider issues from multiple perspectives.
• Demonstrate curiosity, initiative, integrity, collaboration, and social responsibility in personal and professional settings related to food.

The Business – Accounting two-year diploma provides you with a solid background in basic accounting concepts and practices, as well as broad-based business skills related to accounting application software, spreadsheets and databases, economics, communications, law and taxation. This rigorous learning experience will enable you to build and demonstrate the skills you need to work in the field of accounting.

These industry-ready skills include:-

• Processing common business transactions
• Preparing reports on an organization's financial performance
• Preparing financial budgets and plans to support management decisions
• Analyzing operating performance

PROGRAM STANDARDS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Record financial transactions in compliance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for sole proprietorships, partnerships, private enterprises, publicly accountable enterprises and non-profit organizations.
• Prepare and present financial statements, reports and other documents in compliance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for sole proprietorships, partnerships and private enterprises.
• Contribute to recurring decision-making by applying fundamental management accounting concepts.
• Prepare individuals’ income tax returns and basic tax planning in compliance with relevant legislation and regulations.
• Analyze organizational structures, the interdependence of functional areas, and the impact those relationships can have on financial performance.
• Analyze, within a Canadian context, the impact of economic variables, legislation, ethics, technological advances and the environment on an organization’s operations.
• Outline the elements of an organization’s internal control system and risk management.
• Contribute to recurring decision-making by applying fundamental financial management concepts.

The Business Administration – Accounting three-year advanced diploma provides you with the knowledge and skills required to perform a range of complex accounting functions including financial analysis, planning and control as well as using analytical and evaluation skills to support management functions, and collaborating in the design of an organization's internal control systems. The program includes auditing, corporate taxation, law and strategic management.

This learning experience will enable you to build and demonstrate:

• Proficiency in spreadsheets, databases and accounting software programs
• Essential communication skills for advising business owners and managers on business decisions
• Ability to perform accounting transactions in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

Note:-This program (B107) is offered without work experience. Students wishing to apply for Business Administration – Accounting with work experience should apply to B157.

This Centre for Business program is part of our School of Accounting and Finance.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Record financial transactions in compliance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for sole proprietorships, partnerships, private enterprises, publicly accountable enterprises and non-profit organizations.
  • Prepare and present financial statements, reports and other documents in compliance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for sole proprietorships, partnerships and private enterprises.
  • Contribute to strategic decision-making by applying advanced management accounting concepts.
  • Prepare individuals' and Canadian-controlled private corporations’ income tax returns and individuals’ basic tax planning in compliance with relevant legislation and regulations.
  • Analyze and evaluate organizational structures and the interdependence of functional areas, and contribute to the development of strategies which positively impact financial performance.
  • Analyze and evaluate, within a Canadian context, the impact of economic variables, legislation, ethics, technological advances and the environment on an organization’s operations.
  • Analyze and evaluate an organization's internal control system, taking risk management into account.
  • Contribute to strategic decision-making by applying advanced financial management concepts.
  • Co-ordinate the planning, implementation, management and evaluation of team projects by applying project management principles.

The Video Design & Production program will prepare future professionals with the skills required in this emerging field by merging traditional filmmaking techniques with new mediums and distributive methodologies. Graduates will be armed with entrepreneurial knowledge and skills that will enable them to decide which path (employment or self-employment) is best for them. Students will be exposed to elements of both video design and video production including photography, immersive environments and auteurship, as well as the necessary video editing and post-production skills to create video for entertainment, marketing, advertising, education and social network strategies.

PROGRAM STANDARDS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Create independent digital film projects according to project specifications using various production techniques.
  • Work effectively as a member of a digital film production team in various capacities and roles.
  • Manage scheduling and budget for digital film productions.
  • Capture quality moving images using appropriate camera/lighting equipment and techniques.
  • Develop a short film and television portfolio to showcase digital filmmaking skills.
  • Write story-driven, visual and cinematic scripts focused on effective dialogue, structure and character development.
  • Record and mix multi-track sound in a digital format using industry standard equipment and software.
  • Market and distribute digital film projects using industry and new media outlets.
  • Edit digital video on non-linear, industry standard software and equipment.

The Consulting postgraduate program prepares students for a career in consulting that could include working for a consulting firm, independently creating their own employment, or securing a business development role within an organization. Digital Transformation and the theories behind Digital Transformation are core frameworks for the first academic semester of the program. The second semester is a mix of client consulting project work and workshops further exploring consulting in a world continuously undergoing digital transformation. Students develop knowledge and skills by working individually and/or in teams, doing research, analyzing client problems and providing recommendations to real clients through our Consulting Hub.

Your Field Education Options

• Students will engage in various consulting projects in their second semester to gain experience and demonstrate:
  • Development of parameters of a consulting project and building a client/consultant relationship
  • Creation and implementation of a project plan for the term of a consulting engagement
  • Preparation and implementation of the terms of reference and contracts for the term of the consulting engagement, including billing and payment schedules
  • Performing an environmental audit (external and internal) and conducting market research to diagnose the client problem(s)
  • Use of a range of consulting tools and techniques including: interviewing, research, and collaborative problem solving during the consulting process
  • Development and modelling of soft skills such as teamwork, customer service, communications and problem solving during the consulting process
  • Assessing the change readiness of the client’s organization through the use of change management skills and processes
  • Completing a client consulting project including contracting, data collection and analysis, recommendations and, as appropriate, implementation to the satisfaction of the client

George Brown College endeavours to provide field education opportunities with real-world challenges and clients. Find out more about field education at the Centre for Business.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Establish the parameters of a consulting project and build a client/consultant relationship.
  • Create and implement a project plan for the term of a consulting engagement.
  • Prepare and implement terms of reference and contracts for the term of the consulting engagement, including billing and payment schedules.
  • Perform an environmental audit (internal and external) and conduct market research to diagnose the client problem(s)
  • Use a range of consulting tools and techniques including: interviewing, research, collaborative problem solving during the consulting process.
  • Develop and model soft skills such as teamwork, customer service, communications and problem solving during the consulting process.
  • Assess the change readiness of the client’s organization through the use of change management skills and processes.
  • Complete a client consulting project including contracting, data collection and analysis and recommendations and as appropriate implementation to the satisfaction of the client.

In this three-semester Visual Effects graduate certificate program, you will expand upon concepts and techniques in 3D animation, motion graphics or audio/video editing for film and television. Preparing for a career in the post-production industry, visual effects artists combine the skills of a programmer with the creativity of a designer. As members of film and television production teams, visual effects artists turn concepts into visual representation.

Visual effects artists hone their visual storytelling capabilities through the use of elements such as digital lighting, surface attribute design and camera composition. While learning the procedures for planning visual effects for film, you will cover the techniques of procedural modeling and animation used in visual effects films.

Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate demonstrates the ability to:

• Design visual effects sequences using storyboarding and pre-visualization that meet production requirements.
• Use filmmaking and game terminology to communicate effectively throughout all stages of production.
• Complete the production of live action plates for use in visual effects.
• Manage the production of visual effects projects to meet production schedules.
• Identify hardware and software protocols specific to the field of visual effects.
• Analyze images and physical sets to digitally re-create lights, cameras, locations and objects.
• Create photo-real images to match live action footage.
• Recreate natural phenomena by using appropriate particle or dynamic effects.
• Integrate 2D and/or 3D computer generated imagery and live action elements.
• Create customized tools through software or scripting to allow for more advanced application of visual effects techniques.
• Work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams on the production of visual effects.

This postgraduate program in Design Management builds the skills needed to lead a multidisciplinary design team. Students will learn how to develop design strategies for products and services based on business objectives. This program teaches practical tools and interpersonal facilitative skills, as well as the business knowledge required to manage a consultancy or corporate design division.

Who should take this program:

• Design professionals with a global perspective who want to become active partners in helping firms develop and grow through expanded participation in strategic management.
• Designers looking to enhance their career opportunities in supervisory or management positions.
• Designers seeking to integrate strategic design into the workplace.
• Designers with an entrepreneurial spirit looking to start their own company.

Courses in design process and strategy, project management, finance, team management, design research, contracts, business planning, communications and intellectual property protection complement a major studio course featuring real-world design projects. The courses cover the essential elements of a business strategy and how design contributes to the definition and realization of the strategy.

Your Field Education Options

• A mandatory Design Management Internship (DESN1031) course is taken in Semester 2. An external field placement role is not guaranteed in this course; students who are not placed externally will be given a design management role within the School of Design or as part of George Brown College.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Manage multi-disciplinary design groups using practical working models of management systems.
  • Analyze evolving market needs to identify design strategies required for the development of new products and services.
  • Plan, implement and control project plans that are flexible and reflect the evolutionary environment of the design process.
  • Enhance leadership skills, management skills and design expertise through the development of personal professional development strategies and plans.
  • Establish working relationships with clients, customers, and designers which maintain and strengthen their loyalty to their organization, as well as recognize design discipline protocols.
  • Develop and implement business strategies to recruit clients and new business opportunities.
  • Design and deliver sales presentations persuasively and accurately in oral, written, graphic and digital form.
  • Formulate and present comprehensive business plans for design projects.
  • Develop design strategies based on perceived value, competitive pressures and corporate objectives.
  • Evaluate results of design activities using criteria relating to application of best practices, costs, and profits.

Our Hospitality – Hotel Operations Management program exposes you to current and best practices in:

• Front office
• Food and beverage
• Marketing and sales
• Conferences and catering

You will receive industry certification in food safety, responsible alcohol beverage service and first aid (CPR).
As part of your fourth semester, you will complete a 14-week industry externship. George Brown College works with employers and industry partners to identify potential work experience opportunities. Students are also strongly encouraged to pursue self-directed industry work experience opportunities that they believe would provide the learning experiences they value, and that meet the learning outcomes of the program. This opportunity will enhance your knowledge with real-world experience and help you start building your network of industry contacts. In addition, you will participate in a hotel operations management simulation as part of your final capstone project, which will allow you to apply your newly acquired skills and learning.

To better hone your international hotel management skills you have the option of participating in an exclusive European Study Tour visiting some of the top hotels in Europe.

Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate demonstrates the ability to:

• Support an industry and workplace service culture by adopting a positive attitude and professional decorum, accommodating diverse and special needs and contributing as a team member.
• Deliver customer service and solutions that anticipate, meet and/or exceed individual expectations, as well as organizational expectations, standards and objectives.
• Use marketing concepts, market research, social networks, sales and revenue management strategies, relationship management skills and product knowledge to promote and sell hospitality services, products and guest experiences.
• Apply business and revenue models as well as basic accounting, budgeting, financial and administration skills to support the effective management and operation of a variety of organizations delivering hospitality services and products.
• Comply with relevant organization and workplace systems, processes, policies, standards, legal obligations and regulations, and apply risk management principles, to support and maintain efficient, safe, secure, accessible and healthy hospitality operations.
• Use appropriate technologies to enhance the quality and delivery of hospitality services, products and guest experiences and to measure the effectiveness of hospitality operations.
• Keep current with hospitality trends and issues, and interdependent relationships in the broader tourism industry sectors to improve work performance and guide career development.
• Use leadership, teamwork, conflict and relationship management skills and tools, as well as knowledge of organizational behaviour, labour relations, employment standards and human rights to contribute to a positive work environment.
• Respond to issues and dilemmas arising in the delivery of hospitality services, products and guest experiences by using and promoting ethical behaviour and best practices of corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability.

The Business Administration – Finance advanced diploma program provides students with the knowledge and skills to work in the financial services sector. The financial services sector continues to grow and adapt to the needs of clients through the use of technology. People with customer service skills and knowledge of financial planning, call centre operations, investments and risk management are needed in this fast-paced environment.

Upon completion of this program, you will be able to:

• Help clients take steps to achieve their life goals through an integrated approach to the management of all their financial affairs, including such areas as:
  • Financial Management – assess the client’s current and future financial position, based upon their cash flow, budget and net worth.
  • Investment Management – assess the nature of the client’s assets based on their risk tolerance, time horizon and expected rates of return
  • Retirement Planning – compare the client’s expected lifestyle in retirement to their current retirement assets and planned savings
  • Tax Planning – assess the client’s current and future tax obligations and strategies employed to minimize or defer taxation
  • Insurance and Risk Management – manage the client’s exposure to an unexpected financial loss due to death, health issues, property damage and other risks.
  • Estate Planning – assess how the client can meet their objectives upon death in the most efficient and cost-effective manner
• Prepare a comprehensive financial plan for a client situation, integrating and prioritizing the activities listed above

This program (B130) is also offered with work experience. Students who wish to apply for Business Administration – Finance with Work Experience should apply to B150. Find out more about Field Education at the Centre for Business.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Co-ordinate the processing and maintaining of financial records in compliance with relevant policies, procedures and regulations for individuals and/or organizations.
  • Co-ordinate the preparation and the presentation of financial information in compliance with relevant legislation and regulations for individuals and/or organizations.
  • Analyze financial reports for individuals and/or organizations by applying financial mathematics and statistics.
  • Develop and evaluate a financial plan to meet individuals’ and/or organizations’ needs and objectives.
  • Develop, implement, evaluate and co-ordinate marketing strategies to promote financial products and services and to enhance customer service.
  • Develop, implement and evaluate strategies to establish and maintain professional networking and business relationships in the finance sector.
  • Analyze and evaluate, within a Canadian context, the impact of economic variables, legislation, ethics, technology and the environment on individuals’ and/or organizations’ operations.
  • Develop, implement and evaluate ongoing strategies for personal and professional development, highlighting ethics, values and standards in the finance sector.
  • Co-ordinate the planning, implementation, management and evaluation of team projects by applying project management principles.

Do you want to learn Italian cooking? Join this specialized Italian culinary and culture program; learn from the experts here in Canada and live, learn and work in Italy too! Acquire the techniques that make Italian cuisine famous around the world. Experience the special connection between food and life in Italy. Embrace the kitchen experiences and courses in Italian art and culture that will deepen your understanding of this great tradition. The Culinary Arts – Italian postgraduate program delivers this and more.

Through this program, you will:

• Experience hands-on learning in both Canada and Italy with the pre-eminent Italian chef professors in the country.
• Build your knowledge of Italian culinary traditions and embrace emerging trends in Italian cuisine.
• Benefit from our partnership with ALMA, the world-famous Scuola Internazionale di Cucina Italiana, near Parma, Italy, which is one of Italy’s finest chef schools.
• Experience the vineyards, cheese producers and local markets of Italy as your open-air classroom.
• Study in some of the best restaurants and hotels in Italy where you will get attention, training and an inspiring experience.

You will put theory into practice as you are showcased alongside Italian top talent and serve discerning urban diners in the heart of Toronto’s culinary scene. After your experiences in Italy, showcase what you’ve learned at The Chefs' House, George Brown's signature restaurant.

This program has a long-standing reputation for excellence among Italian restaurateurs in Toronto and beyond, which will make you a sought-after employee when you graduate. “Che bello.”

Program Schedule

The schedule for the Culinary Arts – Italian postgraduate program currently operates from Monday to Friday.

Note: some classes may begin at 7 a.m. and others may run until 10 p.m.

Your Field Education Options
Study in some of the best restaurants and hotels in Italy where you will get attention, training and an inspiring experience. George Brown works with employers and industry partners to identify potential work experience opportunities. Students are also strongly encouraged to pursue self-directed industry work experience opportunities they believe would provide the learning experiences they value and meet the learning outcomes of the program. This valuable work experience can be added to your resume.

In addition to more formal on-the-job work experience, George Brown College endeavours to provide learning opportunities with real-world challenges and clients. Find out more about field education at the Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Create and implement an authentic Italian menu including food preparation and service, and the selection of wines that reflect the regional differences found in Italy.
  • Converse in basic Italian and use the correct Italian terminology within a culinary operation.
  • Identify, assess and select appropriate food products for authentic Italian Cuisine.
  • Integrate into the Italian culture through the use of language, interpersonal interactions and professional conduct.
  • Prepare Italian cuisine within Canadian and EU Health, Safety and Nutrition regulations, standards, guidelines and processes.
  • Develop and present a marketing plan for a restaurant consistent with regional demographics and culture.