Graduate Certificate in Interdisciplinary Design Strategy

at George Brown College - St. James Campus Canada

In today’s rapidly changing business world, organizations are realizing that their greatest asset is their employees and that effective people management is a key factor in their overall success. The Business Administration – Human Resources program will provide you with a practical approach to human resources management, preparing you for a variety of careers within this exciting and growing field.

This learning experience will enable you to:

• Design human resources policies and programs that adhere to employment legislation
• Attract, retain and develop a productive workforce
• Manage employee diversity
• Ensure health and safety at the workplace
• Advise on employee/labour relations

Our program enables you to work towards obtaining the professional designations offered through the Human Resources Professional Association of Ontario (HRPA). For information about obtaining professional designations in HR, please contact the Human Resources Professional Association of Ontario.

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

• Contribute to the planning and implementation of employee recruitment, selection, and retention strategies.
• Administer and facilitate the performance management program.
• Coordinate and support the development, implementation, and evaluation of employee orientation, training, and development programs.
• Implement and support effective employee and labour relations strategies in both non-­union and union environments.
• Administer and communicate the organization’s total compensation plan.
• Collaborate with others in the implementation and monitoring of organizational health and safety policies and practices.
• Contribute to the identification of information needs and apply current and emerging information technologies to support the human resources function.
• Contribute to organizational development strategies aimed at promoting organizational effectiveness.
• Present and evaluate communication messages and processes related to the human resources function of the organization.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate personal professional development plans to achieve ongoing competence in human resources professional practice.
• Identify and communicate the human resources component of the organization’s business plan.
• Contribute to the collection, analysis, and utilization of human resources data.

The Pre-Business program provides academic strengthening and exposure to a broad cross-section of business fields. This unique program offers a strong foundation in business, marketing, accounting, math and English. Many credits earned through this program can be used toward diploma-level programs at the college. Upon graduation, you are given advanced standing in the Centre for Business diploma programs. Graduates are well-prepared to continue on to further education in the Centre for Business or to pursue other career paths.

The Assaulted Women's and Children's Counsellor/Advocate program provides students with a feminist analysis of the political and counselling issues related to gender-based violence experienced primarily by self-identified women, children, trans and non-binary survivors. It trains students to be agents for change in their work of community education, political action and law reform. It prepares students to provide anti-oppressive counselling for survivors who have experienced or are experiencing gender-based violence.

Note: Some of our student placement partners require students in this program to have a police reference check completed before their field placement. These reference checks, which can take up to four months, are done to protect the clientele of these agencies, who are considered “vulnerable persons” under the law. The fees for the reference checks vary and must be paid by the student. Students are responsible for ensuring that the check covers appropriateness for “individuals being employed and/or volunteering who will be working with vulnerable person(s).” Students who are unable to provide a clear police reference check may find that their choice of placements is limited.

Field education plays an important role in this program by preparing students to work with those affected by gender-based violence including not only those directly impacted, but the communities within which they live and work. This often includes those who identify as trans and non-binary, and other disenfranchised populations.

In year one, students will spend 250 hours with a non-profit community partner (Mondays and Tuesdays, January – April) and will typically engage in introductory activities, such as shadowing staff, conducting outreach, fundraising and special events, and learning about how programs and services are developed. First-year placements vary and can include sites that focus on public education, food banks, drop-ins and political action work, but are generally not frontline positions.

In second year, students will build on that experience by engaging in more direct 1-to-1 survivor counselling, group facilitation, case management, and advocacy. Placements begin in September and continue through to the end of April for a minimum of 500 hours. Students will often do this placement at emergency shelters, rape crisis centres, youth services, health providers and other agencies who provide frontline support.

The agencies used by the program for field placements are very similar to those employing our graduates. In many instances, employers hire graduates because of contact and experience with them through the fieldwork placement. Most agencies are within Toronto, while some agencies, located in other communities such as Brampton, St. Catherines, London, Hamilton, Barrie, Pickering and Oshawa, provide students who live in those communities with placement opportunities.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Apply a feminist analysis in all areas of their work in the field of violence against women and children.
  • Provide ongoing supportive counselling.
  • Provide individual advocacy and political advocacy services
  • Facilitate groups for women and children.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of existing services for women.
  • Cope with high stress work demands and develop strategies for personal survival on the job.
  • Develop and deliver prevention programs.
  • Organize fundraising and write applications and proposals for grants.
  • Utilize the media and organize community response to violence against women and children.
  • Become familiar with pertinent legislation and understand the process of formulating social policy.

In the Digital Media Marketing graduate certificate, students will develop the foundational knowledge and applied skills that employers value in digital marketing. Key areas covered in the program include social media marketing, mobile marketing, search marketing, content marketing, owned media marketing, paid media marketing along with marketing analytics. In the final semester, students work on a capstone project.

The Digital Media Marketing program is offered in Toronto through a combination of in-class courses and hybrid courses (which combines online delivery with in-class instruction), with approximately 40% of teaching delivered online, thus students will require a laptop computer. 

Your Field Education Options
WORK EXPERIENCE (CO-OP OR INTERNSHIP WORK TERM)
This program requires the successful completion of a one-semester work experience term to graduate. This work experience is either co-op (paid) or internship (unpaid). Either one will give you the practical experience employers value. The work term occurs after the end of the second academic semester.

George Brown works with employers and industry partners to identify potential work experience opportunities. Students then apply for these opportunities and go through a competitive interview process. Students are also strongly encouraged to pursue self-directed industry work experience opportunities they believe will provide the learning experiences they value and meet the learning outcomes of the program. This valuable work experience can in turn be added to your resumé.

Whether recording audio in-studio or in the field, as a Sound Design & Production student, you will learn to master technical skills and refine your artistic style.

Without a sound designer to create the perfect soundscape, the film, television and game industries are incomplete. Applying the technical and conceptual aspects of sound, you will become audio storytellers working alongside visual production artists to re-create the real world in a digital context.

You will learn how to create sound from scratch through capturing real-environment sounds as well as Foley creation. At George Brown's studio production facilities, you will learn mixing, video game audio, dialogue editing and ADR, sound design and recording to re-create audio landscapes.

Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate demonstrates the ability to:

• Create sound files for live action dramatic short films, animated short films, video games and interactive media
• Produce a score recording session and arrange a provided composition to fit a given visual sequence.
• Collaborate with key principals and production personnel in the creation of complementary sound design for a storytelling environment.
• Design sound for the appropriate medium and genres considering the cultural and social significance of those designs.
• Plan audio design and production projects that reflect scope and vision for pre-production, production and postproduction.
• Apply entrepreneurial strategies relevant within the field of sound design to develop a viable business plan for freelance sound design professionals.
• Assess existing and emerging market trends in sound design products and services for production project purposes.
• Adhere to legal principles, government legislation and regulations, copyright and contract requirements and professional and industry codes of conduct.

You have a passion for food, cooking, and health and realize that people are becoming more concerned about nutrition and lifestyle. You can incorporate culinary skills and nutrition as you train for a rewarding career in the Culinary Management – Nutrition program.

In this two-year diploma program, you'll learn how to work in a variety of environments including the food service industry to meet the demands of increasingly health-conscious consumers. This program combines instruction in culinary techniques, food service management, ingredient knowledge, healthy recipe, menu, and food product development with the latest advances in the field of nutrition. You'll learn in a dynamic setting that includes demonstrations, lectures, and hands-on culinary practice.

You’ll also complete a seven-week industry externship placement in your final semester, which will give you a great head start as you begin your career.

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

• Provide advanced culinary planning, preparation, and presentation for a variety of food service environments using a range of classical and contemporary techniques.
• Apply basic and advanced food and bake science to food preparation to create the desired end product.
• Contribute to and monitor adherence of others to the provision of a well-maintained kitchen environment and to the service of food and beverage products that are free from harmful bacteria or other contaminants, adhering to health, safety, sanitation and food handling regulations.
• Ensure the safe operation of the kitchen and all aspects of food preparation to promote healthy workspaces, responsible kitchen management and efficient use of resources.
• Create menus that reflect knowledge of nutrition and food ingredients, promote general health and well-being, respond to a range of nutritional needs and preferences, and address modifications for special diets, food allergies, and intolerances, as required.
• Apply business principles and recognized industry costing and control practices to food service operations to manage and promote a fiscally responsible operation.
• Apply knowledge of sustainability, ethical and local food sourcing, and food security to food preparation and kitchen management, recognizing the potential impacts on food production, consumer choice, and operations within the foodservice industry.
• Select and use technology, including contemporary kitchen equipment, for food production and promotion.
• Perform effectively as a member of a food and beverage preparation and service team and contribute to the success of a food-service operation by applying self-management and interpersonal skills.
• Develop strategies for continuous personal and professional learning to ensure currency with and responsiveness to emerging culinary techniques, regulations, and practices in the foodservice industry.
• Contribute to the development of marketing strategies that promote the successful operation of a food service business.
• Contribute to the business management of a variety of food and beverage operations to foster an engaging work environment that reflects service excellence.

This fast-track program is designed for students with a two-year Hospitality diploma or degree in a related field wishing to pursue a degree in business focusing on hospitality.

Qualified applicants who have completed one of the following diploma programs may be eligible:

• Food and Beverage Management (H132)
• Hospitality – Hotel Operations Management (H133)
• Special Events Management (H131)
• Tourism and Hospitality Management (H130)

Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Hospitality) (Fast-Track) students will complete a bridging semester from May to August and then go on to complete all outstanding credits toward their degree. This pathway will give students an opportunity to earn a degree credential in two additional years plus the one summer semester, or more, depending on the total transferable credits granted (please see ’How to Qualify and Apply’ section for specific admission requirements).

The program is designed to teach you how to plan and manage complex integrated hospitality operations so that you can become one of the skilled, knowledgeable leaders the hospitality sector is pursuing. The employment prospects in this sector are outstanding. In Canada, the hospitality industry employs more than 1.2 million people, representing over 7 per cent of all employment In the Greater Toronto Area alone, the hospitality sector accounts for almost 329,000 jobs.

A Comprehensive Curriculum:-
The curriculum has been developed to prepare students for management, supervisory and administrative careers through training in analysis and problem-solving, critical thinking, integrated operations, customer management and international applications. Students will become technically proficient in the major components of a hospitality business, including operational processes, finance, human resources, facilities, risk management, research, sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

In addition, the curriculum is designed to:-

• Provide flexible student learning- Courses are offered in online and in-class hybrid format throughout the program to accommodate the paid work placements. Semester 7 is delivered completely online.
• Integrate knowledge and practical applications developed through projects and experiential learning in two paid work placements.
• Build strong management abilities, with every student working on projects individually and with team members.

Applied Learning – Benefit from Hands-on Training:-
Co-operative education is an important component of this degree program. Students spend two paid summer terms working full-time in industry, giving them a chance to apply the knowledge they have acquired in a real-life, hands-on situation. Students obtain practical experience and further develop their skills – an asset for our graduates and their future employers. Students also establish valuable contacts with potential employers, and many graduates find full-time employment with their co-op employer.

For over 25 years, the Sport and Event Marketing graduate certificate program at George Brown College in Toronto has been equipping students with the core skills to succeed in the integrated work of sport, arts and entertainment, and not for profit enterprises.

Hands-on from the first day, this 12-month program provides students with a foundation in consumer marketing. It focuses on the examination and application of Sport and Event Marketing best practices, strategies, tactics, tools and techniques. Students develop and learn to apply creativity and critical thinking skills that will take them from the classroom to the boardroom. Assignments and projects can involve industry partners, especially in the final semester when students plan and execute a charitable event.

Key disciplines covered include sport, arts and entertainment marketing, sponsorship activation, event planning and management, integrated marketing communications (IMC), digital media, not for profit and cause-related marketing and financial metrics.

This learning experience will enable you to:

• Develop integrated marketing and media plans for arts, entertainment, cause-related marketing, and the sports industry
• Plan, execute and evaluate comprehensive events utilizing project management and team-building skills
• Develop and evaluate sponsorship activation opportunities from the value perspective of the consumer, property, and buyer

Extracurricular opportunities may include:

• Speed Mentoring
• 5 to Watch Canada’s Sports Business Awards
• Primetime Sports Case Competition

This Centre for Business program is part of our School of Marketing.

Your Field Education Options
Work Experience (Co-op or Internship Work Term)

This program requires the successful completion of one semester of work experience to graduate. This work experience is either co-op (paid) or internship (unpaid). Either one will give you the practical experience employers value. The work term occurs after the end of the second academic semester.

George Brown works with employers and industry partners to identify potential work experience opportunities. Students then apply for these opportunities and go through a competitive interview process. 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 in turn be added to your resume.

In addition to on-the-job work experience, 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:
  • Apply marketing concepts to industries directly associated with sports, arts, entertainment or causes.
  • Develop integrated marketing and media plans featuring consumer-oriented objectives, strategies, tactics, budgetary considerations and return on investment (ROI) metrics.
  • Plan, execute and evaluate comprehensive events utilizing project management and team building skills as required.
  • Develop and evaluate sponsorship activation opportunities from the value perspective of the consumer, property and buyer.
  • Create professional and persuasive written, digital and other presentation formats using industry standard software.
  • Analyze and interpret marketing activities using criteria related to sales forecasting, budgeting, financial health and performance metrics.

The four-semester Business diploma program prepares students to carry out a variety of business functions within local, national and global settings. Graduates will have demonstrated a practical understanding of key principles and practices necessary for success in the field of business.

Students who graduate from this program are prepared to work in diverse team settings and contribute to projects with practical presentation and research skills. They can use their functional knowledge in many areas of an organization (including accounting, finance, human resources and marketing), to achieve strategies within cross-functional teams.

This learning experience will enable you to:

• Use current concepts/systems and technologies to support an organization's business initiatives.
• Perform work in compliance with relevant statutes, regulations and business practices.
• Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance in the business field.
• Apply principles of corporate sustainability, corporate social responsibility and ethics to support an organization's business initiatives.
• This Centre for Business program is part of our School of Management.

Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate demonstrates the ability to:

• Identify and discuss the impact of global issues on an organization’s business opportunities by using an environmental scan.
• Apply principles of corporate sustainability, corporate social responsibility and ethics to support an organization’s business initiatives.
• Use current concepts/systems and technologies to support an organization's business initiatives.
• Apply basic research skills to support business decision-making.
• Support the planning, implementation and monitoring of projects.
• Perform work in compliance with relevant statutes, regulations and business practices.
• Explain the role of the human resource function and its impact on an organization.
• Use accounting and financial principles to support the operations of an organization.
• Describe and apply marketing and sales concepts used to support the operations of an organization.
• Outline principles of supply chain management and operations management.
• Outline and assess the components of a business plan.
• Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance in the business field.

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.

PROGRAM STANDARDS AND 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.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

• Work Experience (Co-op or Internship) Required

YOUR FIELD STUDY OPTIONS
Work experience (Co-op and Internship): This program requires the successful completion of two semesters of work experience to graduate. This work experience is either co-op (paid) or internship (unpaid). Either one will give you the practical experience employers value.

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 will provide the learning experiences they value and meet the learning outcomes of the program.