Graduate Certificate in Visual Effects

at George Brown College - St. James Campus Canada

Pre-Programs:
Pre-programs are post-secondary certificate programs that offer students the opportunity to take courses for career exploration or to qualify for further study. With small class sizes, dedicated teachers and built-in advising and supports, the pre-programs help students strengthen their academic skills and prepare for further course work.

Successful completion of the Hospitality Services (Pre-Hospitality) program prepares students academically for entry into the following Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts programs:

• H100: Culinary Management
• H134: Culinary Skills
• H113: Baking and Pastry Arts Management
• H119: Culinary Management – Nutrition
• H130: Tourism and Hospitality Management
• H131: Special Event Management
• H133: Hospitality – Hotel Operations Management

This unique program has a foundation of Hospitality, Food & Beverage and Culinary Arts courses that are taught by faculty in the Centre for Hospitality & Culinary Arts. Other important courses include Applied Math and Communications. The program is closely linked to operators of hotels, restaurants and catering companies in Toronto, and includes an industry externship for qualified students.

The program is closely linked to operators of hotels, restaurants and catering companies in Toronto, and includes an industry externship for qualified students.

Academic advisory services, career preparation, student support and success strategies are interwoven throughout the courses.

Note: Successful completion of this program is not a guarantee of admission to any other program, nor is it a requirement of any other program.

PROGRAM STANDARDS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Provide hospitality service in a professional manner in order to increase customer satisfaction.
  • Identify and describe the various sectors of the Canadian tourism industry.
  • Use basic mathematic and monetary calculations to assist with the daily functions of a hospitality operation.
  • Assist in the marketing and sales of small and medium sized hospitality operation.
  • Identify and comply with health and safety regulations, legislation, and procedures related to the hospitality industry.
  • Plan and implement personal and professional development strategies related to the hospitality industry.
  • Use current technologies, systems, and computer applications to support daily functions of a hospitality operation.
  • Perform as an entry-level accommodation operations team member in both front and back of the house positions.
  • Perform as an entry-level food and beverage team member in both front and back of the house positions.

Welcome to Canada's centre for education in Food and Restaurant Management.
Take your career to the next level with an education that combines hands-on, experiential learning with exposure to today’s Food & Restaurant Management leaders.

In this four-semester diploma program, you will build knowledge in the areas of wine, beer, cocktails and the art of eating and dining. You will expand on these fundamentals with an understanding of food and beverage cost control, financial success, service leadership and human resources management – all the areas of successful restaurant management.

During your studies, you will apply your understanding of theory through unique learning techniques and invaluable practical experience. You will have the opportunity to:

• Take over The Chefs’ House, our state-of-the-art restaurant and learning facility, where you will manage all aspects of operations including designing and selling tickets, working with industry partners, performing cost analysis and designing the food and beverage menu in partnership with our culinary students.
• Embark on an educational, virtual adventure via our Restaurant Simulation, where you will revitalize and transform a failing restaurant into a profitable enterprise by using decision making, management and financial planning skills.
• Brew your own beer and learn about the brewing process through our hands-on Beer Tasting, Brewing and Theory course.
• Join a European Travel Tour (optional) with your peers and experience unique cultures, cuisine, languages and history while learning from our international industry partners.
• Gain real-world food and restaurant management experience through a 14-week, local or international field placement in your final semester.

To further develop your network and connection to the industry, you will have the opportunity to interact with industry leaders from the Hospitality and Culinary sectors via our:

• Annual Student/Industry Networking Events.
• Annual Career Fair for both permanent and temporary career opportunities.
• Local tours of Food & Restaurant Management leaders in the heart of downtown Toronto.

Students in the Business Administration – Project Management advanced diploma program will be prepared to manage project scope and change, project control, project staffing and risk management, provide motivation and goal setting, utilize project management tools and perform other functions in careers that incorporate project management or in stand-alone project manager positions. Graduates of this program will have demonstrated their knowledge, skills and abilities related to business in general and project management in particular.

This learning experience will enable graduates to demonstrate:

• Analysis of the impact of an organization's project management initiatives on its human resources, management, financial and business strategies, policies and practices
• Implementation of a project plan including making trade-offs among competing objectives and taking timely action to deal with problems and opportunities
• Application of accounting and financial knowledge to the management of projects
• Allocation of human resources required to manage project tasks using leadership and teamwork skills
• Working with teams and stakeholders effectively and in a professional manner, respecting differences

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Evaluate 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.
  • Assess and use current concepts/systems and technologies to support an organization's business initiatives.
  • Conduct and present research to support business decision making.
  • Plan, implement and evaluate projects by applying project management principles.
  • Perform work in compliance with relevant statutes, regulations and business practices.
  • Apply human resource practices to support management objectives and the organization’s goals.
  • Use accounting and financial principles to support the management and operations of an organization.
  • Assess marketing and sales concepts and strategies and apply them to the needs of an organization.
  • Outline principles of supply chain management and operations management and assess their impact on the operations of an organization.
  • Participate in the development of a business plan.
  • Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance in the business field.
  • Outline strategies used to manage risks in an organization's business activities.

The Advanced Butchery and Charcuterie postgraduate certificate will provide students with strong foundational knowledge in the theory of butchery and the science of raw, cured and fermented, and cooked charcuterie. In your classes and out on externship, students will butcher, prepare and taste Indigenous, local and international fresh, cooked and cured fish and meat products.

The curriculum will consist of two semesters of classes and one semester of externship. Weekly classes will be divided into three days of two-hour theory classes followed by four hours of lab practice. Students will focus on sustainability, team building and communication skills to create such products as wild game sausages, Genoa salami and pâté en croûte. Students will develop a portfolio that documents carcass and recipe yields and monitors cured and fermented production.

After successful completion of this program, graduates will have Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) related to inventory control, sanitation, health and safety, and be able to practice within the regulatory framework of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). As a final skills demonstration, students will present a capstone project to industry partners for feedback and assessment.  

This program draws on the expertise of industry leaders and sector employers, drawing on partners such as Meat and Poultry Ontario, Sanagan's Meat Locker, La Cultura Salumi, grocery partners, meat and charcuterie based restaurants and many others.

Your Field Education Options
As part of the program, you will complete a 14-week industry externship. George Brown works with employers and industry partners to identify potential work experience opportunities. Students are also encouraged to pursue self-directed industry work experience opportunities within Culinary Management that align with their personal career goals and that meet the program's learning outcomes. This practical work experience will enhance your resumé and your value to employers.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Butcher a variety of animals using artisanal, local and international techniques for different applications.
• Execute federal Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) in the production of butchery and charcuterie.
• Create a variety of international raw, cooked and cured meats and fish products in accordance with restaurant and wholesale regulations.
• Communicate the scientific processes, using the appropriate terminology, throughout the production stages of charcuterie.
• Integrate social, environmental, and economic sustainability into planning, preparation and sale of charcuterie.
• Determine the profitability of charcuterie in terms of labour, product control, packaging and shelf life.
• Differentiate among raw, cured and cooked products using sensory analysis.

Are you a dynamic person who loves events? Are you looking for an exciting career in a fast-paced industry where every day brings something new?

Our Event Planning program will teach you event project management fundamentals through a variety of event types including hospitality events, weddings and other social events, fundraising events, meetings, conferences and trade shows. You will take part in event management opportunities each semester, culminating in a final capstone event and a 14-week externship placement. This experiential approach to learning and the course mix, including event-specific courses, business foundations and hospitality, will provide you with the skills to jumpstart your career in event management.

Students are exposed to industry tactics used in designing, planning, marketing, budgeting, execution and evaluation of events. Management skills, small business development and state of the art technology for the current marketplace is explored. The program is taught online and in class lectures. Group work and individual assignments are highlighted by a capstone project and externship.

Your Field Education Options
This program provides a final capstone event and a mandatory 14-week externship placement. George Brown works with employers and industry partners to identify potential work experience opportunities. Students are also strongly encouraged to pursue self-directed event management 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 resumé.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Develop and implement revenue initiatives based on event objectives through methods such as sponsorship programs, grant applications and fundraising initiatives.
  • Plan, design and coordinate effective site and facility operations.
  • Select and use current and relevant principles of marketing to increase the likelihood of success of events.
  • Implement strategies for effective human resource management in the planning and operating of a variety of events.
  • Create, plan and implement effective programming for events.
  • Select and use accounting and financial knowledge and skills to increase the successful operation of events.
  • Identify, select and use appropriate business administration skills in the operation of events.
  • Manage a variety of events using principles of professionalism and ethics in such a manner as to bring about success of the events.
  • Coordinate food and beverage services appropriate to the event.
  • Use principles of sustainability in the management of events.

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.

The Deafblind & Intervenor Studies program is a one-year certificate that will prepare you to work with individuals who have a combined vision and hearing loss. Significant components of this program are delivered online. This program is open to both Deaf and non-Deaf students.

Preparing students to be the eyes and ears for people who are Deafblind
Do you have a passion for helping others? Want to work in a dynamic and evolving sector? Are you creative and a good communicator? If you want to make a difference, consider becoming an intervenor and work with people who are Deafblind.

This one-year Ontario college certificate will prepare you to work with individuals who have a combined vision and hearing loss. You will learn various communication methods to support individuals with deafblindness in accessing information and interacting more fully with their environment.

Most courses are delivered online with some in-person content (semester 1 is delivered fully online; the first seven week of semester 2 are taught in-person and the second seven weeks are taught online).

What you will learn

• How to work with Deafblind children and adults – many of whom are often medically fragile.
• American Sign Language (ASL) – a visual language that is adapted to accommodate for the vision loss of those with this dual sensory loss.
• Professionalism, values and ethics, health and aging.
• How to interact with members of the Deafblind community both virtually and in-person. For those attending from outside of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), interactive sessions will be arranged in your community.
• You will get hands-on experience through field practice. This may be completed across Canada in your community through George Brown College partnerships.

Advanced Wine and Beverage Business Management is a one-year, three-semester postgraduate program developed for hospitality diploma and degree graduates, and industry professionals seeking an advanced level of learning focused on all aspects of the wine, spirit and beer business.

In our state-of-the-art tasting labs, students will explore and experience global beverages and their relationship to business, cuisine, culture and lifestyle.

This program will provide you with an advanced level of knowledge in beer, wine, spirits and mixology, and also teach you essential business skills such as financial management, organizational behaviour and strategic marketing – all vital to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace.

Your Field Education Options
This program provides a mandatory 14-week externship placement. George Brown works with employers and industry partners to identify potential work experience opportunities. Students are also strongly encouraged to pursue self-directed work experience opportunities, which they believe will provide the learning experiences they value and meet the learning outcomes of the program. This valuable work experience can be added to your resumé.

Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Manage different departments within food & beverage centred or sales environment using product knowledge, menu development and business acumen skills.
• Position products appropriately in the market using established techniques in wine merchandising, product pricing, labelling, branding, advertising, promotions, marketing, public relations, media relations consumer behaviour in the wine industry.
• Interpret import and export regulations and recognize opportunities and challenges within the business structures of the wine industry.
• Manage and control different aspects of wine-related enterprises to make effective decisions regarding finance, accounting, budget planning, costing, taxation systems, pricing structures in the wine industry, using analytical and synthesis skills.
• Implement and develop leadership and human resources skills required in the beverage business that include recruitment, motivational strategies, resolution of labour relations issues and the management of related challenges and responsibilities including culturally sensitive material.
• Use current and relevant business strategies to facilitate a sustainable hospitality entity.

Organizations today require engaged, motivated employees who understand how to effectively support organizational goals while enhancing their own skills and knowledge. Becoming a valued advisor to the business is a Human Resources (HR) imperative, and understanding how to effectively demonstrate a set of key behaviours is of utmost importance.

George Brown’s Human Resources Management graduate certificate program comprehensively covers the key HR functions in this exciting field. Taught by seasoned HR professionals with industry experience, the program blends business-related theory and practical application to highlight how HR functions as a strategic partner to business units. Students explore the role of the HR department and the key accountability requirements to demonstrate a high level of professionalism in a work-related setting.

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

• Describe how employment legislation impacts human resources
• Design human resources policies and programs
• Facilitate employee training and development
• Ensure health and safety in the workplace
• Recruit and select employees
• Promote diversity
• Manage performance
• Recommend strategic change initiatives
• Develop a total rewards system
• Manage employee/labour relations
• Create a comprehensive human resources plan

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). 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.

Find out more about field education at the Centre for Business.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of employee recruitment, selection, and retention plans and processes.
  • Administer and contribute to the design and evaluation of the performance management program.
  • Develop, implement, and evaluate employee orientation, training, and development programs.
  • Facilitate and support effective employee and labour relations in both non-union and union environments.
  • Research and support the development and communication of the organization’s total compensation plan.
  • Collaborate with others in the development, implementation, and evaluation of organizational health and safety policies and practices.
  • Research and analyze information needs and apply current and emerging information technologies to support the human resources function.
  • Develop, implement, and evaluate organizational development strategies aimed at promoting organizational effectiveness.
  • Present and evaluate communication messages and processes related to the human resources function of the organization.
  • Manage own professional development and provide leadership to others in the achievement of ongoing competence in human resources professional practice.
  • Facilitate and communicate the human resources component of the organization’s business plan.
  • Conduct research, produce reports, and recommend changes in human resources practices.

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.