Advanced Diploma in Public Relations

at Humber College - Lakeshore Campus Canada

Humber’s Bachelor of Music degree program is unlike any other four-year music degree in North America. Combining studies in recording technology and entrepreneurial business strategy with performance, production, songwriting and composition in jazz, pop, R&B, Latin and world music, the Bachelor of Music program equips you with the knowledge and skills needed for success in today’s music world. 

You’ll study with teachers who represent the who’s who of Canadian music, develop your musicianship on your own instrument through private lessons and ensembles, as well as in group classes exploring ear training, music theory, improvization, production, history and related subjects. As Toronto is the centre of Canada’s entertainment industry, Humber attracts the top professionals in jazz, musical theatre, television, film, commercials and pop. 

After two years of core music courses, you will continue to develop your instrument and performance skills, as well as take classes in music production and music business while also choosing from electives in arranging, composition, advanced improvisation, film scoring, music production techniques, songwriting, ethnomusicology, pedagogy and more.  

You’ll develop musicianship and artistry by presenting your own recital in your third year, arranging and composing original material, and recording and marketing your own music 

All students complete a major recording project/portfolio in their fourth year. The assembled portfolio, which includes a complete press kit and professional-quality recording, as well as other promotional materials, functions as your calling card for entrance into the music industry upon graduation. 

Work Placement
You will participate in a work placement designed to mirror the professional music world, which is largely characterized by contract, freelance and part-time employment. You are responsible for accumulating the equivalent of 420 hours of experience which will allow you to establish contacts and relationships with key companies and industry professionals.

Humber’s Introduction to Commercial Jazz Music certificate is a performance-based program designed to help you assess and strengthen your skills. It solidifies your knowledge of the fundamentals of western music and develops your current performance skills through the jazz-specific areas of improvisation, repertoire development and small group ensemble performance. You will emerge from the program with a clearer understanding of the field and your own career potential within it, and as a stronger candidate for entry into postsecondary music degree and diploma programs. All courses have a particular focus on the commercial jazz field.

Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
  • Recognize & identify common styles of music.
  • Describe the commercial/jazz field in terms of tradition, artists, & styles.
  • Explain the contribution of various artists to the development of particular styles & idioms.
  • Analyze the components & performance differences of recorded selections.
  • Play a repertoire of memorized materials that are considered standards in the commercial/jazz field & reflect the various styles inherent in this music.
  • Write diatonic melodies in various styles demonstrating knowledge of relevant harmonic & melodic concepts & structures of form.
  • Perform in an ensemble demonstrating basic ensemble skills such as intonation, tuning, time, feel, balance & dynamics.
  • Identify their own musical strengths & weaknesses in terms of a performance career in the commercial/jazz field.
  • Implement strategies & plans for on-going personal & professional growth & development.
  • Establish a practice of critical self-assessment & professional goal setting.

Humber’s Public Relations graduate certificate program is recognized by industry as one of Canada’s leading training grounds for public relations professionals. This intensive program is focused on preparing you to launch your degree and getting you ready for your first day of your work placement. You will learn how to plan, develop and execute effective public relations strategies. You will build critical skills in event planning, public speaking and presentation.

Experienced professors will help you develop writing skills, public relations strategies, research and planning abilities, and a high degree of social and traditional media literacy. Practical public relations courses in PR theory, marketing communications, public affairs, media relations, corporate social responsibility, sustainability and change management will provide you with a valuable and useful introduction to the field. Your teamwork, collaborative, and leadership skills will be honed through group assignments.

Work Placement
Many students choose our program because of our outstanding work placement program. After successfully completing two academic semesters, students will complete a mandatory work placement. This experience will allow you to gain valuable job skills and industry knowledge while building your network. Historically, students find work placements in PR agencies, corporations, entertainment organizations, and not-for-profits including arts organizations, hospitals, associations and government. While many placements are located within the GTA, students may also find placements outside the city, province or country.

By combining the latest recording technologies and entrepreneurial business strategies with performance, production, songwriting and composition in jazz, pop, R&B, Latin and world music, you will be well equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for success in today’s music world.

Founded in 1972, the program has consistently produced many of the most successful commercial and jazz musicians in Canada and the world. With more than 350 students and a faculty of 18 full-time and 80 part-time teachers, our program is one of the largest, most diverse and highly regarded programs of its kind in the country. Long known for the strength of its professors, Humber offers you the opportunity to study privately, in classroom situations, and in several of the more than 50 ensembles directed by a who’s who of Canadian music. As Toronto is the centre of Canada’s entertainment industry, Humber attracts the top professionals in jazz, musical theatre, television, film, commercials and pop.

After two years of core music courses, you will continue with lessons on your major instrument, as well as take classes in music production and music business while also choosing from electives in arranging, composition, advanced improvisation, film scoring, music production techniques, songwriting, ethnomusicology or pedagogy.

You’ll develop musicianship and artistry by presenting your own recital, arranging and composing original material, and recording and marketing your own music.
In addition, you will take courses in music history, theory, aural training and improvisation, and have the opportunity to participate in a variety of ensembles.

All students complete a major recording project/portfolio in their fourth year. The assembled portfolio, which includes a complete press kit and professional-quality recording, as well as other promotional materials, functions as your calling card for entrance into the music industry upon graduation.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

• Perform, compose, produce music at a professional level for entry to the competitive, global music industry.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of diverse musical styles and contextualize themselves within contemporary music history: specifically defined as the idioms of African American musical genres, mainstream pop music, country/folk music, Latin music, music for musicals and film, art music and jazz.
• Demonstrate, through performance and composition, a technical and musical mastery of harmonic, melodic and rhythmic structures.
• Demonstrate, through performance, an extensive knowledge of contemporary musical repertoire and apply appropriate performance skills in diverse music contexts.
• Compose and arrange in a broad range of contemporary music styles.
• Prepare and present a portfolio of recorded material reflecting a broad range of styles.
• Record, edit and produce a broad range of contemporary music.
• Apply computer applications/music technology skills in composition, arranging and production.
• Critically analyze and evaluate sound recordings and describe their production characteristics.
• Demonstrate, through production and performance, organizational, project management, and implementation skills.
• Demonstrate leadership, teamwork, communication, critical thinking, research and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of contract law, copyright law, intellectual property rights, royalties, and rules of public domain.
• Make use of entrepreneurial music business skills to engage in the competitive contemporary music industry.
• Demonstrate professional “freelance” etiquette relating to job seeking and keeping skills.
• Demonstrate an ability to research and present findings from primary and secondary sources.
• Formulate, articulate and present their own ideas about music, art and society through discussion and writings.
• Demonstrate an artistic awareness and understanding of musical aesthetics.
• Assess personal strengths, musical and business skills, knowledge, artistic vision, interests, and abilities.

Work Placement

• You will participate in a work placement designed to mirror the professional music world, which is largely characterized by contract, freelance and part-time employment. You are responsible for accumulating the equivalent of 420 hours of experience which will allow you to establish contacts and relationships with key companies and industry professionals.

The Advertising - Art Direction Graduate Certificate is designed to arm you with a comprehensive understanding of advertising art direction, design and copywriting combined with marketing, branding and strategy development. This combination of skills enables students to create effective communication and advertising solutions across a wide range of media – both emerging and traditional

Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
  • Conduct secondary research to derive insights for proposed advertising and marketing solutions.
  • Create a campaign that influences the attitudes and behaviours of a described target audience evidenced by identified metrics of campaign success.
  • Analyze the social, cultural, political, economic, psychological, technological, and historical influences on current practices and emerging trends in art direction to design creative advertising campaigns.
  • Complete all work in a professional, ethical and timely manner.
  • Express concepts, ideas, information, brand stories and research insights presented through verbal and visual techniques appropriate to the audience.
  • Collaborate in professional team environments to produce and present creative solutions to client challenges.
  • Self-assess to identify the lessons available in failure and the place of critique in the improvement process.
  • Develop a showcase portfolio to represent industry ready competency in art direction.
  • Generate visual content for use in various media channels that aligns with the creative brief and is in compliance with legislation, industry standards and accepted business practices.
  • Question assumptions and biases through listening, reading and observing critically to validate the intentions of a proposed advertising solution prior to presentation

Humber’s Bachelor of Public Relations degree program will prepare you for all aspects of public relations in a variety of sectors including agency, corporate, consumer, government and nonprofit. You will learn how to plan, manage, and implement a full spectrum of public relations initiatives including social and digital media management, marketing communications, media relations, investor and government relations, international PR, and corporate philanthropy.

Anchored in theoretical and real-life examples, this program features skill-based courses in topics such as planning, consulting, research, measurement, writing, social and digital media, presentation skills and public speaking, project management, and proposal development. All of our professors are experienced PR professionals who bring their day-to-day experiences and projects into the classroom, offering students a glimpse into communications trends and issues. Industry guest speakers provide further insight into various PR settings and issues. Additionally, students will have access to networking, mentoring, and career and professional development from the Canadian Public Relations Society and the International Association of Business Communicators.

Learning  Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

• Describe the history and the development of the public relations profession and its practice.
• Examine current trends, emerging issues and global best practices in public relations.
• Gather, review, evaluate and interpret information using appropriate research methodologies consistent with the RACE formula.
• Design, implement, monitor and measure comprehensive, multi-year communication plans that support strategic objectives in line with organizational vision and mission according to specific timelines and budgets applying professional, ethical and legal standards.
• Analyze issue and trends, synthesize information to create effective communication strategies to solve a variety of complex organization problems.
• Develop a portfolio that demonstrates expertise in a variety of public relations disciplines, including internal communication, media relations, crisis management, social media, public affairs, event management and investor relations.
• Write clear, targeted materials that are appropriate for the intended audience and medium.
• Produce visually effective print, graphic and digital communications materials.
• Present communication strategies utilizing effective verbal and presentation skills.
• Analyze the impact of economic, environmental, ethical, legal, political, societal/ demographic and technological factors upon organizations and their communication strategies.
• Evaluate organizational challenges to interpret the role of communications.
• Collaborate with team members to achieve desired goals and objectives in resolving issues and finding effective means to deal with differing points of view.
• Adhere to standards of academic integrity, social responsibility and the ethical guidelines of the public relations profession.

Work Placement

• You will participate in one mandatory work placement of 14 weeks where you will gain a broad range of public relations skills. There are a variety of roles in corporate, nonprofit, government or agency settings that range from large multinationals to small proprietorships. It is up to you to apply for and secure the position. We will provide support, working with our contacts and industry partners to help identify employment opportunities.

Humber’s International Development graduate certificate program is designed for individuals who want to see the world and make a difference within it. This program provides graduates with the skills and knowledge required to manage, develop and grow international development and disaster relief projects anywhere in the world. Graduates may find themselves in some of the most difficult environments in the world, or they may work in developed countries changing policies to make a difference in the Global South. Faculty are chosen for their field expertise and experience in international development – most continue to work with numerous international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or United Nations agencies while teaching at Humber part time.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

• Contribute directly to project planning and the articulation of project goals having national or regional objectives, including the preparation or modification of proposals and bids, and the negotiation of program/project elements and budgets.
• Implement strategies to secure project funding.
• Establish administrative systems and procedures relating to program approval processes, reporting systems, technical assistance requirements, procurement, international travel and project termination/evacuation.
• Assist in the co-operative management with partners of specific program and project elements, including the development of implementation plans and strategies, in-course project monitoring and evaluation, and project modification as required.
• Assume responsibility for the management of key financial and physical resources associated with projects, including planning, procurement, monitoring and reporting on progress, reviewing and revising initial plans based on in-project performance, and preparing reports for further analysis and review.
• Demonstrate effective human resource management and labour relations skills relating to projects, including the recruitment and supervision of project personnel and effective interaction with external specialists or consultants acting under contract.
• Perform statistical analysis in a business environment.
• Interpret and apply national and international regulations.
• Demonstrate an understanding of individual and corporate ethics in a business environment, and the importance of effective leadership and team-building in joint ventures based on international co-operation.
• Communicate and work effectively in cross-cultural environments.
• Use industry specific language to describe challenges, solutions and opportunities across the ID arena.

Work Placement

• You will gain industry experience and build your international development network with an eight-week (minimum) work placement within the development/humanitarian sectors. Many students choose to do this placement overseas but it can also be done here in Canada.
• With the program co-ordinator’s support, placements are found through a combination of your interests and contacts with graduates and industry partners. The educational foundation for the work placement includes learning how to optimize resumés, LinkedIn profiles and cover letters, as well as covering the broad set of skills needed to be comfortable and safe working outside of Canada.

Humber’s Bachelor of Commerce – Supply Chain Management degree program provides grounding in both general business knowledge and specialized supply chain skills across a wide range of industries. Our emphasis on hands-on experience enables you to stand out in a highly competitive global marketplace. Our program starts with a foundation of business studies in areas such as organizational behaviour, law, economics, finance and accounting, marketing, and operations management. Specialization courses will focus on using current theories, methods and techniques to problem solve and develop supply chain management strategies.

Humber’s professors are widely known and respected for their real-world experience and industry contacts. Our supply chain specialists use case studies and a project-based curriculum to help you apply your classroom learning to real-life situations. A senior-level business project in your fourth year allows you to gain experience with problem solving and decision-making in a team-based environment.

The program requires that you complete 14 weeks/420 hours of paid work in the summer between your sixth and seventh semesters. This gives you the hands-on, real-world experience that employers value. Your placement will give you the opportunity to explore the field you’d like to work in when you graduate. We will work with employers and our industry partners to help you identify opportunities to pursue.

In today’s hyper-competitive marketplace, operating as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible is critical. Because supply chain cost represents the majority of the cost of goods/services sold, knowledge of supply chain management is a top priority for employers. Supply chain management involves co-ordinating an entire network of companies and business processes across the globe to ensure that products are designed, produced, delivered and serviced smoothly and effectively. Your degree will prepare you to pursue a variety of careers including supply chain management; strategic sourcing, procurement and asset management; transportation and logistics; and warehousing and distribution. As a graduate, you will be in demand in industries such as consumer packaged goods, pharmaceutical products, service businesses, manufacturing, high-tech, automotive, retail and transportation. You may also use your degree to pursue graduate studies in a related field.

Humber’s Bachelor of Paralegal Studies program is the only four-year degree program to receive accreditation by The Law Society of Ontario as an accredited paralegal education program. This program combines legal theory with practical applications in courses covering ethics and professional responsibility, negotiation and mediation, evidence, advocacy, tort law, contract law, insurance law, and employment law. Students are provided with the legal foundation needed to consider a career as a licensed paralegal.  

We believe that properly representing a client includes understanding the client’s background and motivation. As a result, our program has eight electives which provide students with the opportunity to study social science, humanities and science electives. 

Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
  • Explain the relationship between a wide range of legal concepts, values, principles, and rules of law related to paralegal practice within the Canadian legal system.
  • Outline relevant philosophical, historical, political, social, cultural, economic, and ethical contexts in which law operates.
  • Define legal terminology accurately and give appropriate, current examples of their use.
  • Research relevant information from a wide range of professional texts and legal data bases using sophisticated search methods and standard techniques of legal interpretation.
  • Use of methods of negotiation and advocacy in order to advance a client’s legal position in a contentious context.
  • Solve complex legal problems through selection of appropriate legal remedies for substantive issues and the related legal and procedural issues.
  • Develop a cogent legal argument based on an organized body of relevant facts verified through corroborating sources.
  • Present legal issues and solutions in client-centered plain language. 
  • Summarize the issues and arguments in a range of complex law cases.
  • Write a range of polished documents used in paralegal practice with accuracy, clarity, conciseness and organization.   
  • Evaluate issues to determine whether a case falls within the paralegal scope of practice and where appropriate, seek support and/or refer the case to a lawyer.  
  • Contribute effectively and professionally in a team environment to complete required tasks within set deadlines.
  • Take initiative to expand personal and professional competence in order to make on-going improvements in meeting client needs.

Work Placement

• Work placements offer on-the-job experience where you will use and sharpen the skills you’ve learned in class and apply them to real-world situations.
• The work placement is from May to August after Semester 6 and lasts 14 weeks/420 hours. You will work with your placement advisor to find a placement that fits your career goals. We provide placement support, such as working with the legal community, to identify work placement employment opportunities.

Humber’s Advertising - Account Management graduate certificate program will prepare you to effectively manage the creative process for the benefit of clients at an advertising agency or within a client’s marketing department. You will develop a greater understanding of the world of creative advertising, media buying and client-agency relationships, and prepare to be part of a team driving strong communication to their target audiences. This program is primarily directed at advertising agency account manager roles but is adaptable to other communication or design-based companies in need of skilful client management.

This unique, writing-intensive program prepares account managers for the advertising industry by exploring a balance of skills from the advertising and creative side of the communication process. An underpinning of the course work investigates how digital marketing and social media impact advertising today. Speakers from the industry, combined with current case studies, enable you to confidently present effective and efficient solutions. Building on your strong writing skills, you will develop other presentation and communication skills in order to better liaise with creative and commercial forces. By incorporating people skills and critical thinking skills, you will acquire the essential knowledge required to thrive in the fast-paced, creative world of advertising.

Graduates will be an asset in three key areas - client relationships, creativity and process management.
You will learn about the link between successful creative and client success criteria including return on investment (ROI) and revenue goals, and how to develop briefs that inspire grounded, effective and exciting work. Digital storytelling and new media are integrated throughout the program. An in-depth understanding of integrated marketing communications and its relationship to other aspects of the business will help you succeed in a complex and challenging field.

Work Placement
Students will gain practical, hands-on experience in the industry by completing a mandatory work placement following their final semester of study.