Certificate in Design Foundation

at Humber College North Campus Canada

Humber’s Media Communications diploma program is designed to meet industry demands within multi-faceted areas of the communications industry. Students graduate with a diverse range of marketable skills in photography, graphic design, web design and writing, social media, and videography.

In the program, you will learn how to:

• Be effective transmedia storytellers across multiple platforms
• Produce corporate video and audio for the web and other applications
• Design, write for and edit effective websites
• Shoot professional photographic images in both the studio and on location environments
• Create and edit content using current software applications such as Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and Premiere Pro
• Learn how to establish, operate and market your business through a course in freelance and project management
• Research, write and design communications such as media kits, blogs and brochures

Courses are designed with industry input, ensuring you are learning current and relevant information in state-of-the-art labs from industry experts – people who know the trends and effective methods of communications.

The first semester of this program is shared with the two-year Advertising and Graphic Design diploma, the three-year Journalism advanced diploma, the two-year Advertising and Marketing Communications diploma, and the three-year Public Relations advanced diploma programs, allowing the flexibility to continue in any of these five programs in second semester.

Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
  • Perform the duties, tasks and activities required of a media communications specialist in business, government and the not-for-profit sectors.
  • Research and gather information in print, audio and visual formats for communications’ products and strategies.
  • Analyze clients’ communications needs and implement solutions for business, government and the not-for-profit sectors.
  • Create audio, visual and print communications according to the client’s purpose and audience.
  • Design and create content for websites, using current software applications.
  • Capture, scan, download, save, store, and manipulate digital images using current software applications.
  • Produce corporate video and audio using current software applications.
  • Create and manage content for presentations at in-house meetings and media conferences.
  • Adhere to ethical and legal guidelines in communications practice.
  • Maintain professional relationships with business associates and clients.
  • Develop a portfolio of communications’ products and strategies for a variety of projects and audiences.

Work Placement
Students will participate in a mandatory work placement which takes place in the last semester of study. During that time, students hone their skills in professional environments, developing digital communication solutions. They build complete portfolios which, when they graduate, have them standing out from their competitors as corporate communications professionals.

Humber’s Tourism – Travel Services Management diploma program is ideal for those who possess a genuine love of travel, exploration and adventure. The program will provide you with the experience you need to excel in this exciting industry including:

• Tour operations
• Travel agencies
• Tourist boards
• Adventure and eco travel
• Cruise lines, airlines
• Voluntourism
• Educational tour companies
• Sales and marketing

In order to best prepare for this dynamic industry, you will have several opportunities to travel internationally on both short duration trips and for full semesters abroad. In addition, several courses include local travel opportunities that give you hands-on experiences in a variety of tourism and travel products and adventures. In the Trip Planning course, you will plan and execute a travel experience. The program also includes extensive training with the most recognized software systems in the tourism industry.

Fast-track program – Students that start in January will complete the program on a fast-track schedule. The first semester (January to April) is immediately followed by the second semester (May to August), resulting in a short summer break. Students enter Semester 3 in September, completing the two-year program in just 16 months.

Students will apply their skills and knowledge in the fourth semester in a seven-week (32 hours per week) unpaid work placement. Placement opportunities include positions in retail travel agencies, tour operators and destination management companies. You will practise and develop skills selling tourism products, as well as gain introductions to operations, sales and marketing.

Our program is the launching pad to an exciting career in one of the world’s largest, most dynamic industries. Establish your career in:

• Tourism product sales and marketing
• Customer service
• Operations
• Wholesale and retail reservations
• Product planning and niche tourism
• Tour conducting

In this industry, you will have the opportunity to work in Canadian and international markets with tour operators, travel agencies, airlines, destination management companies and other travel suppliers.

Humber’s Recreation and Leisure Services diploma program provides you with skills needed to start your career in government, not-for-profit and commercial recreation organizations. You will learn about recreation programming, special event management, staff management, facility operations, marketing and other services within the industry.

The curriculum is designed with industry collaboration, ensuring it is current and relevant. Within the program, students use ActiveNet software and PerfectMind, the most widely used registration management software in the recreation industry.

Students apply their skills by planning and implementing events for local community and charity organizations. A three-day leadership camp at the Ontario Educational Leadership Centre helps build communication and leadership skills while guest speakers, practical training and field trips provide added benefits in preparing you for the workplace.

Learning from professors, as well as managers and directors of recreation programs, centres and agencies will give you valuable exposure to the industry and training in current issues.

Work Placement

• Qualified students will complete a work placement in Semester 4 – three days per week for 15 weeks (total of 250 hours). The school works with the student to find a placement with an industry partner. The placement occurs across industry sectors including professional sport associations, community and amateur sport governing bodies, and private sector sport organizations. These placements provide valuable experience and industry contacts.

Humber’s Computer Programmer diploma program is designed to prepare students for a wide variety of employment opportunities within the dynamic and ever-growing field of programming. In addition to learning programming in a variety of languages, from ASP.NET to XML, you will gain an in-depth understanding of industry-standard operating systems and how to use them. You will learn everything from C programming and shell scripts, to back end web design and Java. Upon graduation, you will be equipped with the up-to-date skills you need for success.

Our programming courses are designed to give you a thorough grounding in theory and practice including web development and design, distributed computing, database management and administration, project management, technical writing, information technology, and all facets of information systems. You will also learn about software development applications and follow the standards of planning, developing, testing and supporting software.

Canada has approximately 675,000 people working in information and communications technology (ICT), and about half of that workforce is in Ontario where the ICT industry accounts for over $30 billion in sales. Help satisfy the continuing demand for skilled IT professionals. Our graduates are able to work as computer programmers, junior web developers, junior database designers, junior software testers, customer support analysts, system co-ordinators, technical sales co-ordinators or technical support representatives.

Humber’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma prepares you to work with children (birth to 12 years) and their families. Students can expect to attain and exceed the practice-ready knowledge, skills and attitudes employers are seeking from ECE graduates in supporting children, families and the community by engaging in innovative learning and simulation experiences. These experiences take place within Humber's Carol Reid Early Childhood Education Lab, as well as within the Humber Child Development Centre - interacting with our scenic arboretum and nature-inspired playground and exploring responsive inclusive teaching methods and leading edge curriculum.

You will learn about:

• How children learn
• The importance of responsive relationships
• The image of the child and the significance of viewing children from a wide variety of lenses
• How to create responsive, inclusive play-based learning environments and natural play spaces for children, families and the community
• Human development
• Observation and reflection, and the preparation of pedagogical documentation by children, families and the community
• Social justice, advocacy, leadership and the role of the ECE professional
• The importance of collaborating with relevant community agencies
• How ministry and government legislation and guidelines inform practice

The Humber Advantage
Humber’s Early Childhood Education diploma program is a recognized leader in preparing registered early childhood educators who see themselves as global citizens. Students and graduates advocate for the holistic health and well-being of all children, supported by a connection to nature and a stand for social justice.

Global Citizens and Social Justice

• We provide our students with:
  • Experiences and resources that reflect and promote diversity and inclusion
  • Opportunities to develop an understanding and appreciation of all nations and cultures, and a commitment to contributing to the global community
  • Ongoing initiatives guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as outlined in the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, in consultation with Humber’s Aboriginal Resource Centre.

Work Placement

• We believe it is necessary for our students to have extensive experience in the profession in order to be successful as registered early childhood educators. Students can expect to have work placement experiences within the program and will be required to complete approximately 450-600 work placement hours over three semesters. During these three semesters, students may have field practicums such as working with families and children (various age groups) in licensed child care or preschool settings, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, various community programs, full day kindergarten, or home based child care programs. A different placement for Semesters 2, 3, and 4 ensures a range of experiences prior to graduation and equips students with a range of networks within the community to explore employment in the future.
• In the ECE program, Field Practicum 1 and Field Seminar 1 begin in Semester 2. Students should plan to complete their prerequisite requirements accordingly. Visit the Work-Integrated Learning web pages > to learn more about placements and requirements. 

Humber’s Design Foundation certificate program provides you with the skills to focus your creativity as you begin a career in design.  If you have a clear interest in visual art and design, but want to upgrade or build your portfolio of work, or explore various design disciplines while considering your future career, this is the program for you. With a deep scope of experience in a variety of design facets, our faculty provides you with an industry-current perspective of your work while offering you a broad based preparatory design education. You will develop design skills, techniques and processes; and learn about various professional career choices while developing and refining your comprehensive portfolio. Your training is led by professional designers from a variety of disciplines in a curriculum that features courses in:

• 1, 2 and 3-Point perspective drawing
• 2D and 3D principles
• Colour theory
• Interior design
• Industrial design
• Graphic design
• Design software such as Photoshop, Illustrator and AutoCAD

You will also work in professional-quality labs, developing skills that will give you the hands-on experience employers want.

Designers influence the development of products, the packages they come in and the marketing materials used to promote them. We also rely on designers to plan all types of buildings and to create inviting spaces within them.In Toronto’s vibrant creative sector, the demand for talented and skilled designers is strong. Your generalized training in the many aspects of design may be an effective launching pad to more specialized design study in various fields including industrial design, interior design, interior decorating, graphic design, architecture, civil engineering or building technology.

Humber’s Culinary Management diploma program teaches you the skills you need to excel as a chef in the culinary industry. Work in the world’s finest dining establishments, and take advantage of international study opportunities. Kick your career up a notch by competing in on-campus, national and international skill competitions.

This program will also prepare you to to design, organize, implement, serve and execute your own dinner event in the “Chef's Table” course. Using a market-related themed menu, mise en place and à la carte cooking, students will showcase classical and contemporary techniques and skill. The Charcuterie and Advanced Garde Manger courses involve students using contemporary level food presentation, styling techniques and becoming proficient with various butchery processes on a wide range of meats. The Emerging Trends course is unique among Ontario colleges, providing students with the opportunity to work alongside local guest chefs. Students also have the opportunity to experience preparing meals on the Humber Food Truck, Humber’s classroom on wheels. In addition, students work alongside some of the country’s best chefs. Students receive unmatched time spent with several leading chefs about what’s happening in today’s restaurant scene and food industry.

Note: A fast-track program is implemented for the January start. The first semester (January to April) is immediately followed by the second semester (May to August), resulting in a short summer break. The third semester begins in September, allowing students to complete the two-year program in just 16 months.

Qualified students will complete work placements in the kitchen of a leading hotel, restaurant or golf course of their choice for seven unpaid weeks in the fourth semester (40 hours per week). Students are also able to apply for placements across Canada and internationally, which has jumpstarted many successful careers.

The demand for passionate, well-trained chefs around the world is constant, and with more than 7,000 restaurants reflecting a wide variety of cultures and cuisines, Toronto is the ideal place to launch your culinary career. The creative culinary and management skills you’ll gain at Humber will put you in high demand in hotels, restaurants, golf clubs, resorts, hospitals, corporate settings and more. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you’ll be inspired by the potential to start your own business in the future. Food service is a constantly evolving industry that has never been more in the spotlight, and culinary management at Humber is your gateway.

In Humber’s Radio and Media Production graduate certificate program, students develop the skills to make entertaining and engaging broadcasts and podcasts. Imagine combining the experience of your degree or diploma with new skills in audio storytelling and broadcasting. Graduates of our program are working in all aspects of radio and podcast production across Canada. Many are instrumental in some of Canada's most popular podcasts, and some have been recognized at the 2019 Canadian Podcasting Awards.
Students get hands-on experience in radio and audio production studio techniques; on-air announcing, newscast performance and sports reporting; hosting live music and public affairs programs; writing stories, shows, commercials and scripts, radio programming and promotions; interviewing techniques and more. They produce exciting audio and visual content including video and podcasts in Humber’s leading-edge production studios.
Students learn about the latest trends and developments in broadcasting and podcasting, and prepare for careers in media production including on-air, on-camera, online and social media.  They create original digital audio content and experience the thrill of having their work distributed by broadcast on the radio, podcast streaming or other means including social media.
Students take intensive classes and workshops with expert faculty where they apply their new skills to studio and broadcast operations.  By second semester, students can choose to perform live in our streaming or broadcast radio stations as a music host, newscaster or announcer. Hands-on training in on-air performance is provided through Humber’s student radio station, on 96.9FM, which is also streamed online and through various listening apps. Alternatively, students can choose to focus on creative studio production techniques and on-air operations.
Work Placement
This program includes a work placement component to give students an opportunity to gain valuable practical experience in their area of interest in the radio and audio production industries. The 160 hour placement is done in the summer semester after two semesters of study and practice. 

In Humber’s Electromechanical Engineering Technician diploma program, you’ll learn how to support the engineering activities of manufacturers that rely increasingly on automation technology to maintain a competitive edge in the global economy. Develop skills in industrial automation, robotics, control systems, machining, hydraulics, pneumatics, safety, mechatronics, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), electrical, programming, manufacturing process, and computer-control methods.

Complementing your technical education are the effective communications, problem-solving and interpersonal skills that add value to any team. Coursework reflects real-world demands through independent and co-operative study in practical environments, including experience with industrial size modern equipment. The industry-relevant curriculum is taught by faculty at the top of their fields, to provide you with the skills and knowledge employers are looking for.

From robotics to mobile devices to automobiles and food processing, our graduates make their mark on processing, packaging, power generation, mining, machine assembly, troubleshooting and testing, systems integration, application support, maintenance, component testing and assembly, automation programming, robotic maintenance and programming, and technical sales and services. Automation systems integrators are needed to build, troubleshoot, and maintain robotic and automated manufacturing cells, as well as mobile equipment. You will also find opportunities in purchasing, customer service, quality control and quality assurance.

Humber’s Electronics Engineering Technician diploma program emphasizes electronic products, control systems and telecommunications - all built on a strong basis of computer and networking engineering. The program provides you with hands-on experience of electronic, analog, digital and programmable circuits. Our experienced faculty will teach you about computer programming, interfacing, local networks, radio frequency circuits, basic programmable logic controllers (PLC), industrial electronics, wired and wireless communication devices, and troubleshooting techniques. You’ll be taught how to embed these circuits into smart devices, industrial equipment, and consumer products.

You’ll also build and test circuit boards, learn electronics fabrication, program PLCs and design embedded systems in our state-of-the-art labs including a prototyping facility.