Diploma in Media Communications

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 Journalism graduate certificate program will immerse you in advanced research, writing and interview practices, data mining techniques, and a range of storytelling approaches for work within a multiplatform journalistic or information-gathering environment. You will also have the opportunity to pursue discipline-specific reporting in areas such as science, business, sports and the arts.

Using the latest technologies, the program will focus on training graduates for the field of journalism with an emphasis on digital journalism. Graduates will be able to function in a digital/online environment including social media and data-based journalism. An emphasis will be placed on providing you with opportunities to practise and develop your journalism skills through coverage of live field events.

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

• Select relevant content and credible sources to create complex news reports.
• Assess socio-political and historical context, platform requirements, and audience needs when producing news reports.
• Use data gathering, mining and visualization and presentation tools to identify and report stories hidden in big data.
• Assess industry trends to inform professional journalism decisions and develop implementation strategies.
• Conceptualize, produce and manage the implementation of multi-platform digital content using a variety of content management systems and industry-related technologies.
• Manage a project in collaboration with other media professionals as part of a news production process in an integrated, multi-platform digital environment.
• Comply with and support others to work in accordance with industry, professional, legal and ethical standards of practice.
• Develop, implement and evaluate strategies for personal, career and professional development to enhance work performance and maintain currency with industry.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with a diversity of stakeholders to achieve business goals and strategic objectives.

Work Placement
You'll gain valuable first-hand experience through a mandatory work placement, usually unpaid, in the final semester of your studies.
Industry partners include but are not limited to CBC (TV News, Radio News, Talk Radio, Online and Podcasts), CTV (News Channel, Toronto Bureau, Ottawa Bureau, CTVNews.ca), CP24, Global TV News, TV Ontario, CityNews, 680 News, Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, Postmedia, The Canadian Press, local and regional newspapers, The Hockey News, TSN, Sportsnet, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Rogers M-School, Toronto Life Magazine, Entertainment One, Cineflix, ET Canada, etalk, The Social, CityLine and The Marilyn Dennis Show.

Humber’s Information Technology graduate certificate program is designed to support students without an information technology (IT) background. Our program’s first semester includes an introduction to software development, database concepts and web development. In subsequent semesters, students engage in advanced study of a variety of information technology topics in areas including database development, database administration, enterprise software development (.NET/Java), web development, and mobile application development (Android and/or iOS).

You will learn how to effectively control, maintain and develop information technology systems. Working in teams and individually, you will create commercial applications that apply acquired theories to the creation, administration and development of databases as well as database-driven mobile, web and desktop applications. Project management skills will prepare you to work effectively in large IT departments and tackle large projects efficiently. In addition to building your collaborative and teamwork skills, this program will teach you how to best market yourself to prospective employers in today's competitive job market.

The Usability Lab is a new facility for students in the School of Media Studies & Information Technology at Humber College. This “Live Lab” is a full-fledged usability lab where content creators can capture & assess the interaction between user and design. This Usability Lab is specialized, in that it was purposefully built for usability studies to ensure that the environment does not interfere with the testing. Designed with flexibility at its core, it has been equipped with a broad variety of technology, supporting usability testing at many different levels of sophistication. What makes this lab unique is the fact that it is mobile. This one-of-a-kind usability lab can be delivered to those who wish to use and evaluate our designs, as well as their own. For our students, they can participate in, and lead experiments that will truly test the designs they have developed, to make sure they work in the manner they have been designed to work.

Graduates may qualify for full-time and freelance employment as enterprise software developers; junior and intermediate software developers; enterprise programmers for e-commerce; web programmers; intranet, extranet and database developers; or database administrators in corporate, small- and medium-sized businesses, government, entertainment, education, healthcare and the not-for-profit sector.

The Advanced Chocolate and Confectionery Artistry graduate certificate program offers you an opportunity to develop high-level skills in pastry arts. Using advanced techniques and sophisticated equipment, you will design and produce artisanal chocolates and confections, international desserts, frozen preparations, and multi-tiered special occasion cakes in Humber's state-of-the-art bake labs. You will research current trends and emerging technologies in chocolate and confectionery with a focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship. Studies in entrepreneurship, and recipe and product development will culminate in the launch of a branded product.

This program is offered in a flexible learning environment allowing students to learn online, in-class or in a hybrid format. Practical classes take place in the evening to accommodate working professionals.

Humber’s Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant (OTA/PTA) diploma program was the first in Ontario to provide formal educational preparation for occupational therapist assistants (OTAs) and physiotherapist assistants (PTAs) and continues to provide quality education. You will learn to assist in the implementation of rehabilitation treatment plans and programs developed to promote clients’ independence, activities and function. Areas of focus include restoring and maximizing physical function and occupational performance, ultimately enabling clients to effectively utilize their abilities in movement, daily functioning and activity while promoting overall well-being.

Practise your skills and acquire hands-on experience during over 600 hours (16 weeks) of unpaid work placements. These placements are arranged by the program fieldwork placement advisor during Semester 2, Semester 3 and Semester 4. You will have the opportunity to be exposed to leading-edge therapeutic skills, equipment and health-care facilities. This program offers the privilege of participating in clinical placements in occupational therapy and physiotherapy at some of the top teaching hospitals in Canada.

There are many reasons why a person may require occupational therapy and/or physiotherapy rehabilitation services. In addition to health and wellness promotion, individuals may require assistance returning to their activities of daily living and regular work due to falls, motor vehicle accidents,  sports injuries, spinal cord injuries, stroke, mental health conditions and chronic illnesses such as cystic fibrosis and diabetes. If you relish the challenges of creative problem solving and critical thinking; have good physical health; and enjoy meeting people while wishing to work with those who are physically, developmentally, and/or emotionally challenged, a career as an OTA/PTA is for you. You will have the opportunity to work in a variety of environments such as acute care and community hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, long-term care facilities, private practice, and retail.

Work Placement
Practise your skills and acquire hands-on experience during over 500 hours of unpaid work placements. These placements are arranged by the program fieldwork placement advisor during Semester 2, 3 and 4.

You will have the opportunity to be exposed to leading-edge therapeutic skills, equipment and health-care facilities. This program offers the privilege of participating in clinical placements in occupational therapy and physiotherapy at some of the top teaching hospitals in Canada.

Society faces significant population growth challenges while we seek to decarbonize, adapt to climate change and manage resources in a more sustainable manner. Meeting these challenges means buildings, energy systems and infrastructure must evolve – yesterday’s solutions are being replaced by new approaches. Our Sustainability Energy and Building Technology advanced diploma program positions graduates with a portfolio of skills that are in high demand.

Our unique program prepares graduates to examine, model and improve the energy and environmental performance of existing buildings; to support the design, construction and operation of new, sustainable buildings being built to increasingly stringent performance standards; to implement renewable energy technologies; and to support new approaches to understanding and managing energy use and building resilience into campuses, neighbourhoods or whole cities. At one time we paid little attention to the cost, availability or environmental impact of energy use – today, these are issues of growing importance to individuals, business and government.

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

• Perform a land site assessment to determine potential for renewable energy harvesting, optimum placement of wind, solar and earth energy technologies and building orientation for passive solar gain and protection from the elements.
• Perform an energy needs analysis for residential or small-scale commercial or industrial structures, designated under Section 9 of the Ontario Building Code, and identify building system components that save energy.
• Perform an energy audit on residential, small-scale commercial and industrial buildings, designated under Section 9 of the Ontario Building Code, to determine energy efficiency, problem areas and energy loss and advise on corrective actions.
• Design and propose a grid-tied or off-grid renewable energy system for a residential or small-scale commercial or industrial structure, designated under Section 9 of the Ontario Building Code, based on an energy needs analysis.
• Adhere to legal, regulatory and health and safety codes and guidelines in sustainable energy and building technology practice.
• Estimate the costs and time schedule of implementing a renewable energy/energy efficiency system, including annual running costs and return on investment.
• Assist in land development, regulatory and stakeholder processes regarding the placement of renewable energy/energy efficiency technologies during the planning/approval phase.
• Assist in the selection of heating, cooling, hot water and electrical systems and equipment during the building specification phase in a new structure or retrofit to ensure high energy efficiency.
• Assist in the delivery, handling, installation and testing of renewable energy/energy efficiency technologies during the construction phase
• Prepare a viable business plan for a new energy business venture.
• Assist in the development of sales and marketing strategies for energy products and services.
• Promote an integrated or whole building approach with clients, industry professionals and associations.

Work Placement

• Our program features an optional work placement of 400 hours (minimum). This offers practical experience in the energy efficiency, green building or sustainable energy industry sectors following Semester 4. We work with business, industry and government to identify work placement opportunities.

Humber’s award-winning Multimedia Design and Development diploma program offers the opportunity to participate in an extensive multimedia design education where you’ll build a range of interactive digital media production skills including web design, mobile interface design, experience design, motion graphics, 2D animation, web coding, streaming, user testing, video and sound editing, user interface prototyping, digital storytelling, and interactive design. Through this hands-on learning process, you will develop the fundamental creative and technical multimedia design and development capabilities needed to pursue employment in videography, motion graphics, web design and interactive content development.

Multimedia Design and Development is one of the three programs within our interaction and design common platform cluster. The first semester of this program is shared with the three-year Web Design and Interactive Media program, and the three-year Graphic Design program. This offers you exposure to the different areas of programming, common elements of design and creative thinking, and collaborative work with students studying to work in complementary career fields. Greater exposure to the ever-evolving exciting world of design and development will allow you to investigate the edges of this area of study, and then you will confirm your focus prior to your second semester of study. 

Under the guidance of experienced and knowledgeable professors, you’ll learn on and become experienced with industry-standard software such as Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Adobe Brackets, Illustrator, After Effects, Audition, Adobe Animate, Final Cut Pro and Premiere. Web technologies such as HTML5, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS3), JavaScript, jQuery and Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) and MySQL are employed in hands-on learning situations in our applied teaching environment with relevant industry projects.

You will cultivate important collaborative teamwork and project management skills through group assignments both within this program, and through interdisciplinary work with students in sister programs. This will prepare you for collaborative projects in the field and help you gain real-world perspective on the nature of multimedia work. You will be prepared to pursue new media opportunities by developing a comprehensive portfolio that you can present to potential employers or clients, and have exposure to the entrepreneurial opportunities open to professionals in this rich field. Students in this program will also build real-world user experience skills through the use of our unique, state-of-the-art mobile usability lab and through a work placement.

Work Placement

• Students will participate in a mandatory work placement which takes place in the last semester of study.

Humber’s Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology advanced diploma program provides you with comprehensive knowledge of energy systems used for commercial and industrial complexes. As you progress through the program, you will learn to apply engineering principles and conventions to achieve optimal energy efficiency through a process of evaluation, monitoring, load evaluation through software modelling, direct digital control (DDC), assessment and necessary corrective action.
Our program features an optional, paid work placement directly related to your program of study. The work experience is designed to enable you to apply your skills and knowledge in an actual work environment, as well as enhance your employability upon graduation. The work placement takes place after the completion of Semester 4, for a minimum of 400 hours. Participating students are required to complete work preparation sessions prior to the work term to help them develop an industry specific resumé and effective interviewing skills. Humber provides a range of services to support student success including working with business, industry and government to identify employment opportunities.

Up to 20 per cent of the cost of constructing a new commercial building can be attributed to heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment. The push for greater energy efficiency is creating exciting opportunities for professionals who apply the effective and appropriate handling of energy to the design, installation and operation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HRAC) systems. Opportunities exist in the commercial and industrial sectors, as well as in various levels of government departments. Your potential employers include heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration manufacturers; consulting engineers; architects; process industries; wholesalers; distributors; mechanical contractors; building owners; chain stores; energy management firms; property management companies; and school boards.

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 Mechanical Engineering Technician diploma program gives you a thorough knowledge of materials and mechanical solutions for designing and manufacturing mechanical parts and assemblies. You will learn in Humber’s state-of-the-art labs, offering you the practical experience you need to succeed. Courses focus on:

• Engineering drawings/calculations
• Mechanical operations
• Programming of computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools using computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software – Mastercam
• Applying design principles and practices
• Design and manufacturing process problems
• Learning 2D computer-aided design (CAD) software – AutoCAD, 3D CAD software – SolidWorks

The curriculum includes courses in solids mechanics, mechanical design, hydraulics, pneumatics, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), manufacturing and management. You will be able to develop the manufacturing procedures to produce mechanical components.

Begin a career designing and manufacturing with our Mechanical Engineering Technician diploma. According to the Canadian Government’s Working in Canada website, the outlook for jobs in this field is positive. “Due to a concentration of employers such as power plants, large automotive manufacturers and other transportation and goods manufacturers, openings for mechanical engineers should remain steady,” says the report. “Job openings in this field should arise from the creation of new power facilities and production increases in the transportation equipment manufacturing, including aircraft.” Graduates find employment in areas related to mechanical design, production, testing, consulting and service industries, as well as in machine tool sales and service departments. Demand is growing for graduates in fields related to the sustainable economy and in consulting engineering particularly for companies engaged in infrastructure projects.