Month: January 2023

3 Reasons to Get Your Bachelor’s Degree at College

Algonquin College Student Group Study

Stuck deciding between university or college? We’ve got news for you: you can get the best of both worlds with Algonquin College’s degree options.

Tons of program options

We know that employers value the combination of theory and practical hands-on experience which is why Algonquin College has 20 degree options (17 of which offer co-op placements) to choose from. Ranging from Automation and Robotics to Interior Design, there’s a degree or honours degree program for you here.That’s right! AC has Bachelor and Honours Bachelor programs to choose from too. What’s that you may ask? It’s simple; a Bachelor’s program is a degree that normally takes three years to complete if you are studying full-time whereas an Honours Bachelor’s degree is a degree that normally takes four years.

Speaking of Bachelor Honours degrees; are you thinking of diving into a career in Bachelor of Science (Building Science) (Honours) and learning all about the facets of building design, construction, human comfort, and sustainability? AC alumnus, Shawn, explains why he opted for this program,

“This program felt like the best fit for me and I enjoyed every moment of it! What drew me in was the co-op placements. I appreciated being able to gain real work experience before actually entering the workforce. I’m also very passionate about this field, in general, so it’s been great.”

Maybe you’re considering a career in Public Safety instead? This Honours degree program teaches you all about how to counter, coordinate and investigate man-made and natural threats to individuals, information systems security, critical infrastructure, organizations, companies, and governments. AC alumna, Angelina, describes why this program was the one for her,

“I knew I wanted to protect people and help maintain the safety and security of Canada. I’ve lived here my whole life and this felt like the best way to give back to the community that’s given so much to me. I’ve also made amazing connections in the industry that have helped me not only advance my career but also my ability to make a difference.”

But that’s not all! Algonquin offers unique and specialized degrees, with some not found at any other institution.

Here’s just a glimpse of what you could enroll in:

Bachelor of Culinary Arts and Food Science

Bachelor of Digital Marketing and Communications

Bachelor of Event, Sport and Entertainment Management

Bachelor of Commerce Strategic Human Resources Management

Bachelor of Commerce Marketing

Get real-world experience

Speaking of co-op placements, did we mention that 85% of our degree programs offer co-op opportunities? Some of these programs offer paid work terms where students can earn up to $10,000 per work term all while creating strong connections in the field they’re passionate about. Co-op terms are a great opportunity to hone your skills, network, and maybe even land a permanent position before you graduate.

Consider your learning style

College degrees are the perfect marriage of theory and hands-on learning. Over the course of four years, you’ll be hard at work, learning with both theory and practical experience. If you learn things more easily through an interactive, hands-on approach, a college degree is the right fit for you.

College tends to have smaller class sizes too! With fewer students comes a more personalized academic experience. You’ll be able to ask questions, have one-on-one chats with your prof, and really connect with the students around you. Whether you’re in the nursing or digital marketing program, you’ll be able to build, create, invent, and more. You’ll learn through experience and experience through learning.

It’s all about you

A college degree, bachelor degree, or Honours bachelor’s degree can help you land a career in the industry you’re passionate about but, no matter what, we’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines. You’re going to do great things, we know it.

Explore Algonquin’s Degrees

Graduate Certificates: What They Are & How They Benefit You

Are you looking to advance your career and get an edge over the competition? Algonquin College has just the thing for you… graduate certificates.

What’s a graduate certificate?

A graduate certificate is an academic credential available to students who have already completed a diploma, advanced diploma, or a degree and wish to continue their studies to master their field of interest. These are post-grad credentials that are viewed as specializations.

Graduate certificates take less time to complete than regular diplomas or degrees (in some cases, as little as one year)! Graduate certificates empower you to advance your career and focus on what you love most.

Unlock career opportunities and earn more money

We’ll break it down using an example; let’s say you graduated from the Advertising and Marketing Communications program with an advanced diploma. Your dream is to become the greatest Brand Strategist the world has ever seen so you use your vast knowledge and experience to branch out by taking the Marketing Research and Analysis program. This program teaches you to investigate how and why people purchase products and services and prepares you for a data-driven career in the marketing research discipline.

Come graduation, you’ll be awarded a graduate certificate! This permits you to climb the nearest rooftop to finally tell the world, “I’m a professional Brand Strategist who specializes in Market Research and Analysis!”.

Essentially, since you’ve already gotten a massive chunk of your education done, getting a graduate certificate is like going the extra mile. This lets potential employers know that you mean business and shows that you really know your stuff. It also unlocks career opportunities that might not have been previously available to you, which leads to more money.

Get practical experience and make connections

A large number of Algonquin’s graduate certificate programs even offer co-op placements! These are a great way to build a strong network, learn from real industry professionals, get some hands-on practical experience and maybe land a permanent position after graduation if you play your cards right.

Find your perfect fit

You can earn your graduate certificate in various ways; AC offers graduate certificates online and in-person (part-time and full-time). Graduate certificate programs are open to applicants with at least some post-secondary education at the university or college level so if you’ve already got a diploma, advanced diploma, or a degree, you’re set.

Get started

Build on your education with a specialized graduate certificate. Whether you’re into AI software development, cyber security, or victimology; there’s something for you here. With so many programs to choose from, the world is your oyster!

Explore Graduate Certificates