Research human behaviour and design meaningful experiences in our industry-focused postgraduate certificate with co-op option.

This Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares students for a career in design research and strategy. Professionals in this field examine the intersection of ethnographic research, experience design, emerging technology and business requirements to create evidence-based strategies that direct the development of systems and services. Working directly with businesses, governments and not-for-profit organizations, students examine complex human-centred problems. Real-world projects leverage design theory, research methods, and participatory design activities to define a problem space and model proposed interventions.

Students also have the option to gain real-world experience through a paid co-operative education (co-op) work term (see Additional Information for more details). Please note that placement in the co-op work term is subject to availability and academic eligibility. Admission to the co-op program does not guarantee a co-op placement.

Graduates may find employment in a wide range of sectors including:

• government and public services
• advanced technology strategy
• humanitarian development and aid
• financial services and banking
• healthcare and medical services
• human resources and management
• business strategy and development

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Like the challenge of untangling complex problems.
• Enjoy trying new things and are not afraid to learn from failure.
• Possess excellent interpersonal and human relations skills.
• Value and respect the ideas, perspectives and expertise of others.
• Have a keen attention to detail and process.

Careers

Graduates may find entry-level employment as a user experience (UX) researcher; UX strategist; UX manager; customer experience (CX) researcher; CX strategist; usability analyst; accessibility analyst; systems analyst; service designer; data analyst; data visualization specialist; information architect; communication strategist; content strategist; and UX writer.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Apply a universal, interdisciplinary design approach to overcome complex problems and create intelligent solutions that address social, technological and economic challenges.
2. Manage a holistic, human-centred process to deliver design strategies, products, systems and services for government, corporations and non-profit organizations.
3. Design collaboratively in an interdisciplinary studio environment to produce communication, products, systems and service projects for a variety of media.
4. Apply primary and secondary research methodologies to the design process using a think/make practice model to achieve project outcomes that meet user needs and adhere to industry standards.
5. Adhere to the professional practices of a design studio to facilitate and manage the success of design teams in achieving project goals.
6. Participate in an iterative, multi-phase design process in order to create testable prototypes and realized products.
7. Liaise and negotiate project direction and process with stakeholders to produce strategies and outcomes that align with business objectives.
8. Present and defend research results and design outcomes to a diverse audience using effective communication strategies.
9. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES IN HUMAN-CENTRED DESIGN (CO-OP AND NON CO-OP VERSION)
Program Code 1420X03FWO

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Applications are available online at www.ontariocolleges.ca.

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the International Student Application Form at https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/ or by contacting the Registrar`s Office.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar`s Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Ave
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax: 613-727-7632
Contact: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro

Program Resources

CO-OP INFORMATION:
All applicants apply directly to the co-op version of this program through OntarioColleges.ca or our International Application Portal. Applicants not wishing to pursue the co-op version will have the opportunity to opt-out after being admitted to the program but prior to the first co-op work term.

Co-operative education (Co-op) allows students to integrate their classroom learning with a real-world experience through paid work terms. Two academic terms prior to the cooperative education work term, students are required to actively participate in and successfully complete the self-directed co-op course, readiness activities and workshops.

Students must actively conduct a guided, self-directed job search and are responsible for securing approved program-related paid co-op employment. Students compete for co-op positions alongside students from Algonquin College and other Canadian and international colleges and universities. Algonquin College`s Co-op Department provides assistance in developing co-op job opportunities and guides the overall process, but does not guarantee that a student will obtain employment in a co-op work term. Co-op students may be required to relocate to take part in the co-op employment opportunities available in their industry and must cover all associated expenses; e.g., travel, work permits, visa applications, accommodation and all other incurred expenses.

Co-op work terms are typically 14 weeks in duration and are completed during a term when students are not taking courses. For more information on your program`s co-op level(s), visit the courses tab on your program`s webpage.

International students enrolled in a co-op program are required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to have a valid Co-op/Internship Work Permit prior to commencing their work term. Without this document International students are not legally eligible to engage in work in Canada that is part of an academic program. The Co-op/Internship Work Permit does not authorize international students to work outside the requirements of their academic program.

For more information on co-op programs, the co-op work/study schedule, as well as general and program-specific co-op eligibility criteria, please visit www.algonquincollege.com/coop.

Successful completion of all courses, including the mandatory cooperative education (Co-op) Work Term(s) is a requirement for graduation.