Pursue a career in protecting the safety of people and the environment.

In this one-year Regulatory Affairs - Sciences Ontario College Graduate Certificate program, you build on your existing science, engineering, or technology education to learn how pharmaceuticals, medical devices, agrochemicals, and industrial chemicals are regulated for public health and environmental protection. You also have an opportunity to choose specific areas of focus though project topic selection. The program prepares well-rounded regulation professionals who are knowledgeable about the regulatory life-cycle management of science-based products.

As a regulatory affairs professional, you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to work in the field through practical, hands-on applications. You research and analyze the requirements of applicable regulations, prepare regulatory submissions, identify strategies to support pre-market product approval, identify and apply best practices for regulatory compliance and post-market surveillance, and provide stakeholders with clear and concise guidance and communications.

The breadth of the program means that your knowledge and skills are applicable in large industrial sectors involving pharmaceuticals, medical devices, agrochemicals, and industrial chemicals. Governments and industries require your expertise to capture the benefits of these products for the economy and society while ensuring their safety and efficacy for public health and the environment.

You 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 places in the co-op work term are subject to availability and academic eligibility.Admission to the co-op program does not guarantee a co-op placement.

After graduating from this program, you are prepared to respond to employer needs at various product life cycle stages, such as:

• pre-market risk assessment processes
• management of post-market regulatory compliance systems
• surveillance and monitoring of products on the market
• public risk communications and consultations
• industry regulation strategies for product development
• regulation design
• regulation policy analysis

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Are motivated to protect public health and the environment.
• Have an interest in research and analysis.
• Are adept at critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Enjoy teamwork and the challenge of leadership.
• Have strong attention to detail.

Careers

Graduates may find employment in government, industry, and consulting under a wide range of job titles, such as regulatory affairs officer, regulatory compliance officer, regulatory specialist, regulatory analyst, clinical administration officer, clinical research assistant, pharmacovigilance officer, regulatory affairs consultant, regulatory affairs coordinator, quality control officer, program support officer, environmental policy officer, environmental health and safety officer, and policy analyst.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Apply regulatory theories, concepts, and methodologies to assess the role of regulatory affairs and optimize regulatory processes and practices.
2. Assess the roles and responsibilities of regulation professionals in lifecycle management of hazardous products.
3. Interpret legislation, regulations and standards in Canada and the jurisdictions of significant trading partners to support international cooperation and harmonization.
4. Assess and establish compliance with legislation and regulation by applying compliance promotion and enforcement policies and post-market surveillance techniques consistent with professional standards.
5. Prepare and evaluate regulatory submissions and supplemental documentation requirements for pharmaceuticals, medical devices, agrochemicals, and industrial chemicals throughout their lifecycle.
6. Analyze scientific and socioeconomic data to inform government, industry and other stakeholders of risk assessment and management approaches and strategies.
7. Anticipate impacts of government regulations on product design and economics in industry to support risk management strategies.
8. Assess information needs and analysis methods in science and socioeconomics to inform government decision-making for regulatory design and approval.
9. Apply collaborative project management principles, leadership techniques and effective communication to implement and improve systems for regulatory compliance in government and industry.
10. Organize and compose communications for public policy, public risk communications, consultations, and regulatory compliance to inform and mobilize risk avoidance actions for organizations and the public.
11. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment, and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

REGULATORY AFFAIRS - SCIENCES (CO-OP AND NON CO-OP VERSION)
Program Code 1523X01FPM

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 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 in the Ottawa Valley
1 College Way
Pembroke, ON K8A 0C8
Local: 613-735-4700
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 1-866-620-3845
Fax: 613-735-4739
https://www.algonquincollege.com/pembroke

Program Resources

CO-OP INFORMATION:
The Regulatory Affairs - Sciences co-op program is open to domestic students only and not available to international students. All applicants apply directly to the non-co-op version of this program through OntarioColleges.ca. Students may elect to participate in the co-op version, two terms prior to the first co-op work term, subject to availability and academic eligibility.

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.

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.

This program is also available online via AC Online at www.algonquincollege.com/online.

While admission requirements specify that an Ontario College Advanced Diploma is required for entry into the program, please be advised that most government and some industry positions require a degree. In particular, a B.Sc. is required by government agencies, such as Health Canada. Interested applicants should explore the minimum credential requirements for the career in their desired sector.

Graduates with degrees are encouraged to apply for Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) opportunities.