Some new programs offered by Canadore College last fall are being offered via the Internet to accommodate more students.
“We recognize that learners all aren't able to come to college full time and study here on campus but they are still interested in post-secondary opportunities,” said Marguerite Donahue, vice president academic at Canadore College. “So this will certainly be a trend that you will see in the future for us.”
Of the five new programs, three are available online.
The new one-year rural recreation certificate, along with two other recreation programs, are available in class or via the Internet and distance education. The certificate program is geared to make it more accessible to people in remote areas.
“The recreation and leisure services professors really embraced the whole learning modality,” she said.
“Not every student is interested in studying online, but there are certain individuals who indeed are. What we are finding in these programs – courses offered online or in class – students are choosing to mix it up. So it has been a real positive with the learners.”
The diabetes education certificate is delivered exclusively online through part-time studies. It is designed for health-care professionals such as registered nurses, registered dietitians, chiropodists and pharmacists who wish to specialize in the field of diabetes education.
“Health professionals are always looking for opportunities to expand their specialty-knowledge base and this program addresses that,” said Donahue.
The mobile application developer certificate is a one-year post-graduate program that is also available in class and via the Internet and distance education. Students will receive the specific content, skills and knowledge to become a mobile 'app' developer.
“Mobile application development is an emerging trend in today's technology-driven world. With strong faculty interest and industry support, we plan to be the first Canadian post-secondary institution to offer a full program in this unique field of study,” said David Himmelman, dean of business, communication, arts, hospitality/tourism/culinary arts and recreation and leisure services.
The financial services graduate certificate will focus on key personal financial areas such as income tax laws, financial planning, estate and retirement planning and personal financial management.
“The intent is to offer it in class and then develop the online delivery,” Donahue said.
The two-year civil engineering technician program, which began last fall, was proposed by regional industry stakeholders in response to an identified need for new technicians in the area.
“We are really excited to provide that for employers,” she said. “As colleges, we aim to develop our programs to meet the needs of business and industry and all the programs you see coming forward from us will be meeting some kind of employment demand.”
The North Bay college will be offering five new programs this fall, including a three-year digital cinematography program. It will provide students with a solid foundation in all aspects of digital video production, film writing, directing, sound production and motion graphics.
Earlier this year, the college officially opened its 2,000-square-foot Integrated Media Hub which is one of the most advanced digital production studios in Ontario.
“The film industry in Canada is really expanding and in Northern Ontario, there is a bit of a pocket happening here as well. We are responding to the need for this type of graduate for the North and in Ontario at large,” Donahue said.
Other new programs include First Nations child welfare advocate, occupational therapy assistant and physiotherapy assistant, environmental management and public relations.
“The world out there is changing so quickly and to think we can offer the same programs forever is unrealistic in this day and age,” she said. “Our challenge is to ensure we are always reviewing our program mix and introducing new ones.”
