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About the program

Career Development Professional is a part-time, online graduate certificate program that will prepare you for the career development sector. The world of work is rapidly changing, and new careers are emerging to meet current and future workforce needs. Career development professionals provide information, advice and guidance related to career exploration, human resources, skills acquisition, job search, and maintenance. This program provides training to enter and/or advance in the field of career development in roles such as employment advisors, career resource specialists, job developers, or career management professionals.

This program may also appeal to practitioners working in the field who want to gain additional formal credentials, job coaching experience or attain their Career Development Practitioner designation. Graduation from the program provides the full academic component and partial fulfillment of work experience hours for certification by the Career Development Practitioners' Certification Board of Ontario (CDPCBO).

This program is offered in both full-time and part-time delivery.

Program information

All courses must be successfully completed within 5 years of acceptance into the program.
Admission to the program is required prior to registration for courses.

Course fees to complete this program total approximately *$4,000.00.

*This is the estimated amount for domestic students and may differ if students take equivalent courses. Fees are paid when registering for each individual course and are subject to change each term.

Admission requirements

  • An Ontario College Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Degree or equivalent or a minimum of 5 (five) years of full-time work experience, within the past ten years, as an employment counsellor, career advisor, human resources professional or similar role AND
  • Submission of a current resume AND
  • A two to three page double spaced letter of application stating your career goals and indicate how your education and experience to date have prepared you for entry into the program. The letter should also include verifiable details of any volunteer experience.
    • Please use the following questions to complete the letter of application: Why are you interested in this program? Why are you a strong candidate for this program? What personal and/or life experience have impacted your decision to develop your skills and knowledge in the field of career development? What are your long-term career goals?

Note re: admission requirements

  • Applicants possessing degrees/diplomas from institutions where the language of instruction was not English will be required to provide test scores as evidence of their English language proficiency. Test scores, if required, would be a minimum of TOEFL iBT 88 (effective January 2024 with no individual skill less than 22; IELTS 6.5 with no bands less than 6.0; CAEL 70 with no sub-test band scores less than 60; PTE Academic 58; Cambridge Exams 180 with no individual score less than 170; or equivalent scores in other recognized standard tests of English.

  • We offer a language program for students whose English language skills are below the standard required for admission but who have met all other admission criteria. You will be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate program after completion of level 4 of the General Arts and Science - English Language Studies (ELS) program with an overall grade average of 80% and no grade less than 75%. Your placement in the ELS program is determined by scores on an in-house English language test or TOEFL or IELTS.

Admission procedures

  • Submit a completed Conestoga College Program Application Form.
  • Attach proof of Admission Requirements. Review Apply to a Program to learn how.
  • Upload your letter of application and resume to your application form.
  • Final selection is made following an assessment of the admission requirements.

Program requirements

  • Students must be accepted into the program to be eligible for the practicum seminar and practicum project courses.
  • Students must have reliable Internet access and a device that meets these requirements.
  • This program uses eTexts.

Graduate opportunities

This program will appeal to individuals who are engaged or interested in some form of career development work in professional settings. These include: community-based employment services agencies, multicultural settings, self-employment, post-secondary and adult learning institutions, labour adjustment contexts, human resource departments, and employment-related programs in all branches of government.

Unsure of which program best suits your long-term career goals? Student Recruitment Advisors can provide one to one advising for prospective domestic students looking to take a program at Conestoga College. Please reach out to SRA@conestogac.on.ca to book an appointment.

For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities, see the Government of Canada website: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home

Program outcomes

  • Complete research using various tools and methods in order to analyze trends and current Labour Market Information to be responsive to market changes.
  • Apply self-reflective and critical thinking skills to enhance counselling, teaching, and learning strategies with groups and individuals that meet ethical principles.
  • Apply evidence-based career development practices that incorporate a comprehensive set of tools, techniques, and strategies to support clients with diverse identities.
  • Complete needs assessments with clients to select appropriate approaches for meeting their career and employment goals.
  • Design strategies that incorporate local, national, global, social, economic and political trends to assist clients with career decision-making.
  • Integrate appropriate technologies into the full spectrum of Career Development strategies to maximize service delivery to clients.
  • Source relevant legislation and social policies to plan programs, interventions and referrals for clients.

Program related resources

Program contact

Continuing Education
Upcoming registrations

Mark your calendar with our registration dates, so you can plan your future.

Winter registration: Opens November 4, 2024
Spring registration: Opens March 17, 2025