About the program
The demand for environmental specialists who can develop creative solutions to ever-evolving concerns facing our environment today continues to grow both in Canada and abroad. This graduate certificate program meets the demand for trained environmental professionals in the areas of contaminated site clean-up, risk assessment, environmental monitoring, regulatory compliance and enforcement. If you're a qualified college or university graduate, this program enhances existing technical skills and competencies necessary for employment in the environmental workforce.
The training prepares you to act as a key player in responding to today's environmental challenges. Studies focus on the application of current engineering and scientific principles to protect and manage the environment in the following areas: environmental monitoring and investigations, environmental site assessment, management and clean up of contaminated sites, environmental enforcement and regulations, solid and hazardous waste management, water quality, air quality monitoring and permitting.
Upon graduation, you will be prepared to write Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks Operator in Training (OIT) and Water Quality Analyst (WQA) certification exams.
Hands-on training is a cornerstone of the program. You are trained in the use of equipment used to collect critical environmental data, computer programs used in professional practice, and challenged to apply what you learn to real-life scenarios throughout the life cycle of the program. The objective is to provide you with necessary experience and skills using industry recognized methods, tools and procedures.
The program partners with employers and practicing environmental professionals who regularly review course content to ensure relevance and inclusion of employable skills. As such, opportunities for connections with practicing professionals are embedded throughout the program. The program includes real-world projects completed under the mentorship of practicing environmental engineers, technologists, and scientists, and also offers you optional mock employment interviews.
The training prepares you to act as a key player in responding to today's environmental challenges. Studies focus on the application of current engineering and scientific principles to protect and manage the environment in the following areas: environmental monitoring and investigations, environmental site assessment, management and clean up of contaminated sites, environmental enforcement and regulations, solid and hazardous waste management, water quality, air quality monitoring and permitting.
Upon graduation, you will be prepared to write Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks Operator in Training (OIT) and Water Quality Analyst (WQA) certification exams.
Hands-on training is a cornerstone of the program. You are trained in the use of equipment used to collect critical environmental data, computer programs used in professional practice, and challenged to apply what you learn to real-life scenarios throughout the life cycle of the program. The objective is to provide you with necessary experience and skills using industry recognized methods, tools and procedures.
The program partners with employers and practicing environmental professionals who regularly review course content to ensure relevance and inclusion of employable skills. As such, opportunities for connections with practicing professionals are embedded throughout the program. The program includes real-world projects completed under the mentorship of practicing environmental engineers, technologists, and scientists, and also offers you optional mock employment interviews.
Admission requirements
- Undergraduate university degree in engineering (civil, chemical, geological, environmental), earth sciences, general science, environmental science, chemistry, microbiology or biology, environmental studies, or planning OR a three-year diploma from an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology (CAAT) in civil, environmental, chemical, or architectural/construction engineering technology
- Applicants will be ranked based on an assessment of academic performance (grades), length and discipline of degree/diploma. Preference may be given to applicants who have successfully completed a chemistry course at the post-secondary level.
Note re: admission requirements
- If your transcripts are from outside of Canada, you will need to obtain a comprehensive course-by-course credential evaluation. You can use an approved provider of credential evaluation services such as ICAS or WES, or applicants can request a credential evaluation through the college using the Assessment of International Credentials for Admissions and Credit Transfer online form.
- Applicants with transcripts from institutions where the language of instruction is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. Please refer to English language requirements for details.
Admission procedures
- Apply at Ontario Colleges - www.ontariocolleges.ca
- Final selection is made following an assessment of the admission requirements.
Program requirements
- Computer literacy and a working knowledge of MS Windows, word processing, and spreadsheets is expected.
Graduate opportunities
This program enhances the skills and competencies already possessed by engineering technologists, environmental scientists, engineers and specialists, and prepares them to work with engineering and environmental consultants, planning consultants, manufacturing firms, municipalities, environmental contractors and suppliers, conservation authorities, regulatory bodies and other agencies. Graduates may become involved in such activities as environmental sampling and monitoring, environmental auditing and assessment, field supervision of cleanups, enforcement of environmental regulations and waste management.
For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities, see the Government of Canada website: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home
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
- Communicate technical information accurately and clearly in a variety of written, oral, visual and electronic forms.
- Plan and implement environmental projects by applying project management principles and techniques for their successful execution and completion.
- Complete projects in accordance with health and safety requirements and environmental policy, legislation, and regulations.
- Research historical and/or organizational records by evaluating the results of appropriate sampling and lab or field analysis to contribute to informed environmental decision-making.
- Perform environmental audits or site assessments to evaluate environmental conditions and recommend appropriate improvements.
- Evaluate environmental systems and processes to identify and recommend appropriate environmental control measures.
- Evaluate waste management systems, processes, and procedures to minimize waste, resource consumption and cost, and to optimize sustainability.
- Research, plan and implement initiatives to support environmental management systems.
- Lead, manage, contribute and collaborate effectively in an interdisciplinary team setting to achieve desired results.
- Collect and prepare environmental data for analysis in accordance with accepted protocols and geoscientific principles.
- Identify and evaluate remedial and management technologies available for a variety of contaminated environmental media using applied engineering and geoscientific principles.
Program related resources
Program contact
Interested in taking this program full time?
See our Environmental Engineering Applications full-time program for more information.
Disclaimer
The College reserves the right to alter information including requirements and fees and to cancel at any time a program, course, or program major or option; to change the location and/or term in which a program or course is offered; to change the program curriculum as necessary to meet current competencies in the job market or for budgetary reasons; or to withdraw an offer of admission both prior to and after its acceptance by an applicant or student because of insufficient applications or registrations, over-acceptance of offers of admission, budgetary constraints, or for other such reasons. In the event the College exercises such a right, the College’s sole liability will be the return of monies paid by the applicant or student to the College.
Students actively registered in cohort delivered programs who take longer than the designed program length of time to complete their studies are accountable for completing any new or additional courses that may result due to changes in the program of study. Unless otherwise stated, students registered in non-cohort delivered programs must complete the program of study within seven years of being admitted to the program.