Infection Prevention and Control | Continuing Education

About the program

The Ontario Graduate Certificate program in Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) provides you with forward-thinking education, knowledge, and skills required to lead in the field as an IPAC professional. The program is firmly grounded in system theory and experiential skills. Graduates will be equipped with the resources necessary for knowledge translation, design thinking, systems assessment, program design and implementation, surveillance, audit, monitoring, and reporting across the continuum of health and non-health-related industries.

The Ontario Graduate Certificate program in Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) provides you with forward-thinking education, knowledge, and skills required to lead in the field as an IPAC professional. The program is firmly grounded in system theory and experiential skills. Graduates will be equipped with the resources necessary for knowledge translation, design thinking, systems assessment, program design and implementation, surveillance, audit, monitoring, and reporting across the continuum of health and non-health-related industries.

Admission requirements

Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma, Degree, or equivalent in biological sciences, biotechnology, nursing, or other health related program.

Note re: admission requirements

Canadian citizens and permanent residents with transcripts from outside Canada require a course-by-course credential evaluation. You can request this through an approved provider such as ICAS or WES.
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

Final acceptance is based on a review of the admissions requirements

Graduate opportunities

Graduates will be eligible to apply for positions as Infection Control Professionals in healthcare settings such as long-term care homes and hospitals and other settings such as congregate living. There are opportunities in the private sector working with consulting firms that provide IPAC services. The program also prepares graduates to write the Certification of Infection Control which is the internationally recognized demonstration of competence in Infection Prevention and Control.

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

Collaborate with professional and academic organizations in the creation of health and safety programs that enhance IPAC protocols.
Develop, implement and evaluate organizational health and safety policies and practices in alignment with government legislation, regulations and guidelines, ethical practices, and the principles of IPAC.
Disseminate information related to infection prevention and control to promote knowledge mobilization in the workplace.
Analyze risk factors and trends in order to design prevention and control strategies for populations.
Provide solutions for emerging pathogens using evidence-based IPAC practices or procedures to reduce the risk of transmission.
Produce reports and recommend changes to health management systems and processes in the interest of continuous quality enhancement.

Continuing Education

Upcoming registrations

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

Spring registration: Opens March 2, 2026
Fall registration: Opens June 29, 2026

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.