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About the program

Serve, protect and promote community health

Advance your career in healthcare or public health with Conestoga College's Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Ontario Graduate Certificate, a future-focused program designed for diploma and degree graduates ready to specialize in infection prevention, outbreak management and health system preparedness.

If you are passionate about social justice, public health emergencies, pandemic readiness and protecting communities, this program equips you with the advanced skills and competencies employers are seeking in a post-COVID-19 world. Healthcare systems today require a skilled, adaptable and resilient workforce with the surge capacity to respond effectively to infectious disease threats across multiple settings.

This graduate certificate blends academic theory with applied, simulation-based experiential learning. Innovative technologies are used to create flexible, accessible and inclusive learning environments. Designed for adult learners and working professionals, the program prepares you for the realities of modern, real-time professional practice in healthcare, public health and beyond.

You'll explore the complexities of Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) as a specialized field that spans all healthcare disciplines while also extending into corporate, community and non-health industries. Through a strong focus on social equity, ethical decision-making, community engagement, person-centred leadership and health communication, you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to advance into leadership and specialist roles.

What you'll learn
Graduates develop advanced competencies in:
  • infection prevention strategies and control systems that protect patients, communities and populations
  • surveillance, audit and reporting methodologies used in outbreak detection and risk management
  • design thinking and program implementation to lead effective IPAC initiatives
  • systems assessment and knowledge translation across healthcare and non-health environments
  • leadership, health communication and strategic decision-making in local and global contexts
Program highlights
  • applied, simulation-based learning grounded in real-world practice
  • application of IPAC principles in healthcare, long-term care, corporate and community settings
  • a capstone project and professional portfolio that showcase original work to employers
  • emphasis on career advancement, workforce readiness and interdisciplinary collaboration
  • learn from industry experts
  • flexible learning options

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 are prepared for roles such as:
  • infection prevention and control professional
  • infection control co-ordinator or lead
  • health and safety officer
  • quality improvement specialist
  • consultant, educator or researcher
  • leadership roles in healthcare and public health
Career opportunities are available in hospitals, long-term care homes, public health units, private and corporate organizations, consulting firms and educational settings.

The program supports preparation for industry-recognized credentials, including:
  • Certification in Infection Control (CIC®)
  • Advanced Leadership Certification in Infection Prevention & Control (AL-CIP™)
  • Associate – Infection Prevention and Control (a-IPC™), with no work experience required
  • Long-Term Care Certification in Infection Prevention (LTC-CIP®)


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.

Program related resources

Program contact

Interested in taking this program full time?

See our Infection Prevention and Control full-time program for more information.


Continuing Education
Upcoming registrations

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

Spring registration: Now open
Fall registration: Opens June 29, 2026