Graduate Certificate – Career Development Professional (0869)

The Career Development Professional one-year (two-term) graduate certificate program prepares graduates to enter and advance in the rapidly evolving career development sector. The curriculum equips students to serve as employment advisors, career resource specialists, job developers, and career counsellors by providing guidance on career exploration, skills acquisition, and job retention. For practicing professionals, it offers formal credentialing, job coaching experience, and preparation for professional designations. Completion fulfills the full academic component and partial work experience requirements toward certification by the Career Development Practitioners’ Certification Board of Ontario (CDPCBO).

Academic Qualification: Undergraduate Diploma completion.

Minimum GPA: 50.0%

Minimum Language Test Scores:

• IELTS: 6.5

• TOEFL: 88.0

• PTE: 58.0

• Duolingo: 120

Conditional Admission: Available for applicants who do not meet language test requirements by completing designated English pathway courses prior to academic study.

Value: $1,500 – $2,500 CAD (automatically applied after Day 10 of the term).

Award Breakdown:

70% – 79% average: $1,500 CAD

80% – 89% average: $2,000 CAD

90% – 100% average: $2,500 CAD

Eligibility Criteria:

Open to all nationalities.

Must be enrolled in Year 1 of an eligible degree program across any Conestoga campus (Fall, Winter, or Spring terms).

Minimum 70% admission average required.

Exclusion: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) students are ineligible.

Maintenance Requirement: Continuing students must maintain a minimum 70% Program Weighted Average to retain funding.