Pursue a career in protecting the safety of people and the environment.

The Regulatory Affairs - Sciences Ontario College Graduate Certificate program provides you with the skills and knowledge to pursue an entry-level career in industry and government regulatory agencies in Canada.

The regulation of products in industries such as healthcare, biotechnology, food, industrial chemical and agrochemical is of international concern. The resulting increase in regulation has driven the demand for qualified individuals in regulatory affairs.

With a focus on protecting the safety of people and the environment, professionals in this field have a positive impact on the public good.

Understand the regulatory environment in Canada, including the socioeconomic aspects of:

• regulations across industries
• how to interpret and apply regulations
• how to develop and manage regulatory submissions.

Learn project management and communications skills, and assess regulatory compliance and the frameworks that govern processes and products.

Students also have the option to gain real-world experience through a paid co-operative education (co-op) work term (see Additional Information for more details). Please note that places in the co-op work term are subject to availability and academic eligibility. Please note admission to the co-op program does not guarantee a co-op placement.

Graduates of this program have a strong understanding of regulation generally but develop a detailed understanding of regulation for protecting public, worker and environmental health and safety in the areas of:

• pharmaceuticals and medical devices
• agrochemicals
• industrial chemicals, including in manufacturing and consumer products.

You may also find employment in positions such as a(n):

• quality assurance specialist
• administrator in various regulated industries
• analyst
• associate
• consultant
• regulatory compliance officer

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Possess strong written and oral communication skills.
• Are adept at analytical and critical thinking and are detail-oriented.
• Are inquisitive and able to analyze, evaluate and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.
• Effectively conduct research and analyze findings.
• Possess effective leadership skills.
• Have a strong interest in protecting the safety of people and the environment.

Careers

Graduates are well positioned for a variety of entry-level employment opportunities in the regulatory affairs sector. Positions may include but are not restricted to regulatory affairs officers, associates, analysts and consultants, regulatory compliance officers and consultants, and quality assurance specialists and administrators in the various regulated industries. Depending on the type of prior industry experience and credentials held, graduates may rise into positions with increasing levels of responsibility.

Employment may be found in organizations of all sizes in both the public and private sectors.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Optimize processes, practices and products by interpreting and assessing the role of regulatory affairs in the healthcare, food, agrochemical and industrial chemical industries.
2. Relate the roles and responsibilities of regulatory professionals in industry and government to explain their purposes to stakeholders.
3. Distinguish between Canadian and international regulatory environments to anticipate the results of international harmonization.
4. Ensure compliance with established regulations and laws that govern processes and products as per Canadian policies and professional standards.
5. Prepare and evaluate components of regulatory submissions and supplemental documentation for products within the pharmaceutical, medical devices, biotechnology, agrochemical or industrial chemical sectors.
6. Evaluate a wide range of data analyses to support decisions in the regulatory process.
7. Anticipate the potential impact of regulatory changes to provide risk-mitigating recommendations.
8. Conduct socio-economic impact analyses regarding the introduction of new products or policies on relevant industries and society.
9. Apply collaborative project management principles, leadership techniques and effective communication to ensure the timely and successful completion of projects.
10. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

REGULATORY AFFAIRS - SCIENCES (CO-OP AND NON CO-OP VERSION)
Program Code 1523X01FWO

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Applications are available online at www.ontariocolleges.ca.

Applications for Fall Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the International Student Application Form at https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/ or by contacting the Registrar`s Office.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar`s Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Ave
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax: 613-727-7632
Contact: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro

Program Resources

CO-OP INFORMATION:
All applicants apply directly to the non-co-op version of this program through OntarioColleges.ca or our International Application Portal. Students may elect to participate in the co-op version, two terms prior to the first co-op work term, subject to availability and academic eligibility.

Co-operative education (Co-op) allows students to integrate their classroom learning with a real-world experience through paid work terms. Two academic terms prior to the cooperative education work term, students are required to actively participate in and successfully complete the self-directed co-op course, readiness activities and workshops.

Students must actively conduct a guided, self-directed job search and are responsible for securing approved program-related paid co-op employment. Students compete for co-op positions alongside students from Algonquin College and other Canadian and international colleges and universities. Algonquin College`s Co-op Department provides assistance in developing co-op job opportunities and guides the overall process, but does not guarantee that a student will obtain employment in a co-op work term. Co-op students may be required to relocate to take part in the co-op employment opportunities available in their industry and must cover all associated expenses; e.g., travel, work permits, visa applications, accommodation and all other incurred expenses.

Co-op work terms are typically 14 weeks in duration and are completed during a term when students are not taking courses. For more information on your program`s co-op level(s), visit the courses tab on your program`s webpage.

International students enrolled in a co-op program are required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to have a valid Co-op/Internship Work Permit prior to commencing their work term. Without this document International students are not legally eligible to engage in work in Canada that is part of an academic program. The Co-op/Internship Work Permit does not authorize international students to work outside the requirements of their academic program.

For more information on co-op programs, the co-op work/study schedule, as well as general and program-specific co-op eligibility criteria, please visit www.algonquincollege.com/coop.

This program is also available via AC Online at www.algonquincollege.com/online.

While admission requirements specify that an Ontario College Advanced Diploma is required for entry into the program, please be advised that most government and some industry positions require a degree. In particular, a B.Sc. is required by government agencies, such as Health Canada. Interested applicants should explore the minimum credential requirements for the career in their desired sector.

Graduates with degrees are encouraged to apply for Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) opportunities.