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.

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:

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

To qualify for this graduate certificate, you must complete the program within 4 years.

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.
Conduct socio-economic impact analyses regarding the introduction of new products or policies on relevant industries and society.
8. Apply collaborative project management principles, leadership techniques and effective communication to ensure the timely and successful completion of projects.
9. 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
Program Code 1523X07PAO

This program requires an application process.

Applications to graduate certificate part-time programs must be submitted via our online application form available at https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/part-time-graduate-certificate-application-form/.

Prior to starting your application, please ensure that you have consulted the program admission requirements and have all the supporting documentation in a digital format ready to be uploaded.

Applications submitted in a paper format or via email will not be accepted and incomplete applications will not be processed.

Applications will typically be processed within 2-3 weeks, but can take longer during peak times and start of academic terms. Applicants are encouraged to apply at least 4-6 weeks prior to start of term.

Program Resources

International students wishing to study online should visit https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/international for information related to International online students and for International fees information prior to registering. Please note that AC Online programs do not qualify international students for new study permits or study permit extensions.

This program is also available on-campus via the School of Advanced Technology, Applied Science and Environmental Technology department. 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.

The Co-op option for this program is only available through the Woodroffe and Pembroke campuses. AC Online students will be required to complete a capstone project in the final course Regulatory Affairs Applied Project (RGL3900).

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

PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT AND RECOGNITION (PLAR):
Students who wish to apply for PLAR need to demonstrate competency at a post-secondary level in all of the course learning requirements. Evidence of learning achievements for PLAR candidates may include a comprehensive challenge examination and/or completion of a portfolio.

AC ONLINE ACADEMIC PLANNER:
The Academic Planner provides registered part-time students in AC Online the ability to declare into a program of study. The Academic Planner outlines successfully completed courses to date, as well as courses that need to be completed in order to meet graduation requirements. It is therefore, essential that all part-time students in AC Online declare to their program of study, allowing administrators to plan course offerings. This tool is available on ACSIS.

PROGRAM PROGRESSION:
As per policy AA39: Program Progression and Graduation Requirements when students are admitted to a program, they are assigned to the Program of Study that aligns with their start date. If a student takes a break for two or more consecutive terms the Program of Study is reset to align with the current version (when studies are resumed).

Future Students

For additional information, please contact our Customer Service Representative team at online@algonquincollege.com and they will direct you to the best person to answer your specific questions.

Current Students

For additional information, please reference the AC Online Circle of Care.