Career Development Practitioner Program (Postgraduate) (C406)

2022-20232023-2024
  • Program Name:
    Career Development Practitioner
  • Code: C406
  • Credential:
    Ontario College Graduate Certificate
  • Method of Study:
    Full-time
  • Duration:
    1 year (3 semesters)
  • Centre:
  • School: Social & Community Services
  • Location: St. James Campus
  • Starting Months: September
  • Domestic Tuition:
    $5,064.00 *
  • International Tuition:
    $25,228.00 **
  • Experiential Learning:

    Practicum in Semester 3

  • Spring 2023 Delivery:
    Semester 3: Hybrid

Compare up to 3 programs

Overview

Leadership Claims

Career Development Practitioner is the only Career Development graduate certificate program in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Graduation from the program provides the full academic component and partial fulfillment of work experience hours for certification by the Career Development Practitioners' Certification Board of Ontario (CDPCBO).

Program Overview

Career Development Practitioners provide advice and guidance related to career exploration, skill acquisition, job search and maintenance. This one-year post-diploma certificate program provides training to enter and/or advance in the field of career development.

Full Description

Career Development Practitioner is a three-semester (one-year) graduate certificate program that prepares graduates to enter the career development sector. The program may also appeal to practitioners working in the field who want to gain additional formal training and job-coaching experience. The career development sector includes nonprofit/community-based, government, post-secondary and private/corporate organizations.

The key objective of the field is to assist clients to be self-sufficient in career exploration, skill acquisition, job search and maintenance. Career Development Practitioners coach and counsel others on:

  • job search
  • career planning
  • career choice and change
  • academic and training advising
  • identifying and meeting staffing needs

Practitioners may work with specialized and diverse groups such as:

  • youth
  • women
  • people with disabilities
  • immigrants and refugees

This program has been designed to meet the changing needs of the sector and will help meet demand for trained Career Development Practitioners in the GTA and beyond.

The curriculum is designed to meet the Canadian Standards and Guidelines for Career Development Practitioners.

Graduation from the program provides the full academic component and partial fulfillment of work experience hours for certification by the Career Development Practitioners' Certification Board of Ontario (CDPCBO).

What can you expect from the program?

The program will combine in-class experiential training in counselling and coaching, theory and practice. Courses may also be conducted online or in a blended format.

The use of technology will enable students to participate in exciting ways that will build on previous knowledge and skills.

The final semester is dedicated to a supervised field education opportunity that ensures graduates leave with practical experience that will be recognized by employers.

To provide students with a rich learning experience, we offer a variety of teaching methods such as:

  • seminars
  • lectures
  • online learning
  • small group work
  • guest speakers
  • field visits

What key skills and knowledge will you gain?

  • emerging trends and techniques in job search and career exploration
  • individual and group facilitation/counselling
  • job development and employer engagement
  • ethics and professional practice
  • career development theory
  • diversity, accessibility, equity and inclusion
  • use of technology and social media
  • career and employment information resources
  • employment legislation and programs

Who are our students?

Our students have completed a college diploma or a university degree.

Due to the varied nature of the work and workplaces of Career Development Practitioners, it is expected that graduates may come from a wide variety of programs of study including:

  • psychology
  • sociology
  • education
  • social and community services
  • business
  • marketing
  • human resources

People who are interested in others, are excited about the opportunity to assist others in professional and life decisions and to help them to be self-sufficient in job search and job retention will be attracted to this field of study.

Practitioners contribute to the emotional and financial well-being of their clients and their families, their communities and the economy.

Your Field Education Options

Students are required to complete approximately 300 hours of field education in semester three and will be supported in developing relationships with our community partners to obtain a placement opportunity in the GTA setting and further afield.

Placements will be chosen by students based on their learning goals, environments sought, clientele, location and other factors and will be approved by the program coordinator.

George Brown College has extensive connections with employers in all parts of the sector including community-based organizations, college and university career centres, internal corporate career services and career-management firms.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Apply evidence-­based career development practices in advising diverse client groups.
  2. Utilize self­-reflective and critical thinking skills to enhance counselling, teaching and learning strategies with groups and individuals.
  3. Develop a commitment to ongoing professional development to actively respond to changing labour market and professional requirements.
  4. Integrate appropriate career information resources and tools with career and employment strategies to enable clients to meet their employment goals.
  5. Perform needs assessments and develop subsequent interventions using techniques and skills that enable diverse ranges of clients to meet employment goals.
  6. Design consulting, advising and teaching strategies that incorporate trends and issues of the changing labour market to assist clients in job search and career transitions.
  7. Integrate emergent technologies into the full spectrum of Career Development processes and applications to maximize service delivery to clients navigating changing labour market requirements.
  8. Adhere to relevant legislation and social policy to plan programs, interventions and referrals for client groups.
  9. Use current work search tools and strategies to facilitate successful client job search.

Courses

Required Courses

SEMESTER 1

CodeCourse Name
CDPR 4000Trends in Career Development
CDPR 4001Needs Assessment
CDPR 4004Theories of Career Development
CDPR 4005Work Search
CDPR 4006Human Rights, Diversity and Equity
CDPR 4018Professional Practice & Ethics

SEMESTER 2

CodeCourse Name
CDPR 4007Group Facilitation
CDPR 4009Career and Employment Resources
CDPR 4010Accessibility in the Workplace
CDPR 4011Individual Counselling and Coaching
CDPR 4013Informal Assessment Tools
CDPR 4016Employer Engagement
CDRP 4017Digital Literacy in Career Development

SEMESTER 3

CodeCourse Name
CDPR 4014Work-Integrated Learning Seminar
CDPR 4015Practicum

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

Graduates may hold a variety of job titles within the field of Career Development including:

  • employment consultant/counsellor
  • career consultant/counsellor/coach
  • employment information specialist
  • job developer/employment placement specialist/employment marketing consultant
  • workshop facilitator
  • academic advisor
  • career education specialist
  • career coach/career management professional
  • outreach specialist/worker
  • recruitment advisor
  • employee assistance counsellor

These positions may be held in the community-based, post-secondary and private sector as well as labour organizations, vocational rehabilitation programs and government departments.

Graduates of the program will have completed the two mandatory courses (Ethics and Career Development Theory) for certification by CDPCBO as a Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP). In addition, their field education/practicum hours will be counted toward the work experience requirement. Graduates will need to gain additional work experience before being able to apply for certification.

George Brown College is well-connected to the Career Development sector. Hundreds of practitioners that graduated from the former Career and Work Counsellor (CWC) diploma program are now working in the GTA and beyond in both leadership/managerial and front-line positions, providing opportunities for networking and career development.

The alumni committee of the CWC program is actively involved in providing professional development and mentoring opportunities.

Tuition and Fees

Domestic Tuition

$5,064.00 *

International Tuition

$25,228.00 **

Additional Costs

* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first three semesters of programs starting in Fall 2021. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2022 and at later dates.

** Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2022. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2023 and at later dates.

International Students

Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information. 

Financial Assistance

This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.

How to Qualify and Apply

Admission Requirements

  • A two- or three-year diploma or a bachelor's degree from a college or university

English Language Proficiency

Applicants with international transcripts must provide English language proficiency test results or complete the George Brown College English assessment to provide evidence of their English language proficiency. For more information please visit our English Proficiency Chart.

International Students

Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.  

How to Apply

Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges.

International Students

Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply. 

International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.

Student Success

Natalie Treboute, 2019 Graduate

"I have started working as an Employment Consultant with ACCES Employment in Toronto. Specifically, I am working with the Entrepreneurship Connections Pre-arrival program. I will always remember and be grateful for my wonderful experience with George Brown College, not only as a student in the Career Development Practitioner program, but also as a peer tutor/peer leader with the Tutoring and Learning Centre. I am very thankful for having been part of the educational program and student services at GBC. Thank you for the team at GBC who were part of this career journey!"

Maryam Nehrir, 2019 Graduate

"It has been only a while since I finished the Career Development Practitioner (CDP) program at George Brown , but not long enough to expect landing an employment consultant position which means a huge step forward to me. Even though I had started working in the field a short time before beginning the CDP program, I admit that I would not be as confident and poised without having attended and participated in the classes. I am pleased to let you know that I have just started working as an employment consultant at Access Employment. I feel so fortunate to have been on the receiving end of all your support, advice, guidance and encouragement. I can’t thank you enough for everything."

Contact Us

School of Social & Community Services

Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2185

Email: communityservices@georgebrown.ca

Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Career Development Practitioner Program Coordinator:

Diane Moore dmoore@georgebrown.ca

For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.

International Students

Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page

Sign up and learn more about your options, our programs, and life at George Brown.

Career Development Practitioner Program (Postgraduate) (C406)

2022-20232023-2024
  • Program Name:
    Career Development Practitioner
  • Code: C406
  • Credential:
    Ontario College Graduate Certificate
  • Method of Study:
    Full-time
  • Duration:
    1 year (3 semesters)
  • Centre:
  • School: Social & Community Services
  • Location: St. James Campus
  • Starting Months: September
  • Domestic Tuition:
    $5,088.00 *
  • Experiential Learning:

    Practicum in Semester 3

  • Spring 2022 Delivery:
    Semester 3: Online

Compare up to 3 programs

Overview

Leadership Claims

Career Development Practitioner is the only Career Development graduate certificate program in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Graduation from the program provides the full academic component and partial fulfillment of work experience hours for certification by the Career Development Practitioners' Certification Board of Ontario (CDPCBO).

Program Overview

Career Development Practitioners provide advice and guidance related to career exploration, skill acquisition, job search and maintenance. This one-year post-diploma program provides training to enter and/or advance in the field of career development.

Full Description

Career Development Practitioner is a three-semester (one-year) graduate certificate program that prepares graduates to enter the career development sector. The program may also appeal to practitioners working in the field who want to gain additional formal training and job coaching experience. The career development sector includes non-profit/community-based, government, post-secondary and private/corporate organizations.

The key objective of the field is to assist clients to be self-sufficient in career exploration, skill acquisition, job search and maintenance. Career Development Practitioners coach and counsel others on:

  • job search
  • career planning
  • career choice and change
  • academic and training advising
  • identifying and meeting staffing needs

Practitioners may work with specialized and diverse groups such as:

  • youth
  • women
  • people with disabilities
  • immigrants and refugees

This program has been designed to meet the changing needs of the sector and will help meet demand for trained Career Development Practitioners in the GTA and beyond.

The curriculum is designed to meet the Canadian Standards and Guidelines for Career Development Practitioners.

Graduation from the program provides the full academic component and partial fulfillment of work experience hours for certification by the Career Development Practitioners' Certification Board of Ontario (CDPCBO).

What can you expect from the program?

The program will combine in-class experiential training in counselling and coaching, theory, and practice. Courses may also be conducted online or in a blended format.

The use of technology will enable students to participate in exciting ways that will build on previous knowledge and skills.

The final semester is dedicated to a supervised field education experience to ensure graduates leave with practical experience that will be recognized by employers.

To provide students with a rich learning experience, we offer a variety of teaching methods such as:

  • seminars
  • lectures
  • online learning
  • small group work
  • guest speakers
  • field visits

What key skills and knowledge will you gain?

  • emerging trends and techniques in job search and career exploration
  • individual and group facilitation/counselling
  • job development and employer engagement
  • ethics and professional practice
  • career development theory
  • diversity, accessibility, equity and inclusion
  • use of technology and social media
  • career and employment information resources
  • employment legislation and programs

Who are our students?

Our students have completed a college diploma or a university degree.

Due to the varied nature of the work and workplaces of Career Development Practitioners, it is expected that graduates may come from a wide variety of programs of study including:

  • psychology
  • sociology
  • education
  • social and community services
  • business
  • marketing
  • human resources

People who are interested in others, are excited about the opportunity to assist others in professional and life decisions and to help them to be self-sufficient in job search and job retention will be attracted to this field of study.

Practitioners contribute to the emotional and financial well-being of their clients and their families, their communities and the economy.

Your Field Education Options

Students will complete almost 300 hours of field education in Semester 3 and will be matched with placement opportunities in settings in the GTA and further afield.

Placements will be chosen by students based on their learning goals, environments sought, clientele, location and other factors and will be approved by the program co-ordinator.

George Brown College has extensive connections with employers in all parts of the sector including community-based organizations, college and university career centres, internal corporate career services and career management firms.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Apply evidence-­based career development practices in advising diverse client groups.
  2. Utilize self­-reflective and critical thinking skills to enhance counselling, teaching and learning strategies with groups and individuals.
  3. Develop a commitment to ongoing professional development to actively respond to changing labour market and professional requirements.
  4. Integrate appropriate career information resources and tools with career and employment strategies to enable clients to meet their employment goals.
  5. Perform needs assessments and develop subsequent interventions using techniques and skills that enable diverse ranges of clients to meet employment goals.
  6. Design consulting, advising and teaching strategies that incorporate trends and issues of the changing labour market to assist clients in job search and career transitions.
  7. Integrate emergent technologies into the full spectrum of Career Development processes and applications to maximize service delivery to clients navigating changing labour market requirements.
  8. Adhere to relevant legislation and social policy to plan programs, interventions and referrals for client groups.
  9. Use current work search tools and strategies to facilitate successful client job search.

Courses

Required Courses

SEMESTER 1

CodeCourse Name
CDPR 4000Trends in Career Development
CDPR 4001Needs Assessment
CDPR 4002Professional Practice
CDPR 4003Ethics
CDPR 4004Theories of Career Development
CDPR 4005Work Search
CDPR 4006Human Rights, Diversity and Equity

SEMESTER 2

CodeCourse Name
CDPR 4007Group Facilitation
CDPR 4016Employer Engagement
CDPR 4009Career and Employment Resources
CDPR 4010Accessibility in the Workplace
CDPR 4011Individual Counselling and Coaching
CDPR 4017Digital Literacy in Career Development
CDPR 4013Informal Assessment Tools

SEMESTER 3

CodeCourse Name
CDPR 4014Work-Integrated Learning Seminar
CDPR 4015Practicum

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Your Career

Graduates of the program will have completed the two mandatory courses (Ethics and Career Development Theory) for certification by CDPCBO as a Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP). In addition, their field education/practicum hours will be counted towards the work experience requirement. Graduates will need to gain additional work experience before being able to apply for certification.

George Brown College is well-connected to the Career Development sector. Hundreds of practitioners that graduated from the former Career and Work Counsellor (CWC) diploma program are now working in the GTA and beyond in both leadership/managerial and front-line positions, providing opportunities for networking and career development. The alumni committee of the CWC program is actively involved in providing professional development and mentoring opportunities.

Career Options

Graduates may hold a variety of job titles within the field of Career Development including:

  • Employment Consultant/Counsellor
  • Career Consultant/Counsellor/Coach
  • Employment Information Specialist
  • Job Developer/Employment Placement Specialist/Employment Marketing Consultant
  • Workshop Facilitator
  • Academic Advisor
  • Career Education Specialist
  • Career Coach/Career Management Professional
  • Outreach Specialist/Worker
  • Recruitment Advisor
  • Employee Assistance Counsellor

These positions may be held in the community-based, post-secondary and private sector as well as labour organizations, vocational rehabilitation programs and government departments.

Tuition and Fees

Domestic Tuition

$5,088.00 *

Additional Costs

* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first three semesters of programs starting in Fall 2020. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2021 and at later dates.

International Students

Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information. 

Financial Assistance

This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.

How to Qualify and Apply

Admission Requirements

  • A two- or three-year diploma or a bachelor's degree from a college or university

English Language Proficiency

Applicants with international transcripts must provide English language proficiency test results or complete the George Brown College English assessment to provide evidence of their English language proficiency. For more information please visit our English Proficiency Chart.

International Students

Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.  

How to Apply

Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges

International Students

Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply. 

International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.

Student Success

Natalie Treboute, 2019 Graduate

"I have started working as an Employment Consultant with ACCES Employment in Toronto. Specifically, I am working with the Entrepreneurship Connections Pre-arrival program. I will always remember and be grateful for my wonderful experience with George Brown College, not only as a student in the Career Development Practitioner program, but also as a peer tutor/peer leader with the Tutoring and Learning Centre. I am very thankful for having been part of the educational program and student services at GBC. Thank you for the team at GBC who were part of this career journey!"

Maryam Nehrir, 2019 Graduate

"It has been only a while since I finished the Career Development Practitioner (CDP) program at George Brown , but not long enough to expect landing an employment consultant position which means a huge step forward to me. Even though I had started working in the field a short time before beginning the CDP program, I admit that I would not be as confident and poised without having attended and participated in the classes. I am pleased to let you know that I have just started working as an employment consultant at Access Employment. I feel so fortunate to have been on the receiving end of all your support, advice, guidance and encouragement. I can’t thank you enough for everything."

Contact Us

School of Social & Community Services

Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2185

Email: communityservices@georgebrown.ca

Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Career Development Practitioner Program Coordinator: Philip Pettigrew 

For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.

International Students

Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page

Sign up and learn more about your options, our programs, and life at George Brown.

Career Development Practitioner Program (Postgraduate) (C406)

2022-20232023-2024
  • Program Name:
    Career Development Practitioner
  • Code: C406
  • Credential:
    Ontario College Graduate Certificate
  • Method of Study:
    Full-time
  • Duration:
    1 year (3 semesters)
  • Centre:
  • School: Social & Community Services
  • Location: St. James Campus
  • Starting Months: September
  • Domestic Tuition:
    $5,014.00 *
  • Experiential Learning:

    Practicum in Semester 3

  • Fall 2020 Delivery Method:
    Online (on-campus activities will resume as soon as it is safe to do so)

Compare up to 3 programs

Overview

Leadership Claims

Career Development Practitioner is the only Career Development graduate certificate program in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Graduation from the program provides the full academic component and partial fulfillment of work experience hours for certification by the Career Development Practitioners' Certification Board of Ontario (CDPCBO).

Program Overview

Career Development Practitioners provide advice and guidance related to career exploration, skill acquisition, job search and maintenance. This one-year post-diploma program provides training to enter and/or advance in the field of career development.

Full Description

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the planned delivery of this course starting in September 2020 will be online with alternate hybrid delivery embedded into the field placement experiences.

PLEASE NOTE: In response to this evolving situation, the delivery, learning activities and evaluation methods may be further modified mid-semester.

Learners will require access to high-speed internet, a computer with a built-in or external web camera, a microphone and Google Chrome or Firefox as a web browser.

Career Development Practitioner is a three-semester (one-year) graduate certificate program that prepares graduates to enter the career development sector. The program may also appeal to practitioners working in the field who want to gain additional formal training and job coaching experience. The career development sector includes non-profit/community-based, government, post-secondary and private/corporate organizations.

The key objective of the field is to assist clients to be self-sufficient in career exploration, skill acquisition, job search and maintenance. Career Development Practitioners coach and counsel others on:

  • job search
  • career planning
  • career choice and change
  • academic and training advising
  • identifying and meeting staffing needs

Practitioners may work with specialized and diverse groups such as:

  • youth
  • women
  • people with disabilities
  • immigrants and refugees

This program has been designed to meet the changing needs of the sector and will help meet demand for trained Career Development Practitioners in the GTA and beyond.

The curriculum is designed to meet the Canadian Standards and Guidelines for Career Development Practitioners.

Graduation from the program provides the full academic component and partial fulfillment of work experience hours for certification by the Career Development Practitioners' Certification Board of Ontario (CDPCBO).

What can you expect from the program?

The program will combine in-class experiential training in counselling and coaching, theory, and practice. Courses may also be conducted online or in a blended format.

The use of technology will enable students to participate in exciting ways that will build on previous knowledge and skills.

The final semester is dedicated to a supervised field education experience to ensure graduates leave with practical experience that will be recognized by employers.

To provide students with a rich learning experience, we offer a variety of teaching methods such as:

  • seminars
  • lectures
  • online learning
  • small group work
  • guest speakers
  • field visits

What key skills and knowledge will you gain?

  • emerging trends and techniques in job search and career exploration
  • individual and group facilitation/counselling
  • job development and employer engagement
  • ethics and professional practice
  • career development theory
  • diversity, accessibility, equity and inclusion
  • use of technology and social media
  • career and employment information resources
  • employment legislation and programs

Who are our students?

Our students have completed a college diploma or a university degree.

Due to the varied nature of the work and workplaces of Career Development Practitioners, it is expected that graduates may come from a wide variety of programs of study including:

  • psychology
  • sociology
  • education
  • social and community services
  • business
  • marketing
  • human resources

People who are interested in others, are excited about the opportunity to assist others in professional and life decisions and to help them to be self-sufficient in job search and job retention will be attracted to this field of study.

Practitioners contribute to the emotional and financial well-being of their clients and their families, their communities and the economy.

Your Field Education Options

Students will complete almost 300 hours of field education in the third semester and will be matched with placement opportunities in settings in the GTA and further afield.

Placements will be chosen by students based on their learning goals, environments sought, clientele, location and other factors and will be approved by the program co-ordinator.

George Brown College has extensive connections with employers in all parts of the sector including community-based organizations, college and university career centres, internal corporate career services and career management firms.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Apply evidence-­based career development practices in advising diverse client groups.
  2. Utilize self­-reflective and critical thinking skills to enhance counselling, teaching and learning strategies with groups and individuals.
  3. Develop a commitment to ongoing professional development to actively respond to changing labour market and professional requirements.
  4. Integrate appropriate career information resources and tools with career and employment strategies to enable clients to meet their employment goals.
  5. Perform needs assessments and develop subsequent interventions using techniques and skills that enable diverse ranges of clients to meet employment goals.
  6. Design consulting, advising and teaching strategies that incorporate trends and issues of the changing labour market to assist clients in job search and career transitions.
  7. Integrate emergent technologies into the full spectrum of Career Development processes and applications to maximize service delivery to clients navigating changing labour market requirements.
  8. Adhere to relevant legislation and social policy to plan programs, interventions and referrals for client groups.
  9. Use current work search tools and strategies to facilitate successful client job search.

Courses

Required Courses

SEMESTER 1

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
CDPR4000Trends in Career Development
CDPR4001Needs Assessment
CDPR4002Professional Practice
CDPR4003Ethics
CDPR4004Theories of Career Development
CDPR4005Work Search
CDPR4006Human Rights, Diversity and Equity

SEMESTER 2

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
CDPR4007Group Facilitation
CDPR4008Employer Engagement
CDPR4009Career and Employment Resources
CDPR4010Accessibility in the Workplace
CDPR4011Individual Counselling and Coaching
CDPR4012Advanced Work Search
CDPR4013Informal Assessment Tools

SEMESTER 3

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
CDPR4014Work-Integrated Learning Seminar
CDPR4015Practicum

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Your Career

Graduates of the program will have completed the two mandatory courses (Ethics and Career Development Theory) for certification by CDPCBO as a Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP). In addition, their field education/practicum hours will be counted towards the work experience requirement. Graduates will need to gain additional work experience before being able to apply for certification.

George Brown College is well-connected to the Career Development sector. Hundreds of practitioners that graduated from the former Career and Work Counsellor (CWC) diploma program are now working in the GTA and beyond in both leadership/managerial and front-line positions, providing opportunities for networking and career development. The alumni committee of the CWC program is actively involved in providing professional development and mentoring opportunities.

Career Options

Graduates may hold a variety of job titles within the field of Career Development including:

  • Employment Consultant/Counsellor
  • Career Consultant/Counsellor/Coach
  • Employment Information Specialist
  • Job Developer/Employment Placement Specialist/Employment Marketing Consultant
  • Workshop Facilitator
  • Academic Advisor
  • Career Education Specialist
  • Career Coach/Career Management Professional
  • Outreach Specialist/Worker
  • Recruitment Advisor
  • Employee Assistance Counsellor

These positions may be held in the community-based, post-secondary and private sector as well as labour organizations, vocational rehabilitation programs and government departments.

Tuition and Fees

Domestic Tuition

$5,014.00 *

Additional Costs

* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first three semesters of programs starting in Fall 2019. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2020 and at later dates.

International students: Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.

International Students

Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information. 

Financial Assistance

This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.

How to Qualify and Apply

Admission Requirements

  • A two- or three-year diploma or a bachelor's degree from a college or university

English Language Proficiency

Applicants with international transcripts must provide English language proficiency test results or complete the George Brown College English assessment to provide evidence of their English language proficiency. For more information please visit our English Proficiency Chart.

International Students

Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.  

How to Apply

Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges

International Students

Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply. 

International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.

Student Success

Natalie Treboute, 2019 Graduate

"I have started working as an Employment Consultant with ACCES Employment in Toronto. Specifically, I am working with the Entrepreneurship Connections Pre-arrival program. I will always remember and be grateful for my wonderful experience with George Brown College, not only as a student in the Career Development Practitioner program, but also as a peer tutor/peer leader with the Tutoring and Learning Centre. I am very thankful for having been part of the educational program and student services at GBC. Thank you for the team at GBC who were part of this career journey!"

Maryam Nehrir, 2019 Graduate

"It has been only a while since I finished the Career Development Practitioner (CDP) program at George Brown , but not long enough to expect landing an employment consultant position which means a huge step forward to me. Even though I had started working in the field a short time before beginning the CDP program, I admit that I would not be as confident and poised without having attended and participated in the classes. I am pleased to let you know that I have just started working as an employment consultant at Access Employment. I feel so fortunate to have been on the receiving end of all your support, advice, guidance and encouragement. I can’t thank you enough for everything."

Contact Us

School of Social & Community Services

Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2185

Email: communityservices@georgebrown.ca

Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Career Development Practitioner Program Coordinators:

Gillian Johnston
Email: gillian.johnston@georgebrown.ca

OR

Philip Pettigrew
Email: Philip.pettigrew@georgebrown.ca

For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.

International Students

Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page

Sign up and learn more about your options, our programs, and life at George Brown.

Career Development Practitioner Program (C406)

2022-20232023-2024

Compare up to 3 programs

Overview

Leadership Claims

Career Development Practitioner is the only Career Development graduate certificate program in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Graduation from the program provides the full academic component and partial fulfillment of work experience hours for certification by the Career Development Practitioners' Certification Board of Ontario (CDPCBO).

Program Overview

Career Development Practitioners provide information, advice and guidance related to career exploration, skill acquisition, job search and maintenance. This one-year post-diploma program provides training to enter and/or advance in the field of career development.

Full Description

Career Development Practitioner is a three-semester (one-year) graduate certificate program that prepares graduates to enter the career development sector. The program may also appeal to practitioners working in the field who want to gain additional formal training and job coaching experience. The career development sector includes non-profit/community-based, government, post-secondary and private/corporate organizations.

The key objective of the field is to assist clients to be self-sufficient in career exploration, skill acquisition, job search and maintenance. Career Development Practitioners coach and counsel others on:

  • job search
  • career planning
  • career choice and change
  • academic and training advising
  • identifying and meeting staffing needs

Practitioners may work with specialized and diverse groups such as:

  • youth
  • women
  • people with disabilities
  • immigrants and refugees

This program has been designed to meet the changing needs of the sector and will help meet demand for trained Career Development Practitioners in the GTA and beyond.

The curriculum is designed to meet the Canadian Standards and Guidelines for Career Development Practitioners.

Graduation from the program provides the full academic component and partial fulfillment of work experience hours for certification by the Career Development Practitioners' Certification Board of Ontario (CDPCBO).

What can you expect from the program?

The program will combine in-class experiential training in counselling and coaching, theory, and practice. Courses may also be conducted online or in a blended format.

The use of technology will enable students to participate in exciting ways that will build on previous knowledge and skills.

The final semester is dedicated to a supervised field education experience to ensure graduates leave with practical experience that will be recognized by employers.

To provide students with a rich learning experience, we offer a variety of teaching methods such as:

  • seminars
  • lectures
  • online learning
  • small group work
  • guest speakers
  • field visits

What key skills and knowledge will you gain?

  • emerging trends and techniques in job search and career exploration
  • individual and group facilitation/counselling
  • job development and employer engagement
  • ethics and professional practice
  • career development theory
  • diversity, accessibility, equity and inclusion
  • use of technology and social media
  • career and employment information resources
  • employment legislation and programs

Who are our students?

Our students have completed a college diploma or a university degree.

Due to the varied nature of the work and workplaces of Career Development Practitioners, it is expected that graduates may come from a wide variety of programs of study including:

  • psychology
  • sociology
  • education
  • social and community services
  • business
  • marketing
  • human resources

People who are interested in others, are excited about the opportunity to assist others in professional and life decisions and to help them to be self-sufficient in job search and job retention will be attracted to this field of study.

Practitioners contribute to the emotional and financial well-being of their clients and their families, their communities and the economy.

Your Field Education Options

Students will complete almost 300 hours of field education in the third semester and will be matched with placement opportunities in settings in the GTA and further afield.

Placements will be chosen by students based on their learning goals, environments sought, clientele, location and other factors and will be approved by the program co-ordinator.

George Brown College has extensive connections with employers in all parts of the sector including community-based organizations, college and university career centres, internal corporate career services and career management firms.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Apply evidence-­based career development practices in advising diverse client groups.
  2. Utilize self­-reflective and critical thinking skills to enhance counselling, teaching and learning strategies with groups and individuals.
  3. Develop a commitment to ongoing professional development to actively respond to changing labour market and professional requirements.
  4. Integrate appropriate career information resources and tools with career and employment strategies to enable clients to meet their employment goals.
  5. Perform needs assessments and develop subsequent interventions using techniques and skills that enable diverse ranges of clients to meet employment goals.
  6. Design consulting, advising and teaching strategies that incorporate trends and issues of the changing labour market to assist clients in job search and career transitions.
  7. Integrate emergent technologies into the full spectrum of Career Development processes and applications to maximize service delivery to clients navigating changing labour market requirements.
  8. Adhere to relevant legislation and social policy to plan programs, interventions and referrals for client groups.
  9. Use current work search tools and strategies to facilitate successful client job search.

Courses

Required Courses

SEMESTER 1

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
CDPR4000Trends in Career Development
CDPR4001Needs Assessment
CDPR4002Professional Practice
CDPR4003Ethics
CDPR4004Theories of Career Development
CDPR4005Work Search
CDPR4006Human Rights, Diversity and Equity

SEMESTER 2

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
CDPR4007Group Facilitation
CDPR4008Employer Engagement
CDPR4009Career and Employment Resources
CDPR4010Accessibility in the Workplace
CDPR4011Individual Counselling and Coaching
CDPR4012Advanced Work Search
CDPR4013Informal Assessment Tools

SEMESTER 3

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
CDPR4014Work-Integrated Learning Seminar
CDPR4015Practicum

Detailed course outlines

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Your Career

Graduates of the program will have completed the two mandatory courses (Ethics and Career Development Theory) for certification by CDPCBO as a Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP). In addition, their field education/practicum hours will be counted towards the work experience requirement. Graduates will need to gain additional work experience before being able to apply for certification.

George Brown College is well-connected to the Career Development sector. Hundreds of practitioners that graduated from the former Career and Work Counsellor (CWC) diploma program are now working in the GTA and beyond in both leadership/managerial and front-line positions, providing opportunities for networking and career development. The alumni committee of the CWC program is actively involved in providing professional development and mentoring opportunities.

Career Options

Graduates may hold a variety of job titles within the field of Career Development including:

  • Employment Consultant/Counsellor
  • Career Consultant/Counsellor/Coach
  • Employment Information Specialist
  • Job Developer/Employment Placement Specialist/Employment Marketing Consultant
  • Workshop Facilitator
  • Academic Advisor
  • Career Education Specialist
  • Career Coach/Career Management Professional
  • Outreach Specialist/Worker
  • Recruitment Advisor
  • Employee Assistance Counsellor

These positions may be held in the community-based, post-secondary and private sector as well as labour organizations, vocational rehabilitation programs and government departments.

Tuition and Fees

Domestic Tuition

$5,389.00 *

Additional Costs

* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first three semesters of programs starting in Fall 2018. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2019 and at later dates.

International students: Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.

International Students

Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information. 

Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.

How to Qualify and Apply

Admission Requirements

  • A two- or three-year diploma or a bachelor's degree from a college or university

English Language Proficiency

Applicants with international transcripts must provide English language proficiency test results or complete the George Brown College English assessment to provide evidence of their English language proficiency. For more information please visit our English Proficiency Chart.

International Students

Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.  

How to Apply

Apply To

Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges

International Students

Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply. 

International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.

Student Success

Natalie Treboute, 2019 Graduate

"I have started working as an Employment Consultant with ACCES Employment in Toronto. Specifically, I am working with the Entrepreneurship Connections Pre-arrival program. I will always remember and be grateful for my wonderful experience with George Brown College, not only as a student in the Career Development Practitioner program, but also as a peer tutor/peer leader with the Tutoring and Learning Centre. I am very thankful for having been part of the educational program and student services at GBC. Thank you for the team at GBC who were part of this career journey!"

Maryam Nehrir, 2019 Graduate

"It has been only a while since I finished the Career Development Practitioner (CDP) program at George Brown , but not long enough to expect landing an employment consultant position which means a huge step forward to me. Even though I had started working in the field a short time before beginning the CDP program, I admit that I would not be as confident and poised without having attended and participated in the classes. I am pleased to let you know that I have just started working as an employment consultant at Access Employment. I feel so fortunate to have been on the receiving end of all your support, advice, guidance and encouragement. I can’t thank you enough for everything."

Contact Us

School of Social & Community Services

Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2185

Email: communityservices@georgebrown.ca

Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Career Development Practitioner Program Coordinator:Gillian Johnston

For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.

International Students

Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page

Sign up and learn more about your options, our programs, and life at George Brown.