New undergraduate certificates in digital media and geomatics will equip students with in-demand skills

Aug. 3, 2022

Starting in September, Laurier undergraduate students will have access to three new certificates to supplement their degree programs. These skills-focused certificates allow students to concurrently learn in-demand skills to complement their degree program and prepare them for their future careers.

“Students will graduate with a solid set of in-demand professional communication skills that will help them stand out in the job market,” says Bruce Gillespie, associate professor of Digital Media and Journalism, who led the development of the Digital Media Skills I and Digital Media Skills II certificate.

These certificates focus on hands-on, workshop-based training in digital audio, video, photography and storytelling, as well as journalistic best practices. Completing both certificates equips students with the skills they need for creating feature-length, research-based projects.

These certificates, comprised of some of the courses offered through the Honours Digital Media and Journalism program, are offered in-person on the Brantford campus and will be open to any undergraduate student who is interested in acquiring digital media skills. Gillespie expects that students in English, Game Design and Development, Human Rights and Human Diversity, Social and Environmental Justice, User Experience Design, and Youth and Children’s studies will have particular interest in acquiring these skills.

“Every organization today is looking for skilled storytellers to help craft and share engaging messages with their audiences across a range of digital platforms. The digital skills that students will learn by completing these certificates will help them do just that and be an excellent complement to the subject matter expertise they are developing in their majors,” says Gillespie.

Also in September, Laurier’s Geography and Environmental Studies program will be offering a certificate in Geomatics. The certificate will provide a set of courses that build applied skills in data analysis, Geographic Information System Mapping (GIS), remote sensing and digital literacy.

The courses focus on patterns of data in a space and over time, and are usually portrayed as maps. These skills can be applied in many different contexts, from trail mapping in parks, to understanding seasonal migrations of species, to mapping the spread of disease in a city.

Many of the skills learned in the course are required by employers, with students often only learning them after graduating.

The certificate is aimed at students with an existing Honours BA or B.Sc. degree in Geography or a related discipline, or existing Laurier undergraduates who have taken previous Geomatics prerequisites.

“We have had several students who did not take these courses while completing their degree reach out to us to ask if they could enrol as post-degree students,” says Mary-Louise Byrne, professor of Geography and Environmental Studies, who led the development of the certificate.

“With more opportunities to supplement their degrees with credentials, such as skills-based certificates, it’s easier than ever for Laurier students to tailor their education to match their chosen careers,” says Mary Wilson, vice-provost of Teaching and Learning. “Creating new offerings like these three certificates aligns with Laurier’s vision to develop future-ready citizens.”