Special Events Management (Co-op option available)

Program Overview

The Special Events Management program is ideally suited for organized and detail-oriented individuals, who naturally take the lead in groups and projects and thrive in a high-energy, creative environment. Students are prepared for a career that offers incredible versatility and spans almost every industry. They learn how to design, plan and execute a wide array of corporate, community and social events while developing a strong business acumen through experiential learning in our W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (CFF) event space.

Co-operative Education

Attention to detail

Organization

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)

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Intakes and Availability

Date	Domestic Availability	International Availability
September 2020	Open

Tuition

Year one domestic: $2,722 (CDN)
Year one international: $13,322 (CDN)

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Co-operative Education (co-op)

The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals. Similar to an academic course, work terms are a mandatory component to this form of experiential learning.

Semester 1 Courses

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Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Conference services coordinator
Event coordinator
Event manager
Festival organizer
Third-party event planner
Wedding planner

View all Career Options

Program Details

This two-year program focuses on the business of events as students will develop and apply essential skills in the areas of leadership, teamwork, effective decision-making, critical thinking and strategic planning while learning about the various industry segments, including corporate, social, not-for-profit, incentive, community & cultural, wedding, festival, music and sport. Participation in several experiential learning events, including a capstone event, will provide opportunities for students to apply the skills acquired throughout the program. In addition to their diploma, they will also obtain several, well-recognized, industry certifications.

You will focus on events designed to support the economic growth, quality of life and richness of rural and urban communities; learn how to plan and execute large and small events; and gain valuable hands-on experience in event management practices through courses and experiential learning in the areas of:

Programming, Production and site logistics
Design, Planning and Execution
Event Technology
Fundraising and sponsorship
Catering and Banquet services
Marketing, Promotions and Social Media
Leading teams and volunteers
Financial, human and risk management

The Special Events Management program is offered at the Whitby campus, home of the college's W. Galen Weston Centre for Food. This incredible learning space provides access to state-of-the-art labs, classrooms and event spaces.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.

Costs

YEAR ONE FEES	Domestic	International
Tuition	$2,722	$13,322
Compulsory Ancillary	$1,337	$1,812
Program Incidental	$50	$50
Total Fees:	$4,109	$15,184

Please note: fees are based on the 2019-2020 academic year and do not include textbooks. For more information please see Other fees to consider.

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Conference services coordinator
Event coordinator
Event manager
Festival organizer
Third-party event planner
Wedding planner

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Charity and fundraising organization
Conference centre
Corporate or private organization
Cruise ship
Educational institution
Entrepreneur
Golf course
Government
Hotel or resort
Long-term care facility
Professional association

Experiential Learning

Field Placement

For students completing a field placement, their learning experience will be complemented by an 80-hour field placement opportunity in the fourth semester. Students work at professional tourism, hospitality or event planning environments, applying their skills from the classroom to on the job.

On-campus activities

Beyond the special events you will plan and execute as part of your studies, students have an opportunity to further their learning beyond the classroom. From student-focused special events, to employment in the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food’s restaurant, Bistro ’67, and community projects, there are countless opportunities to explore.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Graduates may be eligible to apply their academic credits towards further study through Durham College and partner Canadian and international colleges and universities. These include:

Co-operative education (co-op)

Students in the Special Events Management Diploma program will be invited to apply to the co-op option during their first academic semester. Entrance to the co-op option is limited and the processes for securing a work term are competitive. Students who qualify for co-op will be eligible to complete a four-month, paid work term between the second and third semesters of their program.

Supports are available through the Co-op office to assist students with securing their work terms. In addition, the Co-op office is in contact with co-op students and their employers during the work terms to help with any questions. Upon completing the work term, co-op students return to campus to complete their final two academic semesters of the program before graduating.

Program Sequence

September intake:

	Fall (September to December)	Winter (January to April)	Summer (May to August)
Year 1	Academic semester 1	Academic semester 2	Co-op work term
Year 2	Academic semester 3	Academic semester 4

Courses

CO-OP Option
SEMESTER 1

SEMESTER 2

CO-OP WORK TERM

Co-op Work Term 1 (SEMC 1000)
The co-op work term will provide students with work experience in the special events industry. The co-op work term expands students’ learning environment to real work settings where they will be challenged to apply their academic knowledge and then return to campus with a deepened understanding of industry demands and required skills.

SEMESTER 3

SEMESTER 4

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.

Co-op administrative fee

Once transferred to the co-op option of a program, students will have a co-op administrative fee of $475 assessed to their accounts. The administrative fee goes to support the broad array of support services provided to co-op students. These services are dedicated to supporting student success.

Learn more

Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op student.

Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op employer.

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Need assistance with this form?

T: 905.721.3000

Program related questions?
Contact Recruitment.

Application related questions?
Contact Admissions.

Co-op related questions?
Contact Co-op or call 905.721.3034

International student?

Contact International Admissions or call 905.721.2000 ext. 2355.

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes and Availability

Tuition

Co-operative Education (co-op)

Semester 1 Courses

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Program Details

Admission Requirements

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Costs

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Experiential Learning

Field Placement

On-campus activities

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Co-operative education (co-op)

Program Sequence

Courses

CO-OP Option SEMESTER 1

SEMESTER 2

CO-OP WORK TERM

SEMESTER 3

SEMESTER 4

Co-op administrative fee

Learn more

Special Events Management (Co-op option available) in the news

Book a campus tour

Helpful Resources

College guide September 2020 [PDF]

College guide September 2020 [Interactive]

Graduate Employment Report [PDF]

What's Trending at DC

CO-OP Option
SEMESTER 1