This certificate program was developed in consultation with the Toronto Chapter of the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and will appeal to those currently working in the field of Quality Assurance wishing to upgrade their knowledge and skills, as well as individuals considering entry level employment.
Quality professionals perform a variety of roles within a broad range of organizations from global manufacturing to healthcare, biomedical, hospital and educational systems, information technology, food processing and food safety, insurance and financial auditing, minerals processing and refining, software development and government regulatory inspection.
Quality Assurance is concerned with:
This certificate will help in preparing to write the American Society of Quality's certification examinations such as Certified Quality Technician (CQT), or Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), once qualified work experience is obtained.
Note: ASQ Certification, examination fees and examination schedules are determined by the ASQ and are not included in the course fees.
For more information on careers in the Quality Assurance field, please visit the ASQ website.
Careers in Quality Assurance are found in a wide variety of industries, and individuals working in this sector perform many different roles, with varying levels of responsibility, and educational requirements. Due to this broad range of activity, employment opportunities are usually plentiful and there is potential for career mobility across sectors and progression within companies or institutions.
Due to the sheer number of positions in multiple sectors, occupations and job titles are not standardized. Labour market demand in each will also vary over time. Students looking for employment opportunities or labour market information should search the following sample job titles of workers in Quality Assurance:
| Quality Auditor | Calibration Technician | Reliability Engineer |
| Quality Analyst | Co-ordinator | Director of Quality Control |
| Quality Inspector | Quality Engineer | Statistician |
| Supplier Quality Professional | Quality Control Technician | Regulatory Officer |
| Quality Tester | Inspection Technician | Quality Leader |
| Quality Assurance Officer | Quality Control Manager | Quality Assurance Specialist |
| Non Destructive Examination Technician |
The following sites may also be helpful to job seekers in the Quality Assurance field:
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, OR 19 years of age or older.
To be successful in this program, students should:
You do not need to apply to begin this program. Start by ensuring you meet the admission requirements listed above and then register for the courses listed on the Curriculum page when they are offered
It is your responsibility to ensure that program requirements and course prerequisites as outlined are met. Prerequisites are included for your academic protection. Knowledge of the prerequisite material is assumed by your instructor and instruction will proceed accordingly. Students lacking prerequisites not only jeopardize their own ability to succeed but present unnecessary interruption. If you lack appropriate prerequisites (or Transfer Credit for the prerequisite course) you may be asked to withdraw or transfer to a more appropriate course with the risk of academic/financial penalty.
Part-time Studies courses are being offered in either of the following four formats: Online, Flexible, In-person, Hybrid. Click Availability below to see current offerings.
Grade 12 English and Mathematics or equivalent
This course is an introduction to basic theories and concepts in quality control. Topics include process improvement, statistical methods such as 6 Sigma and the role of quality in manufacturing.
The student will be introduced to the computerization of statistical process control functions such as histograms, control charts and data collection. This course uses spreadsheets and word processing to demonstrate how computers can be used to effectively manage a quality system.
This course develops the more advanced statistical techniques to evaluate quality, analyse processes, products and out-of-control conditions, solve manufacturing problems, establish and evaluate specifications and tolerances and reduce product variability. The course will develop the skills of statistical analysis and decision making, testing of hypotheses, risks of incorrect decisions, estimation of population parameters, sample size determination, analysis of variance, correlation and regression techniques.
This course will present, in detail, the principles of quality functions and how to select and implement those that are appropriate. Emphasis will be on the theory of self-control, motivation for quality and cost of quality, quality audit, vendor relations, customer relations, measurement control, control of non-conforming materials and corrective actions. The control of variables will be related to management, operator and the system dominant concepts.
This course focuses on auditing principles and practices, including reasons for workplace auditing, ISO 9000 standards, how to plan for audits, creating auditing reports, and Corrective Action Requests.
This course extends basic engineering drafting skills to the applied principles of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing. Emphasis is placed on interpretation and application symbols to drawings, measurements and quality control.
This course will examine the principles of dimensional metrology, applied precision measuring instruments relating to the geometric features, and complex measuring instruments. Topics will include optical, electronic and pneumatic instruments and co-ordinate measuring machines. The integration of the measuring instruments within the manufacturing cell is studied together with the required interface devices.
This course prepares students to develop Quality Strategies, and focuses on how to communicate, champion and lead quality improvement strategies within an organization.
This course includes several topics in quality management: team processes, communications and training, managing suppliers, quality measurement and project management.
This course will focus on the philosophy and the guiding principles that represent the foundation of a continuously improving organization. In addition, students will study quantitative methods and human resource functions that improve processes within an organization and exceed customer needs.
This course introduces Six Sigma, a quality management approach used to improve efficiency and reduce defects. Explore tools, such as the SIPOC diagram, Theory of Constraints, process flow charts, and value stream mapping, which are used to identify and eliminate inefficiencies in a process. The course also covers Six Sigma project financial evaluation and assessment and provides strategies for proposing ideas for Six Sigma projects.
Note
We have changed some of the course codes/names. Current students will be able to combine old courses and new courses to graduate from the Quality Assurance program. If you completed the old course you do not need to complete the new course.
For example: if you completed QAA150 (old code) you do not need to complete QAA113 (new code).
|
New program: course code/name |
Old program: course code/name |
|
Core Courses |
Core Courses |
|
QAA110 Quality Concepts |
No changes |
|
QAA111 Computer Applications in Quality Assurance |
QAA 120 Basic Statistics & SPC |
|
QAA112 Statistical Methods of Quality Assurance |
QAA 140 Statistics Level II |
|
QAA113 Principles of Quality Assurance |
QAA 150 Essentials of Quality Management |
|
QAA130 Quality Auditing 1 |
No change |
|
Elective courses (select 3) |
Elective courses (select 3) |
|
QAA160 Reliability |
No change |
|
QAA161 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing |
QAA 200 Inspection Test Metrology |
|
QAA163 Metrology - Quality Assurance |
New Course |
|
QAA180 Quality Strategy and Leadership |
No change |
|
QAA190 Quality Management III |
No change |
|
QAA230 Quality Management and Continuous Improvement |
No change |
Upon successful completion of this program, students can be expected to:
Earn college credits for what you already know.
Prior Learning Assessment is a method of assessing and recognizing learning that is equal to
college level learning, but has been gained outside a traditional classroom (through work
experience, volunteering, outside study, etc.). If you can prove that the knowledge you have gained
meets the outcomes of a Seneca course, then credit will be awarded.
How does the PLA process work?
Prior Learning is demonstrated through a "challenge" process. The process measures learning
through a variety of methods which may include tests, portfolio assessment, interviews,
demonstrations, essays, and work samples. The method used will be determined in consultation with a
Program Coordinator.
For more information and to determine if you are eligible for PLA, please call the Program
Coordinator.
The process may take from 6 to 8 weeks.
Note: Not all courses can be challenged. For more information go to PLA website or contact your Program Coordinator.
Many students who enter Seneca Polytechnic will have earned academic credits in postsecondary educational institutions which they may be able to apply toward completion of a Seneca Polytechnic program.
Requests for Transfer Credit must be for a specific course and must be accompanied by an official transcript and course outline. A minimum grade of "C" (60 percent) is generally required for a course to be considered for Transfer Credit.
Download a Transfer Credit Request form. An official copy of your transcript and applicable detailed course outlines should be attached and submitted. Please note it may take 4 to 6 weeks for a Transfer Credit decision.
Please visit the Office of the Registrar.
Please note: LEG303 is not eligible for Prior Learning Assessment.
When you meet all program requirements and become eligible for a certificate, diploma, or degree, you must inform the Registrar by completing a Graduation Application form and paying the graduation and alumni fee. Certificates, diplomas, and applied degrees are issued twice a year in the Fall (October), Spring (June) and Winter (February).
For further information including deadlines and fees, please visit the Convocation website or contact the Convocation Office at theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca.
A student will be eligible to graduate from a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or graduate certificate program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.0.
A student will be eligible to graduate from a degree program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.5, which includes a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the courses in their main field of study and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in breadth courses.
Ramya Kottapalli
Program Assistant
Ramya.Kottapalli@senecapolytechnic.ca
416.764.0975
For more information about this program, fill out the following form.