Children's Media
How To Apply
Program Details
- Program Code6424
- SchoolSchool of Communications, Media, Arts and Design
- CredentialOntario College Graduate Certificate
- Program TypeGraduate Certificate program
- Program Length1 year/ 3 semesters
- LocationStory Arts Centre
- Emailhsianos@centennialcollege.ca
- Telephone416-289-5000, ext. 58729
- Technology Requirements
Program Availability
- Program Overview
- Courses
- Career Options and Education Pathways
- Admission Requirements
- How to Apply
- Tuition and Fees
- Technology Requirements
- Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
- Faculty Bios
- Advising
- Entrepreneurism
Please note: This program is a PGWP-aligned program based on the new IRCC requirements.
You’re sitting at home, flipping through the channels on a lazy Sunday morning. You pause on a commercial for a new cartoon that will be premiering the following week, and a smile creeps across your face. As you continue to watch the commercial, your smile gets wider as a sense of pride puffs your chest out a little. The commercial ends, and you turn off the TV to take in the moment.
You just witnessed the very first commercial for a show you helped to produce, and you can’t help but feel elated.
Children’s media is a crucial component of the Canadian entertainment industry. With the rapid growth of the market, the demand for trained professionals is growing. Luckily, Centennial College offers a one-of-a-kind program that allows you to build and develop just the right skills to enter this line of work. The Children’s Media program provides you with hands-on experience and prepares you for various career paths in the industry.
In only three semesters, you will build the capabilities to create content for children’s media and learn how to manage and market various products. You’ll learn and master the true art of storytelling and put it to work with scriptwriting. Video production and project coordination will come as second nature after completing your first two semesters.
Your final semester is where all your skills shine during your work-placement period. This is your opportunity to find the area of children’s media that speaks to you! Whether in licensing and merchandising or in the writer’s room, the Centennial College Children’s Media program will put you on the right path to getting there.
- While in the program, you will receive front line experience in:
- Creating a brand plan
- Starting and developing content for a YouTube channel
- Working alongside a client relevant to the industry – Scholastics Canada being just one of the clients who partner with the students
- And so much more!
This will allow you to enter the workplace with experience in various sectors and completely understand what to do in any situation. Graduates of this program are often hired into the field shortly after graduation, and two alumni received Daytime Emmy nominations in 2018!
That moment you felt earlier after watching your first tv commercial will become a daily experience, and that experience will lead to so many more magical moments. With the Centennial College Children’s Media program, there are endless possible ways of how you can create the best moments for someone’s childhood.
Program Overview
Please note: This program is a PGWP-aligned program based on the new IRCC requirements.
You’re sitting at home, flipping through the channels on a lazy Sunday morning. You pause on a commercial for a new cartoon that will be premiering the following week, and a smile creeps across your face. As you continue to watch the commercial, your smile gets wider as a sense of pride puffs your chest out a little. The commercial ends, and you turn off the TV to take in the moment.
You just witnessed the very first commercial for a show you helped to produce, and you can’t help but feel elated.
Children’s media is a crucial component of the Canadian entertainment industry. With the rapid growth of the market, the demand for trained professionals is growing. Luckily, Centennial College offers a one-of-a-kind program that allows you to build and develop just the right skills to enter this line of work. The Children’s Media program provides you with hands-on experience and prepares you for various career paths in the industry.
In only three semesters, you will build the capabilities to create content for children’s media and learn how to manage and market various products. You’ll learn and master the true art of storytelling and put it to work with scriptwriting. Video production and project coordination will come as second nature after completing your first two semesters.
Your final semester is where all your skills shine during your work-placement period. This is your opportunity to find the area of children’s media that speaks to you! Whether in licensing and merchandising or in the writer’s room, the Centennial College Children’s Media program will put you on the right path to getting there.
- While in the program, you will receive front line experience in:
- Creating a brand plan
- Starting and developing content for a YouTube channel
- Working alongside a client relevant to the industry – Scholastics Canada being just one of the clients who partner with the students
- And so much more!
This will allow you to enter the workplace with experience in various sectors and completely understand what to do in any situation. Graduates of this program are often hired into the field shortly after graduation, and two alumni received Daytime Emmy nominations in 2018!
That moment you felt earlier after watching your first tv commercial will become a daily experience, and that experience will lead to so many more magical moments. With the Centennial College Children’s Media program, there are endless possible ways of how you can create the best moments for someone’s childhood.
Courses
Career Options and Education Pathways
Career Outlook
- Children's writer
- Marketing specialist
- Project manager
- Content manager
- Children's TV producer
- Children's multi-platform producer
Program History
Centennial College launched its Children's Media graduate certificate program in September 2009. It was born through the recognition that Canada has, for many years, been a leader in the creation and production of internationally successful children's entertainment properties. The School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design program was formulated and developed by some of the very best and most respected contemporary producers, writers and industry leaders in Canada. As well, it is continuously guided by an active program advisory committee with members from across the spectrum of areas that involve and affect children's entertainment — from education and early childhood specialists to toy manufacturers to interactive digital media producers.
Through the program, students gain a solid developmental understanding of their audience, a strategic and entrepreneurial approach to their careers, a global perspective, and the passion and commitment to become tomorrow's industry leaders.
Areas of Employment
- The independent television production sector
- Industry funding bodies
- Freelance writing for television
- Cross-platform production
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Degree or a three-year college diploma or in any discipline
- We will consider applicants who have successfully completed partial post-secondary education (minimum two years) and have relevant work experience.
Additional Requirements
Note:
Students who are accepted into the program will be invited to:
- Submit a resume and/or complete an intake questionnaire after receiving their offer
- Attend a mandatory Program Welcome Session* online, prior to program start up
- Complete an English language assessment upon registration. Students who test below the required COMM 170/171 English proficiency level will take the ENGL-700 Professional English Communications course or the pre-requisite English COMM course for ENGL-700 in the first semester.
*All new students must attend a session prior to their program start date.
How to Apply
1. Apply Online
Domestic Students
If you are applying through the Better Jobs Ontario Program, please apply at the Employment Training Centre (Progress Campus). The Better Jobs Ontario Program is a funding initiative for those who have been laid-off and are in need of training. For more information go to Better Jobs Ontario Program.
If you have previously attended a full-time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.
All other applicants must apply online at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee of $125 must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in-person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.
International Students
Apply directly to Centennial College here.
2. Submit Documents
Domestic Applicants
Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.
Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.
Domestic applicants who attended school outside of Canada: If you are submitting transcripts to meet admission requirements, you must have the transcripts assessed by an independent credential assessment agency such as World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS). For more information go to Submitting your Transcripts.
International Applicants
Please refer to the International Education Application Guide.
3. Confirm Your Offer of Admission
Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.
You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.
You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.
When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.
4. Pay Fees
Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.
You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement or your seat may be given to another applicant.
5. Build Your Timetable (Register for Courses)
Build your timetable (web-register for courses) at my.centennialcollege.ca.
Fall registration begins mid-July
January registration begins mid-December
May registration begins mid-April
Your web-registration will not open if:
You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
You received a Conditional Offer of Admission and you have not met the conditions of your offer.
Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.
Tuition and Fees
Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on three semesters, beginning Fall 2024.
| Student | Tuition (3 Semesters) | Ancillary Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | $6,899.25 | $1,667.76 | $8,567.01 |
| International | $24,973.50 | $2,063.94 | $27,037.44 |
Technology Requirements
Technology Requirements
Bring IT programs will require students to own and use a mobile computing device that meets or exceeds the recommended hardware requirements.
Note: If you require accommodation for a documented disability, please consider your adaptive technology needs when you select a device for your BringIT programs (click for recommendations). If you wish to access disability services, please make an appointment with the Centre for Accessible Learning and Counselling Services, by calling 416-289-5000, ext. 3850, or by email at calcs@centennialcollege.ca.
Have questions? Check out Frequently Asked Questions for our Bring IT Program.
Students from this program will require to own/purchase a device and software relevant to the program:
Minimum Recommended Hardware Specifications
- MacBook Pro 13 or 15-inch (2.2GHz processor or better-recent models up to three years old) with Retina display
- 2.2GHz (or better) quad-core Intel Core i7
- Turbo Boost up to 3.4GHz 9 (or better)
- 16GB 1600MHz memory (or better)
- 256GB PCIe-based flash storage (or better)
- External hard drive capable of sustained video editing (i.e. Thunderbolt or USB3, with a high-speed drive (7200rpm preferred) or SSD (solid state drive).
- External Thunderbolt back-up drive, minimum 2TB
- Recommended: a 24-inch monitor for editing work
- Note: A 13-inch MacBook Pro with similar specs would also be suitable. Educational discounts are available at apple.ca, plus Apple also has a refurbished section on the site that has even better discounts. There are also many re-sellers that sell off-lease one- or two-year-old computers.
OR
- PC 15" or 17" Laptop with Microsoft Windows 10
- Intel Core2 Duo or AMD Phenom II processor; 64-bit support required
- Microsoft Windows 10
- 1280x900 display (or better)
- OpenGL 2.0–capable graphics system
- 15" or 17" screen for easier editing capabilities
- Minimum 16 GB of RAM recommended
- Minimum 256 GB hard-disk (multiple fast disk drives, preferably RAID 0 configured, recommended)
- Sound card compatible with ASIO protocol or Microsoft Windows Driver Model
- Intel i7 processor. 16 GB ram or better. 512 GB or larger PCI or SSD (solid state drive)
- Built in intel graphics or dedicated graphics GPU is better. HDMI port for external monitor
- External USB 3.0 drive or external SSD drive for media.
- External display to facilitate editing (i.e. 24-inch external HDMI display — some MacBook Pros require an adaptor for this)
- External, good quality audio monitors and/or closed cup headphones
Minimum Required Software
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) 2010 or higher version
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Screenwriting software: Final Draft, Celtx, Studio Binder, Movie Magic Screenwriter
- A word processor (Word, Pages) or a Google account for access to Google docs.
- A PDF writer and reader, like Adobe.
- Note: Student rates may be available for some software titles.
Additional Requirements
- Computer with microphone and camera, tablet or phone camera with built in mics, and/or your own DSLR or any type of camera, lights and audio recording apps or equipment
You will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection. High speed broadband access (LAN, Cable or DSL) with minimum 10mbps download speed is highly recommended. Some courses have more advanced system requirements.
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.
- Develop, design and present a multi-platform project in Children’s Entertainment.
- Formulate an effective business and marketing plan for addressing international markets through analysis of cultural variations.
- Write proposals witch identify traditional and non-traditional sources of financing for CE projects.
- Integrate and internationalize your thinking regarding Children’s Entertainment products.
- Write for a variety of professional Children’s Entertainment media: on screen, new media, toys, and publishing.
- Write and create a marketable proposal for a television production for children’s entertainment.
- Research and write about the history of Children’s Entertainment.
- Develop Children’s Entertainment products and programs which reflect community ethical standards.
- Research and apply recognized standards of developmental psychology to Children’s Entertainment projects.
- Research and analyze classical sources of Children’s Entertainment for production of contemporary versions.
- Manage a creative team from concept, to prototype to production.
- Formulate new proposals based on analysis of previous Children’s Entertainment "hits"
- Personality TestSTARTMatch your personality to a career
- Career ExplorerLEARN MOREExplore your future career