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PROGRAM HANDBOOK GUIDELINES .................................................................. 4
PROGRAM STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION ...................................................... 4
Program Learning Outcomes ....................................................................... 5
PROGRAM INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS .............................................. 5
Evaluations (deadlines, tests, and examinations) ........................................... 7
CONESTOGA POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ...................................................... 8
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Welcome to Conestoga!
This program handbook has been designed to provide you with information specific to
Community Advocacy #1273. It is a companion document to the Student Guide .
We are proud of the programming we offer and the pathways that are available here at
Conestoga.
Like you, more and more students are electing to further their education through online study, given the many benefits it provides. As a program offered through OntarioLearn, the course material is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is ideal for those who are unable to attend regularly scheduled classes. You can take courses from the comfort of home or almost anywhere, accessing the program courses at your convenience.
Our faculty members are chosen not only for their subject matter expertise, but also for their passion for adult learning through the sharing of their knowledge and experience. Whether it be in a face-to-face, mixed, hybrid or online environment, our faculty have the teaching expertise to help you succeed in your educational goals.
I wish you the best in your studies and encourage you to contact us if you have any questions about the program.
Sincerely,
Sandra Schelling
Dean, Educational Technology, Continuing Education and Corporate Training
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The purpose of this handbook is to provide students with program-specific details and other important information. The material in this handbook is accurate at the date of posting, and is applicable for the current academic year. Students will be informed of handbook changes that occur, if any, through college email. Program handbooks are updated yearly and students must check their program handbook for the current edition.
Dean, Continuing Education, Educational Technology & Corporate Training
Sandra Schelling
Doon Campus, Welcome Centre
(519) 748-5220 ext. 3221 sschelling@conestogac.on.ca
Program Administrator/OntarioLearn:
Lindsay Vanderhout
Doon Campus, Welcome Centre
(519) 748-5220 ext. 2316 lvanderhout@conestogac.on.ca
Contact information for this faculty will be provided on the first day of related courses.
This online program is designed to enhance the learner's skills and knowledge with practical, how-to instruction on how to best navigate the many social programs and other regularly-encountered issues of everyday life that often impact those who are marginalized and/or live in poverty in our community. The program provides training in advocacy techniques, and reviews of current legislation, relevant procedures, bureaucratic systems, appeal tribunals, and other topics necessary to a hands-on understanding of the course subject matter. You will need to complete one core course and seven electives. Each course is one month in length. This program is offered in conjunction with Lambton College and Community Law School (Sarnia-Lambton) Inc.
(CLS).
Note: Students should refer to OntarioLearn for an up-to-date listing of courses.
Students can find their program design on the Student Portal by following the steps below:
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1. Log in to Student Portal
2. Click on ‘My Courses’ tab
3. Select ‘View Progress Report’ button
Courses are listed by level/semester.
Students can also view courses for the most current program design for this academic year on the Conestoga College website Community Advocacy #1273 . To find these courses, scroll down the page to the ‘Program Courses’.
4.2.1 Program Learning Outcomes
1. Describe specific legislation that governs various social programs currently available in the community.
2. Apply advocacy techniques in resolving social welfare issues through the use of cases and scenarios.
3. Describe the ways community advocates can provide assistance to members of the community.
Did you know that in order to graduate from this program, you must first submit a program application for acceptance?
Why should you complete a program application and be accepted in to this program?
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You will receive course and program communication updates.
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Credit for courses which are part of your program will be honoured despite program requirement changes.
For more information please see the Program Application Form .
Academic assistance is available to students through a variety of avenues. The program coordinator/academic advisor and faculty can advise students on specific program and course information such as adding/dropping courses, etc. Access the Conestoga website for assistance provided through Accessibility Services.
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Program start and end dates, holidays and deadlines for course add/drop, and withdrawal are located in the Student Guide . Course changes (add/dropping) may also be made through the Student Portal under the “My Courses” tab.
Note: Not all programs follow listed dates. Contact your program coordinator or administrator for more information.
For more information visit the College Policies, Procedures and Guidelines webpage then click on the Academic Administration side tab and search for the document entitled
Academic Standing and Promotion Requirements Procedure.
Students are required to successfully pass all courses by meeting the specified minimum requirements in order to continue with the program.
The attendance policy varies from course to course. For more information please refer to your course outline.
Visit the Financial Aid and Student Awards Office on Conestoga’s website for more information.
During a student’s academic career, there may be occasions when the student’s performance results in a failing grade for a course. Conestoga grants students the opportunity to raise this grade to the minimum passing grade under specific circumstances.
For more information visit the College Policies, Procedures and Guidelines webpage then click on the Academic Administration side tab and search for the document entitled
Clearance of Academic Deficiency.
For more information regarding course add/drop, please refer to the Continuing
Education Part-time Studies section of the Student Guide located in the Student Portal.
It is strongly recommended that students consult their program coordinator/program administrator prior to dropping a course or for more information.
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Please see the Student Guide for more details regarding credit transfer/exemptions.
There are a number of different opportunities available to students who want to continue studying at Conestoga. For more information regarding program-specific pathways visit the Conestoga Pathways webpage.
Students may be discontinued from a program if they do not meet specific academic standards.
For more information visit the College Policies, Procedures and Guidelines webpage then click on the Academic Administration side tab and search for the document entitled
Discontinuance Policy.
For the most current listing of the required textbook for each course, please visit the course details page Course Details .
Copying and plagiarism of assignments will be dealt with in accordance with College
Policy regarding Academic Integrity .
Attendance for exams and tests is mandatory. If you miss an exam or test then a grade of 0% will be assigned and a re-write will not be permitted. The only time a re-write will be arranged is when you can provide a medical certificate stating due to illness or other authorized reasons you were unable to write the exam or test on the scheduled day.
Faculty may choose to handle the makeup tests/exams directly or use the test centre service.
For more information visit the Testing & Assessment Services webpage.
Students are eligible to graduate upon completion of all academic requirements in their program of study. Please contact the Registrar's Office for more information.
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Students actively registered in cohort delivered programs who take longer than the designed program length of time to complete their studies are accountable for completing any new or additional courses resulting from changes in the program of study. Unless otherwise stated, students registered in non-cohort delivered programs must complete the program of study within seven years of being admitted to the program.
Please see the Student Guide for more information regarding re-admission requirements.
Student feedback is an essential component of our continuous improvement process.
Student Appraisal of Teaching
The OntarioLearn Evaluation Survey allows direct feedback from students on teaching for a particular course. Completion of the survey gives teachers and academic managers valuable information.
Students complete an electronic copy and a summary of results is prepared by
OntarioLearn. The report is sent to the Academic Manager who shares the report with the faculty member AFTER all marks for the semester have been collected.
Refer to the Student Guide for information on Student Services including Accessibility.
Refer to the Student Guide for information on after-hours parking, classroom and computer labs.
Refer to the Student Guide for Conestoga’s Safety and Security Services and procedures.
A Student Protection Acknowledge confirmation pop-up will appear once an applicant/student logs into the Student Portal. A PDF directs students to policies and procedures relevant to their academic responsibilities. Policies and procedures are searchable on Conestoga’s website. Students are advised to review and comply with all policies and procedures including the following:
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Academic Dispute and Resolution Policy/Procedure
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Academic Integrity Policy
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Academic Recognition Policy
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Academic Credential Procedure
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Clearance of Academic Deficiency Policy/Procedure
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Co-operative Education Policy
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Discontinuance Policy/Procedure
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Eligibility to Participate in Co-op Work Terms Policy/Procedure
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Evaluation of Student Learning Policy/Procedure
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Grading Procedure
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Graduation Requirements and Convocation Procedure
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Honours Policy/Procedure
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Program/Course (Cohort) Withdrawal Procedure
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Student Concerns and Issues/Procedure
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Student Fees Policy
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Student Feedback Policy
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Violation of Academic Integrity Procedure
Revision Date Summary of changes
01/08/2014 Original handbook creation.
01/07/2015 Updated per CCQI.
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