Study the Environment
Protect our water, reduce our environmental footprint and solve environmental issues by protecting and managing our resources. Tailor your learning to your area of interest: conservation and natural resources; water and wastewater treatment; or municipal/industrial/agricultural.
Learn how daily life impacts the environment and how the latest research discoveries can protect our environment and resources.
Program Benefits
2-year program
In only two years, you’ll be ready for your career with applied and practical experiences in lectures and labs.
Access to unique facilities
Explore course concepts in off-campus facilities including the Ridgetown Wastewater Treatment Facility.
Prep for industry exams
Graduates are eligible to write: MECP’s Operator in Training Certificate exam, OACETT’s Professional Practice (PPE) exam and the Entry-Level for Drinking Water Operators exam.
95%
of graduates are employed within 2 months of program completion.
450 acres
of beautiful campus grounds and research plots.
1
anaerobic digester on campus.
Co-op Option
Co-operative education is an opportunity for you to extend your learning beyond the classroom. As a co-op student, you will gain work experience, build professional networks, and develop interpersonal skills essential to pursuing a career as an environmental technician. Plus, you’ll get paid while earning your diploma.
In the co-op program, you will participate in one (1) co-op work term (during the summer) in addition to four academic semesters.
Co-op students receive an exceptional level of support in securing a placement. You will take a co-op preparatory course, a Co-op Coordinator will assist you during the employment process, and you will have access to senior student mentors.
Degree Pathways
Graduates of the Associate Diploma in the Environmental Technician program who have achieved a minimum 70% cumulative average may apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management with a major in Environmental Management and receive 5.0 transfer credits. Learn more about the U of G Degree Pathway here.
Required Courses
Year One
Year Two
Notes
- The Associate Diploma in Environmental Technician requires the completion of 24 courses (12.00 credits) total
- Wide variety of electives to choose from
- Successful completion of a 4-week Industry Work Placement, at the end of Semester 4, is also required
- For a list of all courses and the curriculum layout, please refer to the Associate Diploma Calendar
Careers
- Agriculture environmental advisor
- Compliance officer
- Conservation officer
- Environmental Farm Plan consultant
- Nutrient management advisor
- Renewable energy technician
- Research technician
- Waste management technician
- Wastewater treatment plant Operator
- Water treatment plant operator
There are currently 3 career opportunities posted on the job posting page
Admissions
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Equivalent
- A minimum cumulative average of 65% in 6 Grade 11 or Grade 12 U, C, M, or O level courses (excludes co-op credits)
- Includes a minimum of Grade 11C Math and Grade 12C English
- Or apply under Mature Student Status: Applicants don't have a high school diploma/equivalent but are 19 years of age or older and out of high school for a minimum of 1 year; pre-admission testing may be required
Acceptable English Proficiency Tests
International English Language Testing System (IELTS - Academic)
- Competence Level: Minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
- Competence Level: Minimum overall band score of 70.
- Please note that the University of Guelph will be accepting the CAEL Online Test for Fall 2021 admission only and will re-evaluate the opportunity for future use.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Competence Level: Internet-based: minimum total score of 89 with no individual scaled score less than 21.
- Competence Level: Minimum overall score of 60 and no score less than 60 for any individual component.
Advanced Level of the English Language Certificate Program (ELCP)
- Competence Level: Successful completion of the University of Guelph, Open Learning Advanced Level of the English Language Certificate Program (Levels 9 and 10).
Cambridge English: C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency
- Competence Level: Minimum overall score of 176 with no band less than 169.
- Competence Level: Minimum overall score of 110.
The University of Guelph institution code is 0892.
Fees
Ontario Resident Year 1 Approximate Costs | In CAD |
---|---|
Tuition | $3,198.60 |
Compulsory Fees | $1,846.60 |
Textbooks | $381.00 |
Residence (Double Room) | $3,934.00 |
Meal Plan | $4,648.00 |
Total | $14,008.20 |
Out of Province Year 1 Approximate Costs | In CAD |
---|---|
Tuition | $3,358.53 |
Compulsory Fees | $1,846.60 |
Textbooks | $381.00 |
Residence (Double Room) | $3,420.00 |
Meal Plan | $4,261.00 |
Total | $13,267.13 |
International Year 1 Approximates Costs | In CAD |
---|---|
Tuition | $12,618.08 |
Compulsory Fees | $2,602.60 |
Textbooks | $381.00 |
Residence (Double Room) | $3,420.00 |
Meal Plan | $4,261.00 |
Total | $23,282.68 |
Estimates based on 2022-2023 fee schedule.
Facilities
- Anaerobic Digester
- Level 1 Microbiology Lab
- Lecture halls
- Classrooms
- Computer labs
- Library and Resource Centre
- Study Lounge
- Student residence
- Cafeteria
- Gymnasium
- Lots of green space on-campus