Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is in place for the Certificate to evaluate and recognize your experience and previous education (including seminars, workshops and corporate training programs). As a result of PLAR, you may receive credit, to a maximum of one course credit, for one of the certificates.

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Gain a comprehensive overview of the hospitality industry, a sound understanding of human resource management principles, as well as financial management skills to help you succeed as a hospitality professional. If you are employed in the food, lodging or tourism industry, and wish to enrich your career by assuming greater management responsibilities, the Certificate in Hospitality Studies is for you.

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You can take the course from wherever you have a computer linked to the Internet! The benefit of the online format is that you can work around your busy schedule by studying from the comfort of your own home and at a time convenient to you. There are no classes to attend. All that is required is a computer, an Internet connection, and a desire to learn.

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For specific start dates, contact the Centre for Open Learning and Educational Support or see the certificate information page.

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To obtain a certificate, you must successfully complete 5 degree-credit courses. The courses may be taken in order, as long as prerequisite requirements are met.

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The Certificate program consists of five courses. If you were to take one course a semester, it would therefore take five semesters, or approximately 2 years to complete the certificate.

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Online courses offer you more convenience and flexibility. Your online course will require a significant amount of reading, writing, completing assignments, and participation online. You should expect to spend about 10 hours per week for each course taken. You will receive a weekly schedule to help you plan your time.

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Because our courses and programs are so wide-ranging, and targeted to such a diversity of learners, we recommend visiting the Open Learning and Educational Support website at www.OpenEd.uoguelph.ca or calling us for information about specific courses and programs at 519-767-5000.

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Distance education allows you to study at home or in your office, according to your own schedule...there are no classes to attend. Generally, each course comes with a manual that may be accompanied by videotapes, audiotapes, audio CDs, computer diskettes, CD-ROMs, etc., depending on the nature of the course. As well, most courses incorporate websites with computer conferencing, e-mail, and computer-based quizzes using the World Wide Web as an innovative learning environment. Distance education provides a contemporary means through which the University of Guelph continues its tradition of outreach and open learning opportunities.

For more information on our approach to online distance education, please check out our new online learning portal.

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IBM-compatible computer with a Pentium-class processor running Windows 95 or later OR Mac 100Mhz. Power PC processor running MacOS 8.1 or later

32 MB RAM (64 recommended)
10 MB of free disk space
Colour monitor with 1 MB video card and 256 colours
28.8k modem with Internet access (56k recommended)
Internet Explorer 5.0 or Netscape 4.7 or later
word processing software
CD-ROM drive (recommended)

Note that some courses require access to an IBM-compatible computer.

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Yes, fee includes all related course materials, including textbooks and readers.

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You can register online, by fax or mail.

To register by fax, complete the registration form and fax it to
519-824-1114.

To register by mail, complete the registration form and mail it to:

Open Learning and Educational Support
160 Johnston Hall
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON, Canada N1H 2W1

Please let us know the course(s) in which you are interested.

To register by phone, call 519-767-5000.

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Many of our courses fill up quickly so you should register early. In some courses we will accept registration up until the course starts but you should remember that we do not send out course materials until we receive course payment. It can take a week or more for course materials to arrive depending on where you live. International students should allow at least a week for course package delivery. If you register when the course starts you will not receive course materials until the first week of the course is over. Register early.

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Each offering has its own registration deadline. Please see the individual course descriptions, or contact us for more information. Generally, we do everything we can to get you registered for a course. However, it is advisable to register early, as some courses have limits and fill up early.

We recommend using the guide below to help you determine by when you should register:

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Continuing Education

There generally are not restrictions for individuals wishing to register in continuing education courses, workshops, conferences, distance education courses etc. However, it is best that you read the course description carefully, including the information on the intended target audience, to ensure that the course is right for you.

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The Hospitality Studies Certificate courses are presented in English and require proficiency in written English. Students should supply evidence of English proficiency (except Francophone Canadian citizens educated in Canada) if:

1. their primary or first language (meaning the language first learned as a child) is not English; and

2. they have had less than four years of full-time secondary or post-secondary study, demonstrating satisfactory academic progress, in an English-language school system.

Registrants who need to meet the English Proficiency Requirement should do so by submitting the required scores in 1, 2, or 3 below, along with their registration form.

1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
600 on the paper- based test (250 on the computer test) AND Test of Written English (TWE) - 5 AND Test of Spoken English (TSE) - 50. Applicants with scores 237-249 on the computer-based test will be reviewed on an individual basis.
These tests are offered on several dates each year by centres throughout the world. The TOEFL Bulletin of Information and registration form can be obtained by writing or contacting TOEFL/TSE Publications, P.O. Box 6154 Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6154, USA; telephone (609)771-7100; email <toefl@ets.org>; Website (www.toefl.org).

2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6. Information on test centres and registration can be obtained from IELTS Administrator, Anglia Polytechnic University, East Road, Cambridge CB1 1PT, Great Britain (telephone (01223) 363271; facsimile(01223) 352973; email <j.m.ferra@anglia.ac.uk>).

3. The Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)
Minimum overall score of 85 is required, a minimum composition score of 83. In addition, applicants must present a minimum score on the oral test of 3.
Applicants can request Information Bulletins and Registration forms from English Language Institute, Testing and Certification Division, 3020 North University Building, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1057, USA (telephone (734) 763-3452; facsimile(734) 763-0369; Website (http://www.lsa.umich.edu/eli).

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Distance education courses typically have assignments due every week or two, and each assignment has specific requirements and a set due date.

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It is important for you to be aware of due dates so that you can complete and submit your assignments in a timely fashion. Instructors may use their discretion to deduct marks for late assignments. Contact your instructor in advance of the due date, if possible, if you are unable to complete your assignment on time. Medical documentation may be requested if illness has prevented you from keeping up with your course.

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If you change your mind about taking a course that you have registered for, you will need to contact Open Learning and Educational Support at 519-767-5000 as soon as possible.

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Tax receipts are issued. In Canada, the tuition portion of your course fees is income tax deductible.

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You may be eligible to receive a bursary award towards an Open Learning and Educational Support continuing education activity and/or Open Learning program. Visit www.OpenEd.uoguelph.ca/bursary for more information.

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