What are Professional Designations?
As part of your lifelong learning, a professional designation is a ‘stamp of approval’ that a person can earn from an organization, demonstrating to employers and their clients that the person has achieved a particular standard of excellence in their field of work. You have seen them on business cards and in email signatures:
- CHRP or CHRL
- CPA (formerly, CA, CGA and CMA)
- CIP
These are professional designations, and only people who have met the standards of their professional associations and licensing bodies that coordinate them can use them. Some designations are provincial, and others are national and international.
Many designations require further study after your undergraduate degree, with a professional and practical focus. Some designation courses are available online or offered in the evenings/on weekends to ensure that people who are working can complete them.
Business Designation Examples
There are any number of business-related professional designations that individuals with BBAs, as well as HBAs and HBScs can pursue, including:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Management
- Supply Chain and Logistics
Lifelong Learning and Professional Certification
The only constant is change, they say, and it seems to be true. The world of work is constantly shifting, and the end of your undergraduate degree is definitely not the end of your learning and training.
Once you have entered an industry or field of work, you will have a better idea of what kinds of additional learning and training would be wise to pursue. Some employers will even grant you time and/or help you to pay for your ongoing learning
Social Work and Mental Health Designation Examples
Designations/memberships in these fields often also provide access to liability insurance, which is important in health care:
- Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC)
- Certified Member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP)
- Registered Psychotherapist (RP)
- Registered Social Worker (RSW)
Technology, Infrastructure and Environment Examples
In Information Technology, there are countless designations to be earned from hardware and software providers: Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA), Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), and the Google Analytics Individual Qualification are just a few.
Where can I find more information?
- Job postings are a great place to find out what professional accreditation and designations are in demand in the field of work you intend to pursue. Look in the Qualifications section of any job ad.
- A search engine like Google is very useful for finding out the names of the professional associations and licensing bodies relevant to your desired industry.
Additional Resources
See our specific professional programs like these:
- Physical and Occupational Therapy
- Nursing
- Teaching
- Social Work
- Speech Language Pathology
- and many more