Records & Information Management Certificate FAQs
What is records and information management?
Corporations are beginning to recognize that business information is a resource, equal in importance to such resources as personnel or raw materials. As information technology becomes more sophisticated, as costs of equipment and space increase, as governments continue to regulate the keeping of records and as competition among businesses intensifies, control of information records becomes even more important. Records and information management is the application of proven management techniques to the creation, maintenance, storage, retrieval and disposition of information within business organizations to lower record keeping costs and to increase operational effectiveness and efficiency.
What are the career opportunities?
All types of businesses and organizations have a need for records and information management. For example, all three levels of government - municipal, provincial and federal - need the services of an information specialist, as do insurance companies, banks, retail organizations, manufacturing companies and law firms. Career opportunities are most prevalent in medium to large companies.
What does the records and information professional do?
The records and information professional promotes the efficiency of the organization by ensuring that only useful information is maintained and that it is maintained in a systematic way. The records manager may generalize as a corporate records and information manager or specialize in one area of records management such as archives, forms and report management or image technologies. The records manager may manage several staff members so supervisory skills are essential. Technology plays an ever increasing role in the keeping and transfer of information and, therefore, familiarity with computers and software, enabling evaluation and selection, is important.
Who should take this program?
Individuals who are attracted to records and information management are well-organized and have experienced first-hand the importance of being able to find the right information at the right time in the right format. The need for attention to detail does not deter these individuals who have usually gained experience in the office world prior to enrolling in the program. Records managers have excellent communication skills and can interact effectively with staff at all levels in an organization. They are able to see records management in the context of the organization as a whole and to contribute to development of effective policies and procedures designed to control information flow.
Can I complete the Records and Information Management Certificate through distance education?
Yes, you can complete the certificate through distance education. All of the courses can be taken through distance education with Mohawk College.
How are the courses offered?
Courses are offered on a semester basis, three times a year (fall, winter, spring). All courses have a set start date, end date and due dates for assignments.
Once you register for one of the courses, you are mailed a letter with instructions on how to access your online course area.
What are the computer requirements?
You need access to a Pentium-class computer with Windows 95 or better. You also need access to the Internet and a current Web browser (version 5 or better) on this same computer.
When can I register?
- Fall semester registration begins in early August
- Winter semester registration begins in mid November
- Spring semester registration begins in early March
Registration dates and instructions are posted on the web site approximately three weeks before the beginning of each registration period. There is no separate admission process for the program - just start registering for individual courses. Registration, once open, is done on a first-come, first-served basis.
How do I know which courses are offered each semester?
A list of the courses available in a given semester is posted on the web site approximately three weeks before registration begins for that semester. To access the list, visit the Records Management Next Semester web page.
How do I register?
Click here to read about the various registration methods. You can register by web, fax, mail or in-person.
How much does it cost?
There is no overall program fee; you pay only the tuition fees and course manual and textbook fees for each individual course. Fees are based on the length of a course. Because fees change, they are listed for only those courses scheduled to run in the upcoming semester. To access fee information, visit the Records Management Next Semester web page.
What is the meaning of the number of hours given for each course?
The number of hours shown are "equivalent classroom hours". Thus, the workload for a 39-hour distance education course would be about the same as if you took a course, through traditional classroom delivery, that is offered 3 hours per week for 13 weeks. We estimate that the student workload for one course is approximately 10-15 hours per week.
Where do I start in the program?
You can begin with any course that does not have a prerequisite. Course prerequisites must always be met.
How are the courses run?
Just before the course begins, you will be sent a letter with instructions for accessing the online platform that is used as the on-line classroom. You will use the online platform to check the documents that your instructor has posted regarding what to do each week of the course, what the assignments are, when they are due, when chats will be held, etc. You will email assignments, and any other questions you have, to the instructor. Some courses have online chats that are held every 2 or 3 weeks, generally in the evenings during the week. This is where the instructor and students are on-line together to communicate live. The instructor will review course material and answer any questions that you may have. If you cannot attend the chat, you may read the chat archive later.
What about textbooks and course manuals?
Textbooks need to be ordered on-line and paid for separately. You can go to the on-line bookstore web site and enter your course code to find out the cost of required texts. Do not order textbooks until you have received confirmation of your course registration; the bookstore does not accept returns.
Are the courses self-paced distance education courses?
No. Every course has a fixed start and end date and due dates for assignments. You can submit assignments early if you wish, but the instructor will not return the assignment mark until after the due date.
Are class sizes limited?
Yes. Class sizes are generally limited to 40 students. This ensures a manageable marking workload for the instructor and that there aren't too many people participating in each class chat.
If a course is full when I register, can I be put on a waiting list?
Yes. You may ask to be put on a waiting list for a course if it is full. If a registered student withdraws during the first 6 days of a course, staff in the Continuing Education Registration Office will contact people who are on the waiting list to see if they would still like to register. Students cannot join a course after the first week of classes. Waiting lists are not kept for subsequent terms; you will need to register again for your preferred course in the next term that it is offered.
