Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs & Quality Operations (RAQ)

Work Term Option (RAQC)

Start in January, May, September

Study Option

Full-time & Part-time

Credential

Ontario College Graduate Certificate

School

School of Biological Sciences & Applied Chemistry

About the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs & Quality Operations (RAQ) Program

In this graduate certificate program, you will gain a fundamental understanding of regulatory affairs and quality operations. Studies of regulatory compliance in Canada and internationally will prepare you for a career involving drug or medical regulations and quality assurance functions and roles. During the first semester, you will learn the fundamentals of regulatory affairs and quality operations. Your second semester will focus on more detailed exposure to the areas of regulation and quality operations. This program offers an optional work term(s), similar to the length to an academic semester, if you meet all the academic requirements.

Skills

Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

Understand Canadian and international drug and other health care legislation, regulations and guidelines
Understand process, regulations and the impact of manufacturing
Prepare submissions, including supplemental documentation, to the Therapeutic Product Program
Understand good manufacturing processes
Negotiating in managing the review process

Program Duration

Study at your own pace: In this program you’ll have the flexibility to choose how many courses you want to take each term. Students who study full-time can complete this program in as little as eight months (two semesters). Duration will depend on the number of courses taken each term. See courses for more information.

Maximum completion time: In accordance with ministry requirements, all students must complete the program within two years of being admitted.

Work Experience

Optional Work Term

This program offers the option to complete a work term, providing valuable hands-on experience in your field of study. If you are interested in completing a work term, apply to the PROGRAMNAME program.

If you select the work term stream you will have the opportunity to participate in a work term(s) if eligibility requirements are maintained. You will have the flexibility to transfer to the non-work term stream at any time. The work term(s) is similar in length to an academic semester and is typically a full-time position that may be paid or unpaid. The work term job search is student-driven and participation in the work term stream does not guarantee that a work position will be secured. However, you will receive guidance and support through in-class career workshops and one-on-one coaching to help prepare for the work term. Additional fees are required for those participating in the optional work term stream, regardless of success in securing a work position. For more information, see fee details.

The work term can be completed in person, online or in a hybrid format, depending on the hiring organization.

Review eligibility requirements for work-integrated learning.

Start in	Study Option	Location	Availability
Jan. 2027	Full-time	Seneca@York	Open
Jan. 2027	Full-time	Online	Open
Jan. 2027	Part-time	Seneca@York	Open
Jan. 2027	Part-time	Online	Open
May 2027	Full-time	Online	Open
May 2027	Part-time	Online	Open
Sept. 2027	Full-time	Seneca@York	Open
Sept. 2027	Full-time	Online	Open
Sept. 2027	Part-time	Seneca@York	Open
Sept. 2027	Part-time	Online	Open

Availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.

Start in	Study Option	Location	Availability
Sept. 2026	Full-time	Seneca@York	Closed
Sept. 2026	Full-time	Online	Closed
Jan. 2027	Full-time	Seneca@York	Open
Jan. 2027	Full-time	Online	Open
May 2027	Full-time	Online	Open

Availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.

International students: Studying part-time is not an available option as this will impact your study permit and PGWP eligibility. Review the requirements before choosing your program and study option.

Program and Course Delivery

This program is offered online, with some courses available in Seneca's flexible delivery format. In courses delivered in the flexible format, using interactive learning spaces, professors teach in person to students in a physical classroom or lab and stream to students online at the same time. Students have a choice of coming to campus for an in-person experience or learning online.

Learn more: Seneca’s program delivery options and how courses in this program will be delivered each term.

Your Career

When you graduate from this program, these are the types of career options you can explore:

Regulatory affairs associate
Regulatory affairs assistant
Quality assurance associate
Quality assurance investigator
Documentation administrator
Medical information associate

Affiliations/Associations

Canadian Association of Professional Regulatory Affairs (CAPRA)
Drug Information Association (DIA)
Pharmaceutical Sciences Group (PSG)
Regulatory Affairs Professional Society (RAPS)

The Seneca Polytechnic Difference

This is where university meets college. Where theory meets practice. Where ambition meets flexibility.

Experiential Learning

Graduate career ready and world ready. This program has an optional work term to help you hone essential skills for the workplace.

Prior Experience

Earn credit for previous studies, work experience or training through Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition and transfer credits.

Career Support

Seneca Works offers students and graduates lifelong access to an exclusive job board, career coaching, networking and more.

The Service Hub

The Service Hub is your one-stop source of information about everything from registering and paying fees to student services and life on campus.

What Our Graduates Say

Ravie Samaroo

Graduate, Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs & Quality Operations

"The program prepared me to step into an evolving, highly regulated industry where strong quality assurance skills are increasingly valued and in demand."