Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Summer 2024. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.

 

 

Overview

In this graduate certificate program, you will work with innovative and disruptive technologies used in the financial service sector. Throughout the program, you will learn about product development and entrepreneurship while developing an understanding of privacy, ethics and the regulatory landscape of financial technology. The program covers topics including cybersecurity, web application and mobile development as well as data analytics for financial services.

Classes usually take place in the evenings to allow professionals to continue working and complete this program. Some courses will be taught by web conferencing, with you in the classroom.

Career Opportunities

  • Data analyst
  • Financial technology product developer
  • Application developer

Entry Requirements

  • Ontario university or college degree, or college diploma or equivalent.
  • Applicants with an equivalent combination of academic and recent related work experience may be considered for admission. A relevant resumé and references must be provided.
  • English proficiency for graduate certificates

Canadian citizens or permanent residents educated outside of Canada must provide a World Education Services (WES) or ICAS Canada credential evaluation.

Application

To apply for the Financial Technology graduate certificate program, please complete the application form.

In addition to completing the application form, you must also submit supporting transcript(s) per the program's entry requirements to acctce@senecapolytechnic.ca. Please use "Part-time Financial Technology Application" as the subject line of your email when submitting your transcript(s).

If you have any questions about the entry requirements or general questions about the program, please contact:

Roberta Aquino
Academic Program Manager
roberta.aquino@senecapolytechnic.ca
416-764-9419

Filter Classes: In Class     Online     Correspondence     Hybrid     Availability   

Part-time Studies courses are being offered in either of the following four formats: Online, Flexible, In-person, Hybrid. Click Availability below to see current offerings.

Curriculum

Semester 1

FNT101
Financial Services and Products
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This course introduces students to the different financial services product lines and services. It also provides an overview of the financial services industry both domestically and internationally, and identifies the different players in the financial services and Fintech ecosystems. It reviews the impact of technology on the financial services industry and explains how technologists/scientists and financial services companies can benefit from the growth of Fintech. With a focus on user experience, during the course students will learn about the technical aspects of Fintech and what constitutes a Fintech application.




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FNT102
Privacy Management and Identity Theft
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Privacy, confidentiality, and security are of utmost concern to the public in their use of financial services. The public wants assurance that their privacy and personal information is protected when stored digitally by financial service providers. There is also concern about the ever-present potential for identity theft and the misappropriation of personal wealth and damage to credit reputation. In this course, students will learn about the core issues of privacy management in the financial services environment. Students will also become familiar with practices and techniques to safeguard financial services organizations from identity theft.




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FNT103
Blockchain/DLT and Cryptocurrencies
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The focus of this course is on distributed ledger systems (DLT) and their applications. Blockchain technology is one of several distributed, decentralized ledger database systems. Students will also learn about cryptocurrencies and the impact they have had on financial services as well as how to analyze the various technology frameworks that support them and how they can impact financial institutions' operations. In addition, the course discusses other non-financial applications of DLT and cryptocurrencies.




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FNT104
Financial Services Regulatory Landscape and RegTech
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Being a successful Fintech firm requires more than just great technology; it also requires an understanding of the laws and regulations applicable to each business. The financial services (FS) industry is regulated by a number of interrelated government agencies at the federal and provincial levels. In addition, the marketing of FS products is subject to a variety of licensing requirements by regulatory and self-regulatory organizations (SROs). Students will be introduced to the domestic and international regulatory sandbox specifically designed to deal with the rapidly changing face of Fintech due to its fast-paced growth. Students will learn about the current legal, regulatory, and policy issues that have emerged within the past few years in Canada. Students will also learn how regulatory agencies are continually adjusting to the emergence of new financial technologies.

 




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FNT105
Business Analysis for Fintech
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This course guides the students through the different phases of the complete life cycle of Fintech projects from the perspective of a business analyst who is acting as a liaison between the financial services users and the technical teams. Students start by reviewing the different methods of eliciting user requirements and documenting them using the various requirements definition techniques. The students then learn how to convert user requirements to technical specifications that would be better suited for the usage of the technical team to drive the development of financial systems. The students will learn how to communicate with the project stakeholders and verifying through various Quality Assurance techniques that the delivered product fulfills the needs defined in the user requirements. The students will also receive an introduction to project plan creation, management, monitoring, budgeting and evaluation from the perspective of business analysts.




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FNT106
Cybersecurity
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FinTech Security is a critical underlying component of all aspects of financial technology. This course identifies key components, organizes layers of protection and connects the dots between data security and compliance.

With the growing reliance on and popularity of the internet, online criminal behaviour such as fraud and identity theft continues to grow. This course reviews the key concepts of data and information security. It covers the technical skills and knowledge necessary to protect financial institutions, and thus individuals (consumers and employees), from cybercrimes. Students will also gain an understanding of the cybersecurity industry's best practices and standards and be able to assist financial institutions in implementing cybersecurity policies and procedures using FinTech applications.

This course emphasizes the principles of standardization, the classification of safeguards, and the identification of opportunities for privacy abuse and security exploitation, using actual scenarios and examples that will provide essential knowledge for the workplace.




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Semester 2

FNT201
Web and Mobile Design for Fintech
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User experience is increasingly important. Users expect software to be as easy to use as well-designed appliances.bIn Fintech, web and mobile applications have become the main channels used by customers. Professionals in the field often confuse user experience with a simplistic wow factor, innovation with imitation, and structured design with opinion.

This course offers the basic skills every Fintech professional needs to make sound decisions when it comes to designing web and mobile applications. It covers the design principles and proper methodologies. At the end of the course, you will be able to express your ideas through a design, and you will know what it takes to create products customers like to use.




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FNT202
Fintech Entrepreneurship and Start-Up Strategies
Availability
 

This course deals with the practical issues that have to be addressed on a daily basis by entrepreneurs creating new Fintech companies. These include identifying opportunities, selecting and negotiating with potential partners and "making the pitch" to potential investors. Students will develop a business plan that an entrepreneur would present to potential investors.




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FNT203
Fintech Capstone Project
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In this course, students will develop an application using skills learned in the web application, mobile development and entrepreneurship courses. Students will follow project management methodology and practices to develop a technology solution for a business client.




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FNT204
Data Analytics in Financial Services
Availability
 

Data plays a key role in enabling financial services organizations to make sound business decisions. In this course, students will be introduced to the types of data used in financial services product offerings and learn how to organize, analyze and present results through both written and visualization techniques.

Students will gain an understanding of how to tell stories about data, which can assist in the business decision-making process. The goal of the course is to prepare students to engage and be competitive by understanding a business and the data it generates, combining both to convert information into knowledge and that knowledge into action.




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Program Outcomes

As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:

  • Design secure and regulatory compliant financial technology (Fintech) mobile and web solutions to support the financial services sector.
  • Use data analytics to guide information for strategic decision making and to implement Fintech solutions.
  • Recommend distributed ledger solutions that enable fast and secure payments, empowering customers and merchants to buy, sell, accept and store cryptocurrencies.
  • Research web and mobile applications to design and implement new Fintech products and services.
  • Adhere to ethical and legal guidelines to ensure data security, integrity, and confidentiality in the delivery of Fintech applications.
  • Analyze organizational structures and management processes to recommend improvements to organizational performance through financial technology solutions.
  • Develop plans using principles of entrepreneurship to start up, manage, and expand a small business.
  • Practice professionalism when interacting with representatives of both the technology and business side of Fintech.
  • Apply interpersonal, teambuilding, and leadership skills when participating in diverse organizational environments.

OSAP Funding Available

This program is eligible for OSAP funding.

Course load is used by OSAP to determine funding options for programs. Course load is calculated by dividing the number of courses you are enrolled in at the same time by the total number of courses per semester. For example, in the Financial Technology program there are six courses in Semester 1 and four courses in Semester 2.

To be considered for part-time OSAP, you must have a course load between 20 to 59 per cent. To be considered for full-time OSAP, you must have a minimum course load of 60 per cent. If you are taking two or three courses in Financial Technology in a given term, you may be eligible for part-time or full-time student grants and loans.

  • two courses (33 to 50 per cent depending on semester)
  • three courses (50 to 75 per cent depending on semester)

To find out if you qualify and to learn how to apply, please visit the OSAP website.

For information on other awards and financial assistance, please see Financial Aid.

Program Contacts

Roberta Kury de Aquino
Academic Program Manager
roberta.aquino@senecapolytechnic.ca