Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Summer 2024. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.
The Social Service Worker diploma program provides students with the knowledge, skills and values required to respond to the needs of individuals, families and communities. Students learn how to recognize and address the social barriers and personal challenges that affect people's well being and success in striving for social and economic justice.
The program is practitioner oriented, preparing graduates to explore new roles in community, health, educational and institutional environments. Throughout the program, you will complete 600 hours of field placement in a variety of social settings which will integrate skills you acquired through your academic courses, assignments and research. The program works closely with local social service agencies, to keep current, for curriculum development and field work.
Professional Social Service Worker courses are usually offered in the evenings with two components of field work which may be completed during the weekday/evening and/or weekend.
Both the full-time studies and the Faculty of Continuing Education and Training (FCET) programs generally cover the same academic content. Full-time students wishing to take FCET courses toward their diploma are encouraged to consult with their full-time program coordinator to ensure that the courses for which they intend to register are equivalent to their academic program.New students are strongly encouraged to attend an information session to find out important information about the program. Please register for one of the next available sessions below.
Students are invited to attend an information session.
Graduates of the Social Service Worker Program find employment opportunities in youth, women's and disabled persons programs as well as housing, community development, rehabilitation, income maintenance and multi-cultural agencies.
As the Social Service field broadens, students are working with increased responsibility in program planning and evaluation, community resource assessment and service delivery co-ordination.
Graduates must be prepared to be flexible in applying the generic skills of social service to the changing job markets.
If you have graduated from a Canadian University or Community College where the language of instruction is English and provide us with an official transcript showing you have graduated with a diploma or degree and may be exempted from the General Education requirements and Communicating Across Contexts, COM101/COM111. Please submit a completed Transfer Credit Request form, along with an official copy of your transcript and course outline, to the Office of the Registrar.
It is recommended that students take an English Assessment and achieve a College English level to begin the program.
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.
This course is an introduction to the skills required to understand and improve one's own communication style thereby enhancing one's ability to consciously and effectively relate to others. Students will be expected to demonstrate an appropriate level of competence in interpersonal communication skills and self-awareness.
This subject is intended to provide an introduction to some of the major social problems in Canadian society as well as examining some global issues. Theoretical concepts will be used in understanding and analyzing these problems. It is designed to teach students to question the way in which the world around them operates.
This course enables students to develop competence in dealing with the challenges of working in a multicultural society. Students will develop more sensitivity in interaction with clients of different cultural backgrounds. This course also helps students to develop skills in identifying and challenging racist thought and practice.
This subject is an introduction to the principles and practice of social service work. Students will be exposed to the knowledge, skills and values associated with practice in an agency setting. Students will also be assisted in the process of selecting a field practicum which responds to each individual's interests and needs.
Placement via English Assessment, or successful completion of ESL934.
COM101 replaces EAC 150.
Students who have successfully completed EAC 150 are not required to complete COM101.
This course introduces students to the core concepts of communication. Students will cultivate an awareness of these concepts by analyzing how they are used in a variety of texts and contexts, and they will apply these concepts strategically in their own writing. Through a variety of writing tasks centred on these core concepts of communication, students will develop the transferrable reading and writing skills essential for success in their post-secondary studies, workplaces, and communities.
Placement via English Assessment
This course introduces students to the core concepts of communication. Students will cultivate an awareness of these concepts by analyzing how they are used in a variety of texts and contexts, and they will apply these concepts strategically in their own writing. Through a variety of writing tasks centred on these core concepts of communication, students will develop the transferrable reading and writing skills essential for success in their post-secondary studies, workplaces, and communities.
To understand the social determinants of thoughts, feelings, and actions it is necessary to explore the role of social forces, that is, the role of society, social relations, social institutions, and the process of socialization in shaping human psychology and conduct. Since every individual is born into a pre-existing society, it seems reasonable that an introduction to the social sciences begins with a presentation of basic sociological concepts, theories, and principles, and how these may be applied toward an understanding of the individual's place in the social world.
NOTE: COM101/COM111 should be completed in Module 1, before beginning Module 2.
You will be provided with an introduction to the basic theory and skills necessary for effective interviewing and counselling. A micro-skills approach to intentional counselling is taken. Throughout this course, students use role-play situations to practice skills, concepts and methods designed to develop concrete competencies in interviewing and counselling.
The course will examine the multiple variations in the structures of families as well as the changing role of the family in today's society. Students will learn about healthy and less health characteristics of family functioning. Various styles and problems of modern family living are explored. Gender, ethnicity, culture, privilege, and social location and their impact on families are examined in order to equip students to work from an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed perspective with diverse families. An examination of First Nation, Inuit, and Metis (FNIM) families will provide knowledge and understanding of FNIM world-views, and practices that promote cultural competence and cultural safety. Students will learn how to articulate the importance of developing and delivering services and programs that are culturally compatible. The implications of social location and anti-oppressive practice will be studied in service delivery and case planning.
This is an experiential course that will provide an introduction to the theoretical concepts necessary for understanding small groups in a social services context, the practical skills needed for being an effective group participant, and an introduction to group planning and facilitation skills.
This subject introduces the student to models of human developmental psychology that will be instrumental in informing the knowledge base of their social service practice. Students will become aware of the myriad of factors - physiological, cognitive, emotional, social, cultural, and subjective - affecting human development throughout the lifespan.
This seminar uses situations in supervised field work as the context for theoretical learning. The development of a professional attitude and approach is encouraged through self-awareness and the ability to relate to others with insight, empathy and understanding.
Students assume the role of a 'beginning professional' in an approved and supervised fieldwork setting. The student is expected to meet the responsibilities that are inherent in the agency employee/employer relationship as well as the learning outcomes of the Social Service Worker in the fieldwork setting. This work calls for individuals who are self-aware, reliable, sensitive and mature enough to focus on the needs and interests of others.
This course is designed to provide students with the case management skills required to coordinate and provide direct services to a variety of client populations. This includes the roles and responsibilities assumed by case managers such as information gathering, assessment, intake interviewing, service planning, case monitoring, advocacy and social change agent. In addition, students will examine such areas as stress management, time management, assertiveness and client empowerment.
This course in the Social Service Methods series is a further development of SSW101 and SSW212. Emphasis is placed on needs assessment and intake skills, stages of the counselling process, and problem solving counselling interventions.
In SSW212, Helping Interview and Principles of Practice, students were introduced to the basic tools of direct intervention; specifically the informational and the empowerment based helping interview. In SSW312, students are introduced to the process of helping client's problem solve using the narrative approach.
The fieldwork seminar has a two-fold purpose. First it gives students an opportunity to discuss their learning experiences in the field with the faculty and each other and to relate them to the academic curriculum. The second purpose is to develop professional attitudes, examine feelings about specific learning experiences, develop self-awareness, and relate to others with insight, empathy and understanding. Students will continue to develop their knowledge of the field of Social Services and begin to appreciate the implications of the worker's role in service delivery.
Field placement is a laboratory for students in the placement setting. The student learns the philosophy, function, procedures, strengths and limitations of a social service agency. In addition, she/he learns to become part of a service team, and learns to meet the needs of people serviced by the agency.
This course will provide students with the basic knowledge to critically analyze factors contributing to issues of mental health; understand fundamental concepts, terminology and the range of diagnosis; understand the impact of stigma that hinders seeking help and/or access to services; learn about harm reduction strategies; and identify the existing service delivery, their gaps and overlaps for the purpose of referral. This course will also identify the strengths and resiliencies in coping and responding to mental health issues.
This course is designed to provide an overview of the Canadian social welfare system from a historical and contemporary perspective and explores the ideology and values underlying the development of social welfare policies and programs. This course explores the social welfare landscape in Canada as it applies to a broad group of vulnerable populations (for example, children, First Nations' communities, families, unemployed, immigrants, and the elderly). It includes, for example, how ideology influences social policy, and shows that economic policy is social policy and vice versa.
This course will offer students a hands-on opportunity to participate in the initial stages of an ongoing community development project. It will explore why an understanding of the macro perspective is so vital to the field of social service work. The course content will present an overview of the major theories and practices pertaining to community social service work.
Effective January 2020, some Social Service Worker courses have changed course codes and/or course names.
If you have successfully completed any course that has a new code or name, you will not be affected and will continue to receive acknowledgment for the course and be able to apply it to a credential if you are pursuing one.
In order to meet Seneca's breadth requirements for diploma or advanced diploma programs, students must successfully complete at least 3 General Education courses toward their program, satisfying the following criteria:
Please note: SOC600, COM470, NAT150 will not fulfil a General Education requirement for the SSW program, but may be used as a General Education option outside the SSW program.
This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
A major consideration in your decision to undertake the social service worker program should be the field work requirement of 600 hours.
Your field work will be completed in two 300-hour requirements (one in Module 2 and the other in Module 3). Both Fieldwork II and III and co-requisite seminar courses are completed over two terms. Both begin in the fall term and finish at the end of the winter term and are only offered to start in the fall term.
You must register for both the Field work Seminar and the Fieldwork at the same time. (Please note when you register you must make sure that both the Field Work Seminar and Fieldwork have the same course code extension for eg. SWL347FA and SWK357FA and so on.)
Although a variety of Social Service settings are currently used for student placement, most of the placements require attendance on a weekday. Evening and weekend placements are limited. If you are not able to arrange available time during the day, field placement could become a serious problem. It is advisable to discuss this matter with the Program Coordinators prior to registering in field work courses.
Note: Student that have completed module I courses and have 2 years or more of full-time work experience in the SSW field may be eligible for a PLAR for the first fieldwork course (SWL247/SWK257). For details, please contact the program manager, Lisa Harfield.
Students are responsible for securing their own field placement and letting the field placement instructor know the name of the agency and their contact. This is done to help the student develop job search skills while in the supportive environment of the program. Success in these courses is dependent upon securing a placement by the fourth week of class. This will ensure the student's ability to meet the learning outcomes and achieve the required placement hours. If a student is unable to secure a placement by the fourth (4 th) week of class, the student will be advised to withdraw from the course to eliminate any academic penalty on the student's transcript. All fieldwork placements must be approved by the College.
Students may be required to complete a police check for some fieldwork agencies. These often take 6-8 weeks to process.
This program is eligible for OSAP funding.
Course load is used by OSAP to determine funding options for programs.
If you are taking one to two courses at the same time, you may be considered for part-time student grants and loans.
If you are taking three or more courses at the same time, you may be considered for full-time student grants and loans.
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.
Earn college credits for what you already know.
Prior Learning Assessment is a method of assessing and recognizing learning that is equal to
college level learning, but has been gained outside a traditional classroom (through work
experience, volunteering, outside study, etc.). If you can prove that the knowledge you have gained
meets the outcomes of a Seneca course, then credit will be awarded.
How does the PLA process work?
Prior Learning is demonstrated through a "challenge" process. The process measures learning
through a variety of methods which may include tests, portfolio assessment, interviews,
demonstrations, essays, and work samples. The method used will be determined in consultation with a
Program Coordinator.
For more information and to determine if you are eligible for PLA, please call the Program
Coordinator.
The process may take from 6 to 8 weeks.
Note: Not all courses can be challenged. For more information go to PLA website or contact your Program Coordinator.
Many students who enter Seneca Polytechnic will have earned academic credits in post-secondary educational institutions which they may be able to apply toward completion of a Seneca College program.
Requests for Transfer Credit must be for a specific course and must be accompanied by an official transcript and course outline. A minimum grade of "C" (60 percent) is generally required for a course to be considered for Transfer Credit.
Download a Transfer Credit Request form. An official copy of your transcript and applicable detailed course outlines should be attached and submitted. Please note it may take 4 to 6 weeks for a Transfer Credit decision.
Please visit the Office of the Registrar.
Note: All professional courses are eligible for challenge through PLA except Principles of Counselling (SWL326) and Introductory Seminar (SWL147) and the second fieldwork and co-requisite seminar class (SWL347, SWK357). SWL247 & SWK257 cannot be challenged until successful completion of SWL147.
SSW102 is offered each semester.
| Fall Semester | Winter Semester | Summer Semester | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWL226
SWL237 SWL247 SWK257 SWL326 SWL347 |
SWK357
SSW402 SSW301 SSW373 |
SWL147
SWL226 SWL227 SSW301 |
SSW373 | SWL147
SWL226 SWL227 SWL237 SWL326 |
SSW402 |
Succesful completion of the Social Service Worker Diploma program will allow students to register with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services.
On December 16, 1998 the government passed Bill 76, The Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998. This legislation established the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers in Ontario (OCSWSSW). The goal of the legislation is to protect the public by improving standards in these fields and ensuring better quality service.
The act states, "any practitioner wishing to use the title 'Social Worker/Registered Social Worker' or 'Social Service Worker/Registered Social Service Worker' must be a member of the College".
This means, that graduates of the Social Service Worker Diploma program are required, by law, to join the College after graduation if they wish to use the professional title. For more information about the College, contact OCSWSSW at: 416-972-9882 or through their website.
Build on your Seneca Polytechnic diploma
Seneca is recognized as a leader in pathways and offers a range of options to help you reach your educational and career goals.
As a graduate of this program, you may be eligible to pathway into a bachelor's degree program at Seneca or at one of our partner institutions.
To explore your pathway options and learn more, visit our Degree Transfer Guide.
If you have additional questions regarding pathways to, within and beyond Seneca, connect with our Academic Pathways team at 416.764.0399 or email academic.pathways@senecapolytechnic.ca.
After reviewing the Degree Transfer Guide, you can also book a virtual appointment to discuss your options in more detail with a dedicated Pathways Adviser.
When you meet all program requirements and become eligible for a certificate, diploma, or degree, you must inform the Registrar by completing a Graduation Application form and paying the graduation and alumni fee. Certificates, diplomas, and applied degrees are issued twice a year in the Fall (October), Spring (June) and Winter (February).
For further information including deadlines and fees, please visit the Convocation website or contact the Convocation Office at theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca.
Ramya Kottapalli
Program Assistant
Ramya.Kottapalli@senecapolytechnic.ca
416-764-0975
Lisa Harfield
Academic Program Manager
Lisa.Harfield@senecapolytechnic.ca
416-764-0970
For more information about this program, fill out the following form.
Students are invited to attend an information session.