Diploma in Recreation and Leisure Services

at Seneca College - King Campus Canada

Canada now has more people over age 65 than any other age group and there is a great need for skilled and trained professionals to work with older adults. This two-year diploma program combines the knowledge, professional values and skill sets of social service to assist older adults to maintain independence and a good quality of life. The program focuses on a holistic strength-based approach, current legislation and best practices.

Along with your studies in mandated government initiatives and service delivery models for working with seniors, you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge infield placement and participate in additional educational training. As a student you will engage in personal reflection and growth, work within a team, apply professional ethics, and successfully achieve the Ministry Vocational Learning outcomes so you are prepared to confidently enter the workforce.

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

• Therapeutic program planning
• Individual and group modes of facilitation
• Interventions with clients, families and significant others
• Service coordination and navigation
• Interpersonal communications skills related to working with bereavement and grief
• Assessment of client’s needs and strengths
• Advocacy

Field Work
As a student of this program, if you meet all the academic requirements, you will have the opportunity to participate in a field placement. You will work in a professional capacity and will be evaluated on the basis of an approved three–part learning contract as agreed by you, the approved fieldwork agency and the Seneca SSWG program. With the support and assistance from your professor, you will play an active role in securing your placement.

Fieldwork days are typically:

• Equivalent of two full days per week in semesters two, three and four
• Full week block placements as scheduled throughout the program duration
• One placement at a residential setting and one placement at a community agency which provides services to seniors

In this two-year diploma program you will gain the required knowledge and skills for the human service field and be challenged to examine your own values and beliefs to make a meaningful contribution to the profession. Your studies will include a range of topics in styles of lecture and tutorial-based, utilizing assigned texts which stress interpersonal skills, group dynamics, interviewing, counselling, relationship-building, community development and social policy. By combining your theoretical knowledge and field placement experiences you will also take part in a variety of classroom, seminar and experiential modalities. Upon graduation you will possess a comprehensive set of human service skills which are transferable to a wide range of settings and employment options.

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

• Counselling
• Effective membership and leadership in group settings
• Working with families
• Plan and evaluate programs
• Assess community resources
• Co-ordinate service delivery

Field Work
Over the course of your program, you will be required to complete a field work placement in a professional setting. This placement will help you explore roles in community, health, education and institutional environments. The minimum commitment is the successful completion of specific periods as set out in the field placement student contract. These periods are typically:

• The equivalent of two full days per week in semesters two, three and four
• Full week block placements as scheduled throughout the program duration

This three-year advanced diploma program will provide you with a full range of intervention, prevention and treatment strategies to facilitate a positive change for children, adolescents and families in need of emotional, social, developmental or mental health support. You will receive in-depth training and education in behavioural theories, practices and a foundational understanding of assessment, intervention, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and activities with children and youth.

Skills
Throughout the course of this advanced diploma program you will develop skills in:

• Prevention, intervention and treatment strategies
• Treatments, counselling and therapeutic theories
• Understanding in adolescent development, violence, child and youth management, diversity, therapeutic activities, group and family work

Field Placement
As a student of this program, if you meet all the academic requirements, you will have the opportunity to participate in approximately 1,200 hours of field placement during semesters 3 to 6 in a professional setting. Unpaid field placements will take place throughout semester 3, two days a week, while semester 4, 5 and 6 will take place three times a week.

In this four-year degree program, you will gain a solid foundation in human anatomy, physiology and complementary subjects in general education, as well as a minimum of 1,200 hours of clinical experience.

Your studies will include nursing theory, nursing practice, professional issues, human anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, psychology and General Education.

To improve your likelihood of success while studying in BSCN, we recommend limiting employment to less than eight hours per week.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Collaborative program with York University is approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario. Current graduates from these programs are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse in Ontario.

This one-year certificate program is designed to teach you how to effectively provide care and assistance to clients and families in order to live fulfilling lives in their communities and in institutions. As a student of this program, you will develop a broad range of abilities emphasizing value, true sensitivity and respect for the individuality of each client. You will also have the opportunity to participate in cross disciplinary and/or inter-professional learning opportunities with other members of the care and service team for example, Practical Nursing, Registered Nursing and Social Service Workers.

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

• Personal care and hygiene assistance
• Household and family management
• Meal preparation
• Medical assistance
• Palliative and restorative activities

Field Placement
As a student of this program, if you meet all the academic requirements, you will have the opportunity to participate in two field placements. Field placements are similar in length to an academic semester and typically involve full-time work hours that may be paid or unpaid.

The Personal Support Worker program will provide opportunities for experiential learning through the hands-on skills lab and 2 field placements (facility and community).

This eight-month graduate certificate program provides you with additional training and skills to enhance your current career and open up new opportunities. As a student in this program, you will gain the tools necessary to support young families to promote positive mental health and to help prevent long-term mental health issues. You will also acquire skills, knowledge and judgment to make positive contributions to the best start in life for infants and their families.

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

• Practical applications of current research
• Understanding of risk and protective factors
• Early intervention applications

Field Placement
During this program you will complete a mandatory field placement. Prior to beginning your field placement, you will be required to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Police Check, an up to date medical form, and Standard First Aid and CPR. The documents will be validated by a third party.

This one-year certificate program provides general education and the opportunity to explore and earn credit towards other college programs. A career-counselling component will help you choose and prepare for career-specific postsecondary education.

In this two-year program, you will study theories and clinical applications including the use of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) – the science of understanding, analyzing and modifying human behaviour. Through applied learning and placement, you will learn the applications of ABA, including its use in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities.

As a graduate of this program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, you are eligible to pursue Seneca’s Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Psychology program. This unique pathway allows you to earn a degree within two years (4 semesters plus a work-term) after completion of a summer bridging stream.

If you meet the admission requirements, you may also be eligible to receive a 42 credit block transfer when entering the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Honours in Psychology within the Faculty of Health at York University.

Skills
Throughout this program, you will be trained in intervention techniques used in clinical areas, such as gerontology, educational services, healthcare services, mental health, special education and working with children and adults with developmental disorders, along with other areas where the use of behavioural sciences is expanding rapidly.

Field Work
Over the course of this program, you will work in a professional capacity with the help of a field placement opportunity. Your field work placements will give you the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and apply what you have learned in a work environment. You will work individually and in a group in a professional capacity, with specific job tasks and responsibilities, time management requirements and appropriate interpersonal skills.

Seneca is the first college to offer this four-year specialized degree program in the growing field of community mental health.  Students will study a range of essential topics to gain foundational knowledge in theoretical interventions and social determinants by focusing on health science, psychology and social work from both a practical and theoretical standpoint.

The World Health Organization has established there is an overwhelming worldwide human resource shortage in community mental health. One-fifth of Canadians will personally experience mental illness in their lifetime and in Ontario one in five children and youth under the age of 17 has a mental health challenge. Mental health problems are predicted to increase by over 50% internationally by the year 2020.

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

• Analytical, conceptual and critical thinking skills
• Ability to challenge the status quo
• Problem-solving skills
• Professional expertise in order to assess community needs, plan, educate and administer recovery-oriented support services

Mandatory Degree Work Term
A work experience that includes at least one term in a formal work environment. The work term(s) may be a paid or unpaid position that is completed between two academic semesters and requires a minimum of 420 hours of work. Students must be in good standing and meet all identified requirements prior to participating in the work experience. The successful completion of the work term(s) is required for graduation. Eligibility for participation does not guarantee that a work position will be secured. Additional fees are required for the mandatory degree work term regardless of success in securing a work position.

This two-year diploma program prepares you to deliver exciting recreational activities that help local communities, public and private organizations, and groups such as older adults, youth, and persons with disabilities. With exposure to key professional practices, such as physical literacy, leadership and management, business skills, facilities management, community development and program development, you will be well prepared to develop programs and activities for municipalities, not-for-profit groups, and private organizations. Graduates from this program are eligible for transfer credits into the Bachelors of Therapeutic Recreation degree. This program offers significant credit transfers that allow you to earn this four-year degree within three years.

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

• Business strategies for public, private and entrepreneurial sectors
• Community initiative and non-profit involvement
• Outreach and engagement strategies
• Parks and Recreation Ontario (PRO) student membership
• Physical Literacy and Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS)

Field Placement
You will gain hands-on experience through unpaid placement in the fourth semester working with recreational professionals. You will also work in partnership with community groups, local boards of education and non-profit organizations across the program.