Diploma in Social Service Worker

at Seneca College - King Campus Canada

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.

This eight-month graduate certificate program enhances the knowledge and skill sets of front line service providers or recent graduates of relevant programs with a specialization in mental health intervention. Along with studying theoretical and practical course content in family dynamics, community mental health and crisis intervention, you will be introduced to practical applications of the latest research and develop an understanding of risk, protective factors as well as early intervention applications. This training will prepare you to provide expertise to individuals and families in need of support.

During your second semester, the unique ‘Community Outreach’ course challenges your abilities to innovate new practices in the field. You will be placed on a team with fellow students where you will develop original modules based on best practices in mental health detection, prevention and outreach thereby contributing to the expansion of mental health knowledge and practices to the broader community.

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

• Research 
• Practical applications 
• Ability to use good judgment

This rigorous and fast-paced program has been preparing commercial divers for a variety of industry careers for more than 45 years. That’s why contractors continue to contact Seneca looking for skilled graduates to work in offshore construction, salvage, inspection, offshore oil and gas exploration, and production.

In this 35-week program, you will dive to a maximum of 50 metres (165 feet), led by Seneca’s Unrestricted Surface Supplied Supervisors, who have more than 100 years of combined commercial diving experience. Graduates will receive an internationally recognized certificate as an Unrestricted Surface Supplied Diver from the Diver Certification Board of Canada (DCBC).

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

• Commercial diving techniques
• Surface and underwater welding and cutting
• Construction and salvage work
• Underwater inspection and repair work related to the civil and offshore oil industry
• Safety and competently using equipment in open water
• Ability to assess the cause of pressure-related diseases and conditions

This one-year certificate program is designed to provide you with the core knowledge, skills and abilities fundamental to academic success in health sciences and other high affinity programs. You will develop knowledge and skills in communications, mathematics, human anatomy, biology, and organic/inorganic chemistry. You will be well prepared to further your study in the health sciences at either the diploma or baccalaureate level. The program also provides you with the opportunity to learn about potential careers in the health sciences, and to identify other programs focusing on the biological or chemical sciences that will enable you to achieve your career objectives.

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.

In this four-year degree program, you will learn to assess, design, evaluate and implement therapeutic interventions for future clients. Therapeutic interventions are activities designed to achieve outcomes in the physical, psychological, social, cognitive and spiritual domains. As a student of this program, you will gain essential knowledge and expertise in various health disciplines such as health sciences, recreation, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychology. In semester eight, you will take professional stream options to increase your knowledge in a specialized area and gain an added advantage in the workplace.

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

• Client assessments
• Evaluation and implementation of therapeutic intervention
• Therapeutic intervention activities

Mandatory Degree Work Term
You will complete at least one term in a formal work environment. It takes place in the fall semester of the final year and it may be a paid or unpaid position that requires a minimum of 420 hours of work. Students must be in good standing and meet all requirements prior to participating in the work term. 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. Please be aware that students in the program will take Semester 7 classes over summer in order to complete a fall work term and Semester 8 in the winter.

This program is the first four-year undergraduate honours degree in Canada that provides a comprehensive program of study in the rapidly growing field of Behavioural Psychology. With a curriculum based on the theory that adaptive and maladaptive behaviours are acquired through interaction with the environment, you will examine a range of subjects in psychology including behavioural intervention, behavioural techniques and the application of Applied Behaviour Analysis in clinical and non-clinical settings. You will graduate with in-depth theoretical, conceptual and applied knowledge in the field of behavioural psychology.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) services are becoming more widely available in Ontario as funding has quadrupled over the last 10 years. Approximately one in 10 Canadians has a learning disability and in Ontario one in five children and youth has a mental health challenge.

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

•  Developmental and intellectual disabilities
•  Autism Spectrum Disorder
•  Mental health and neurological injury applications
•  Experience in gathering and information to design treatments and interventions

Mandatory Degree Work Term
You will be required to fulfil one mandatory work term within a professional environment with a minimum of 420 hours. The work term(s) may be a paid or unpaid position that is completed between two academic semesters. 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 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).

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 program is the first in Canada to be designed around the Canadian College of Health Leaders LEADS Leadership Framework and will provide you with the integrative thinking skills which are critical to the management of complex health systems. The training from this program will prepare you to tackle the needs and priorities for financial sustainability, evidence-informed decision making, health promotion, illness prevention, modern management and patient-centred care as outlined by the Conference Board of The Canada Health Summit.

As a student in this program you will take part in field, lab and mentorship experiences from your first year along with specialized courses in health formatics, cross-cultural and global health, program planning, health law, mediation, patient safety, research, innovation and leadership.

Scholarship opportunities are available if you have distinguished academic records from your high school careers. A variety of scholarships and bursaries are also available to you based on merit and financial needs.

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

• Leadership
• Critical thinking
• Business management
• Health administration

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.