Diploma in Social Service Worker

at Seneca College - King Campus Canada

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 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.

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 eight-month certificate program will provide you with principles and skills to effectively manage the public and work in emergency services and perform under stressful conditions. An emergency services communicator is often the first person involved in responding to members of the public during times of distress and crisis. Your training will combine professional knowledge and practical scenarios, including utilizing Hexagon’s industry-leading Computer-Aided Dispatch System (I-CAD) system. You will learn how to record and analyze data received from calls, and how this critical information can direct the response to an incident. This program uses blended and online strategies across our curriculum to deliver innovative and flexible learning.

Upon completion of required hours and professional exams, you will have the opportunity to qualify for the Public Safety Telecommunicator certificate offered by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO).

Graduates of Ontario Police Foundations programs are eligible to receive four courses as credit towards the 12 courses required for the certificate in Emergency Services Communications.

Seneca's King Campus is part of a provincially significant wetland complex and is a valued source of headwaters to the Humber Rivers watershed, which is part of the Canadian Heritage Rivers System. In this unique two-year diploma program, the majority of your outdoor training will take place on this land. You will study ecology, traditional types of landscaping, practical skills and receive an overview of the ecosystem allowing you to understand the impact humans have on the environment and how to protect and restore its natural landscapes.

The demand for environmental landscape management is growing within private and public organizations, therefore employers are in search of graduates who are committed, skilled and knowledgeable in the profession.

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

• A blend of theoretical and applied practical skills valued in the environmental landscaping field
• Knowledge of the latest landscaping techniques, including fusion landscaping approaches
• Computer aided design techniques
• Business and marketing skills
• An advanced awareness of ecology and the interactions between humans, plants and the environment.

Optional Co-op
You will be given the opportunity to complete an optional co-op work term in a professional work environment. To be eligible, you must meet all academic requirements as well as have a passing grade on a communication assessment. Additional fees are required for those participating in the optional co-op. 

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 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.

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.

The four-year Honours Bachelor of Child Development degree program prepares you for expansive opportunities across the health, education, and social service sectors. Upon completion of this program, you will be able to pursue careers in family support services, recreation, early learning and education, infant mental health, and early intervention for children and youth with diverse abilities. You will also qualify to register as a member of the College of Early Childhood Educator and practice as a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE).

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

• Leadership
• Communication
• Interdisciplinary educational approaches
• Interprofessional collaboration

Mandatory Degree Work Term
A work experience that includes at least one term in a formal work environment. The work term 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 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 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.