The four-year Honours Bachelor of Child Development degree program prepares you for expansive opportunities across the social service, education and health 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).
In addition to building meaningful careers, many graduates choose to pursue further professional training and education — often in teacher preparation or advanced graduate studies — to deepen their expertise and expand their career options in areas such as assessment and counselling, child life, elementary education, speech and language support and occupational therapy.
As a student of this program, you will be provided support and guidance in self-securing a four-month work term (paid or unpaid) which frequently translates into future employment. Our faculty have direct experience in community and educational settings and can help connect you with potential opportunities as you plan your next steps.
Honours Bachelor Degree
8 Semesters (4 Years)
September
This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format. Some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements.
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
Field placement is central to the learning experience. You will have the opportunity to integrate classroom learning into practice with groups of children and families within the community. You will have four different field placement experiences throughout the program.
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.
Graduates of the program can explore the following career options:
Upon graduation you will qualify to join the following affiliations and associations:
| Course Code | Course Name | Weekly Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| BCD102 | Healthy Environments: Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 |
| BCD104 | Human Development and Observation: Conception to Toddlerhood | 3 |
| BCD106 | Foundations of Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| BCD108 | Professional Practice in a Diverse Culture | 3 |
| ENG106 | Writing Strategies | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| BCD200 | Integrative Seminar: Preschool Placement | 9 |
| BCD204 | Human Development and Observation: Preschool to School Age | 3 |
| BCD206 | Art and Science to Explore the Natural World | 3 |
| BCD208 | Ethics, Policy and Legislation | 3 |
| plus: Liberal Studies Course (1) | 3 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| BCD300 | Integrative Seminar: Infant and Toddler Placement | 9 |
| BCD304 | Children with Diverse Abilities | 3 |
| BCD306 | Physical Literacy and Music | 3 |
| BCD308 | Developing and Sustaining Partnership with Families | 3 |
| plus: Liberal Studies Course (1) | 3 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| BCD400 | Integrative Seminar: Kindergarten to Grade 3 Placement | 9 |
| BCD404 | Attachment Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| BCD406 | Mathematics and Digital Literacy | 3 |
| BCD408 | Child and Family Relationships: Theoretical Foundations | 3 |
| BCD410 | Critical Social Theories | 3 |
| Semester 5 | ||
| BCD500 | Integrative Seminar: Community Placement | 9 |
| BCD502 | Mental Health Intervention Planning for Children | 3 |
| BCD504 | Supporting Emotional Well-Being from Early Childhood through Adolescence | 3 |
| BCD508 | Interprofessional Collaboration | 3 |
| LSO510 | Indigenous Awareness: Towards Truth and Reconciliation | 3 |
| Semester 6 | ||
| BCD604 | The Brain and Cognitive Development | 3 |
| BCD606 | Introduction to Research Methods | 3 |
| BCD608 | Care Collaboration with Families | 4 |
| BCD610 | Language Development | 3 |
| WTP200 | Work Term Preparation | 1 |
| plus: Liberal Studies Course (1) | 3 | |
| Work-Integrated Learning Term | ||
| BCD881 | Childhood Development, Work Term | 35 |
| Semester 7 | ||
| BCD702 | Effects of Stress, Trauma and Violence on Children's Learning | 3 |
| BCD706 | Applied Research Proposal | 3 |
| BCD708 | Methods of Screening and Assessment | 3 |
| BCD710 | Childhood in Global Contexts | 3 |
| plus: Liberal Studies Course (1) | 3 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| BCD802 | Transformative Learning in Communities | 3 |
| BCD806 | Applied Research Paper | 3 |
| BCD808 | Family Focused Practice: Early Intervention | 3 |
| plus: Liberal Studies Course (2) | 6 | |
Seneca has been granted consent by the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security to offer this degree for a seven-year term starting Apr. 9, 2021. In conformity with the Minister's criteria and requirements, Seneca will submit an application for the renewal of the consent for this program 12 months prior to the expiration of the consent. Seneca shall ensure that all students admitted to the above-named program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.
This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
Learn about Seneca’s free English upgrading course and math upgrading course for applicants who don’t meet the high school requirements, as well as recommended upgrading for applicants who don’t meet their academic subject requirements.
To comply with the requirements of field placement organizations, you must have these documents prior to the start of the term. Documents must be valid for the duration of the placement semester:
Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check
Medical form: which includes current immunization and chest x-ray or tuberculin skin test reports
Standard First Aid and CPR-C
Please note that verification of these requirements are coordinated through a third-party provider. You will receive detailed instructions during your first semester. You are responsible for all fees associated with this process.
Advanced Entry
Advanced entry offers a pathway for graduates from the following Ontario diploma/advanced diploma programs with a GPA of 70% or higher:
International admissions requirements vary by program and in addition to English requirements, programs may require credits in mathematics, biology, and chemistry at a level equivalent to Ontario’s curriculum, or a postsecondary degree or diploma, equivalent to an Ontario university or college. Program-specific pre-requisite courses and credentials are listed with the admission requirements on each program page. To review the academic requirements please visit: Academic Requirements - Seneca, Toronto, Canada (senecapolytechnic.ca).
As a leader in academic pathways, we offer a range of options that will allow you to take your credential further in another Seneca program or a program at a partner institution.
To learn more about your eligibility, visit the Academic Pathways web page.
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