Social Service Worker (SSW)

About the Program

In this two-year Social Service Worker diploma program, you will gain professional knowledge and skills for the human service field. You will learn how historical, systemic and sociopolitical marginalization can affect access to resources and social or health services. Practical interventions and strengths-based approaches will equip you with skills to promote equity and support under-served populations experiencing trauma and challenging life events.

You will learn about everything from mental health to crisis management. In addition, studies will cover counselling, community development and legislation. The program includes seminars, collaborative projects and guest presentations that provide real-world experiences. Upon graduation, you’ll have a comprehensive set of human service skills that can be used in a wide range of settings and jobs.

As a graduate of this program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, you are eligible to pursue Seneca’s Honours Bachelor of Mental Health and Addiction 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.

Completion of the summer bridging stream includes the following courses:

MHB399 Advanced Studies in Community Mental Health
MHB499 Health and Community Psychology
MHB599 Introduction to Mental Health and Addiction
MHB699 Crisis Counselling and Therapeutic Approaches
MHB799 Trauma Methods and Practice in Community Mental Health

Part-time option is available >

Credential Awarded

Ontario College Diploma

Duration

4 Semesters (2 Years)

Starts

January, September

Program and Course Delivery

This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format with some courses available in Seneca's flexible 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. For courses offered in the flexible delivery format, professors use innovative learning spaces and technology to teach students in a classroom or lab and broadcast in real time to students attending remotely. In flexible courses, students have the choice of coming on campus or learning online.

Skills

Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

advocacy
counselling
facillitating group work
working with families
case management
planning and evaluating programs
community work

Work Experience

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

Your Career

When you graduate from this program, these are the types of career options you can explore:

agencies serving at risk and vulnerable individuals, groups and communities
shelters
schools
criminal justice system
mental health services
rehabilitation services

Program of Study

Course List
Course Code	Course Name	Weekly Hours
Semester 1
COM101	Communicating Across Contexts	3
or COM111	Communicating Across Contexts (Enriched)
SLL307	Sociology: A Practical Approach	3
SSW101	Interpersonal Communications	3
SSW102	Anti Oppressive Practice	3
SSW136	Social Justice Approaches to Social Problems	3
SSW147	Preparation for Social Service Work Practice	3
Semester 2
SSW201	Group Dynamics	3
SSW206	Resiliency through the Life Span	3
SSW212	Interviewing Skills and Principles	3
SSW227	Families in Change	3
SSW247	Field Seminar I	3
SSW257	Field Practicum I	3
Semester 3
SSW311	Service Coordination and Advocacy	3
SSW312	Supportive Counselling	3
SSW347	Field Seminar II	3
SSW357	Field Practicum II	3
plus: General Education Course (1)		3
plus: Professional Option (1)		3
Semester 4
SSW401	Social Welfare and Policy	3
SSW402	Community Practice	3
SSW447	Field Seminar III	3
SSW457	Field Practicum III	3
plus: General Education Course (2)		6

Professional Options

Course List
Course Code	Course Name	Weekly Hours
BHS204	Autism and Developmental Disabilities	3
CYC376	Human Sexuality	3
CYC377	Impact of Social Networking	3
GWL137	Introduction to Aging	3
GWL377	Volunteer Program Management	3
SSW371	Selected Issues: Intimate Partner Abuse and Violence	3
SSW372	Selected Issues: Addictions	3
SSW373	Selected Issues: Mental Health	3
SSW374	Selected Issues: Child Welfare	3
SSW380	Homelessness in Canada	3

Program Learning Outcomes

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:

Develop respectful and collaborative professional and interpersonal relationships that adhere to professional, legal, and ethical standards aligned to social service work.
Record information accurately and communicate effectively in written, digital, verbal and non-verbal ways, in adherence to privacy and freedom of information legislation, in accordance with professional and workplace standards.
Integrate a practice framework within a service delivery continuum, addressing the needs of individuals, families and communities at micro, mezzo, macro and global levels, and work with them in achieving their goals.
Plan and implement accessible and responsive programs and services, recognizing the diverse needs and experiences of individuals, groups, families and communities, and meeting these needs.
Examine current social policy, relevant legislation, and political, social, historical, and/or economic systems and their impacts for individuals and communities when delivering services to the user/client.
Develop strategies and approaches that support individual clients, groups, families and communities in building the capacity for self-advocacy, while affirming their dignity and self-worth.
Work from an anti-oppressive, strengths-based practice, recognizing the capacity for resilience and growth of individuals and communities when responding to the diverse needs of marginalized or vulnerable populations to act as allies and advocates.
Develop strategies and approaches to implement and maintain holistic self-care as a member of a human service profession.
Work with individuals, groups, families and their communities to ensure that service provider strategies promote social and economic justice, and challenge patterns of oppression, discrimination and harassment, and sexual violence with clients, coworkers and communities.
Develop the capacity to work with the Indigenous individual, families, groups and communities while respecting their inherent rights to self-determine, and to identify and address systemic barriers that produce ill-effects, developing appropriate responses using approaches such as trauma informed care practice.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or a mature applicant
English: Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent course

Canadian citizens and permanent residents may satisfy the English requirements for this program through successful Seneca pre-admission testing.

Additional Information

After admission but before beginning field placement, you must obtain a Police Vulnerable Sector Check.

International Student Information

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).