About the Program
This one-year SSWA accelerated option allows you to build on your current credentials, upgrading your education or choosing a career specialization. This program consists of a seven-week summer semester starting in early May, followed by a regular academic year starting the day after Labour Day and concluding in mid-April.
The SSWA program provides students with the professional knowledge and skills to support the needs of the community and our most vulnerable citizens. Practical interventions and strength-based approaches will equip you to promote equity and support populations experiencing trauma and challenging life events. You will be encouraged to examine your belief systems and inherent biases in relation to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice set out by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
The curriculum covers key areas such as mental health, crisis management, and examining privileges and biases that influence professional practice. You will also learn about supportive counselling, community development, and relevant legislation. Learning methods include seminars, collaborative projects, guest lectures and experiential learning opportunities.
Please note that due to the nature of this program and profession, some course work and field placements are held in-person to adequately form interpersonal communication skills.
Graduates with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible to pursue many different educational pathways including Seneca’s Honours Bachelor of Mental Health and Addiction (BMHA) program.
Please note that due to the short duration of the first semester, the first semester does not qualify for OSAP funding. Subsequent semesters are eligible. For more information, please contact Financial Aid.
Credential Awarded
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
3 Semesters (12 Months)
Starts
May
Program and Course Delivery
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.
Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
- Trauma-informed, anti-oppressive and strength-based supportive counselling
- Group facilitation (in-person and virtual)
- Advocacy to promote social justice, human dignity and equity
- Interpersonal communication and teamwork
- Ability to work with children, youth, individuals, families and older adults across the lifespan
- Intake and referrals, assessments, and case management
- Creating, implementing and evaluating community-based programs and projects
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and policies with ability to implement social change
- Community development, research and education
Apply skills and theoretical concepts learned within the classroom and build your network in one unpaid field placement over your second and third semesters. Completion of this placement will support your entry into the field of social service work.
When you graduate from this program, these are the types of career options you can explore:
- Agencies serving individuals, groups and communities experiencing challenging life events
- Shelters
- Schools
- Criminal justice system
- Mental health and substance misuse services
- Developmental services
- Food and income security programs
- Residential programs
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.
Pathways
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.