Seneca Polytechnic will be closed from the end of business day on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, to the reopening on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. Part-time classes for the Winter 2025 Term will begin on Friday, Jan. 10. During the holiday closure, you will still be able to access The Service Hub virtually through the online portal and chatbot.
Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Winter 2025. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.
The Settlement Worker Seneca College Certificate program prepares graduates to assist immigrant and refugee newcomers to settle into their communities and schools. They provide direct, front-line services of support, information, referral, advocacy, and orientation for families through the process of Settlement. Students will learn the skills required to support newcomers and facilitate their successful integration into their new communities. Students obtain critical client interviewing and advocacy skills and learn how to navigate the services and supports available to their clients. Students learn about case management and settlement counselling, and review the cultural laws and norms that govern Canadian society. Life skills are another area of program focus, with topics ranging from internet safety to public transportation systems.
The Settlement Worker program prepares graduates for careers in social and community service areas. This program administers a variety of social assistance programs including those that assist clients in resolving personal and social problems. Graduates may find employment in government, and agencies such as those dealing with mental health, group housing and shelters, substance abuse centres, schools and correctional facilities among others.
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Students who do not meet the admission requirement should contact the Program Coordinator directly for further advisement.
It is your responsibility to ensure that program requirements and course prerequisites as outlined are met. Prerequisites are included for your academic protection. Knowledge of the prerequisite material is assumed by your instructor and instruction will proceed accordingly. Students lacking prerequisites not only jeopardize their own ability to succeed but present unnecessary interruption. If you lack appropriate prerequisites (or Transfer Credit for the prerequisite course) you may be asked to withdraw or transfer to a more appropriate course with the risk of academic/financial penalty.
Part-time Studies courses are being offered in either of the following four formats: Online, Flexible, In-person, Hybrid. Click Availability below to see current offerings.
In this course, the participants are introduced to the role of the Settlement Worker and their scope of practice. Through class discussion, lectures, & case scenarios, the learner will explore confidentiality & privacy, Settlement philosophies of best practices, legalities and role boundaries, case management, conflict resolution, cultural competency, cultural sensitivity, relationship building and the expectations of the Settlement Worker.
Settlement Workers need to advocate for the newcomers/immigrants to ensure their integration into their communities is successful. In this course the learner will participate in learning activities that demonstrate effective methods of advocating, ways to improve independence in their clients, how to mobilize/network for a resolution, protecting their clients from the media/exploitation and community building.
This course will focus on the services and supports that the Community & Settlement Worker has available to newcomers/immigrants and will provide you with the skills and assertiveness to effectively navigate them. Topics include; youth in Settlement, role of family dynamics/gender in immigrants, family Settlement planning, adaptations in becoming a Canadian family, and preparing a needs assessment for your clients.
In this course the learner will discuss case management in relation to a family centered approach for the Newcomer. Settlement counselling will be discussed, in relation to effective counselling skills, individual and family counselling and employment counselling.
This course examines the following finances; everyday banking, loans, insurance, housing expenses, budgeting, long term planning, taxes, investments and contracts and leases. Through discussion and case studies the learner will participate in creating household budgets, the rights and responsibilities associated with finances, consumer protection, and available sources of funding.
This course will focus on interview skills, including the first intake meeting and establishing a professional relationship with your client. Other topics, that will be covered include, rapport and trust building, open ended versus closed ended interview questions, non-verbal communication, and managing client expectations.
This course focuses on the integration of Newcomers into the Canadian way of life. Through discussions and group work the following topics will be addressed; driving, safety in the home, weather and seasons, neighbourhood safety, internet safety, emergency services, food safety, and transportation systems.
The course will focus on Canadian Law; including rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens, social and political participation and elections. Canadian culture will also be addressed and how a newcomer would integrate into the Canadian culture and still maintain some of their own cultural heritage. Religion will also be discussed in this course.
In this course, the learner will study the following topics; health and well being, including healthy eating, and lifestyle, dental health, public health issues, addictions and prevention, and mental health.
As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
When you meet all program requirements and become eligible for a certificate, diploma, or degree, you must inform the Registrar by completing a Graduation Application form and paying the graduation and alumni fee. Certificates, diplomas, and applied degrees are issued twice a year in the Fall (October), Spring (June) and Winter (February).
For further information including deadlines and fees, please visit the Convocation website or contact the Convocation Office at theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca.
A student will be eligible to graduate from a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or graduate certificate program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.0.
A student will be eligible to graduate from a degree program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.5, which includes a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the courses in their main field of study and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in breadth courses.
Maria Graziosi
Program Assistant
Maria.Graziosi@senecapolytechnic.ca
416-764-0964
Melanie Rubens
Program Coordinator
Melanie.Rubens@senecapolytechnic.ca
416-764-0973
For more information about this program, fill out the following form.