Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Summer 2025. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.
Learning Drives Career Mobility
Enhance the value of your previous postsecondary academic success by building an honours degree that is both marketable and progressive. Seneca's Honours Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (offered part time, full time and online) presents students with a clear and flexible pathway into degree studies.
This honours degree addresses the challenges of tomorrow's world by developing expertise across multiple perspectives and by providing valuable skills that cross broad themes and disciplines. The program builds on professional knowledge and skills gained from a diploma and uses previously earned credits to complete the degree.
Core to a liberal arts focused curriculum are the skills and abilities that are most valued by 21st century employers: communication, collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving. Seneca's Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree can ensure that you have right balance of skills to maximize your potential and to be ready for the future.
Students are invited to attend an information session.
Interested in applying?
If you are interested in applying to this program, please register for the orientation session below and you will be contacted by our Program Support Coordinator.
Graduates of the Honours Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree are uniquely placed to enter the competitive workplace or continue their studies at the graduate level in a variety of disciplines.
Within the dynamic landscape of the global economy, individuals who have completed the Honours Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies program contribute to a well-rounded workforce where human skills - those acquired in this degree - are highly valued. For example:
Education focused on Liberal Arts is the future of work.
Mature students (19 and older) with:
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.
This course provides a foundation for further study in the social sciences by introducing students to their basic subject matter and theory. It is designed for students in the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Program, forming a basis for courses in any of the relevant social sciences. It will also serve as a Liberal Studies course suitable to provide an introduction to social science topics for the broader body of Seneca Polytechnic students. The course is unified via a focus on a central theme or themes of relevance to all the social sciences, such as power and human nature. Through lectures, readings, discussions, and assignments, this course will offer a comprehensive interdisciplinary introduction to these central issues, integrating diverse social science approaches to the topic. The course emphasizes the development of critical thinking and writing skills, facilitates the practical application of student learning, and promotes the integration of social science insights into students' broader understanding of themselves and their world.
This course examines the challenges and opportunities that face sustainable development across the world. As climate change and ecological stress become increasingly pressing problems, global poverty must be addressed using sustainable solutions. This recognition underlies a widespread shift away from resource intensive and environmentally damaging development patterns. Sustainable development requires creative thinking, trial and error, and a bottom-up approach tailored to local conditions and needs. This course familiarizes students with the concepts and methods that inform sustainable development. It allows students to identify unsustainable practices based on scientific and economic ideas and relate these ideas to real world case studies of contemporary development initiatives.
ENG106 or equivalent.
Ethics or moral philosophy is the philosophical exploration and consideration of the values and principles we use to make moral judgments. Thus, answers to the fundamental questions of ethics provide guidelines for how we should lead our lives. This course will introduce students to the major ethical theories and consider the practical implications and applications of these theories for conduct in the business world.
In this course, three themes of leadership will be explored: the personal side of leadership, the evolution of leadership theory, and the social side of leadership. For each, a variety of experiential learning techniques including personal reflection, simulations, and problem-solving will engage the students as theory is introduced. Students will develop personal effectiveness skills that will assist them in their group and leadership roles.
This course provides a foundation for further study in the social sciences by introducing students to their basic subject matter and theory, focusing in particular on political science and economics. It is designed for students in the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, forming a basis for social science courses. It will also serve as a Liberal Studies course suitable to provide an introduction to social science topics for the broader body of Seneca Polytechnic students. The course is unified via a focus on central themes relevant to all the social sciences, such as power and human nature. Through lectures, readings, discussions, and assignments both online and in-class, this course offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary introduction to these central issues, integrating diverse social science approaches to the topic. The course emphasizes the development of critical thinking and writing skills, facilitates the practical application of student learning, and promotes the integration of social science insights into students' broader understanding of themselves and their world. Introduction to the Social Sciences 1 is not a prerequisite.
This survey course is intended to give students a broad understanding of those sub-disciplines that comprise the natural sciences and to provide students with an understanding of the history, philosophy and social contributions of science. It will introduce students to current issues of particular concern to both science and society.
ENG106 or one liberal studies (LSO) or Critical Thinking course.
Every day, millions of people share their opinions with a global audience via Tweets, #s, blogs, wikis, videos, likes, tags, text messages and online comments. Digital spaces and mobile technologies allow us to be connected to our personal and professional networks and communities 24/7. In what ways does this hyper-connectivity impact the ways in which people regard their place in the world and define themselves?
In this course we will analyse the social, ethical, political and cultural ramifications of societies that are increasingly mobile and digital. The impact of new genres and forms of expression on our identities will be explored as we actively participate in online networks and create materials for social media.
ENG106 and one Liberal Studies (LSO) course
This course combines classroom discussion, guest lectures, and cultural experiences to raise awareness and help students gain a deeper understanding of varied contemporary experiences. We will explore significant issues related to colonization, justice, the contemporary indigenous experience, gender, through guest speakers, documentaries, current events, podcasts, literature, and art.
This mandatory course for degree WIL students prepares students to job search for their co-ops/work terms. Students will reflect on their skills, attitudes, and expectations and evaluate and interpret available opportunities in the workplace. Self-marketing techniques using resumes, cover letters, cold-calls, and interviewing will be learned and students will learn the expectations, rules, and regulations that apply in the workplace with regards to social, organizational, ethical, and safety issues while developing an awareness of self-reflective practice.
The Co-op work term is 4 months in length and is a paid or unpaid work experience whereby a student is employed in a job directly related to the program outcomes of the degree. The work term is based on an approval from the faculty supervisor in charge of placements and co-ops. It provides the student with the opportunity to practice in his/her chosen field. A faculty supervisor helps the student prepare for, select, and contract an approved co-op opportunity. The faculty supervisor provides support for the learning experience throughout the student's time in placement.
ENG 106 and one liberal studies (LSO) or Critical Thinking course.
This course is divided into two parts: theory and practice. In the first part, we examine the philosophical foundations of the defining political ideologies of our time: liberalism, conservatism, communism, socialism, and their intellectual heirs and hybrids. Authors include John Locke, Adam Smith, Immanuel Kant, Edmund Burke, Karl Marx, John Stuart Mill, among others. In the second part, we turn to questions of public policy and to the ways in which various ideologies approach, and attempt to solve, difficult political questions. Issues include education, health care, immigration and citizenship, among others.
Note on previous curriculum:
Fall 2024: Students who began their studies in this program in September 2024 can view and reference the Fall 2024 curriculum here.
Prior to Fall 2024: Students who began their studies in this program before September 2024 can view and reference the curriculum prior to Fall 2024 here.
Note on 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.
Part-time studies students who are currently employed or who have past work experience that is relevant and aligns with the program outcomes are encouraged to use their current or past full-time work experience to fulfill (INS881) of the Work integrated Learning requirement through the completion of a process called a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).
Note on Professional Studies Options (PSOs): Students who have a two-year diploma from a recognized College are typically required to take five (5) PSOs. Students who have a three-year advanced diploma from a recognized College are typically granted transfer credit for all fifteen (15) PSOs required to graduate. Please consult the Program Support Coordinator for information on course options.
Note on Liberal Studies Options (LSOs): Students who have a two-year diploma from a recognized College are typically required to take four (4) LSOs. Students who have a three-year advanced diploma from a recognized College are typically required to take two (2) LSOs.
As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
To apply, please fill in the form below and forward the following documents:
If you have questions about this application process or the Interdisciplinary Studies program, please contact Gaye Rubens, Program Support Coordinator at gaye.rubens@senecapolytechnic.ca.
This program is eligible for OSAP funding.
Course load is used by OSAP to determine funding options for programs.
If you are taking one to two courses at the same time, you may be considered for part-time student grants and loans.
If you are taking three or more courses at the same time, you may be considered for full-time student grants and loans.
To find out if you qualify and to learn how to apply, please visit the OSAP website.
For information on other awards and financial assistance, please see Financial Aid.
Seneca has been granted a consent by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to offer this degree for a 7-year term starting April 26, 2012. 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.
Earn college credits for what you already know.
Prior Learning Assessment is a method of assessing and recognizing learning that is equal to
college level learning, but has been gained outside a traditional classroom (through work
experience, volunteering, outside study, etc.). If you can prove that the knowledge you have gained
meets the outcomes of a Seneca course, then credit will be awarded.
How does the PLA process work?
Prior Learning is demonstrated through a "challenge" process. The process measures learning
through a variety of methods which may include tests, portfolio assessment, interviews,
demonstrations, essays, and work samples. The method used will be determined in consultation with a
Program Coordinator.
For more information and to determine if you are eligible for PLA, please call the Program
Coordinator.
The process may take from 6 to 8 weeks.
Note: Not all courses can be challenged. For more information go to PLA website or contact your Program Coordinator.
Build on your Seneca Polytechnic credential
As a leader in academic pathways, Seneca offers a range of options to help you build on your education. You can transfer existing credits from a completed program to other studies here or at partner institutions.
You may be eligible to pathway to the Honours Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies from your Ontario College diploma after you graduate. To explore your pathway options and learn more, explore the pathways to Seneca.
If you have additional questions regarding pathways, connect with our Academic Pathways team by phone at 416.764.0399, by email or book a virtual appointment with a Pathways Adviser.
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.
Marianne Tang
Program Assistant
Marianne.Tang@senecapolytechnic.ca
437-312-0357
Gaye Rubens
Program Support Coordinator
gaye.rubens@senecapolytechnic.ca
437-312-0352
Rosemare Mariaseelan
Academic Program Manager
Rosemare.Mariaseelan@senecapolytechnic.ca
416-764-9890
Have questions about pathway options?
If you've reviewed pathways to Seneca and would like to discuss your options further, connect with our Academic Pathways team by phone at 416.764.0399, by email or book a virtual appointment with a Pathways Adviser.
For more information about this program, fill out the following form.
Students are invited to attend an information session.