Social Service Worker - Immigrants and Refugees (Accelerated)

Program Description

Social Service Worker – Immigrants and Refugees prepares you to succeed as a social service provider working with immigrants and refugees from diverse backgrounds. With a framework based on equity, social justice and anti–oppression principles, this program provides you with a thorough understanding of pre–migration conditions that cause individuals and communities to leave their countries of origin. The program also prepares you to help clients with challenges they face throughout the process of migration and during the process of integration at the host country.

As a graduate, you will possess skills in the areas of international and national migration policies as well as settlement counselling, case management, information and referral, community development, advocacy, fundraising and proposal writing, program planning, development and evaluation. These skills will be supported by an in–depth knowledge about ways in which the intersection of race, class, gender, nationality, ability, education, religion, immigration status, and sexual orientation hinder or improve the living conditions of immigrants and refugees.

In the program you are challenged to examine your own beliefs and values and promote social justice, human dignity and equality. Your success in this program is measured by your ability to grow and change, and by your academic performance. Your experience is enriched through group interaction and individual work within the classroom setting, seminar format, and by the integration of field placement experience with theoretical knowledge. Field work prepares you for employment. It allows you to gain hands–on experience and to learn about organizational operations and initiatives and sector–wide initiatives. The accelerated program is demanding and requires students with good academic, time management, and interpersonal skills.

Admission Requirements

Program Eligibility:

• Diploma or B.A. graduates in the Social Sciences field from Canada or outside of Canada. Under special circumstances, graduates from other related program areas may be considered
• Grade 12 English: ENG4(C) or ENG4(U) or Seneca College English EAC150 or equivalent
• Field experience in settlement related agencies is an asset

Applicant Selection:

• Acceptance in the program will be based on the feasibility of granting advanced standing* in certain required subjects as outlined in the Advanced Standing and Prior Learning section. In the event of oversubscription for places in this program, students may be selected using some or all of the following criteria: attendance at a mandatory program orientation; proof of volunteer/equivalent experience in social or community service; prior academic achievement.

Please Note: A current Police Reference check is REQUIRED for entry into the field placement component of this program.

The Importance of Learning Skills:

Student success in college requires well developed learning skills (such as being able to work independently, participate in a team, be well-organized, develop good work habits, and show initiative). These skills are as important as prior academic achievement. While it is expected that applicants would have developed these skills through previous education and life experiences, Seneca offers support to assist students with further development of these important skills. Seminars, workshops and tutoring are available at Seneca's Learning Centres.

Fees

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Your Career

Earn your Social Service Worker – Immigrants and Refugees diploma in three semesters with this accelerated program. As a SSIA student, your career may lead you to employment with mainstream service organizations as well as settlement agencies, schools, shelter for refugees, community centers, parenting drop–in centers, the criminal justice system, health, reception centers, women’s programs and shelters, and agencies offering services for immigrant youth, people dealing with disabilities, mental health, addiction, poverty, and intergenerational challenges. Based on your skills, interest and professional background, you can work as a job search workshop facilitator, host program worker, settlement worker, housing worker, school settlement worker, or within settings that directly deal with advocacy or policy–related initiatives.

Upon graduation, you will be eligible for registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Accelerated

This is an accelerated program for those who have completed a diploma or a three or four–year degree. This program consists of a 7–week intensive summer semester (Semester 1) starting in early May each year, followed by a regular academic year commencing the day after Labour Day and concluding in mid April (Semesters 2 and 3).

(The standard program is SSWI).

Field Work

As a student in SSIA, your field work will begin in semester two. Field work provides you with a valuable opportunity to apply your learning to the workplace. In order to be eligible for field work, you will be required to meet the criteria as set out in the “Social Service Worker Student Code of Conduct”. In the placement, you will benefit from supervision, and have specified hours, duties and accountabilities to both the College and agency representative. Field work is a mutually agreed contract for which you will be evaluated by the field placement supervisor. The minimum commitment is the successful completion of specific periods as set out in the Field Placement Student Contract.

Please note that students may be required to return to school during the Academic Advisement Week in January in order to do a block placement. The Social Service Worker – Immigrants and Refugees Program subjects are lecture and tutorial based utilizing texts; some subjects are policy and practice–oriented, and others focus on interpersonal skills and group interactions. Students can expect to spend 20 to 25 hours each week on assignments, as well as two days per week in field placement in semesters two and three.

Provincial Registration

In order to practice in Ontario as a "Social Service Worker" or a "Registered Social Service Worker", graduates must apply for registration in the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). Graduates of the SSWI program will meet the education requirement for registration. For more information, please visit www.ocswssw.org.

Advanced Standing and Prior Learning

Qualified applicants should have previous post–secondary credits from Canada or abroad that will allow Seneca to grant advanced standing in EAC150, the general education components and some professional components of the SSIA program (marked with * in the list of courses under curriculum heading). An official transcript and subject outlines are required for courses to be considered for advanced standing. Only courses with a minimum grade of 60% are eligible. Advanced standing may not be granted until the applicant has registered for the program. Applicants who do not receive advanced standing for EAC150, College English, will be required to sit for the College English Assessment Test.

Curriculum

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