Registration for Fall 2026 programs and courses is now open. Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Fall 2026. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.
The Social Service Worker diploma program provides students with the knowledge, skills and values required to respond to the needs of individuals, families and communities. Students learn how to recognize and address the social barriers and personal challenges that affect people's well being and success in striving for social and economic justice.
The program is practitioner oriented, preparing graduates to explore new roles in community, health, educational and institutional environments. Throughout the program, you will complete 600 hours of field placement in a variety of social settings which will integrate skills you acquired through your academic courses, assignments and research. The program works closely with local social service agencies, to keep current, for curriculum development and field work.
Professional Social Service Worker courses are usually offered in the evenings with two components of field work which may be completed during the weekday/evening and/or weekend.
Both the full-time studies and the Faculty of Continuing Education and Training (FCET) programs generally cover the same academic content. Full-time students wishing to take FCET courses toward their diploma are encouraged to consult with their full-time program coordinator to ensure that the courses for which they intend to register are equivalent to their academic program.New students are strongly encouraged to attend an information session to find out important information about the program. Please register for one of the next available sessions below.
You can enrol in courses that are part of this program as a declared or undeclared student. Program declaration is the process of identifying the program you plan to complete and graduate with.
Declared Students
Declaring your program helps ensure your academic record accurately reflects your educational goals and supports your academic progression toward a credential.
By declaring your program, you'll be able to:
Undeclared Students
If you have not declared a program, Seneca may not know which credential you are working toward. As a result, you may miss out on the important benefits that declared students receive. You can remain undeclared and continue registering for courses if you do not intend to complete a credential and do not require progress tracking, enhanced advising support or Convocation eligibility.
Declared Students: For details about the program and how to apply as a declared student, please visit Seneca's updated Social Service Worker page.
Undeclared Students: Register for courses by visiting the Curriculum tab to select your course(s), check out and pay using this website.
Declared Students: Course registration for the Winter 2027 term for the part-time Social Service Worker program will move from this website to Seneca's Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) platform. You will be able to build your class schedule when open enrolment begins on Dec. 10, 2026. Watch your email for instructions.
Undeclared Students: Register for courses by visiting the Curriculum tab to select your course of interest, check out and pay using this website.
If you haven't yet declared your program but wish to do so, more information will be available soon.
Please review "Important Information for New and Returning Students" on the overview tab before registering for courses.
This course is an introduction to the skills required to understand and improve one's own communication style thereby enhancing one's ability to consciously and effectively relate to others. Students will be expected to demonstrate an appropriate level of competence in interpersonal communication skills and self-awareness.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
This subject is intended to provide an introduction to some of the major social problems in Canadian society as well as examining some global issues. Theoretical concepts will be used in understanding and analyzing these problems. It is designed to teach students to question the way in which the world around them operates.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
This course enables students to develop competence in dealing with the challenges of working in a multicultural society. Students will develop more sensitivity in interaction with clients of different cultural backgrounds. This course also helps students to develop skills in identifying and challenging racist thought and practice.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
This subject is an introduction to the principles and practice of social service work. Students will be exposed to the knowledge, skills and values associated with practice in an agency setting. Students will also be assisted in the process of selecting a field practicum which responds to each individual's interests and needs.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
Students with a completed high school diploma or prior English Proficiency scores can find more details on next steps here.
Students without any of the above can be placed via successful completion of ESL934, EAP230 or English Assessment.
COM101 replaces EAC 150. Students who have successfully completed EAC 150 are not required to complete COM101.
This course introduces students to the core concepts of communication. Students will cultivate an awareness of these concepts by analyzing how they are used in a variety of texts and contexts, and they will apply these concepts strategically in their own writing. Through a variety of writing tasks centered on these core concepts of communication, students will develop the transferable reading and writing skills essential for success in their post-secondary studies, workplaces, and communities.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
Students with a completed high school diploma or prior English Proficiency scores can find more details on next steps here.
Students without any of the above can be placed via English Assessment.
This course introduces students to the core concepts of communication. Students will cultivate an awareness of these concepts by analyzing how they are used in a variety of texts and contexts, and they will apply these concepts strategically in their own writing. Through a variety of writing tasks centered on these core concepts of communication, students will develop the transferable reading and writing skills essential for success in their post-secondary studies, workplaces, and communities.
To understand the social determinants of thoughts, feelings, and actions it is necessary to explore the role of social forces, that is, the role of society, social relations, social institutions, and the process of socialization in shaping human psychology and conduct. Since every individual is born into a pre-existing society, it seems reasonable that an introduction to the social sciences begins with a presentation of basic sociological concepts, theories, and principles, and how these may be applied toward an understanding of the individual's place in the social world.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
NOTE: COM101/COM111 should be completed in Module 1, before beginning Module 2.
You will be provided with an introduction to the basic theory and skills necessary for effective interviewing and counselling. A micro-skills approach to intentional counselling is taken. Throughout this course, students use role-play situations to practice skills, concepts and methods designed to develop concrete competencies in interviewing and counselling.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
The course will examine the multiple variations in the structures of families as well as the changing role of the family in today's society. Students will learn about healthy and less health characteristics of family functioning. Various styles and problems of modern family living are explored. Gender, ethnicity, culture, privilege, and social location and their impact on families are examined in order to equip students to work from an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed perspective with diverse families. An examination of First Nation, Inuit, and Metis (FNIM) families will provide knowledge and understanding of FNIM world-views, and practices that promote cultural competence and cultural safety. Students will learn how to articulate the importance of developing and delivering services and programs that are culturally compatible. The implications of social location and anti-oppressive practice will be studied in service delivery and case planning.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
This is an experiential course that will provide an introduction to the theoretical concepts necessary for understanding small groups in a social services context, the practical skills needed for being an effective group participant, and an introduction to group planning and facilitation skills.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
This subject introduces the student to models of human developmental psychology that will be instrumental in informing the knowledge base of their social service practice. Students will become aware of the myriad of factors - physiological, cognitive, emotional, social, cultural, and subjective - affecting human development throughout the lifespan.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
This Fieldwork Seminar provides an opportunity for students to discuss their learning experiences in the field with the faculty and other students. This helps students to discover the relationship between what has been learned in the classroom and the development of new knowledge and skills in the practice setting. It also gives each student insight into the work involved at other field placement settings. In addition to the above purposes, the Fieldwork Seminar is also structured to help students develop appropriate professional attitudes, examine feelings about specific learning experiences and gain insight into various approaches to client contact.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
Field placement is a laboratory for students in the placement setting. The student learns the philosophy, function, procedures, strengths and limitations of a social service agency. In addition, she/he learns to become part of a service team and learns to meet the needs of people serviced by the agency.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
This course is designed to provide students with the case management skills required to coordinate and provide direct services to a variety of client populations. This includes the roles and responsibilities assumed by case managers such as information gathering, assessment, intake interviewing, service planning, case monitoring, advocacy and social change agent. In addition, students will examine such areas as stress management, time management, assertiveness and client empowerment.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
This course in the Social Service Methods series is a further development of SSW101 and SSW212. Emphasis is placed on needs assessment and intake skills, stages of the counselling process, and problem solving counselling interventions.
In SSW212, Helping Interview and Principles of Practice, students were introduced to the basic tools of direct intervention; specifically the informational and the empowerment based helping interview. In SSW312, students are introduced to the process of helping client's problem solve using the narrative approach.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
The fieldwork seminar has a two-fold purpose. First it gives students an opportunity to discuss their learning experiences in the field with the faculty and each other and to relate them to the academic curriculum. The second purpose is to develop professional attitudes, examine feelings about specific learning experiences, develop self-awareness, and relate to others with insight, empathy and understanding. Students will continue to develop their knowledge of the field of Social Services and begin to appreciate the implications of the worker's role in service delivery.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
Field placement is a laboratory for students in the placement setting. The student learns the philosophy, function, procedures, strengths and limitations of a social service agency. In addition, she/he learns to become part of a service team, and learns to meet the needs of people serviced by the agency.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
This course will provide students with the basic knowledge to critically analyze factors contributing to issues of mental health; understand fundamental concepts, terminology and the range of diagnosis; understand the impact of stigma that hinders seeking help and/or access to services; learn about harm reduction strategies; and identify the existing service delivery, their gaps and overlaps for the purpose of referral. This course will also identify the strengths and resiliencies in coping and responding to mental health issues.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
This course is designed to provide an overview of the Canadian social welfare system from a historical and contemporary perspective and explores the ideology and values underlying the development of social welfare policies and programs. This course explores the social welfare landscape in Canada as it applies to a broad group of vulnerable populations (for example, children, First Nations' communities, families, unemployed, immigrants, and the elderly). It includes, for example, how ideology influences social policy, and shows that economic policy is social policy and vice versa.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
This course will offer students a hands-on opportunity to participate in the initial stages of an ongoing community development project. It will explore why an understanding of the macro perspective is so vital to the field of social service work. The course content will present an overview of the major theories and practices pertaining to community social service work.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
Effective January 2020, some Social Service Worker courses have changed course codes and/or course names.
If you have successfully completed any course that has a new code or name, you will not be affected and will continue to receive acknowledgment for the course and be able to apply it to a credential if you are pursuing one.
In order to meet Seneca's breadth requirements for diploma or advanced diploma programs, students must successfully complete at least 3 General Education courses toward their program, satisfying the following criteria:
Please note: SOC600, COM470, NAT150 will not fulfil a General Education requirement for the SSW program, but may be used as a General Education option outside the SSW program.