Personal Support Worker (PSWC)

Start in January, May, September

PGWP-eligible Program

Study Option

Full-time & Part-time

Credential

Ontario College Certificate

School

Seneca Nanji Foundation School of Nursing

About the Personal Support Worker (PSWC) Program

This certificate program is designed to teach you how to effectively provide care and assistance to clients and families in order to live fulfilling lives in their communities and in institutions. As a student of this program, you will develop a broad range of abilities emphasizing value, true sensitivity and respect for the individuality of each client. You will also have the opportunity to participate in cross disciplinary and/or inter-professional learning opportunities with other members of the care and service team for example, Practical Nursing, Registered Nursing and Social Service Workers.

Skills

Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

Personal care and hygiene assistance
Household and family management
Meal preparation
Medical assistance
Palliative and restorative activities

Program Duration

Study at your own pace: In this program you’ll have the flexibility to choose how many courses you want to take each term. Students who study full-time can complete this program in as little as two semesters (eight months). Duration will depend on the number of courses taken each term. See courses for more information.

Maximum completion time: In accordance with ministry requirements, all students must complete the program within two academic years of being admitted.

Work Experience

Field Placement

As a student of this program, if you meet all the academic requirements, you will have the opportunity to participate in two field placements. Field placements are similar in length to an academic semester and typically involve full-time work hours that may be paid or unpaid.

The Personal Support Worker program will provide opportunities for experiential learning through the hands-on skills lab and 2 field placements (facility and community).

The field placement must be completed in person.

Start in	Study Option	Location	Availability
Jan. 2027	Full-time	King	Open
Jan. 2027	Full-time	Newnham	Open
Jan. 2027	Part-time	Newnham	Open
May 2027	Full-time	Newnham	Open
May 2027	Part-time	Newnham	Open
Sept. 2027	Full-time	King	Open
Sept. 2027	Full-time	Newnham	Open
Sept. 2027	Part-time	Newnham	Open

Availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.

Start in	Study Option	Location	Availability
Jan. 2027	Full-time	Newnham	Limited
Jan. 2027	Full-time	King	Limited
May 2027	Full-time	Newnham	Limited
Sept. 2027	Full-time	Newnham	Open

Availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.

This program meets Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility requirements. (CIP code: 51.2602)

International students: Studying part-time is not an available option as this will impact your study permit and PGWP eligibility. Review the requirements before choosing your program and study option.

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.

Learn more: Seneca’s program delivery options and how courses in this program will be delivered each term.

International students planning to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): You must maintain full-time status and if you are in a flexible delivery course, you must attend classes in person. Review the PGWP requirements before choosing your program delivery options as studying online may affect your PGWP eligibility.

Your Career

Graduates of the program can explore the following career options:

The community
Retirement homes
Long-term care homes
Hospital care settings

The Seneca Polytechnic Difference

This is where university meets college. Where theory meets practice. Where ambition meets flexibility.

Simulation Lab

You will gain hands-on, practical experience in our state-of-the-art patient care simulation lab, preparing you for your in-demand career.

Experiential Learning

Graduate career ready and world ready. This program has two field placements to help you hone essential skills for the workplace.

Academic Pathways

As a graduate of this program, you have options to build on your credential through a pathway to one of our partner institutions.

Prior Experience

Earn credit for previous studies, work experience or training through Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition and transfer credits.

Personal Support Worker (PSWC)

Campus

Delivery

Duration