Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Summer 2024. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.
Death can be a difficult topic to approach. This credential can provide students with a comprehensive understanding of thanatology, the study of coping with tragedies, death, and dying. Students explore the legal, ethical, and spiritual issues surrounding death; crisis intervention; coping strategies; the grief response and palliative care communications.
The program is primarily intended to be an upskilling or professional development credential. However, any occupation which involves a significant amount of social interaction would benefit from a well-rounded understanding of death and dying. Graduates will be able to draw upon their knowledge of thanatology to optimally provide support or assistance to those affected by death. The skills and knowledge taught in this program are applicable to a wide variety of situations and occupations. Professionals that work in the fields of healthcare, ambulatory services, police and firefighting services, and social services will benefit greatly from a thorough understanding of mourning, grief, and bereavement.
In addition, the program would also be beneficial for individuals who have lost a loved one to cope with death. These individuals will be given the opportunity to reflect on their feelings surrounding their loss and to explore coping mechanisms for processing their emotions.
Potential career and industry options may include
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with 12C/U English, or equivalent, or a mature applicant
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 introduces students to thanatology; the study of death and dying. Students develop an understanding of the broad, interdisciplinary nature of thanatology and will explore personal attitudes and experiences of death. Current issues and topics in thanatology such as death in the arts and media and the business of the funeral industry are also explored.
This course will focus on communication with individuals with a life-limiting illness, their families and significant others. Topics include: basic process and steps of effective communication, factors influencing personal and cultural attitudes in communication, identifying basic verbal and non-verbal communication, self-care for palliative care providers, and identifying challenges and facilitators to effective communication in palliative care.
This course explores attitudes towards death and the death rituals and ceremonies of world religious traditions including Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism. Students will also explore the religious attitudes and beliefs concerning immortality and life after death.
This course examines reactions and responses to death from a variety of perspectives. Students compare anticipated responses to death as determined by an individual's relationship to the deceased. Other factors influencing the grief response such as age, gender and manner of death are also considered.
This course introduces various coping strategies for individuals experiencing grief and loss. Students examine the mourning process; survey different counselling theories and approaches, and identify groups and organizations dedicated to grief and bereavement issues. In addition, emerging trends such as art therapy, journaling and online communities are presented.
The work of the crisis interventionist frequently involves dealing with death and dying notifications. Students will study the Hendricks' model of death notification, acute grief reactions, notifying children and the elderly of a sudden death (homicide, suicide, accidental), sudden infant death and parental grief, the grieving person's reactions, what can be done to facilitate mourning, pathological grief, risk factors and, multi-cultural issues.
In this capstone course, you will integrate learning from other courses in the program to develop an understanding of the role of death and dying, grief and bereavement in modern society.
Inspirational readings and personal narratives offer practical insight and powerful life lessons that will assist students of thanatology in providing support to individuals facing or coping with death.
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
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.
Many students who enter Seneca Polytechnic will have earned academic credits in post-secondary educational institutions which they may be able to apply toward completion of a Seneca College program.
Requests for Transfer Credit must be for a specific course and must be accompanied by an official transcript and course outline. A minimum grade of "C" (60 percent) is generally required for a course to be considered for Transfer Credit.
Download a Transfer Credit Request form. An official copy of your transcript and applicable detailed course outlines should be attached and submitted. Please note it may take 4 to 6 weeks for a Transfer Credit decision.
Please visit the Office of the Registrar.
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