This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format with some courses available in Seneca's flexible 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. For courses offered in the flexible delivery format, professors use innovative learning spaces and technology to teach students in a classroom or lab and broadcast in real time to students attending remotely. In flexible courses, students have the choice of coming on campus or learning online.
Learn more: Seneca’s program delivery options and how courses in this program will be delivered each term.
International students: review Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility before choosing program and course delivery.
This two-year diploma program 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 will provide insight and understanding of pre-migration conditions and how to effectively aid clients with migration and the integration process.
Your success in this program will be measured by your ability to grow, change and challenge your own beliefs, values and promote social justice, human dignity and equality.
As a graduate of this program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, you are eligible to pursue Seneca’s Honours Bachelor of Mental Health and Addiction program. This unique pathway allows you to earn a degree within two years (4 semesters plus a work-term) after completion of a summer bridging stream.
Completion of the summer bridging stream includes the following courses:
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
Settlement counselling
Case management
Community development
Advocacy
Fundraising and proposal writing
Program planning
Development and evaluation
When you graduate from this program, these are the types of career options you can explore:
Based on your skills, interests and professional background you will qualify to work as:
"I am a very proud two-time Seneca Polytechnic alumna. My experience navigating through each credential has left me feeling empowered and competent. I am continuously inspired by the fieldwork and vast experience of my professors. Each of them took the time to share their experiential learnings with me. I felt heard, included, and validated in all my courses. I was given space to ask questions and respectfully challenge what we were learning. The co-learning environment welcomed all ideas and perspectives.”
Harmony Adzido
Graduate, Social Service Worker – Immigrants and Refugees and Honours Bachelor of Mental Health and Addiction
"I chose Seneca because they have a vast variety of programs and accessible campuses. After graduation I started volunteering at the same agency where I completed my practicum in my first year. I was working closely with newcomers to York Region and supported them in settling into their new communities. After three years of volunteering, I was hired with the agency, and I have now been working there for 10 years in three different roles.”
Helen Samimy
Graduate, Social Service Worker – Immigrants and Refugees
"I pursued this course as a mature student to fulfill my dream of working in a field where I can use my voice to advocate for immigrants and families. Being an immigrant myself, I can identify and empathize with the struggles that newcomer families experience and their diverse needs. I wanted to work with this population to empower them with community service and support that integrates them successfully to thrive within the communities where they live, work and play.”
Gail Braithwaite
Graduate, Social Service Worker – Immigrants and Refugees
