March 8, 2021

Students at Seneca and Humber can now take advantage of more than 200 new academic pathways between the two polytechnics, thanks to an agreement reached under the Humber Seneca Polytechnic Partnership (HSPP).

The agreement allows students to complete Seneca and Humber degrees in business, data science and analysis, public safety, mental health and interdisciplinary studies.

“This is certainly the most comprehensive partnership between two colleges I’ve seen in the country,” said Seneca President David Agnew. “The new agreement provides current and future students at both institutions with many options to build on their credentials, without losing credits or delaying graduation.”

The HSPP was created in 2018 with two initial pathways announced — from Seneca’s Graphic Design diploma program to Humber’s Bachelor of Creative Advertising honours degree, and from Humber’s Computer Programming diploma program to Seneca’s Honours Bachelor of Technology – Software Development degree program.

“We wanted to leverage each other’s strengths and find ways to collaborate for the benefit of our students and the benefit of our two institutions,” said Chris Whitaker, President and CEO of Humber College.

In addition to academic pathways, the HSPP has led to an international collaboration to develop an entrepreneurship incubation hub in the Maldives. The two institutions have also worked together on faculty professional development, Indigenous student services and joint procurement contracts that saved Seneca and Humber more than $1 million.

“People are looking for ways to stretch dollars more effectively and at the same time, students’ needs are increasing,” Mr. Agnew said. “It just makes perfect sense that we wouldn’t keep duplicating our resources and we could collaborate to work more effectively, make those dollars go further and create more opportunities for students.”

For Victoria Baker, Seneca’s Manager of Academic Pathways, the new agreement demonstrates Seneca’s and Humber’s commitment to the prioritization of diploma-to-degree pathways and seamless transfer for students.

“Student mobility is growing in Ontario,” Ms. Baker said. “By formalizing the many opportunities and choices available between our two institutions, we are creating more accessible options for students to pursue their academic goals and career aspirations.”

Hear Mr. Agnew and Mr. Whitaker discuss the pathways further in a video. A complete list of the HSPP academic pathways can be found on the HSPP website.