Social Service Worker – Immigrants And Refugees (Accelerated) (SSIA) at Seneca Polytechnic - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2025-07-10

Program overview

The Social Service Worker – Immigrants and Refugees (Accelerated) (SSIA) program is a pioneering initiative in Ontario, designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the support systems for newcomers in Canada. This one-year accelerated program is tailored for individuals looking to enhance their existing qualifications or specialize in social service work. The program begins with a seven-week summer semester in early May, followed by a regular academic year that starts the day after Labour Day and concludes in mid-April. Students will learn through a critical lens focused on equity and social justice, preparing them to assist immigrants and refugees from diverse backgrounds effectively.

Program structure

The SSIA program is structured to provide a robust educational experience over a duration of 3 semesters (12 months). The program includes:

A seven-week summer semester starting in early May.
A regular academic year commencing the day after Labour Day and concluding in mid-April.
Hybrid delivery format, combining online coursework with in-person learning.
One unpaid field placement specifically within immigration, migration, and settlement services, totaling 400 hours during the second and third semesters.

This program also offers specialization options, allowing students to focus on various aspects of social service work. The curriculum emphasizes community development, advocacy skills, and the importance of interpersonal communication, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for their careers.

Featured Experiences

The SSIA program includes several unique features that enhance the learning experience:

Field Placement: Students will complete a 400-hour unpaid placement in immigration and settlement services, applying theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.
Community Development Focus: The program emphasizes co-creation and co-design with community members to address service gaps.
Skills Development: Students will develop essential skills such as trauma-informed settlement counselling, case management, and advocacy.
Hybrid Learning: The combination of online and in-person coursework allows for flexible learning while ensuring essential interpersonal skills are developed.

Career Options

Graduates of the SSIA program can explore a variety of career opportunities in Canada, including:

Settlement Worker: Assist newcomers in navigating the settlement process and accessing community resources.
School Settlement Worker: Support immigrant students and their families in adapting to the school system.
Community Health Worker: Work with community health organizations to provide services to immigrant populations.
Refugee Shelter Coordinator: Manage services and support for individuals and families in refugee shelters.
Advocacy Specialist: Represent the needs of immigrants and refugees within various systems, including legal and social services.

These roles emphasize the importance of social justice and community support, making a significant impact on the lives of newcomers in Canada.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

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Last updated on 2025-07-10

Program overview

Academic Requirements

To apply for the Social Service Worker – Immigrants and Refugees (Accelerated) program, the following Academic Requirements must be met:

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or a mature applicant.
English: Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent course.

To take advantage of this accelerated program option, the following prior education is required:

Ontario university or college degree or equivalent, or an Ontario college diploma or equivalent.

Applicants with at least two years of successful completion of postsecondary credits may also be considered. If you are a high school applicant or have not previously studied at a postsecondary institution, explore our Social Service Worker – Immigrants and Refugees (SSWI) program.

Internationally Educated Domestic Applicants

Applicants with credentials from outside of Canada must provide a "course-by-course" credential assessment from a recognized agency such as WES (World Education Services) or ICAS (International Credential Assessment Service), including a Postsecondary English course or equivalent.

Postsecondary English course equivalency can be demonstrated through the following:

If your credential is from an institution and country where English is the primary language (Canada or one of the countries listed), you can use your completed postsecondary credential to demonstrate English course equivalency.
If your credential is from a country where English is not the primary language, you may be eligible to take COM101 to meet the English language requirement.

Transcripts may be required to be evaluated by WES in some cases.

For any clarification and support regarding the Academic Requirements, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Language Requirements

All applicants to Seneca must be well prepared to study in English. If you are coming from a country where English is not the primary language, you must show one of the following:

Successful completion of a minimum of two years of full-time study in a school and country where English is the primary language
Successful completion of a minimum of one year of full-time study at the postsecondary level in an institution and country where English is the primary language
Successful completion of an intensive English program
English proficiency test scores from one of the international English language testing bodies listed below. Only tests taken in the last two years are considered valid

Please note that the requirements below are the minimum cut-offs and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Highly competitive program seats will be offered to the most highly qualified applicants based on ranking from highest to lowest.

Tests	Certificate Programs	Diploma and Advanced Diploma Programs	Degree Programs	Graduate Certificate Programs
CAEL CE and CAEL online	Minimum 60	Minimum 60	Minimum 70 (Writing no less than 60)	Minimum 70 (Writing no less than 60)
Cambridge English Exams (B2 First/FCE, C1 Advanced/CAE or C2 Proficiency/CPE)	Minimum 169 with no skill below 162	Minimum 169 with no skill below 162	Minimum 176 with no skill below 169	Minimum 176 with no skill below 169
Duolingo	Minimum score 105 to 110	Minimum score 105 to 110	Minimum score 115 to 120	Minimum score 120 to 125
IELTS Academic	Minimum 6.0 with no skill below 5.5	Minimum 6.0 with no skill below 5.5	Minimum 6.5 with no skill below 6.0	Minimum 6.5 with no skill below 6.0
PTE Academic	Minimum score 58	Minimum score 58	Minimum score 60	Minimum score 60
TOEFL iBT (including MyBest TOEFL and Home Edition)	Minimum 80 with no skill below 20	Minimum 80 with no skill below 20	Minimum 84 with no skill below 21	Minimum 88 with no skill below 22
TOEFL Revised Paper Delivered	No skill below 20	No skill below 20	No skill below 21	No skill below 22

Please check with our team for more details.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!