Graduate Certificate in Infant and Early Child Mental Health

at Seneca College - King Campus Canada

This one-year certificate program provides general education and the opportunity to explore and earn credit towards other college programs. A career-counselling component will help you choose and prepare for career-specific postsecondary education.

This three-year advanced diploma program will provide you with a full range of intervention, prevention and treatment strategies to facilitate a positive change for children, adolescents and families in need of emotional, social, developmental or mental health support. You will receive in-depth training and education in behavioural theories, practices and a foundational understanding of assessment, intervention, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and activities with children and youth.

Skills
Throughout the course of this advanced diploma program you will develop skills in:

• Prevention, intervention and treatment strategies
• Treatments, counselling and therapeutic theories
• Understanding in adolescent development, violence, child and youth management, diversity, therapeutic activities, group and family work

Field Placement
As a student of this program, if you meet all the academic requirements, you will have the opportunity to participate in approximately 1,200 hours of field placement during semesters 3 to 6 in a professional setting. Unpaid field placements will take place throughout semester 3, two days a week, while semester 4, 5 and 6 will take place three times a week.

In this four-year degree program, you will learn to assess, design, evaluate and implement therapeutic interventions for future clients. Therapeutic interventions are activities designed to achieve outcomes in the physical, psychological, social, cognitive and spiritual domains. As a student of this program, you will gain essential knowledge and expertise in various health disciplines such as health sciences, recreation, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychology. In semester eight, you will take professional stream options to increase your knowledge in a specialized area and gain an added advantage in the workplace.

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

• Client assessments
• Evaluation and implementation of therapeutic intervention
• Therapeutic intervention activities

Mandatory Degree Work Term
You will complete at least one term in a formal work environment. It takes place in the fall semester of the final year and it may be a paid or unpaid position that requires a minimum of 420 hours of work. Students must be in good standing and meet all requirements prior to participating in the work term. The successful completion of the work term(s) is required for graduation. Eligibility for participation does not guarantee that a work position will be secured. Additional fees are required for the mandatory degree work term regardless of success in securing a work position. Please be aware that students in the program will take Semester 7 classes over summer in order to complete a fall work term and Semester 8 in the winter.

This one-year 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

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).

This is the first crime and intelligence degree offered at an Ontario postsecondary institution which focuses on the application of analytical techniques and technologies as well as the core elements of a public safety/criminal justice education.

This program will prepare you for the challenging and complex environment by providing you with in-depth knowledge of crime and intelligence as well as develop a breadth of analytical and research skills.  You will learn how to analyze and address public safety matters by applying professional practices, strategies and use the latest analytical tools and technologies. Your studies will include law, criminology, investigation and community policing which will be applicable to understanding topics and trends in crime and investigations.

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Communication
• Effective collaboration

Work Experience
Mandatory Degree Work Term
A work experience that includes at least one term in a formal work environment. The work term(s) may be a paid or unpaid position that is completed between two academic semesters and requires a minimum of 420 hours of work. Students must be in good standing and meet all identified requirements prior to participating in the work experience. The successful completion of the work term(s) is required for graduation. Eligibility for participation does not guarantee that a work position will be secured. Additional fees are required for the mandatory degree work term regardless of success in securing a work position. 

Seneca's King Campus is part of a provincially significant wetland complex and is a valued source of headwaters to the Humber Rivers watershed, which is part of the Canadian Heritage Rivers System. In this unique two-year diploma program, the majority of your outdoor training will take place on this land. You will study ecology, traditional types of landscaping, practical skills and receive an overview of the ecosystem allowing you to understand the impact humans have on the environment and how to protect and restore its natural landscapes.

The demand for environmental landscape management is growing within private and public organizations, therefore employers are in search of graduates who are committed, skilled and knowledgeable in the profession.

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

• A blend of theoretical and applied practical skills valued in the environmental landscaping field
• Knowledge of the latest landscaping techniques, including fusion landscaping approaches
• Computer aided design techniques
• Business and marketing skills
• An advanced awareness of ecology and the interactions between humans, plants and the environment.

Optional Co-op
You will be given the opportunity to complete an optional co-op work term in a professional work environment. To be eligible, you must meet all academic requirements as well as have a passing grade on a communication assessment. Additional fees are required for those participating in the optional co-op. 

Canada now has more people over age 65 than any other age group and there is a great need for skilled and trained professionals to work with older adults. This two-year diploma program combines the knowledge, professional values and skill sets of social service to assist older adults to maintain independence and a good quality of life. The program focuses on a holistic strength-based approach, current legislation and best practices.

Along with your studies in mandated government initiatives and service delivery models for working with seniors, you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge infield placement and participate in additional educational training. As a student you will engage in personal reflection and growth, work within a team, apply professional ethics, and successfully achieve the Ministry Vocational Learning outcomes so you are prepared to confidently enter the workforce.

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

• Therapeutic program planning
• Individual and group modes of facilitation
• Interventions with clients, families and significant others
• Service coordination and navigation
• Interpersonal communications skills related to working with bereavement and grief
• Assessment of client’s needs and strengths
• Advocacy

Field Work
As a student of this program, if you meet all the academic requirements, you will have the opportunity to participate in a field placement. You will work in a professional capacity and will be evaluated on the basis of an approved three–part learning contract as agreed by you, the approved fieldwork agency and the Seneca SSWG program. With the support and assistance from your professor, you will play an active role in securing your placement.

Fieldwork days are typically:

• Equivalent of two full days per week in semesters two, three and four
• Full week block placements as scheduled throughout the program duration
• One placement at a residential setting and one placement at a community agency which provides services to seniors

This two-year diploma program is the first of its kind in the GTA. It is uniquely designed to meet the growing need for enhanced workplace health and safety in every industry. You will develop strong foundational knowledge in health and safety to identify, manage and assess risks in various workplace settings. This program will also focus on the policies and procedures in the care and prevention practice. You will apply concepts and theories with practical experience in field placements and graduate with the skills needed to identify and report on safety and health conditions in the workplace.

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

• Develop and implement health and safety policies
• Develop and facilitate health and safety training
• Conduct accident investigations and emergency response plans

In this four-semester diploma program, you will learn about the physical, cognitive, social and emotional needs of children. You will understand how to develop and implement inclusive programming in order to support the healthy development of children ranging in age from infancy to school-age.

Your studies will include courses in child development, curriculum. philosophy of education, communication, working with families and administration.

Each week you will spend three days in class and two days practicing your skills in field placement. If you choose to study in the summer, you will have the option to earn your Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma in 16 months.

Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

• Design healthy, safe, inclusive and engaging environments for children from infancy to school age.
• Plan and implement inclusive programming to support children’s development using current theories.
• Build positive relationships with children, families, colleagues and other professionals

Field Placement
Field placement is central to the learning experience, so you will be placed in the field for two days each week during each semester. Field placement provides the opportunity to integrate classroom learning into practice with groups of children in the community.

In this two-year program, you will study theories and clinical applications including the use of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) – the science of understanding, analyzing and modifying human behaviour. Through applied learning and placement, you will learn the applications of ABA, including its use in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities.

As a graduate of this program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, you are eligible to pursue Seneca’s Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Psychology 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.

If you meet the admission requirements, you may also be eligible to receive a 42 credit block transfer when entering the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Honours in Psychology within the Faculty of Health at York University.

Skills
Throughout this program, you will be trained in intervention techniques used in clinical areas, such as gerontology, educational services, healthcare services, mental health, special education and working with children and adults with developmental disorders, along with other areas where the use of behavioural sciences is expanding rapidly.

Field Work
Over the course of this program, you will work in a professional capacity with the help of a field placement opportunity. Your field work placements will give you the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and apply what you have learned in a work environment. You will work individually and in a group in a professional capacity, with specific job tasks and responsibilities, time management requirements and appropriate interpersonal skills.