Forensic Health Studies

Program Description

The FHS program at Seneca is delivered in partnership with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (B.C.I.T.), a recognized leader in the field of forensic education. As a student in this program, you’ll learn from a curriculum that incorporates standards designed specifically for Ontario and is taught by recognized experts. Seneca is a leader in the field of postgraduate forensic health care studies.

This program will assist health care and law enforcement professionals to develop expertise in their practice. They are often involved in situations where they are required to assess and provide professional assistance to victims of crime. As a result of advances in forensic science, it has become necessary for providers of health care services to incorporate forensic principles into their practices in order to ensure that not only is the client receiving a high standard of care, but also that forensic evidence is appropriately documented and preserved for subsequent legal proceedings.

Admission Requirements

The Forensic Health Studies program is intended for individuals with a post-secondary diploma or degree in fields such as nursing, medicine, allied health, social science, corrections, psychiatry, criminology, or law enforcement.

• Degree or diploma from a relevant course of study from a recognized post-secondary institution or equivalent.
  
  OR
   
• Current serving police officer or someone with relevant work history with minimum two years experience.
  
  AND
   
• Current Police Reference check (at student’s expense).
  
  AND
   
• English proficiency at the college level or Seneca's College English EAC150 or equivalent.

Note: Letter of successful employment from applicant’s Human Resources Office (stating position, title and years of service) is required.

The Importance of Learning Skills:

Student success in college requires well developed learning skills (such as being able to work independently, participate in a team, be well-organized, develop good work habits, and show initiative). These skills are as important as prior academic achievement. While it is expected that applicants would have developed these skills through previous education and life experiences, Seneca offers support to assist students with further development of these important skills.

Your Career

Incorporate forensic skills into your practice. The Forensic Health Studies certificate program prepares you to assess and professionally care for victims of crime and appropriately manage forensic evidence. Upon completion of the program, you’ll be equipped to meet the higher performance standards set out by the judicial system.

Application Process:

Please contact the King Campus Admissions and Registration Office for application procedures.

Your Background

This intensive certificate program has been designed for students from the following fields:

• Registered Nurses from areas such as emergency nursing, trauma care, perioperative care, child youth services, critical care, maternity, geriatrics, operating room, psychiatry, sexual assault nurse examiners, mental health, domestic violence, forensic correctional nursing and workplace health;
• Undergraduate student nurses from other educational programs who are interested in forensic education or who are looking for general nursing electives and who meet the departmental entrance requirements;
• Multidisciplinary students from medicine, psychology, sociology, criminology and social work;
• Expert Witness: Testifying in criminal and/or civil court cases;
• Lawyers and paralegals;
• Paramedics.

Affiliations and Associations

• International Association of Forensic Nurses
• Ontario Network of Sexual Assault Care/Treatment Centers
• International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse
• Canadian Association for Victim Assistance

Credit Transfer Opportunity

Credits earned in the Seneca Forensic Health Studies Program may be eligible for transfer credit in B.C.I.T. Advanced Specialty Certificate in Forensic Science Technology (Forensic Sciences Option) and its Bachelor of Technology in Forensic Investigation.

Diploma to Degree... and Beyond

Through transfer agreements and institution partnerships, graduates of this Seneca College program may be eligible for credit at the following post-secondary institution(s):

Canada

Curriculum

To obtain the certificate, six courses must be completed.

Two mandatory courses (FHS560 and FHS561) plus four out of the five elective courses.

Required Courses: 

Elective Courses:

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