Skip navigation
Text only
Liberal Arts

Liberal Arts

Program Code: LATCampus: Newnham, Markham, Seneca@York
Duration: 4 Semesters (2 Years)Start Dates: Fall
Start dates are subject to change
Credential Awarded: Ontario College Diploma

Program Description

This program is designed for those who wish to pursue a university education. After two semesters and provided that you meet all requirements, you'll have the opportunity to apply for joint university partnership status. Your studies in LAT feature a core program rooted in a variety of humanities and social science disciplines, and emphasize skills development in literacy, numeracy and critical thinking for university level studies.

Admission Requirements

Program Eligibility:

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma with a majority of senior credits at the College Preparation (C), University Preparation (U) or University/College Preparation (M) level or Mature Student Status (age 19 or older)
  • Grade 12 English: ENG4(C) or ENG4(U)

Applicant Selection:

  • Academic achievement (i.e. grade in the pre-requisite English subject or its equivalent) may be used as a basis for the selection of candidates. Pre-admission testing, a College questionnaire, and orientation may be required.
  • Students accepted into the program will write placement tests for both English and Mathematics.

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

The four-semester Liberal Arts diploma program could be your path to a bachelor’s degree. Our graduates have transferred to York University, University of Toronto, Ryerson, Bishop's University, D'Youville College in Buffalo, and other universities in Canada and the United States where they have received bachelor's degrees in various disciplines. Dozens of former LAT students hold master's degrees in a variety of academic disciplines. Many are enrolled in professional programs such as Law and Education, while others hold key positions in marketing, advertising, sales and other business areas.

Academic Opportunities

Graduates utilize the skills acquired in the program to enter the working world or pursue further education. Educational opportunities include:

  • applying to the joint Seneca/University of Toronto program;
  • applying to the joint Seneca/York program;
  • applying to the joint Seneca/Trent University pilot program;
  • applying directly to University;
  • applying to continue studies at D’Youville College (Buffalo);
  • applying to continue studies at Bishop’s University (Quebec); or
  • transferring to a Seneca degree program.

 

University of Toronto Partnership

With a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or better at the end of the second semester, you may apply to enrol in our University Partnership Program with the University of Toronto. Students in the University Partnership program will be permitted to take one or more courses at the University of Toronto while completing their studies in Liberal Arts.

Transfer credit from the Liberal Arts program combined with the university credits earned while in LAT and in the summer after graduating allow students to enter the third year of a Bachelor's of Arts (BA) program at the University of Toronto (http://www.wdw.utoronto.ca).

Students in the University of Toronto Partnership program are expected to enrol at the Newnham campus.

 

LAT - University of Toronto Partnership

 

Woodsworth College in the University of Toronto:

For more information on LAT's partnership with Woodsworth College in the University of Toronto, go to: www.wdw.utoronto.ca/seneca.

York University Partnership

With a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or better at the end of the second semester, you may apply to enrol in our University Partnership Program with York University. Students in the University Partnership program will be permitted to take a course at York while completing their studies in Liberal Arts.

Transfer credit from the Liberal Arts program combined with the university credits earned while in LAT and in the summer after graduating allow students to enter the third year of a Bachelor's of Arts (BA) program at York University in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies (http://www.yorku.ca/laps) or in the Faculty of Health, Department of Psychology (http://www.yorku.ca/health/psyc).

Students in the York University Partnership Program must enrol at the Seneca@York campus by their third semester.

If you have previously attended university you are not normally eligible for the partnership program with York.

 

LAT - York University Partnership

 

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):

Toronto

University/CollegeDegrees Available
Seneca College• Bachelor of Commerce, Municipal and Corporate Administration (Previously Offered)
• Bachelor of Commerce, Human Resources Strategy and Technology
University of Toronto• Honours Bachelor of Arts, Faculty of Arts and Science, U of T
Tyndale University College• Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration or Business Administration – International Development
• Bachelor of Arts – English, History, Linguistics, Philosophy, Psychology, or Religious Studies
York University• Bachelor of Arts

Ontario

University/CollegeDegrees Available
Algoma University• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Science
Carleton University• Bachelor of Arts
Trent University• Bachelor of Arts Honours
University of Windsor• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Social Work

Canada

University/CollegeDegrees Available
Bishop's University• Bachelor of Arts

U.S.

University/CollegeDegrees Available
University at Buffalo• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science
D'Youville College• BSc/MSc – International Business
• Bachelor of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies/ Master’s Education
• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
Utica College• Bachelor of Arts/Science

International

University/CollegeDegrees Available
Griffith University• Bachelor of Arts

General Education

One of the general education subjects must be a literature subject for which EAC150 is a pre-requisite.

Curriculum

Common Curriculum:

Semester 1 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
EAC150 College English 3
HUM100 Humanities: The Development of Western Thought I 4
ICA001 Introduction to Computers and Applications 2
PSY191 Foundations of Psychology I 4
YKC100 Critical Thinking I 3
and ONE of the following:
MTH159 * Introduction to Mathematics (Algebra) 4
MTH259 * Topics in Modern Mathematics 4
MTH359 * Introduction to Combinatorial Mathematics 4

* Students will be placed in the appropriate level of mathematics depending on the results of placement tests.


Semester 2:

Semester 2 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
ARW250 Academic Research and Writing 3
FLS100 or
SPN100
Introductory French
Introductory Spanish
3
3
HUM200 Humanities: The Development of Western Thought II 4
PSY291 Foundations of Psychology II 3
SCL191 Introduction to Sociology I 3
YKC200 Critical Thinking II 4


Standard Program Curriculum:

Students not participating in one of the Joint Programs would complete the Standard program curriculum below.  You’ll be required to have a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.0 after the second semester to proceed in the Standard program. If you do not achieve this minimum G.P.A. you'll be advised on other options

Semester 3 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
ARW350 Academic Research and Writing II 3
HUM301 Humanities: The Development of Western Thought III 4
SCL291 Introduction to Sociology II 3
XXXXXX General Education Option 3
XXXXXX Literature Option 3
 
Semester 4 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
HUM400 Humanities: The Development of Western Thought IV 4
HUM418 Selected Topics in Modern Society 3
XXXXXX General Education Option 3
XXXXXX General Education Option 3
XXXXXX General Education Option 3

 

Joint Program Curriculum:

Semester 3 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
ARW350 Academic Research and Writing II 3
FLS200 or
SPN200
Intermediate French
Intermediate Spanish
3
3
HUM301 Humanities: The Development of Western Thought III 3
SCL291 Introduction to Sociology II 3
UNIXXX ** York/U of T/Trent Subject I 3
YKL100 Introduction to World Literature I 3
 
Semester 4 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
CAN604 A Social History of Canada 3
HUM400 Humanities: The Development of Western Thought IV 4
HUM389 European Art and Culture 3
YKL200 Introduction to World Literature II 3
UNIXXX ** York Subject II 3
XXXXXX General Education Option 3

** These subjects are taught by York, University of Toronto or Trent faculty at the respective university campus. Students pay university tuition for these courses in addition to the normal Seneca College tuition fees.

Contact Us

Program Coordinators:
Newnham Campus: Denise Wales
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 2587
Email: Denise.Wales@senecac.on.ca
Seneca@York Campus: Camille Soucie
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 3838
Email: camille.soucie@senecac.on.ca
Program Chair: Peter Meehan
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 2309
Email: peter.meehan@senecac.on.ca
Admissions Advisors:
Domestic Admissions Advisor: Maureen Massicot
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 2014
Email: maureen.massicot@senecac.on.ca
International Admissions Advisor: Susan Gao
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 2365
Email: susan.gao@senecac.on.ca
Registration & Records Advisors:
Markham Campus: Steve Bennett
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 7434
Email: Steve.Bennett@senecac.on.ca
Newnham Campus: Tammy Leonard
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 2584
Email: Tammy.Leonard@senecac.on.ca
Seneca@York Campus: Doug Hammond
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 3007
Email: Doug.Hammond@senecac.on.ca

Video

Liberal Arts graduate Stephanie

Liberal Arts graduate Stephanie talks about her time at the College, returning to school as a mature student and her success after graduation. Video

Liberal Arts graduate Lucelle

Liberal Arts graduate Lucelle talks about her time at the College and how the program's well rounded curriculum prepared her for university. Video