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Settlement Studies

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Settlement Studies

In this two-year diploma program, the first of its kind in western Canada, you will develop the skills and competencies needed to work effectively with newcomers to Canada in the role of a settlement/intercultural services provider. You will examine the foundational and current practices of settlement work in Canada and develop strategies for empowering, supporting, and advocating for clients.

Bazi - Settlement Studies

I play a big role in making sure that Newcomers in our communities are assisted and given tools to reach their potential. As an advocate, I have kept on increasing my professional growth by continuous learning, and I want to keep passing those skills to others so that we can move ahead together.

What to expect from the program

Courses in the program cover such topics as active listening, communication, intercultural competency, family dynamics, community development and human rights; culture, gender, and sexuality; and anti-oppressive practices and reconciliation.

The program may be entered directly in Year 1, or in Year 2 after completion of NorQuest’s Community Support Worker certificate program.

Upon completion of the program, learners will be able to:

  • Identify past and present systemic barriers faced by newcomers to Canada
  • Examine foundational and current practices of settlement work in Canada
  • Integrate anti-racist, decolonized, and anti-oppressive approaches to settlement work
  • Interpret and implement relevant government policy and procedures
  • Analyze case management practices to support clients along the settlement continuum
  • Determine appropriate processes for managing competing demands of agencies and clients
  • Communicate respectfully with internal & external stakeholders
  • Develop strategies for empowering, supporting and advocating for client communities
  • Demonstrate professional behaviour & ethical conduct

The Canadian Settlement in Action: History and Future textbook is a high-quality, interactive resource that focuses exclusively on the field of settlement work in a Canadian context.

Developed at NorQuest by our in-house subject-matter experts and external community partners, this textbook was designed with NorQuest learners in mind, and is written from the perspective of settlement workers, for settlement workers. It is available online (and free of charge) to anyone with access to the internet, and can be accessed here.

Graduate with experience

NorQuest College believes in the importance of on-the-job experience that provides an enriched learning opportunity.

You’ll graduate this program with 400 hours of work experience from two field placements.


Career opportunities

The program will prepare graduates for employment in the non-profit sector, settlement sector, and various departments within the municipal and provincial governments. Graduates may also be employed by agencies that have partnerships with schools and public libraries.

  • community connector/animator
  • community development promoter
  • immigrant service worker
  • intercultural consultant
  • multicultural liaison
  • newcomer liaison
  • settlement case manager
  • settlement counselor
  • settlement intake worker
  • settlement outreach worker
  • settlement practitioner
  • settlement support worker

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