What is Navigation?
Navigation involves helping people in settings such as health care, mental health, addictions, social welfare, law and justice, developmental and education.
Navigators support people in a variety of ways (check out the heading "What will I learn?" underneath for examples)
If you're interested in helping others, there's a place for you in the navigation program.
What will I learn?
Assessments
Care plans
Suicide safety plans
Transitions plans
Care team meetings
Networking
Health literacy
Person-centered care
Strength-based communication
Coping tools
Motivational interviewing
Advocacy
Self-care
Ethical decision-making
How to work with different populations (e.g., youth, older adults)
Check out the Program of Study for more examples!
Program Highlights
Full-time and part-time options
You can complete the program 100% online ​(click here for details).
Practical assignments such as role-plays and simulations
One-on-one support from the program coordinator
Customize assignments based on your interests
Optional certification (e.g., Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, safeTALK)
Do I need a background in a helping profession?
Nope!
The program is great for experienced helping professionals (e.g., social workers, personal support workers, nurses, etc.) and people new to the field (e.g. recent graduates)
The program's also great for people without a helping professional background looking to try something new
One program graduate is a nurse with 40 years of experience! Other program graduates came from backgrounds such as biochemistry. Hear from them by clicking here (you just need to log in with a Gmail or Outlook account)
Some people take the program to strengthen their application for additional schooling (e.g., medical school, Masters program)
There's a place for you in the program!
Is there a field placement?
Yes!
There's a 6-week field placement in Semester 3 or you can choose to do a 6-week capstone project.
You can complete your placement anywhere in Canada
There's also an option to complete your placement 100% online
Where can I do my field placement?
In settings such as... hospitals, private psychological services, mental health agencies, family health teams, educational institutions, addiction agencies, newcomer services, long-term care homes, older adult centres, pregnancy care centres, retirement homes, women’s centres, youth centres, children and family centres, private home-care agencies... and more!
Online!
Placement Requirements
Some placement agencies require specific medical and/or non-medical documentation. Obtaining some of the documents involve fees for which you are responsible.
You will also be responsible for any other fees related to placement, such as transportation, meals, accommodations, Paramed consultation (to help coordinate required documentation), and/or co-op permits for international students.
Required documentation may include:

A vulnerable sector check
Health documentation (e.g. up-to-date immunization, two-step TB test)
Field certifications – Bill 18 requirements (provided free of cost in the program)
Respiratory Mask Fit Test
Standard First Aid and CPR
Placement Alternative (Capstone Project)
The capstone project is an alternative to the field placement
If you already have experience in the helping profession or if a placement won't work for your schedule, you can choose the six-week capstone project instead
Example of Capstone Project Topics
Resource Database: Provincial Indigenous Supports
Guidebooks: Creating a Private Navigation Business, Trauma-Informed Care
Websites: Navigating Mental Health Resources, Navigating Education as an International Student

Where can I work?
Community agencies
Mental health agencies
Hospitals
Family health teams
Educational settings
Health care agencies​
Long-term care homes
Addictions agencies
Social welfare agencies
Law and justice agencies
Developmental service agencies
Private agencies
Graduate Career Examples
Patient Flow Supervisor, Health Sciences North
First Link Navigator, Alzheimer's Society
Community Resource Navigator, Ontario 211
Homelessness Diversion Coordinator, John Howard Society
Youth Coordinator, John Howard Society
Addictions Worker, Monarch Recovery Services
Intervenor, DeafBlind Ontario Services
Smoking Cessation Counsellor, Care Coach
Endaayaang Navigator, Hamilton Regional Indian Centre
Case Worker, Ontario Disability Support Program
Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Worker, March of Dimes Canada
Postnatal Transitional Housing Worker, Massey Centre for Women
Developmental Services Worker, Adult Enrichment Centre