Social Service Worker
| Study location | Canada, Ontario, Kitchener |
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| Type | Diploma, College |
| Nominal duration | 2 years, includes 3 field placements |
| Study language | English |
| Course code | 0009 |
| Tuition fee | CA$16,632 per year The fee is for the 2022–2023 academic year and includes tuition (CA$13,750), health insurance and ancillary charges. The fees displayed are estimates for two semesters and are subject to change. |
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| Registration fee | CA$400 one-time The registration fee includes the non-refundable application fee (CA$100) and the refundable deposit fee (CA$300). Please REVIEW the EdviseCanada`s fee policy. |
| Entry qualification | High School / Secondary Education (or higher) To be eligible for admission, you must possess a high school diploma including these required courses (or equivalents):
The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English. |
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| Language requirements | English For direct admission, you must be from an English-speaking country or, you must provide one of the English language proficiency tests below:
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| Other requirements | Applicants meeting minimum academic requirements (70% in 2018) are invited to begin the selection process, which requires them to:
Final selection is made using a formula that combines academic strength with the score obtained on the questionnaire. |
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| More information |
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Overview
Social service workers play an important role in ensuring the well-being of our society. In this program, students will gain knowledge to enhance relationships and develop skills to work with all segments of the population, individuals, families and community. The program places emphasis on enhancing self-awareness, emotional maturity and respect for diversity and inclusion. Skills in counselling, group work, and community development are developed through role-playing, simulations and meaningful field experiences. Additional studies in family interventions and sustainability of services support graduates to develop a strong foundation for social service practice.
Program structure
Mandatory practicum health and safety requirements must be completed by students prior to student field/clinical placements. Successful placement completion is required for students to progress to program completion. To qualify for field/clinical placement learning experiences, students must present the following by the deadline indicated on the practicum package which will be distributed in class in semester one:
- A Police Check for Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS)(must not be completed prior to semester 2). Police Checks must be clear of any unpardoned criminal offences. An unclear criminal record may result in the inability to participate in field placement/clinical which will jeopardize progress in the program. Acceptance for placement is at the discretion of the agency; some agencies may request students to provide a VSS completed within six months of placement start date. Students with criminal records are advised to meet with the program chair for academic counselling to determine program suitability.
Applicants should display integrity, reliability, maturity, determination, excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Computer literacy is necessary in order to complete assignments satisfactorily.
Applicants are advised that some social service agencies require that employees be a minimum of 21 years of age. Therefore, applicants under 19 years of age may have difficulty finding employment upon graduation.
Career opportunities
Graduates find employment as direct service providers with a variety of social service agencies such as residential services for special populations, women’s crisis services, programs for children and youth, and services for the unemployed.
Graduates have advanced standing opportunities toward degree completion in Conestoga’s
- Bachelor of Early Learning Program Development
- Bachelor of Community and Criminal Justice
and degree completion opportunities toward a Bachelor of Social Development Studies at Renison College, University of Waterloo.
Graduates of the program are eligible to register with the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.