Social Service Worker Certificate
If you are looking to enrich more than your resumé, the Social Service Worker Certificate program can be your way into this field or to a promotion. From social work theory to counselling skills and real-life practice, you learn about and experience situations you may encounter in your career.
Use this program to get you started in your career in social services, or transfer credits from this program into an undergraduate degree in social work. Increase your opportunties for employment or promotion.
Professional development
Not a program student? You can register in all Social Work (SOCW) and Human Services (HUMS) courses other than HUMS 1671, Social Welfare Field Practicum.
Careers
As a social service worker, you will work with vulnerable populations, assisting them in a variety of areas, including:
- Aboriginal outreach
- Addiction services
- Child and youth support
- Community outreach
- Crisis intervention
- Family service and support
- Group and transition homes
- Hospitals and public health
- Women's shelters
Program requirements
Admission requirements
- Completed and signed Social Service Worker Certificate supplemental form
- English 12/English 12 First Peoples with a minimum of 73% (or equivalent)
- 60 documented hours of work and/or volunteer experience in social service agencies in the last five years
- Interview with the program coordinator
Please include the Program Admission Form with your application.
Admission recommendations
- Grade 12 or the BC Adult Graduation Diploma
Admitted students
- If you are admitted to the program, you must consent to a criminal record check before you start a practicum placement.
Residency requirements
- Six or more TRU credits (distance or on-campus)
Certificate requirements
33 credits total, with a GPA of 2.00 for each course required for completion of this credential, as follows:
Core knowledge (27 credits)
- A university-level English course, such as ENGL 1101, Composition (3)
- SOCI 1111, Introduction to Sociology I (3)
- SOCW 2061, An Introduction to Social Work Practice (3)
- HUMS 1541, Interpersonal Communications and Helping Relationships (3)
- HUMS 1581, Professional Human Service Practice (3)
- HUMS 1611, Interviewing Skills for Human Service Practice (3)
- HUMS 1771, Introduction to Human Service Practice with Indigenous Communities (3)
- SOCW 2121, Social Welfare in Canada (3)
- SOCW 3551, Human Development (3)
Practicum (6 credits)
- HUMS 1671, Social Welfare Field Practicum (6)
The practicum is 210 hours (15 weeks) minimum. It is offered in your choice of one of two delivery timeframes: (1) part-time, three days a week in a 10-week placement; or, (2) full-time, in a six-week placement.
To begin the process of obtaining a practicum, please contact the program coordinator olsocialwork@tru.ca, who assists you in finding a placement in communities close to you and has final approval regarding the placement.