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.
If you want to complete this program but live outside of BC, you may participate if you can make appropriate practicum arrangements at a social service agency near you.
What Can You Do With This Credential?
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 Application (SSWCA) 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
Admission Recommendations
- Grade 12 or the BC Adult Graduation Diploma
Admitted Students
- Students admitted to this program will be required to consent to a Criminal Record Check at the Practicum Placement stage of your program. The Field Education Coordinator will provide further instructions on the process at this time.
Residency Requirements
- 6 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.
Student Responsibility
Consult with your Program Advisor to ensure that the courses you select can be applied toward the program requirements of your chosen credential. Also, before you register in a course not listed on the OL website, apply for a letter of permission. Otherwise, you may find either that course credits cannot be applied to your program or that you must pay a transcript reassessment fee.
Fees
Please see Tuition and Fees for details.
Contact Us
Please contact us to speak with us about applying to the Social Service Worker Certificate program.