Social Service Worker Certificate

Certificate
Also available as:
TYPE:
  • Part Time
  • Full Time
LENGTH: 1 year
CAMPUS: Prince George - Quesnel
FEES: Estimated at $3,765
START DATE: Fall 2025 - Fall 2025
DELIVERY:
  • In Class
Applications for Fall 2024 are now closed
  • Overview
  • Courses
  • Location & Dates
  • Entry Requirements
  • Fees

Overview

Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding career helping people in need? Earn an introductory career in Social Services with a Social Service Worker Certificate from ²ÝÁñÉçÇø. As a Social Service Worker, you will work with a variety of individuals needing social assistance, on a daily basis.

Careers

Upon completion of this program, you can find work in a variety of areas including but not limited to:

  • Residential child care services
  • Residential adult care services
  • Women’s and men’s programs
  • Group homes
  • Shelters
  • First Nations social services organizations

What you will learn

This program gives you the basic skills and knowledge needed for work as a social service paraprofessional. It combines theory and classroom instruction with practical experience. Not sure if you want a Certificate or a Diploma? Students at the diploma level work in situations requiring greater independence and a higher level of skill than expected in the Social Service Worker Certificate. The credits earned toward your certificate can also transfer to the diploma program upon completion.

Social Service Worker Certificate Courses

With a one year Social Service Certificate, you can find work in residential child/adult care services, men's and women's programs, group homes, shelters, First Nations social services organizations, and more. This program gives you the basic skills and knowledge needed for work as a social service paraprofessional. It combines theory and classroom instruction with practical experience.

Required Courses

COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE CREDITS LENGTH
ABST-100 Yinka Dene Worldview 3 15 weeks
ENGL-103 Composition & Style 3 15 weeks
SSWK-142 Helping Skills Practical Appl. Applications 3 15 weeks
SSWK-145 Communication & Interpersonal Relationship Skills 3 15 weeks
SSWK-151 Social Welfare Policy 3 15 weeks
SSWK-171 Intro to Social Work Practice 3 15 weeks
SSWK-195 Issues Principles Fieldwork 3 15 weeks

Choose One Of

COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE CREDITS LENGTH
SSWK-186 Aboriginal Services Practicum and Seminar 3 186 Hours
COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE CREDITS LENGTH

Electives

One SSWK Elective

AND

Choose from any other SSWK elective or any of the following:

COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE CREDITS LENGTH
ECCL-175 Families 3 45 hours
COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE CREDITS LENGTH
ECCL-150 Developmental Perspectives I 3 15 weeks
ECCL-156 Care and Guidance 3 15 weeks
FASD-301 Fundamental & Prof. Implicat. 3 15 weeks

Locations & Dates

²ÝÁñÉçÇø programs have varying lengths and start dates to meet your needs, and are offered across multiple campuses where possible. Don’t see the campus you’re looking for? Check back with us soon as this page is updated throughout the school year.

START DATE CAMPUS DELIVERY LENGTH
Fall 2025 Prince George In Class 1 year
Fall 2025 Quesnel In Class 1 year

Entry Requirements

  • High school graduation or equivalent.
  • English Studies 12, or English First Peoples 12, or ENGL 050, or ENGL 051, or equivalent (minimum “C”).
  • Completion of application package.

Need help meeting these requirements? Check out our Academic Upgrading options.

Once accepted into the program, the student must complete a criminal record search. A search which identifies relevant criminal convictions may prevent them from registering for practicum. Practicum is required for graduation.

It is recommended that all successful candidates have current:

  • TB testing and a complete immunization regime as per Northern Health recommendations for health and social service worker students.
  • Emergency level first aid
  • FoodSafe certification
  • Therapeutic Crisis Intervention certification
  • Non-violent Crisis Intervention certification
  • Valid class 5 driver’s license

These recommendations are considered assets for employment in the Social Service Worker field. All costs associated with certifications, courses and/or documentation requirements are the student’s responsibility.

Limited admission

If there is room in the program, the student will be accepted once they have met all the admission requirements. This is called “first qualified, first accepted.” If the student qualifies after the program is full, they will be put on a wait list.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Based on skills and knowledge acquired through life and/or work experience, students may be able to obtain course credits in the Social Services Worker Program. Through an assessment process, students applying for PLAR credit will document and demonstrate their capabilities based on identified competencies and the learning objectives of the SSWK course for which they seek credit.

This option applies to SSWK 195 and SSWK 186/196, the practicum components of the program. To explore this option, please see a ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Academic Advisor for assistance with initiating a Prior Learning Assessment application. Applications will be considered per institutional policy.

For more information, please contact ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Academic Advising

Invest in your future

The estimated cost for this program is $3,765.

These costs are an estimate. Student fees vary by campus. Check the fee schedule for more details.

Books for this program can be purchased from the .

Paying for college

We're here to help. You can apply for scholarships and bursaries through ²ÝÁñÉçÇø. We can also help you find loans and other funding. Visit Financial aid to find out how.

Salaries and employment

Looking for a job? Check the .