Social Service Worker

Program Overview

Centennial College's Social Service Worker program prepares students to become critical practitioners and advocates within an anti-oppressive and social justice framework. The program covers principles, skills, and theories of social service work, empowering students to support diverse individuals and communities in enhancing their well-being. Graduates are eligible for registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and can pursue careers in various social service settings, including community agencies, healthcare, and education.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: The Centennial College Social Service Worker program trains students to become critical practitioners, advocates, problem solvers, and agents of social change.
By examining the expanding professional roles and responsibilities of social service workers in a rapidly changing society, the program empowers students to develop knowledge, skills, and values necessary to support diverse individuals, families, groups, and communities to enhance their individual and collective well-being within an anti-oppressive and social justice framework.
• Objectives: The program aims to prepare students to meet the educational requirements for registration as a social service worker in the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).

Outline:

• Content: Principles, philosophies, skills, and theories of social service work examined within an anti-oppressive and social justice framework.
• Themes related to professional competencies, group dynamics, interprofessional practice, interpersonal communication, counselling, community development, advocacy, social movements, and social policies are explored.
Students identify how values and ideologies contribute to the construction of social problems and solutions through critical thinking and reflective practice.

Careers:

• Career Paths: Graduates may pursue employment in community service agencies, social service organizations, government agencies, healthcare settings, and educational institutions as social service workers.
• Opportunities: Graduates may hold roles as case managers, youth workers, family support workers, community development workers, and more.
• Outcomes: The program's graduates can make a valuable contribution to society by supporting, empowering, and advocating for vulnerable and marginalized populations.