Program Overview

Social Service Worker

2 years – Ontario College Diploma

Overview

This program will give you the knowledge and skills you need to enter this rewarding career field. Learn skills and methods that will prepare you to work in different settings and challenging situations. Themes include social justice, empowerment of marginalized citizens and ethics. You will also be introduced to Indigenous history and culture through the Canada's First Peoples Course. Graduates can go on to work with individuals or groups in a variety of community settings.

Upcoming Intakes:

• Fall 2025: College Drive – North Bay
• Winter 2026: College Drive – North Bay

Your Future Career

• Residential facilities
• Social Service departments
• Addictions and mental health services
• Schools and youth services
• Community health and resource centres
• Transition houses and shelters

What You Learn

• Trauma informed practice and crisis intervention
• Human development
• Effective leadership in group settings
• Substance abuse training
• Canada's First Peoples
• Client interviews and assessment
• Advocacy related to intimate personal violence

Admissions Requirements

• OSSD or equivalent, ENG4C or ENG4U
• If English is not your first language you must provide proof of English competency.

Curriculum

Semester 1

• CLT100 | First Peoples of Canada
• CMM125 | College Communication
• GENED | General Education Elective - Online
• SSW105 | Social Service Worker Interviewing I
• PSY200 | Lifespan Development
• SOC100 | Foundations of Sociology
• SSW101 | Introduction to Social Service Work Practice I

Semester 2

• ENG200 | Creative Writing
• SSW155 | Social Service Work with Families
• SSW160 | Social Service Worker Interviewing II
• SSW103 | SSW Methods: Community Organization
• SSW104 | Introduction to Social Service Work Practice II
• SSW165 | Mental Health and Addictions
• SSW219 | Group Work for Social Service Workers

Semester 3

• SSW225 | SSW Methods of Intervention
• SSW238 | SSW Methods: Intimate Personal Violence
• SSW290 | Trauma and Crisis
• SSW292 | Fieldwork Preparation
• SSW294 | Accountable Professional
• SSW296 | Introduction to Gerontology
• GENED | General Education Elective - Online (SSW)

Semester 4

• SSW293 | Fieldwork Integration
• SSW295 | Fieldwork Placement

Tuition Fees

College Drive Campus – Domestic

College Drive Campus – International

What You Need

• Mandatory Non-Academic Requirements for Placement:
  • Work-Integrated Learning (also called Placement, Field Placement, Practicum, Clinical Placement, etc.) provides students with rich and meaningful experiences wherein they have the opportunity to apply and extend the learning they gain from the classroom in real-word contexts.
• Textbooks:
  • Check out the Campus Bookstore to not only purchase your textbooks but also view your book list before the semester starts.
• Technology/Devices:
  • Canadore College has implemented Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) to enhance your learning experience in and out of the classroom while ensuring flexibility in learning.
• You will also need:
  • Business Casual Clothing (2nd year) - up to $100.00

Certification/Accreditation

• Ontario College Diploma
• Students can apply to register with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Learning Outcomes

• Learning outcomes represent culminating demonstrations of learning and achievement. In addition, learning outcomes are interrelated and cannot be viewed in isolation of one another. As such, they should be viewed as a comprehensive whole. They describe performances that demonstrate that significant integrated learning by graduates of the program has been achieved.
• View Program Vocational Learning Outcomes

Further Your Education

• There are many options available to students who already have some postsecondary education.
• Whether you are looking to study at Canadore from another school, continue your education at Canadore, or looking to pursue further education elsewhere, we can help find the right path for you!
• Whether you want to Transfer TO Canadore, Transfer WITHIN Canadore, or prepare to Transfer FROM Canadore, we've got you covered!
• Learn more about Credit Transfer and Pathway opportunities here.