Program Overview

Social Service Worker

A social service worker (SSW) helps people overcome personal and social challenges by offering supporting counselling and connecting them with resources. Prepare for a rewarding career fostering positive change in individuals, groups and communities.

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

Duration

Four semesters

Start Date(s)

• January (Winter)
• September (Fall)

Locations

• Belleville

Open to

• International Students
• Domestic Students

CIP Code

44.0000

Find your career

An SSW assists individuals who are experiencing social and personal challenges. Acknowledging the root causes may be societal in nature, resulting from the social determinants of health such as marginalization, oppression, stigma, colonization, and intergenerational trauma. Having acquired knowledge of human behaviour and development, the worker, through supportive counselling helps empower service recipients to make positive changes that effects individuals, groups, and communities. The SSW uses helper skills to empower individuals in obtaining resources that may enable them to improve upon their existing strengths. Services may include financial aid, counselling and life skills support.

Career Opportunities

• Case workers
• Social service positions with municipal, provincial and federal governments
• Front-line workers in group homes, employment offices, corrections, residential treatment programs, community agencies, business and industry
• An SSW may specialize in a particular field such as health, welfare, family services, immigration, employment, children’s services, education, gerontology, community outreach, addictions, mental health, income supports, or correctional services
• Social service worker is a registered professional title that may only be used by members in good standing of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

How you'll learn

Experiential learning

• Learn to effectively support and empower people to make positive changes through relevant courses utilizing active learn­ing, skill-based learning and simulations, practical assessments
• A combination of in-class learning and practical experience, including simulation, case studies, applied learning, field trips, skills practice, role play, and two field placements
• Incorporate theory and practice with extensive group work
• Develop essential skills in human relations, interpersonal communication, needs assessment and critical thinking
• Practical is experience acquired through simulation, case studies, applied learning, field trips, skills practice, role play, and field placements
• Practise interviewing and counselling skills in a soundproof lab with a two-way mirror for observation and feedback
• As well as faculty instruction, the opportunity to learn from engaging industry experts and guest speakers working in the SSW field
• Rate your strengths and areas of greater focus with ongoing self-assessment
• Graduates are eligible to join the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and to use the title Registered Social Service Worker (OCSWSSW)

Outstanding faculty make the difference

• Learn with dedicated, caring faculty with front-line experience in a variety of human service settings
• Professors with backgrounds in child protection, prevention programming, addiction, corrections, social services and family counselling continue to work in their fields, bringing the most up-to-date industry knowledge and practices to the classroom
• Find the right job experience for your career path, working with our dedicated SSW placement coordinator
• Our program has a learner-centred approach
• The staff values you, the student, first and foremost
• We recognize and appreciate that you entered the program with many talents and abilities acquired from a variety of previous work and life experiences
• We will work with you at building a learning community that is based upon trust, acceptance and cooperation
• We encourage you to help other students as this contributes to a positive learning environment and to your success in the program
• You are encouraged to take responsibility for your learning and to become self-directed

Courses

Semester One

• COMM1048 College Writing Skills
• PSYC1015 Development Across the Lifespan
• SSWP1000 Relational Approach to Awareness
• SOCI1007 Sociological Foundations of Social Service Work
• SSWP1010 Theory of Relationship Development
• GNED1100 Becoming a Global Changemaker

Semester Two

• COMM1055 Diversity, Marginalization & Oppression
• ETHI1017 Ethical Considerations & Professional Development
• COUN1030 Foundational Concepts in Interviewing & Counselling
• COMM1078 Professional Communications
• PSYC1005 The Mental Health Continuum
• GNED General Education Elective

Semester Three

• COUN2022 Applied Concepts: Interviewing & Counselling
• SSWP2006 Case Management
• SSWP1002 Delivering Human Services
• WKPL2084 Field Practicum 1
• SOCI2005 Working with Families

Semester Four

• SSWP2010 Building Community Capacity
• WKPL2085 Field Practicum 2
• SSWP2011 Indigenous Perspectives for Social Service Work
• SOCI1008 Law & Legislation for Social Service Worker
• GNED General Education Elective

Admission requirements

Required academic preparation

• OSSD/OSSGD or equivalent with courses at the general, advanced, (C), (U) or (M) level
• Grade 12 English (C) level or equivalent

Additional requirements

• Prospective students with special needs or limitations that may affect their practicum/field placement or potential employment opportunities are encouraged to discuss their program and career goals with faculty prior to admission
• Strong computer and communication skills (written and oral) are critical
• You must be prepared for full-time studies and placement, and a heavy workload
• The program is academically and emotionally demanding
• The field of social service work requires proficiency in time management and stress management

Additional requirements prior to field placement

• Standard First Aid and CPR certification
• Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check (certain criminal convictions may prevent participation in placement and program completion may not be possible)
• Up-to date tetanus and diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), Hepatitis B and TB skin test
• Some placement sites may require an updated COVID-19 vaccine and/or a recent flu vaccine

Additional requirements for field placements

• Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to field placements
• Students should expect to travel out of town for placements and it is possible that the commute could take one (1) hour or more each way (to and from placement)
• Students are responsible for making their own transportation agreements
• The student is responsible for all costs associated with travel, including parking

Costs

Domestic students

• Domestic Tuition: $2,722.08
• Full-Time Ancillary Fees: $1,595.26
• Total: $4,317.34
• Additional Program Costs: Approximately $200 – $250

International students

• International Tuition: $15,900
• Full-Time Ancillary Fees: $1,595.26
• Mandatory Health Insurance: $659
• Total: $17,254.26
• Additional Program Costs: Approximately $200 – $250

Further study

Pathways and university transfer

• What’s next? Build on the knowledge and skills you learned at Loyalist by continuing your academic journey
• Return to Loyalist to complete a second diploma or a post-graduate program in as little as a year, or receive credit recognition for your Loyalist studies when pursuing a degree at a university
• Explore pathway opportunities

Related programs

• Developmental Services Worker
• Child and Youth Care
• Early Childhood Education