Programs

This Program is offered at the following campus locations:

Dawson Creek, Fort St. John

Description:

The Social Services Worker Diploma (SSWD) program provides opportunities for students to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and qualifications to enable them to work in the human services worker field.

This program is two years with a combination of practice, theory and academic course requirements.

Certification:  Diploma in Social Services Worker

Program Contact: Connie Kaweesi

Dean: Steve Roe

Admission Requirements: 

• Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent with "C" or better in English 12 or English 12 First Peoples
• Completion of Writing Assessment, if required
• (1) Professional and (1) Personal Reference
• Attend Program Orientation
  
  OR

•  Successful completion of the Social Service Worker Bridging Certificate

Note: A Solictor General Criminal Record Check (SG/CRC) is not a program admission requirement, but all SSWD students are expected to complete a SG/CRC before or shortly after admission to the program. Information about the SG/CRC process will be presented at program orientations. Convictions for certain offenses may disqualify students from participating in course practica and, therefore, from program completion. Further, students are obligated to report any Schedule B criminal convictions that occur after they authorize an SG/CRC but are still enrolled in the Social Service Worker Diploma Program. Failure to do so may result in immediate dismissal from the program.

CRC Consent Form

CRC Credit Card form

Program Length (Weeks):  60 weeks (four terms)

Program Length (Hours):  900

Program Intake Start:  Beginning of each academic term (Fall, Winter, Intersession)

Program Intake Finish:  Minimum of four terms of full-time study

Available Seats:  20

Application Deadline:  Continuous

Career Prospects:

The Social Service Worker Diploma program prepares students to work as paraprofessionals in a variety of social service and health agencies. Typical jobs include financial assistance worker, youth probation officer, residential service worker, social work assistant, mental health worker, family support worker, supported employment, community living worker, transition houses, women's programs, Aboriginal support worker, and family violence worker.

Affiliations: UNBC Block Transfer Credit

Eligibility for Canada Student Loans:  Yes

Visit StudentAid BC to apply for financial assistance online.

Required Minimum Grade:

Minimum GPA 2.33 in each term. A 'P' (Pass) must be achieved in SSWD 220 (practicum). Participation in on-going student evaluation is required.

Residency Requirements:

Fifty per cent of the Social Service Worker Diploma program must be completed at Northern Lights College. Students must complete a second-year practicum at Northern Lights College. Courses offered through face-to-face, online, and distributed learning will be accepted as credit towards program completion.

Courses:

• ENGL100 Academic Writing
• FNST100 Aboriginal Peoples of Canada OR ANTH203 Contemporary Canadian Native Peoples
• PSYC101 Introduction to Psychology I
• PSYC102 Introduction to Psychology II
• PSYC211 Developmental Psychology
• PSYC220 Interpersonal Communications
• PSYC235 Structure and Dynamics of the Family OR SOCI204 The Family in Canada
• SOWK200 Introduction to Social Work Practice
• SOWK201 Introduction to Social Welfare
• SSWD110 Introduction to Human Services Work
• SSWD120 Ethics and Practice
• SSWD210 Methods of Intervention and Practice Areas
• SSWD220 Practicum and Seminar
• WMST100 Introduction to Women's Studies

Note: Pre-requisites for ENGL 100
Applicants who do not have at least a 'B' in English 12 (or English Literature 12) or at least a 'C' in a university-level English course must complete the NLC Writing Assessment and discuss the results with a Recruiter at Student Services before registering in 100-level English courses. Recruiters consider performance on the Assessment in conveying recommendations about appropriate courses.

TWO of the following

• SOCI101 Introduction to Sociology I
• SOCI102 Introduction to Sociology II
• ANTH101 Cultural and Social Anthropology I
• ANTH102 Cultural and Social Anthropology II
• CRIM101 Introduction to Criminology
• CRIM103 Psychological Explanations of Criminal and Deviant Behaviour
• CRIM131 Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
• CRIM135 Introduction to Canadian Law and Legal Institutions

ONE of the following:

• ENGL105 Nonfictional Prose
• ENGL110 AO Introduction to Workplace Communications (Online)
• ENGL111 Poetry and Drama
• ENGL112 AO Prose Fiction (Online)

ONE of the following;

• POLI101 The Government of Canada
• HIST104 Canada, Post-Confederation

Optional Courses (Electives):

• Students will complete the Academic (University Transfer) requirements with two additional courses (total 6 credits) of their choice (100 or 200 level in any area).
• Students should consider post-diploma plans when choosing between alternatives in the required courses and when choosing electives.
• Students should consult with receiving institutions to ensure that they have the required courses for Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).
• Academic credits taken at Northern Lights College can also be used toward an Associate of Arts Degree or Pre-Professional Certificate programs.