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 a human services worker field. The program involves two years of full-time study, with a combination of practice, theory, and academic course requirements aimed to prepare students to become critical practitioners with an emphasis on advocacy, social justice, and social change. The program may also be taken on a part-time basis
The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Information and Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council, effective September 2025.
Career Prospects
The SSWD program prepares students to work as paraprofessionals in a variety of social service and health agencies. Typical jobs include, but not limited to: financial assistance worker, bail supervisor, residential service worker, social work assistant, mental health assisted living worker, family support worker, supported employment, community living worker, transition houses, women’s programs, Aboriginal support worker and family violence worker.
Details
Intakes
| Location | Starting | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Dawson Creek | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Fort St John | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Dawson Creek | Winter* | Full-time (extended), Part-Time |
| Fort St John | Winter* | Full-time (extended), Part-Time |
| Dawson Creek | Spring | Full-time (extended), Part-Time |
| Fort St John | Spring | Full-time (extended), Part-Time |
* January intake is for domestic students only.
The SSWD program can be available at remote campuses through a combination of online and videoconference course delivery methods. Arrangements can be made practicum placements at remote locations.
Length
60 credits (1055 hours), minimum.
This is a two year program taken over four semesters with minimum of 15 credits per semester. Part-time studies will take longer and all key SSWD courses (SSWD 110, SSWD 120, SSWD 210, SSWD 215/PSYC 220/ECTA 121, SSWD 220, SOWK 200, and SOWK 201) must be completed within six years of program admission.
Estimated Program Fees
Program fee type: Academic
Costs indicated are estimates for a full-time course load.
Book, instruments, supplies, uniforms/clothing and third-party fees are additional.
Domestic Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 3,726.30 | $ 154.18 | $ 51.36 | $ 3,931.84 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 3,800.83 | $ 157.26 | $ 52.39 | $ 4,010.48 |
International Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees | International Medical Insurance | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 12,915.00 | $ 162.42 | $ 55.05 | $ 289.80* | $ 13,422.27 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 13,560.75 | $ 170.54 | $ 57.80 | $ 13,789.09 |
*Per four months
Special Pathways
**Students who have completed the first 3 semesters of NLC’s Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma program (fifteen three-credit courses), and graduates of NLC’s Education Assistant Certificate, will be granted a course substitution for SSWD 110; also, as indicated below, HDEC 101 & HDEC 104 will substitute for PSYC 211, HDEC 121 will substitute for SSWD 215, and ECEC 201 for either PSYC 235 or SOCI 204. These courses may impact transfer to other institutions; check the BC Transfer Guide for information about transfer credit. (Please note that the HDEC courses must be completed within six years with a minimum grade of C+)
Still have questions?
Contact:
- info@nlc.bc.ca if you are in Canada
- info@international.nlc.bc.ca if you are outside of Canada
- academic-chair@nlc.bc.ca if you are currently an NLC student
Admission Requirements
*A. Domestic students and students from countries that practice Standard Written English (see Appendix A) must have official transcripts demonstrating that they have met the English Requirements: One of the following with a “C” grade or higher: English 12 or English Literature 12 or English First Peoples 12, ENGL 050, or ENGL 099. Alternatively, any university-level English course with a “C” grade or higher. Students who do not meet one of the above English requirements must complete the NLC Writing Assessment for appropriate course placement.
B. International students who do not meet the requirement A. above, and domestic students who received their secondary education in French or another language, must show that they have met the NLC English requirement: see Appendix A (General Academic English Language Proficiency Requirements)
*Note that some course options have specific prerequisites. Meeting the program entrance requirements does not ensure course prerequisites have been met for all available courses.
Post-Admission Requirements
- Students will be required to attend a program-specific orientation session, usually held the first class of SSWD 110. Accommodations can be made for students enrolling before the add/drop date or part-time students.
- ALL students must complete a Ministry of Justice Schedule B Criminal Record Check (CRC) for working with children and vulnerable adults before beginning the program. Failure to do so will prevent students from registering in SSWD 220 – Practicum and Seminar and may result in program withdrawal. Please see the NLC website for completion instructions and more information pertaining to Criminal Records Checks.
Important Notes
- The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans for domestic students. Visit Student Aid BC to apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid.
- The SSWD Diploma at NLC is recognized for up to 60 transfer credits to UNBC, TRU, UVIC, RRU. For individual, course-by-course transfer to various institutions, students are advised to consult the BC Transfer Guide.
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | •50% of all coursework must be completed at Northern Lights College. •SSWD 220 must be completed at Northern Lights College. |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | •SSWD students must achieve a minimum grade of C+ in all key SSWD courses (an SSWD student who does not obtain a minimum grade of C+ (65%) in these key courses will receive an F grade; ’D’ grade minimum in all other courses •Program cumulative GPA of 2.33 for all courses applied to the Diploma •A ‘P’ (Pass) must be achieved in SSWD 220 |
| Completion Requirements | •All key SSWD courses must be completed within six years of program admission. |
| Attendance Requirements | •For each of the key SSWD courses, absences should not exceed 20% of contact time (i.e. 9 hours) |
| Key SSWD courses | SSWD 110, SSWD 120, SSWD 215/PSYC 220, SSWD 220, SOWK 200, SOWK 201 |
| Professional Suitability | •Student professional growth will be evaluated throughout the program. Students must adhere to the BC College of Social Workers Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, along with all NLC student conduct policies. Further details are described in the SSWD Program Handbook and in course syllabi. |
*Please note the following semester break down is based on a student beginning their program in the Fall semester. Students starting in other semesters should consult with the course catalogue in Borealis and with a Program Advisor when selecting courses.
Semester One
All of:
- ENGL 100 – Academic Writing (3.0 credits)
- PSYC 101 – Introduction to Psychology I (3.0 credits)
- One Social Worker Elective (see below) Minimum credits: 3.0
- One Open Elective (see below) Minimum credits: 3.0
And one of:
- SSWD 110 – Introduction to Social Service Work (3.0 credits) **
- IHSW 101 – Introduction to Human Service Work (3.0 credits)
Semester Two
All of:
- PSYC 102 – Introduction to Psychology II (3.0 credits)
- SSWD 120 – Ethics and Practice (3.0 credits)
- One Social Worker Elective Minimum credits: 3.0
- One Open Elective Minimum credits: 3.0
And one of:
- ENGL 105 – Nonfictional Prose (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 110 – Introduction to Workplace Communications (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 111 – Poetry and Drama (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 112 – Prose Fiction (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 230 – Technical Writing (3.0 credits)
Semester Three
All of:
- SOWK 200 – Introduction to Social Work Practice (3.0 credits)
- SSWD 210 – Methods of Intervention and Practice Areas (3.0 credits)
And one of:
- WGST 100 – Women and Gender Studies (3.0 credits)
- PHIL 111 – Contemporary Moral Issues (3.0 credits)
And either of:
- PSYC 211 – Developmental Psychology (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 101 – Human Development I (3.0 credits) AND HDEC 104 – Human Development II**
And one of:
- SSWD 215 – Interpersonal Communications (3.0 credits)
- PSYC 220 – Interpersonal Communications (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 121 – Interpersonal Communications (3.0 credits)**
Semester Four
All of:
- SOWK 201 – Introduction to Social Welfare (3.0 credits)
- SSWD 220 – Practicum and Seminar (3.0 credits)
And one of:
- HIST 104 – Canada, Post-Confederation (3.0 credits)
- POLI 101 – The Government of Canada (3.0 credits)
And one of:
- FNST 100 – Indigenous Peoples of Canada (3.0 credits)
- FNST 102 – Treaties and Aboriginal Rights (3.0 credits)
- ANTH 202 – Ethnography of Canada’s First Nations Peoples (3.0 credits)
- ANTH 203 – Contemporary Canadian Native Peoples (3.0 credits)
And one of:
- PSYC 235 – Structure and Dynamics of the Family (3.0 credits)
- SOCI 204 – The Family in Canada (3.0 credits)
- IHSW 102 – The Indigenous Family and Parenting (3.0 credits)
- ECEC 201 – Building Professional Family Partnerships (3.0 credits) **
Social Worker Electives
- ANTH 101 – Cultural and Social Anthropology I (3.0 credits)
- ANTH 102 – Cultural and Social Anthropology II (3.0 credits)
- CRIM 101 – Introduction to Criminology (3.0 credits)
- CRIM 103 – Psychological Explanations of Criminal and Deviant Behaviour (3.0 credits)
- CRIM 131 – Introduction to the Criminal Justice System (3.0 credits)
- CRIM 135 – Introduction to Canadian Law and Legal Institutions (3.0 credits)
- CRIM 210 – Youth and the Criminal Justice System (3.0 credits)
- IHSW 103 – Indigenous Wellness and Healthy Practices (3.0 credits)
- IHSW 104 – Social and Health Issues in Indigenous Communities (3.0 credits)
- PHIL 110 – Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking (3.0 credits)
- SOCI 101 – Introduction to Sociology I (3.0 credits)
- SOCI 102 – Introduction to Sociology II (3.0 credits)
- SOSC 220 – Research Methods for the Social Sciences (3.0 credits)
Open Electives
Open electives are courses in any area and at the baccalaureate level. Generally, these are courses that are numbered 100 or higher and are transferrable to a university. See the BC Transfer Guide for transferability. For further information on possible choices, please contact your Program Chair.
Suggest Electives
Students should consider post-diploma plans when choosing program-specific and open electives. In particular, students moving on to degree programs are advised to consult with receiving institutions to ensure students have selected required courses for a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program.
Students wanting to have an indigenous focus on Indigenous studies should select four of the following courses:
- ANTH 202 – Ethnography of Canada’s First Nations Peoples
- ANTH 203 – Contemporary Canadian Native Peoples
- IHSW 101 – Introduction to Human Service Work
- IHSW 102 – The Indigenous Family and Parenting
- IHSW 103 – Indigenous Wellness and Healthy Practices
- IHSW 104 – Social and Health Issues in Indigenous Communities
- IHSW 105 – Community Helping Project
- FNST 100 – Indigenous Peoples of Canada
- FNST 102 – Treaties and Aboriginal Rights
Credential
Diploma in Social Services Worker