Social Work and Human Services
ufv.ca/swhsThe Social Service Worker diploma is a two-year, 62-credit program that prepares graduates to work in social service settings and schools. Graduates work in community-based corrections, family support, Indigenous services, mental health, residential care, schools, settlement services, substance use, and women’s services.
The Social Service Worker diploma – Indigenous focus prepares graduates to work in social service settings and schools in culturally safe ways with Indigenous Peoples. Working from Indigenous perspectives, graduates will work with individuals, families, groups, and communities on issues of concern to Indigenous Peoples. As Indigenous Peoples assert their right to self-determination – particularly in the areas of child welfare, healthcare, and education services – demand will continue to grow for Indigenous social service workers to work in culturally safe ways with Indigenous communities. At the same time, students will develop an understanding of the social, cultural, and political context of Indigenous communities.
Both streams of the Social Service Worker diploma will provide students with employment-related skills while earning university-level credits towards a Bachelor of Social Work or other degree at UFV. Thus, a student who is interested in becoming a social worker will be able to develop skills and seek employment as a social service worker before going on to complete a degree. The number of transfer credits in each stream depends on students’ choice of courses. Consultation with an Academic Advisor is recommended.
Assessment of prior learning is available for qualified students.
Note: Admission to the program does not guarantee placement in a practicum. Please see the Practicum regulations section below.
Students who do not meet these requirements might consider Qualifying Studies.
Applications are accepted for entrance to the Fall semester only. For application deadlines, see Specific intake application process.
Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.
Upon admission to the program applicants will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required prior to registration (see the Fees and Other Costs section) and will be applied toward tuition fees.
See the Fees and Other Costs section. In addition to tuition and required textbooks, other expenses include criminal record checks, travel to and from practicum sites, and first aid training for students who intend to complete a school-based practicum.
Students may elect to take this program on either a full- or part-time basis. Students have a maximum of four years to complete the program under the requirements that were in place at the time they were admitted to the program.
Course | Title | Credits |
CMNS 125 | Communicating Professionally to Academic and Workplace Audiences | 3 |
or ENGL 105 | Academic Writing | |
HSER 120 | Interpersonal Communications for Human Services | 3 |
HSER 140 | Introduction to Indigenous-Centred Human Services | 3 |
PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology I | 3 |
or PSYC 102 | Introduction to Psychology II | |
SOWK 110 | Introduction to Social Work and Human Services | 3 |
Course | Title | Credits |
HSER 130 | Social Services Practicum I | 7 |
SOC 101 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
Plus: | Two university-level elective courses | 6 |
Course | Title | Credits |
CMNS 251 | Professional Report Writing | 3 |
HSER 200 | Interview and Assessment Skills for Human Services | 3 |
SOWK 225 | Human Behaviour and the Social Environment | 3 |
or PSYC 250 | Introduction to Developmental Psychology | 3 |
SOWK 283 | Introduction to Social Work Practice with Families | 3 |
SOWK 297 | Introduction to Mental Health and Substance Use | 3 |
Course | Title | Credits |
HSER 230 | Social Services Practicum II | 7 |
SOWK 210 | Introduction to Social Welfare | 3 |
Plus: | Two university-level elective courses | 6 |
Course | Title | Credits |
CMNS 125 | Communicating Professionally to Academic and Workplace Audiences | 3 |
or ENGL 105 | Academic Writing | |
HSER 120 | Interpersonal Communications for Human Services | 3 |
HSER 140 | Introduction to Indigenous-Centred Human Services | 3 |
IPK 105 | Introduction to Stó:lō People and Communities (formerly FNST 101) | 3 |
SOWK 110 | Introduction to Social Work and Human Services | 3 |
Course | Title | Credits |
HSER 130 | Social Services Practicum I | 7 |
IPK 106 | Stó:lō Ways of Healing and Helping (formerly FNST 102) | 3 |
PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology I | 3 |
or PSYC 102 | Introduction to Psychology II | |
SOC 101 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
Course | Title | Credits |
CMNS 251 | Professional Report Writing | 3 |
HSER 200 | Interview and Assessment Skills for Human Services | 3 |
IPK 206 | Stó:lō Communications and Worldview (formerly FNST 201) | 3 |
SOWK 225 | Human Behaviour and the Social Environment | 3 |
or PSYC 250 | Introduction to Developmental Psychology | 3 |
SOWK 283 | Introduction to Social Work Practice with Families | 3 |
Course | Title | Credits |
HSER 230 | Social Services Practicum II | 6 |
IPK 205 | Stó:lō Social and Governing Structures (formerly FNST 202) | 3 |
SOWK 210 | Introduction to Social Welfare | 3 |
SOWK 297 | Introduction to Mental Health and Substance Use | 3 |
Admission to the program does not guarantee placement in a practicum and students are not guaranteed the practicum of their choice. Students are required to register for the practicum course on the campus closest to their practicum. A PGPA of 2.00 is required for practicum placement. Students who are on Academic Warning or Academic Probation or subject to academic or non-academic student misconduct proceedings will not be permitted to register in the practicum.
The Practicum and Internship Coordinator will assess students’ readiness for practicum on their knowledge, skills, and professionalism. Each practicum requires a minimum of 200 hours (two to four days per week for 13 to 15 weeks). Concurrent with the practicum, students attend mandatory seminar classes.
A criminal record check completed through the Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP) is required before practicum placement. Record checks completed through the RCMP or local police detachments do not meet B.C. government requirements.
Students who intend to complete a practicum with children in schools are required to have a valid Standard First Aid certificate and must take HSER 192 as a pre- or co-requisite to the practicum.
Students who currently work in the field, or who have significant related work experience, may apply for Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) of HSER 130. Information about Prior Learning Assessment Recognition is available from the School of Social Work and Human Services.
Students must maintain a PGPA of 2.00 to be considered for practicum placement and graduation.
All HSER and SOWK required courses must be completed with a grade of C (2.00) or better. Students who are not making satisfactory progress will be required to withdraw from the program. Unsatisfactory progress includes but is not limited to:
See the Academic standing and undergraduate continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV's Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).
Students are required to complete a minimum of 62 credits. At least 50% of these must be completed at UFV.
Students are allowed up to four consecutive years to complete the program under the requirements that were in place at the time they were admitted.
For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.