Social Work and Human Services
ufv.ca/swhsThis one-year, 31-credit program prepares students to work with children and adults with diverse abilities. Under the supervision of classroom teachers, graduates work in schools as Education Assistants to support students’ academic goals, address behavioural issues, and assist with personal care. Working in community and residential settings, graduates work with clients to develop and facilitate goals that increase community inclusion and support daily living activities.
The program can be taken on a full- or part-time basis. Part-time students may enroll in any available program course provided they meet the stated prerequisite and there is space. Part-time students may not be able to access all required courses in sequence. Qualifying Studies students and students in other programs may be able to enroll in some required courses if they meet the stated prerequisite and there is space.
Some credits are applicable to the Social Service Worker diploma program. 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, first aid training, and travel to and from practicum sites.
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 190 | Introduction to Community and School Support | 3 |
HSER 192 | Supporting Students in Schools | 3 |
SOWK 110 | Introduction to Social Work and Social Services | 3 |
Course | Title | Credits |
HSER 131 | SCSW Practicum | 7 |
HSER 194 | Education Assistants and Inclusive Schools | 3 |
HSER 195 | Relationships and the Community | 3 |
SOWK 225 | Human Behaviour and the Social Environment | 3 |
or PSYC 250 | Introduction to Developmental Psychology |
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.
Prior to practicum placement, all students are required to have a valid first aid certificate (Red Cross Basic Life Support, Occupational First Aid Level 1, or St. John Ambulance Standard First Aid).
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 31 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.