Social Work and Human Services

Community Support Worker certificate

This program prepares students to work with children and adults with disabilities. Graduates are employed as Education Assistants in schools, in residential settings, and other community support roles. Education Assistants work under the supervision of classroom teachers to support students’ academic goals, address behavioural issues, and assist with personal care.

The program focuses on knowledge and skills needed by front-line workers in school and community settings, including professional ethics and standards, the history of service delivery, philosophies of helping, adaptive technologies, communications, and creating inclusive communities.

The program can be taken on a full- or part-time basis.

Entrance requirements

1. Demonstrated suitability for working with people with disabilities is required. Evidence of this could include volunteer work in classroom settings with children or in the community with adults with disabilities.
2. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent (ABE Provincial, Advanced, or GED), or satisfactory demonstration in terms of undertaking university-level work. Students 19 or older who have completed at least three university-level credits that can be applied to the program at the time of application do not require a secondary school transcript.
3. Prerequisites for CMNS 125 or ENGL 105.
4. Complete and include all documentation (see How to apply below).

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider Qualifying Studies.

When to apply

Applications are accepted for entrance to the Fall semester only. For application deadlines, see Specific intake application process.

How to apply

1. Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.

   Additional documents required for a complete application:

   • Proof of B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent.
   • Evidence of having met the prerequisites for CMNS 125 or ENGL 105.
   • Official transcripts (or interim transcripts) from all post-secondary institutions attended showing grade/course achievement. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details.
   • An additional application information form detailing all past work and volunteer experience and education (include social services related and other).
   • A personal statement indicating why applicants want to enter the program and what has brought them to this career choice. Applicants should refer to the kinds of experiences they have had in this field, either paid or volunteer. This statement must be at least 250 words and no more than 500 words.
   • Two recent satisfactory letters of reference from past employers, teachers, or volunteer supervisors who can comment on suitability to work with people in the social services field. These must be on reference forms available from the School either online or in person at UFV.
2. 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.

Basis for admission decision

1. All complete applications received by January 31 will be reviewed. Applications received after this date will be reviewed if space permits.
2. Professional suitability of applicants will be assessed using a point rating system. Points are awarded for past academic performance, all work or volunteer experience (social services or other), demonstrated writing ability, reference letters, and a personal statement. Admission will be granted on a first-qualified, first-served basis to those who score above the required threshold.
3. Only those who submit complete applications and score above the required threshold will be considered.

If the program is full, qualified applicants will be placed on a temporary waitlist. If a space becomes available before September 1, students will be contacted. After September 1, the waitlist is void.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section. Courses numbered HSER 190, 192, 195, and 196 are offered on a cost-recovery basis with higher tuition fees. In addition to tuition and required textbooks, there will be other expenses as well, including criminal record checks and travel to and from practicum sites.

Program duration

The Community Support Worker certificate is one year in duration, offered in both full- and part-time capacity.

Program outline

Semester I

Semester II

Practicum regulations

A GPA of 2.00 is required for practicum placement. Students’ readiness for practicum will be individually assessed based on their knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviour. Placement into practicum is at the discretion of the instructor. A criminal record check completed through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General is required before practicum placement. Students must be 19 years of age or older to undertake a practicum.

Students wanting a certain type of practicum may be required to complete a block practicum in May and June (six to eight weeks full-time). Students currently working in the field may be able to apply for Prior Learning Assessment for part of the practicum. See the Program Advisor for more information. Students can enhance their certificate by completing continuing education courses in sign language, computer skills, food safety, and other relevant support skills.

Note: A valid first aid certificate is required for practicum placement.

Transfer credit

Some courses in the Community Support Worker certificate will apply to the Social Services diploma, and many courses can be used towards other diploma and degree programs.

Undergraduate continuance

Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or above) must maintain an undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 to remain enrolled in Good Academic Standing at UFV. Students in Good Academic Standing will have no registration limits placed on them. Failure to meet the minimum CGPA requirement will result in restrictions on registration and may eventually lead to academic suspension from undergraduate studies at UFV. Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation are limited to registering in 10 credits. For further details, see the Academic standing and undergraduate continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV's Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).

Application to the Social Services diploma

Some of the Community Support Worker certificate courses may apply toward the Social Services diploma program.

Students who would like to apply to the Social Services diploma program, on either a full- or part-time basis, must apply to that program on or after October 1 for the following September start. Students must submit a UFV application and a letter requesting permission from the School to be admitted to the diploma program.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.