Social Work and Human Services

Social Service Worker diploma

The 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.

Entrance requirements

1. One of:
   • B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent with an overall C average.
   • Successful completion of at least nine university-level credits that are required by the Social Service Worker diploma program with a minimum GPA of 2.00.
2. Prerequisites for CMNS 125 or ENGL 105.
3. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in social services is required. The ability to work in culturally safe ways with Indigenous Peoples is required when applying to the Social Service Worker diploma – Indigenous Focus. Evidence of this may include volunteer and/or paid work in social service settings. This is demonstrated through submission of the Additional Application Information Form (see below).

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.

When to apply

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

How to apply

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 (excluding UFV) 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 related education, work, and volunteer experience (available at ufv.ca/registrar/forms), including a personal statement of at least 250 and no more than 500 words.
• Two recent, satisfactory letters of reference from employers, teachers, or volunteer supervisors who are qualified to comment on the applicant's ability to work in the social service field. These must be on reference forms available from the School of Social Work and Human Services.

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.
2. Professional suitability of applicants will be assessed using a point rating system. Up to 30 points are awarded for each of academic performance, related volunteer and/or work experience, and a personal statement, including an assessment of writing ability; and up to 10 points for two reference letters. 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.

Fees and additional costs

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.

Program duration

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.

Program outline

Social Service Worker diploma

Semester I

Semester II

Semester III

Semester IV

Social Service Worker diploma - Indigenous focus

Semester I

Semester II

Semester III

Semester IV

Practicum regulations

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.

Program continuance

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:

• Being placed on academic warning or probation for academic misconduct
• Failing two or more required courses in one semester
• Failing a required course twice
• Failing to achieve the minimum grade of C in a required course twice
• Failing a practicum
• Failing to maintain a PGPA of 2.00

Undergraduate continuance

See the Academic standing and undergraduate continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV's Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).

Residency

Students are required to complete a minimum of 62 credits. At least 50% of these must be completed at UFV.

Maximum length of time to complete program

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.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.