Community Social Service Worker Program

Note: for the Fall 2010 intake of the Diploma program, the application deadline has been extended to April 15, 2010. This deadline may be extended.

The Community Social Service Worker (CSSW) program is designed to prepare new professionals for work in the field of social services. The program includes both classroom-based studies and field-related work (practicum) at social service agencies. A practicum involves placement in a community social service agency with an opportunity to practice skills learned in the program. The certificate program has two practicums, one in the second semester and one in the third. The diploma program has one additional practicum. Students on practicum are expected to be available to travel anywhere in the Lower Mainland.

Department Website

For an overview of this program, including faculty listings and frequently asked questions plus other resources, visit the departmental website.

Career/Further Educational Opportunities

The Community Social Service Worker program prepares graduates for work in a wide range of government, non-profit and commercial social service settings, such as transition houses, seniors' centers, crisis centers, employment counselling centres, multi-service agencies, drug and alcohol centers, multicultural services, mental health services, the Ministry of Human Resources and the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Graduates from this program may receive transfer credit to the School of Child and Youth Care at the University of Victoria, University College of the Fraser Valley and Malaspina University College. Contact an Academic Advisor for details.

Location

This program is offered at the New Westminster Campus of Douglas College.

Intake Dates/Application Deadlines

Note: for the Fall 2010 intake of the Diploma program, the application deadline has been extended to April 15, 2010. This deadline may be extended.

**Application deadlines may be extended.

Enrolment in the program is limited. Applications must be submitted by April 1 each year. The program commences in September and may be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. Students are advised to apply early.

EARLY ADMISSION
Although application and document deadlines may be identified for this program, we encourage all applicants to apply early and to submit all supporting documentation as early as possible. Those applicants who apply early and submit all documents early may be offered early admission.

Other Information

This program offers a free Information Session. For more details about dates, times and locations, please check on-line.

Please refer to the section on the Faculty of Child, Family and Community Studies regarding an English Competency exit requirement.

Admission Requirements

(Certificate Level Program)

Admission to the Community Social Service Worker program is contingent upon availability of seats and applicant ranking as determined by a process of selective admission evaluation. To be considered for a seat in the program, applicants must meet all admission criteria. The selective admission process uses a structured format to evaluate all applicants in relation to the admission criteria established for the program. Following this review applicants are ranked according to the degree to which they have met the admission criteria and their demonstration of communication skills, motivation to enter the program and knowledge of the demands of the profession.

NOTE: Applicants are advised to meet all admission criteria as early as possible to demonstrate preparedness and motivation for obtaining a seat in the program.

In addition to Douglas College General Admission Requirements, students must:

1. meet the admission requirements for the Faculty of Child, Family and Community Studies;
2. provide evidence they have recently (in the last two years) completed at least 100 hours of work (paid or volunteer) in the social services field (this experience must have been acquired prior to the time of the selection interviews)
3. submit two letters of reference at the time of the selection process, one of which must come from a former supervisor in the social service field and which must verify hours and evaluate work performance.
4. meet the minimum age requirement of 19 years.

Students are strongly advised to acquire basic computer skills (word processing and e-mail) prior to entering the program. Increasingly, field agencies will not accept students who are not computer literate.

Applicants are contacted by the Registrar's Office and advised of the program orientation meeting at which the dates for the selection process are confirmed. Attendance at both the orientation and selection process meetings is essential. Readiness of an applicant to enrol in the program on a full-time or part-time basis will be determined by the faculty selection team based upon specific criteria.

Part-Time Studies

Students may take the CSSW certificate on a part-time basis over six semesters by taking approximately half of the full-time credit load each semester. The course sequence for part-time students is fixed and is arranged in consultation with program faculty. Seat availability cannot be guaranteed for part-time students who do not follow the fixed sequence. Note: It is not possible for part-time students to switch to full time.

Part-time students are advised that practicums (CSSW 1240, CSSW 2340, CSSW 2440) may require a full-time commitment for six weeks, or they may require a committment of two days per week for a full semester. The program also offers a limited number of practicums in international settings including Africa.

Credentials

Courses are developed leading to a three-semester (45 credits) Certificate in Community Social Service Work. As well, a four-semester (60 credit) Diploma in Community Social Service work is currently being offered. Generally, it is expected that most students will complete the 60 credit diploma program.

Program Content

The courses in the program are listed below and a brief description of each can be found in the calendar under Course Descriptions. Detailed course outlines are available for reading in the Student Services area on campus.

Semester I

Course	Title	Credits
CFCS 1110	Introduction to Community	3
CFCS 1121	Personal and Professional Development	1.5
CFCS 1130	Change and Development: Lifespan	3
CSSW 1100	Community Social Service Work: Introduction	3
CSSW 1122	Community Social Service Work: Counselling	3
		13.5

Semester II

CFCS 1221	Wellness: Self and Professional Practice	1.5
CSSW 1200	Introduction to Social Welfare	3
CSSW 1222	Counselling and Group Skills	3
CSSW 1223	Inner City Social Service Work	1.5
CSSW 1240	Practicum I	4.5
CFCS 1260	Community Practice: Addictions	3
		16.5

Semester III

CFCS 2333	Change and Development Families: Working From a Family Perspective	3
CSSW 2322	Employment Counselling	3
CSSW 2340	Practicum II	6
CSSW 2363	Mental Heath	3
Certificate exit point:		15

Semester IV

CFCS 2410	Advanced Issues: Reflection and Integration	3
CSSW 2422	Specialized Interventions	2
CSSW 2433	Advanced Family Issues	2
CSSW 2440	Practicum III	6
CSSW 2462	Gerontology	2
Diploma exit point		15

Total credits for diploma: *60

* Note that any courses required to meet the English Language Exit Requirement are in addition to the 60 credits. See Faculty of Child, Family and Community Studies section for the English Language Entrance and Exit Policy.

*Some curriculum may be revised 2009-2011.