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Social Service Worker

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Program Code: 01221
Credential: Diploma
Start Dates: January, September
Program Length: 4 semesters

Program Overview

Humber’s Social Service Worker diploma program prepares you to work with people in a professional helping role. Approaching your education from an anti-oppressive, anti-discriminatory and strength-based perspective, you will learn how to empower and advocate for people to meet their goals and to access needed services and programs.

You will develop an understanding of systemic barriers that impede people’s access to social and economic resources and learn how to work with individuals and communities to address these barriers.   

You will be taught by skilled, committed faculty, with real-life work experience in the human services field, on how to work with people of diverse backgrounds who are experiencing challenging life events including but not limited to poverty, settlement challenges, mental health issues and substance dependence, intimate partner violence, and post-traumatic stress.

You will study topics and develop skills in:

  • advocacy and case management
  • counselling
  • family dynamics
  • human behaviour and development
  • interpersonal skills
  • mental health
  • working with groups and communities

The Social Service Worker program is also offered part time.

Courses Program Standards

Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

  1. Develop respectful and collaborative professional and interpersonal relationships that adhere to professional, legal, and ethical standards aligned to social service work.

  2. Record information accurately and communicate effectively in written, digital, verbal and non-verbal ways, in adherence to privacy and freedom of information legislation, in accordance with professional and workplace standards.

  3. Integrate a practice framework within a service delivery continuum, addressing the needs of individuals, families and communities at micro, mezzo, macro and global levels, and work with them in achieving their goals.

  4. Plan and implement accessible and responsive programs and services, recognizing the diverse needs and experiences of individuals, groups, families and communities, and meeting these needs.

  5. Examine current social policy, relevant legislation, and political, social, historical, and/or economic systems and their impacts for individuals and communities when delivering services to the user/client.

  6. Develop strategies and approaches that support individual clients, groups, families and communities in building the capacity for self-advocacy, while affirming their dignity and self-worth.

  7. Work from an anti-oppressive, strengths-based practice, recognizing the capacity for resilience and growth of individuals and communities when responding to the diverse needs of marginalized or vulnerable populations to act as allies and advocates.

  8. Develop strategies and approaches to implement and maintain holistic self-care as a member of a human service profession.

  9. Work with individuals, groups, families and their communities to ensure that service provider strategies promote social and economic justice, and challenge patterns of oppression, discrimination and harassment, and sexual violence with clients, coworkers and communities.

  10. Develop the capacity to work with the Indigenous individual, families, groups and communities while respecting their inherent rights to self-determine, and to identify and address systemic barriers that produce ill-effects, developing appropriate responses using approaches such as trauma informed care practice.


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Work-Integrated Learning  

As part of this program, you will apply your theoretical knowledge and practice human service skills by participating in totaling 600 hours with up to two organizations. You will work in the field (typically unpaid) two days per week over Semesters 2, 3 and 4 (200 hours each semester). Alongside this field experience, you will also complete coursework and attend a seminar class.

With the support of a dedicated field advisor, students will use job search skills to find, apply for and interview with organizations in order to secure their field experience. Once in the field, you will be supported by a seminar instructor who will guide you as you build your confidence and professional reputation.


Take a Tour of Our Sim Labs

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Students in the Therapeutic Play Lab


Advisory Committee

Our advisory panel is made up of professionals with extensive experience in Human Services in a variety of settings in which Social Service Workers are employed. Some of these professionals are graduates of our program and many of their agencies host student placement opportunities.

Your Career

You will gain the skills needed to work with various social service agencies, organizations and centres serving equity-deserving and vulnerable groups such as at-risk women and youth, people experiencing homelessness,  newcomer groups to Canada, individuals with disabilities, and people with mental health and addiction challenges. Our graduates typically find work as:

  • case managers
  • community/family support workers
  • intake workers
  • mental health workers
  • outreach workers
  • residential case workers

Professional Accreditations & Recognition

Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers (OCSWSSW)

Graduates may apply to become members of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers (OCSWSSW).

Ontario Social Service Worker Association (OSSWA)

Graduates may apply to become members of the Ontario Social Service Worker Association (OSSWA).

Additional requirements may apply.

Note: The requirements for the additional credential(s) are determined by the granting body, which is independent from the College. Students are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements directly from the granting body before enrolling.

Program Availability

Start dates between Sept 2023 - Aug 2024
Start Date LOCATION STATUS
January 2024 Lakeshore Open
Start dates between Sept 2024 - Aug 2025
Start Date LOCATION STATUS
September 2024 Lakeshore Opening Soon
January 2025 Lakeshore Opening Soon
Start dates between Sept 2023 - Aug 2024
Start Date LOCATION STATUS
January 2024 Lakeshore Closed
Start dates between Sept 2024 - Aug 2025
Start Date LOCATION STATUS
September 2024 Lakeshore Opening Soon
January 2025 Lakeshore Opening Soon

Human Services Program Video

Jabari, Humber Hero

Watch the video to find out why our graduates entered the program and how it prepared them for a career in the Human Services sector.


Humber Students Benefit from Five Centres of Innovation (COIs)

The Humber Centres of Innovation Network demonstrates our strong commitment to providing an experiential learning environment for students. Students and faculty work with industry partners on real-world challenges to prepare them to become the innovative and strategic problem-solvers of tomorrow. Come to Humber and experience interdisciplinary learning across five COIs.

About the COIs  

News Feed

FI Students Partake in Annual Recovery Scattered Remains Lab

FI Students Partake in Annual Recovery Scattered Remains Lab

Program Highlights

Thu, April 27, 2023

Humber’s Forensic Identification program hosted the annual recovery of surface-scattered remains lab in collaboration with various community partners.

Read the Full Article
Welcoming Our New Associate Deans

Welcoming Our New Associate Deans

Program Highlights

Wed, April 26, 2023

On February 6th, the FSCS officially welcomed Francis Syms into his new role as Associate Dean of Continuous Professional Learning (CPL).

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Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.

Contact Us

Admissions Questions

General Enquiries

Call 416-675-3111 or email enquiry@humber.ca. If you have already applied, be sure to check your application status on myhumber.ca.

Domestic Applicants Enquiries

Domestic applicants can book a one-on-one advising appointment with an admissions representative.

International Applicants Enquiries

Contact the International Centre for information about full-time programs (including the International Graduate School), how to apply and to follow up on your submitted application.

Program-Specific Questions

Speak to the Program Co-ordinator about the course curriculum, projects and career options.

Sheria Myrie, program co-ordinator
416.675.6622 ext. 3339
sheria.myrie@humber.ca

Campus Information

Book a campus tour to take a closer look at what it's like to be a student at Humber.

Want More Info?

Find out more about the student experience and everything that Humber has to offer Future Students.

for more info on Humber, including programs, special events and more!

How To Become An Apprentice

Becoming an Apprentice

Find an employer willing to sponsor you as an apprentice.

Contact the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to register as an apprentice.

Work with your employer approximately one year before attending Humber.

View Instructions 

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

If you’re in high school – grade 11 or 12 – you can earn co-op education credits through work placements in some skilled trades.

Visit OYAP 

How to Apply

Domestic Students

Applications to Humber are made through ontariocolleges.ca. Be sure to submit your application by the equal consideration deadline of February 1. You may apply after February 1, however, post-February 1 applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the availability of the space in the program.

To check program availability refer to the Campus/Availability listing on Humber’s program pages, search by availability, or ontariocolleges.ca.

To see where you are in the admissions process, visit the Admissions Road Map.

International Students

If you’re an international student, you can apply directly to Humber via our International Centre.

Need Advice?

Program Advising Appointments

Get help narrowing down your program options or book a one-on-one pre-enrolment advising appointment with one of our Recruitment Officers.

Transfer & Pathway Advising

Book a virtual appointment with a Student Mobility Advisor learn more about getting Transfer Credit(s) for previous post-secondary experience, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), and Pathways options.

Admission Requirements

Admission selection is based on the academic criteria indicated. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

Admission selection is based on the following three requirements:

  • Academic

    To be eligible for admission, you must possess the following:

    • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including these required courses: 
      • Grade 12 English (ENG4C or ENG4U or equivalent)
      • Three Grade 11 or Grade 12 C, M or U courses in addition to those listed above

    or

    or

    Mature Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or other postsecondary school, and will be 19 or older as of the first day of classes. Humber will invite you for testing to demonstrate that you meet all listed course requirements.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or attended postsecondary studies, and will be 21 or older as of the first day of classes. Mature applicants for degree programs will be required to meet course requirements at the U/M level or equivalent.

    College Transfer Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants must have an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 65 per cent in the program. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

    University Transfer Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

  • English Language Proficiency

    All applicants whose first language is not English must meet Humber’s English Language Proficiency Policy.

  • International Credit Evaluation

    Canadian citizens or permanent residents with international education are required to provide a credential evaluation. Note, for international High school education course by course evaluations, ICAS must be used. For international post-secondary education, a WES evaluation must be provided. In situations where you expect to apply for transfer credit, it is recommended that a course by course WES evaluation is completed.

International Academic Equivalency

Admission equivalencies for Humber depend on your country of study. Please enter your location or choose detect my location to see the requirements for your country below.

Post-Admission Requirements

Once you have been accepted, and have confirmed your offer, you may need to complete a further set of requirements related to your program (Post-Admission Requirements).

Vulnerable Sector Check

  • Throughout the program, employers who provide field placement opportunities may require students to undergo a vulnerable sector check for criminal offences.
  • Mandatory bonding is a requirement for some sectors of the corrections field.

It is important for potential students to understand that the requirements noted above are beyond the control of Humber and may prevent students from completing the full program including the field placement component and/or securing employment. Applicants are advised to check the requirements for specific positions in which they are interested before enrolling in this program.

 

Note: A vulnerable sector check will be requested during your program of study. In respect of the 90-day limit on validity of checks and the types of checks required by various agencies, please do not attain a vulnerable sector check prior to being accepted to the program. Faculty will support students upon arrival to the program to ensure they apply for the correct type of police documentation at the appropriate time.

Equipment & Device Requirements

Fees & Financial Aid

The 2023/2024 fee for two semesters was:

  • domestic: $3,784.68
  • international: $16,803.00

Fees are subject to change.

Fees by Semester

Domestic Fees International Fees

Additional Costs

$400 – supplies (for one semester); transportation costs to and from field placement (varies).

Financial Aid, Scholarships and Bursaries

Understand the costs associated with coming to Humber and explore resources available from first year to your final year on Student Fees and Financial Resources.

Scholarships

Humber Scholarships

Find out more about scholarships and bursaries that you may be eligible for, visit Student Scholarships. International students can visit International Student Scholarships.

Humber Bursaries

Bursaries are available for Certificate, Diploma and Degree programs primarily based on financial need, visit Humber Bursaries.

External Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships

Find out more information about external scholarships and bursaries, visit External Awards.

Indigenous Student Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships

Humber offers a variety of bursaries and scholarships for Indigenous students, visit Indigenous Student Awards.

Explore Opportunities through Humber Pathways

Humber Pathways include:

  • Opportunities to build on your college education and complete your diploma or degree at Humber.
  • Degree and graduate study opportunities at other institutions in Ontario, Canada and abroad.
View Transfer Out Opportunities From This Program  
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