Full-time Programs
SSWP / SSWA - Social Service Worker
Program Entry
Regular or Accelerated Program
Program Length
Two-Year Ontario College Diploma, Accelerated stream – 10 months (September to June)
| Contact: | E-mail: |
|---|---|
| Mark Gallupe | mgallupe@loyalistc.on.ca |
On This Page
Highlights
- Develop relevant knowledge and skills for a rewarding and challenging career in the field of social services.
- Learn with dedicated, caring faculty with front-line experience in a variety of human service settings.
- Gain practical, on-the-job experience before you graduate.
- Tailor your placement experiences to meet your individual interests and career goals.
- Applicants with a related diploma or degree may be eligible to complete the accelerated program in only three semesters.
Career Opportunities
People rely on social services to help them through times of transition. Social service workers help individuals and families deal with broad and complex issues such as divorce, marriage, adoption, learning disabilities, abuse, illness and loss. Graduates are prepared with the specialized skills, knowledge and attitudes to work with adults, seniors, children, families, and youth. Job opportunities include: case workers; social service positions with municipal, provincial and federal governments; and counsellors or front-line workers in group homes, employment offices, community agencies, business and industry.
Social Service Worker is a registered professional title which may only be used by members in good standing of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. This is a directive from The Social Work and Social Service Worker Act. In order to use this professional title, graduates are required by law to join the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. See ocswssw.org.
In order to be successful in the Social Service Worker program (SSW), students must be prepared for full-time studies and placement. The SSW program has a heavy workload.
The Social Service Worker program is physically and emotionally demanding. The field of social service work requires proficiency in time management and stress management. These skills are essential in both the program and field of study.
Program Description
Individuals of diverse backgrounds and wide-ranging interests can customize this program to meet their individual learning needs and career goals. Students develop essential skills in human relations, interpersonal communication, interviewing, counselling needs assessment and critical thinking. Dedicated faculty members create a positive learning environment that makes the most of classroom time and inspires the best in students.
Throughout the program, the curriculum incorporates theoretical and practice courses including extensive group work experiences. Students gain on-the-job experience in both years, culminating in a three-day-per-week field placement in the second year, offering the opportunity to pursue specific career options. This community-based aspect of the program exposes students to an extensive network of graduates and communitybased agencies, promoting a smooth transition to employment.
SSWA ACCELERATED PROGRAM STREAM
An Accelerated program is available for those with a related university degree (Psychology, Sociology) and or a human studies diploma (Developmental Services Worker, Early Childhood Education, General Arts and Science with a social services focus, or a Justice Studies program), with 70% average or higher. Program requirements can be completed in a 10-month, threesemester flow, with a mix of first- and second-year courses in the first two semesters (Fall and Winter), and two placement experiences. With faculty guidance, students participate in a 210-hour placement in January, and a 252-hour block place- ment in May/June.
SSWD ADULT LEARNER STREAM
This flexible program is also available through in-class evening delivery in the Adult Learner Stream. Some courses are also available online. For information please contact Katherine Bebee, Continuing Education, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2281.
Approximate Cost
Tuition/Ancillary Fees: $3,393 (two semesters)
Tuition (Accelerated): $4,599
Consumables Fee: $75
Books and Supplies: $1,040
Some field placements may require transportation, a valid driver’s licence, and/or access to a motor vehicle.
Additional costs, such as travel and parking, may be incurred during placements, internships and practicums.
Admission Requirements
(a) Required academic preparation:
- OSSD/OSSGD or equivalent with courses at the applied, academic (C), (U), (M) or (O) level, and
- Grade 12 English (C) level or equivalent
OR
- mature applicant
- strong computer and communication skills (written and oral) are critical
(b) Health: A confidential personal health history is required as part of the registration process and to participate in field placements. All applicants must be aware of the basic health requirements for employment and for field placement, as described in the application literature. Prospective students with special needs or limitations that may affect their practicum/field placement or potential employment opportunities are encouraged to discuss their program and career goals with faculty prior to admission.
(c) CPR and First Aid: Prior to the end of Semester One, students are required to produce evidence that they have successfully completed Standard First Aid certification and Basic Level “C” CPR certification. Applicants should keep a record for their file.
(d) Criminal Record Check: In order to participate in place- ments, students will be required to submit a criminal record check from their local police service, including Vulnerable Sector check.
(e) Advanced Standing: Applicants with related prior learning and field experience may be eligible for credit recognition through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition. The program accepts transfer of credit from another college or university provided it is an equivalent course and is a 70% average or higher. For further information: mgallupe@loyalistc.on.ca
Opportunities for Further Study
Graduates of the Social Service Worker program are eligible for direct entry to the following programs at Loyalist:
- Developmental Services Worker, Accelerated Stream
- Early Childhood Education, Accelerated Stream
- Child and Youth Worker, Year Two
Loyalist / University Transfer
Turn your diploma into a degree. Credit transfer agreements are in place with the following institutions as of September 2011:
- Algoma University College
- Athabasca University
- Davenport University
- Griffith University
- Lakehead University
- Laurentian University
- University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Click here for details. Graduates may contact the university to make individual arrangements. Informal agreements are in place with other institutions and new transfer agreements are added annually.
Curriculum
First Year - Semester One
PSYC 1004 Introduction to Psychology
Designed to familiarize the student with terminology and models, biology and behaviour, perception, learning, motivation, emotion and human development.
SOCI 1007 Introduction to Sociology
Designed to help participants become aware of their own socialization and location in society and how these concepts apply to others in society. Understanding key concepts of attitudes towards work and leisure, change in society over generations and how changes contributed to current trends, values, attitudes and behaviour, satisfiers/dissatisfiers in the workplace, culture, socialization, deviant behaviour, social organization and institutions.
SSWP 1000 Personal Development
A structured learning experience which facilitates the development of intrapersonal and interpersonal awareness and the acquisition of skills and knowledge to help deal with the world of change. Understanding how one is with others, introspection, ability to deal with change in a positive manner, understanding of values, beliefs, assumptuions and actions connected with various eras and how that affects working with clients.
SSWP 1001 Principles of Adult Learning
Examine the importance of lifelong, life-wide learning. Assess your learning style, discover different approaches to learning, develop a portfolio and gain a practical understanding of the principles of learning.
SSWP 1002 Developing Human Services
Examine the structure and function of a range of community resources to assist you in making informed and realistic decisions about placements and potential careers in social services work. Emphasizes the importance of network building.
SSWP 1003 Communication Skills for Social Service Workers
Develops communication skills required to fulfill your role as a social service worker. Students examine field-related practices, and explore the process of communication and how it affects relationships with peers, family, friends, co-workers, supervisors and clients. College level writing, bibliographies, summaries, library use and research skills, grammar skills and field related resumes.
SSWP 1004 Social Welfare Legislation 1
Provides an introduction to legislation in the social service field and examines the court system (court attendance, role and function of family, criminal courts, SSW role in court), CSFA, YOA (Youth Criminal Justice Act), Social Reform Act, proactive law enforcement, and the correctional system.
First Year - Semester Two
PLAC 1002 Professional Development for Field Placement
Provides direct opportunities to explore specific agencies in the social service field. Field practice of skills and networking.
PSYC 1005 Psychology of Mental Illness
Explores the causes of mental illness and stress, as well as major psycological disorders (causes and treatments).
PSYC 1006 Health Psychology
Explore how biological, psychological and social factors affect health and illness. The behaviours of the individual are observed with the main focus being in the area of health promotion and disease prevention. Includes: awareness of health concerns of men and women, nutrition, stress, meds in field, how physical health impacts mental health, aging.
SOCI 1008 Social Problems
Provides an opportunity to investigate social issues that may be of community, professional and/or personal concern (poverty, addictions, aging, prostitution).
SSWP 1005 Social Welfare Legislation 2
Examines the judicial system as it relates to the social service field. Covers Legal Service, Legal Aid, role of the defense counsel, expert witness, evidentiary issues, Family support Plan and Family Resp., liability and accountability of SSW, court attendance. Prerequisite: SSWP 1004
SSWP 1006 Interviewing & Counselling 1 (Accelerated only)
A seminar and workshop program to study and practice skills and techniques related to the process of helping, writing case notes, and to explore ethical practice.
SSWP 1007 Interpersonal Communication and Diversity
Persuasive speaking (debates), ability to advocate without emotion or judgment, force field analysis problem solving, understanding of roles and actions in groups, concise and precise writing. Prerequisite: SSWP 1003
Second Year - Semester Three
PRAC 2029 Field Practicum 1
Enables participants to experience in-depth involvement in specific human service agencies, three days per week. Further development of field practice skills and networking.
SOCI 2005 Working With Families
Participants enhance their personal and professional understanding of families. Definitions, personal awareness of imprinting and life wide concepts (birth-death), family issues (adoption, parenting, blended families, divorce, runaways, economic stress, health issues, loss, attachment), practitioner presentations, understanding the history of family therapy.
SSWP 2001 Interviewing & Counselling 2
Emphasis on advanced methods of communication and intervention. A programmed approach for learning more in-depth communication skills enhanced with the use of VTR equipment. Understanding of various therapies and treatments, flow of full counseing interview, understanding of skills required and ability to assess competencies and plan improvement strategies. Prerequisite: SSWP 1006
SSWP 2002 Ethics and Career Preparation for Social Service Work
Develops oral and written skills in areas such as letter writing, questionnaires, presentations, computer skills, reports, plan of care, organization techniques, cultural diversity, sexual harassment, discrimination and note-taking. Prerequisite: SSWP 1007
SSWP 2009 Community Development and Group Process
The ability to work effectively in a team-oriented social service environment is an essential aspect of human service work. This course will offer a structured learning experience designed to facilitate the awareness and development of group process skills. This course is also about community development and promoting social change. Students will have the opportunity to apply their group process skills with a local social service agency on a community development project.
Second Year - Semester Four
COUN 2011 Portfolio Development
Each student completes a field related portfolio and presents it to faculty for evaluation prior to graduating.
PRAC 2030 Field Practicum 2
Enables participants to experience in-depth involvement in specific human service agencies, three days per week.
SSWP 2003 Program Design
The art and science of planning and program development are examined. Topics include time management, personal values, planning styles, and proposal writing.
SSWP 2005 Interviewing & Counselling 3
Focus on advanced methods of communication & intervention, understanding of various therapies & treatments, flow of full counseling interview. A programmed approach for learning more in-depth communication skills enhanced with the use of VTR equipment. Prerequisite: I&C 2 (SSWP 2001)
SSWP 2006 Case Management in Social Services
Develops oral and written skills in areas such as letter writing, references, small business start up, ethics and professionalism, workplace conflict, presentations, as well as job readiness through job search plans, job interview skills, preparation of resumes and cover letters. Prerequisite: SSWP 2002
Accelerated Program - Fall Semester
The curriculum takes place across three semesters.
PLAC 1001 Accelerated Placement Preparation Seminar
Provides an opportunity to explore different aspects of field placement (understanding the parameters of placement, hours, governance, attainment of, expectations for successful placement, confidentiality, boundaries). A team exercise broadens awareness of team dynamics and increases ability to handle potentially problematic field related situations.
SOCI 2005 Working With Families
Participants enhance their personal and professional understanding of families. Definitions, personal awareness of imprinting and life wide concepts (birth-death), family issues (adoption, parenting, blended families, divorce, runaways, economic stress, health issues, loss, attachment), practitioner presentations, understanding the history of family therapy.
SSWP 1001 Principles of Adult Learning
Examine the importance of lifelong, life-wide learning. Assess your learning style, discover different approaches to learning, develop a portfolio and gain a practical understanding of the principles of learning.
SSWP 1002 Developing Human Services
Examine the structure and function of a range of community resources to assist you in making informed and realistic decisions about placements and potential careers in social services work. Emphasizes the importance of network building.
SSWP 1004 Social Welfare Legislation 1
Provides an introduction to legislation in the social service field and examines the court system (court attendance, role and function of family, criminal courts, SSW role in court), CSFA, YOA (Youth Criminal Justice Act), Social Reform Act, proactive law enforcement, and the correctional system.
SSWP 1006 Interviewing & Counselling 1 (Accelerated only)
A seminar and workshop program to study and practice skills and techniques related to the process of helping, writing case notes, and to explore ethical practice.
SSWP 2002 Ethics and Career Preparation for Social Service Work
Develops oral and written skills in areas such as letter writing, questionnaires, presentations, computer skills, reports, plan of care, organization techniques, cultural diversity, sexual harassment, discrimination and note-taking. Prerequisite: SSWP 1007
SSWP 2009 Community Development and Group Process
The ability to work effectively in a team-oriented social service environment is an essential aspect of human service work. This course will offer a structured learning experience designed to facilitate the awareness and development of group process skills. This course is also about community development and promoting social change. Students will have the opportunity to apply their group process skills with a local social service agency on a community development project.
Accelerated Program - Winter Semester
COUN 2011 Portfolio Development
Each student completes a field related portfolio and presents it to faculty for evaluation prior to graduating.
PRAC 2032 Special Practicum A (Accelerated only)
This practicum course is intended to enable participants to experience in-depth involvement in specific human service agencies.
SSWP 1005 Social Welfare Legislation 2
Examines the judicial system as it relates to the social service field. Covers Legal Service, Legal Aid, role of the defense counsel, expert witness, evidentiary issues, Family support Plan and Family Resp., liability and accountability of SSW, court attendance. Prerequisite: SSWP 1004
SSWP 2001 Interviewing & Counselling 2
Emphasis on advanced methods of communication and intervention. A programmed approach for learning more in-depth communication skills enhanced with the use of VTR equipment. Understanding of various therapies and treatments, flow of full counseing interview, understanding of skills required and ability to assess competencies and plan improvement strategies. Prerequisite: SSWP 1006
SSWP 2003 Program Design
The art and science of planning and program development are examined. Topics include time management, personal values, planning styles, and proposal writing.
SSWP 2005 Interviewing & Counselling 3
Focus on advanced methods of communication & intervention, understanding of various therapies & treatments, flow of full counseling interview. A programmed approach for learning more in-depth communication skills enhanced with the use of VTR equipment. Prerequisite: I&C 2 (SSWP 2001)
SSWP 2006 Case Management in Social Services
Develops oral and written skills in areas such as letter writing, references, small business start up, ethics and professionalism, workplace conflict, presentations, as well as job readiness through job search plans, job interview skills, preparation of resumes and cover letters. Prerequisite: SSWP 2002
Accelerated Program - Spring Semester
PRAC 2033 Special Practicum B (Accelerated only)
This practicum course is intended to enable participants to experience in-depth involvement in specific human service agencies.
