Social Work and Human Services

Social Service Worker certificate

The Social Service Worker certificate is a one-year, 31-credit program that prepares students to work in community-based social service settings, including community inclusion, family support, group homes, housing support, Indigenous services, mental health, older adults, outreach, settlement, substance use, and youth support.

The program can be taken on a full- or part-time basis. Part-time students may enrol in any available program course provided they meet the stated prerequisites. Part-time students may not be able to access all required courses in sequence. Qualifying Studies students and students in other programs may be able to enrol in some required courses if they meet the stated prerequisites and there is space.

All credits are applicable to the Social Service Worker diploma program, and up to 24 credits are applicable to the Bachelor of Social Work degree program. Consultation with an Academic Advisor is recommended.

Assessment of prior learning is available for qualified students.

Entrance requirements

1. One of the following:
• B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent with an overall C average.
• Successful completion of at least three of the courses (9 credits) university-level credits that are required by the Social Service Worker certificate program with a minimum GPA of 2.00 calculated on the courses used for admission.
2. One of the following:
• C+ or better in one of English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12, or English 12.
• CPT score of 48.
• Evidence of any test score or course grade that meets the Degree/diploma-level English language proficiency requirement.
3. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in social services. This is collected through submission of the Additional Application Information Form (see below) and includes volunteer and/or paid work in social service settings as well as two letters of reference.

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 above entrance requirements.
• 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, including a personal statement of at least 250 and no more than 500 words (available at ufv.ca/registrar/forms).
• Two recent, satisfactory letters of reference from employers, teachers, or volunteer supervisors who are qualified to comment on the applicant’s ability to work with people of diverse abilities. 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, first aid training, and travel to and from practicum sites.

Program duration

Students may elect to take this program on either a full- or part-time basis. Students have a maximum of four consecutive years to complete the program under the requirements that were in place at the time they were admitted to the program.

Program outline

Semester I

Semester II

Note: PSYC 250 may be taken instead of SOWK 225.

Practicum regulations

Admission to the program does not guarantee placement in a practicum and students are not guaranteed the practicum of their choice. A program GPA 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 the practicum course (HSER 130) based on their knowledge, skills, and professionalism. 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.

Program continuance

Students must maintain a program GPA of 2.00 to be considered for practicum placement and graduation.

All HSER and SOWK 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 program GPA 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 31 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.