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. 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 in culturally safe ways with Indigenous Peoples. Working from Indigenous perspectives, graduates 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 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 (general and Indigenous focus) 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.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) may be available for some courses. Please review the official course outlines to determine whether PLAR is available for a particular course.

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).

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider Qualifying Studies.

When to apply

Applications are accepted for entrance to the Fall and Winter semesters. 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 references 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 the application deadline 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 references. 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 and, travel to and from practicum sites. Some social service settings may also have additional requirements including standard first aid training, immunizations, etc.

A criminal record check completed through the Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP) is required before the practicum. The cost and submission of this is the responsibility of the student. Record checks completed through the RCMP or local police detachments do not meet B.C. government requirements.

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

Placement in a practicum is contingent on students' readiness and availability (see below). While students' interested are taken into consideration, students are not guaranteed the practicum setting of their choice. A program GPA (PGPA) of 2.00 is required for practicum placement. Students who are on Academic Warning, Academic Probation, or subject to academic or non-academic student misconduct proceedings will not be permitted to register in the practicum.

The practicum planning process begins the semester before a student intends to complete their practicum (i.e., planning for winter practicum is conducted in the fall semester). During the planning process, students will meet with the Practicum and Internship Coordinator to discuss practicum preferences, student availability, and other considerations. The Practicum and Internship Coordinator will assess students’ readiness for practicum based on their knowledge, skills, and professionalism. Students must meet the requirements of the practicum to be offered a placement, including a successful interview with a social service setting or school. To complete their practicum, students must be available weekdays during regular office hours for a minimum of 14 hours per week for 13-15 weeks (210 hours total). Students typically attend their practicum two days per week. The School of Social Work and Human Services is not ordinarily able to facilitate evening or weekend placements, but recognizes that some placements do require evening and weekend work.

Student schedule and availability must be discussed with the Practicum and Internship Coordinator during the practicum planning process. Students currently working a part- or full-time job may need to adjust their work schedules (or take time off from their job) to successfully participate in and complete a practicum within one semester. Concurrent with their practicum, students also attend mandatory biweekly seminar classes.

Students who currently work in the field, or who have significant related work experience, may apply for PLAR of HSER 130. Contact the School of Social Work and Human Services for more information.

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.

Graduation requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring they are eligible to graduate, and should regularly consult with an Academic Advisor. To be eligible to graduate, students must have completed the Social Services Worker diploma program with a minimum program GPA of 2.00 and a minimum CGPA of 2.00 calculated on all 100-level or higher UFV courses attempted.

Students must apply for graduation in the first month of their final semester. Visit the Graduation webpage for more information. The final deadline for students who wish to attend the June Convocation ceremony is April 1 of each year, with all program requirements completed by April 30.

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.