SCHOOL of SOCIAL WORK and HUMAN SERVICES

Website: www.ufv.ca/swhs

UCFV offers a number of options for people interested in careers in the social services field. These include:

Community Support Worker certificate. This program prepares people to work in a variety of roles with children and adults with mental and/or physical disabilities.

Social Services diploma. A 62-credit program that prepares students to work at the para-professional level in the social services field.

Social Services diploma — First Nations option.  
A 62-credit program that prepares aboriginal students, or those with strong ties to aboriginal communities, to work at the para-professional level with First Nations people.

Substance Abuse Counselling. A 64-credit diploma, or 23-credit certificate program for people who want to work with clients with chemical dependencies.

Bachelor of Social Work degree. A 120-credit program that prepares students for generalist social work practice in a cross-cultural environment.

Bachelor of Social Work degree — Child Welfare Specialization. A 120-credit program, similar to the BSW above, which includes coursework that prepares graduates to work specifically in the area of child welfare.

Community Support Worker certificate

This program prepares people to work in a variety of roles with children and adults with mental and/or physical disabilities. Graduates are prepared for employment in community support roles, such as group homes for people with mental and/or physical disabilities, and in various special education settings. Special education assistants work under the supervision of classroom teachers and perform such duties as coaching in basic subjects, preparing specialized teaching materials, and meeting students’ special physical needs, as well as maintaining progress reports.

Transfer

Most courses in this program can be applied to the Social Services diploma, and many can be used towards other diploma and degree programs.

Academic and practicum regulations

See the Social Services diploma section for details.

Note: A valid first aid certificate is required for practicum placement.

Entrance requirements

See the Social Services diploma entrance requirements section to follow.

Note: Suitability for working with people with disabilities is required and could consist of volunteer work in a classroom setting and/or with special needs adults.

Applications will be assessed on the basis of personal suitability, past academic education, experience working with people, and demonstrated writing ability. Admission will be granted to those scoring above the threshold on a first-come, first-served, basis.

How to apply

See the Social Services diploma section for details.

Fees and additional costs

Fees stated are in effect for 2003/04 and are subject to change.

The fees will be approximately $110 per credit (e.g., $330 for a three-credit course). Courses numbered HSER 190, 192, 195, 196, will be cost recovery at approximately $500 per course. Textbooks and additional supplies will cost extra. See the Fees and Other Costs section for more information.

There will also be other expenses such as travelling to practicum sites and field trips. Two courses are only offered on the Chilliwack campus.

Laddering to a Social Services diploma

Students possessing a Community Support Worker certificate may proceed on to earn a Social Services diploma, which will qualify them for jobs in program management and administration, and which is partially transferable to degree-level studies in Social Work, Adult Education, and General Studies.

Students wishing to complete the Social Services diploma program, on either a part- or full-time basis, must apply to that program on or shortly after October 1 for the following September start.

Program outline

For complete details on courses see the Course descriptions section.

Community Support Worker certificate

Semester I

Semester II

Students currently working in the field may be able to challenge part of the practicum. See the program head for more information.

Students wanting a certain type of practicum may be required to do a block practicum in May and June (six–eight weeks full-time).

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