Social Service Worker

(Accelerated)

Program Description

The Social Service Worker program provides knowledge and the skill development required to effectively assume the role of a helping person in the human service field. Students will be challenged to examine their own beliefs, develop interpersonal communication skills, and to promote social justice, human dignity, and equality. Successful completion of the program is based upon the student’s ability to engage in growth and on academic performance.

This program emphasizes skill and knowledge development in the following areas: interviewing, counselling and relationship building abilities, effective membership and leadership in groups, working with families, the creation and maintenance of helping relationships, and practice in areas like case management, community development and social policy. Reflected throughout the curriculum is the importance of training social service workers who are committed to social justice and anti-oppression principles.

Program graduates will have a comprehensive set of service skills which are generalist and transferable to a range of settings. The program promotes group interaction, as well as independent problem solving and research. A variety of classroom, seminar and experiential modalities is used to integrate field placement experience with knowledge. Students are provided with the opportunity to explore roles in community, health, education, and institutional environments. Field work is seen as an essential component in the employment preparation process. The accelerated program is demanding and requires students with good academic, time management, and interpersonal skills.

Admission Requirements

Program Eligibility:

• B.A. graduates in the Social Sciences.
• Under special circumstances, graduates from other related program areas may be considered.
• Grade 12 English: ENG4(C) or ENG4(U) or Seneca College English EAC 150 or equivalent.

Applicant Selection:

• Acceptance in the program will be based on the feasibility of granting advanced standing* in certain required subjects as outlined in this section of Advanced Standing and Prior Learning. In the event of oversubscription for places in this program, students may be selected using some or all of the following criteria:
  • attendance at a mandatory program orientation;
  • proof of volunteer/equivalent experience in social or community service.
  • prior academic achievement

Note: A current Police Reference check is REQUIRED for entry into the field placement component of this program.

The Importance of Learning Skills:

• Student success in college requires well developed learning skills (such as being able to work independently, participate in a team, be well-organized, develop good work habits, and show initiative). These skills are as important as prior academic achievement. While it is expected that applicants would have developed these skills through previous education and life experiences, Seneca offers support to assist students with further development of these important skills.

Your Career

Graduates of the Social Service Worker program have found employment in youth, women’s, and ‘disabled’ persons programs as well as in housing, community development, rehabilitation, and many other settings. As the Social Service field broadens, students are working with increasing responsibility in program planning and evaluation, community resource assessment, and service delivery coordination. Graduates must be prepared to be flexible in applying the generic skills of social service work to the changing job markets. Graduates of the SSW program are eligible for registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Accelerated

This is an accelerated program for those who have completed a three year degree or diploma.

(The standard program is SSW).

Field Work

In semester two, students begin field work. In order to be eligible for field work, students must meet the criteria as set out in the “Social Service Worker Program Student Code of Conduct”. Field work involves supervision, specified hours and duties, and student accountability to both the college and agency. Field work is an agreed upon contract for which students are evaluated by the field placement supervisor. The minimum commitment is the successful completion of specific periods as set out in the Field Placement Student Contract. Please note that students may be required to return to school during the Academic Advisement Week in January in order to do a block placement. The Social Service Worker Program subjects are lecture and tutorial based utilizing texts; some are practice-oriented and stress interpersonal skills and group dynamics. Students can expect to spend 20 to 25 hours each week on assignments, as well as two days per week in field placement in semester two and two days per week in semester three.

Provincial Registration

In order to practice in Ontario as a "Social Service Worker" or a "Registered Social Service Worker", graduates must apply for registration in the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). Graduates of the SSW program will meet the education requirement for registration. For more information, please visit www.ocswssw.org.

* Advanced Standing and Prior Learning

Qualified applicants should have previous post-secondary credits that will allow Seneca to grant advanced standing in EAC150, the general education components and some professional components of the standard SSW program. An official transcript and subject outlines are required for courses to be considered for advanced standing. Only courses with a minimum grade of 60% are eligible. Advanced standing may not be granted until the applicant has registered for the program. Applicants who do not receive advanced standing for EAC150, College English, will be required to sit for the College English Assessment Test. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the General Education Co-ordinator for consideration of Advanced Standing for the General Education subjects. The Program Co-ordinator may be contacted for further information.

Diploma to Degree... and Beyond

Through transfer agreements and institution partnerships, graduates of this Seneca College program may be eligible for credit at the following university:

International

Curriculum

All subjects taken during May/June semester must be successfully completed before entrance into the fall semester.

Students who are granted advanced standing in the May/June semester may be required to substitute another first year course in exchange.

* See section on Advanced Standing and Prior Learning Experience.

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