A variety of learning experiences

Community Support Worker – Associate Certificate

Program Details

Length: Flexible

Total Credits: 20

Intake Terms: Fall

Delivery Method: In-person

Campus: Castlegar

Credential: Associate Certificate

Student Loans:

This program is not eligible for student loans

Credential Received

Associate Certificate in Community Support Worker

Overview

Program Summary

An exciting professional development opportunity for experienced support workers!

The Community Support Worker (CSW) Associate Certificate is an option available only to experienced, employed learners. Eligible students take six Education Assistant & Community Support Worker (EACSW) courses to receive their CSW Associate Certificate, and they then have the opportunity to ladder into the EACSW regular certificate program if they choose to continue their education.

The CSW Associate Certificate can lead to entrance into the EACSW Program. After completing the EACSW requirements, graduates can then continue toward a second year in the Human Services Diploma, laddering into university degree programs in child and youth care, social work or community rehabilitation.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate professionalism in practice consistent with the code of ethics and standards of practice of their respective disciplines
  2. Use effective interpersonal skills including active listening, collaboration, self-awareness and conflict resolution within multi-faceted roles and contexts
  3. Understand and respect cultural differences and multiple ways of knowing
  4. Practice from an ethic of inclusivity
  5. Establish and maintain wellness strategies to assure work/life balance both personally and professionally
  6. Engage in critical thinking, problem-solving and reflective practice

Program Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

Potential candidates must be currently employed with a local community living organization and have a minimum of three years of full-time equivalent employment in the field.

  • English 12, or equivalent, with a minimum of 60% or higher

Additional Requirements

Applicants will submit:

  • A letter from their employer stating their current position and employment history
  • A current resumé
  • Official transcripts from previous educational settings and demonstration of college-level English requirement (unless special consideration)
  • Two letters of reference
  • A 250-word (one typed page) summary stating why they are interested in entering the program

Graduation and Promotion

In order to receive your credential in your program, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 and a grade of a “C” or better in all semester courses.

Program Courses

Required Courses

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours
EACS155Foundations Of Practice

3.00

45
EACS156Support Strategies

3.00

45
EACS161Person-Centred Planning

3.00

45
EACS165Health and Wellness

3.00

45
EACS170Augmentative Communication

2.00

30
FAM180Family Dynamics

3.00

45
HSER174Interpersonal Communications

3.00

45

Additional Program Policies

Effective Term: Fall

Effective Year: 20240801

Advanced Standing:

1. ADVANCE OR TRANSFER CREDIT AND PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT

a) Transfer credit will be given for university transfer courses equivalent to Selkirk College courses, providing a grade of "C" or better was achieved.

b) Applications for transfer credit from other ECCE, SSW or EACSW programs will be reviewed with provincial articulation agreements and considered on an individual basis; applicants may be required to provide detailed course outlines.

2. PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT (PLA)

a) Advance credit in core program courses (i.e., SSW, ECCE, EACSW and HSER) may be granted by the School Chair or designate after evaluation of the applicant’s mastery of course objectives. See program specific guidelines for PLA.

b) Credit for Final Practicum will not be awarded through PLA in Human Services programs.

Re-Entry Instructions:

B. RE-ENTRY INSTRUCTION:

1. An application is required for enrolment in program courses in subsequent years.

2. Normally, students who must interrupt their program may apply for re-admission, within one year of departure, on the basis of the following priorities:

a) Students in good standing who interrupted their program for illness or other personal reasons.

b) Students who failed to meet program requirements for promotion.

c) Students transferring from another program within BC.

3. Students who fail to complete a semester successfully may apply to re-enter and repeat the incomplete semester when it is next offered. (Normally, there is a period of 12 months between offerings of a course or semester.)

4. Normally, a student returning in one year or less will retain full credit for all courses previously completed. After more than one year's absence, students may be required to update or repeat courses previously completed. A grade of "C" or credit granted in each repeated course is required for re-entry.

5. Students who withdraw for medical or psychological reasons will provide evidence to the School Chair from a licensed practitioner regarding the suitability of his/her return to the program.

6. Students must complete the program in its entirety within 60 calendar months from the time of initial entry into the program.

7. Students who have successfully completed their Selkirk College Human Services certificate within the previous year are considered to be a re-entry student.

8. Re-entry full-time students who have successfully completed their previous year are given priority over part time students.

Grading Table: Other

Grading Table: Grading for theory courses will be as per the Standard Academic and Career Grading Table as defined in Selkirk College Policy 8612 Grading. Grading for practicum courses will be as per the Competency Based Grades as defined in Selkirk College Policy 8612 Grading.

Types of Assessments:

1. Types of Assessments

a) Assignments

(i) A minimum of three evaluative events will occur as specified in course outlines.

(ii) Students are evaluated and graded in each subject or course topic as indicated in the respective course outline.

(iii) Assignments are due on the date stated on course or assignment outlines. A student may request one extension per course. The request must be made in writing no less than 24 hours before the due date. If the instructor grants permission for the extension the revised due date will be determined by the instructor.

(iv) Under extenuating circumstances further requests for extensions may be granted only after the student has participated in a mandatory consultation with the Department Head of Student Access and Support or designate and has presented the instructor with a written plan outlining how they intend to complete their work in a timely manner.

(v) A penalty of 10% per day will be assessed against late assignments. All assignments must be handed in by the last day of classes in order to achieve a passing grade and advance to the practicum.

(vi) All course assignments must be completed to achieve a passing grade.

(vii) All assignments must be typed.

(viii) Students may, at the discretion of the instructor, rewrite a maximum of one assignment per course. Rewrites must be submitted for marking within 14 calendar days of the return of the original assignment to the student. Rewritten assignments will receive a maximum grade of 75%.

(ix) Students are expected to write tests on the designated dates. If, for legitimate absences, the student misses a test, he/she must write the test as soon as possible with the permission of the instructor.

b) Examinations

(i) Exams, labs, projects, assignments, and other evaluative activities are weighted and averaged as indicated in the respective course outline.

(ii) No single evaluative event shall be worth more than 50% of the final grade.

(iii) For courses involving practicum placements (ECCE 195, 286, 292, 294; SSW 163, 168; EASC 195, 196; HSER 270, 280) evaluation occurs on a continuous basis and graded CRG or NCG as per the Competency Based Selkirk Grading Table in Selkirk College Policy 8612 Grading. All practicum activities may be considered evaluative events. Informal verbal and/or written feedback is regularly provided by the instructor and practicum supervisors. Depending on the length of the course there may be one or more performance appraisals or evaluations.

Attendance:

A. ATTENDANCE

1. Students absent for 20% or more in a given course may be placed on behavioural probation. If a student arrives more than 10 minutes late or leaves more than 10 minutes early, they may be recorded as absent.

2. Students absent from any courses are responsible for the work they have missed and must make up assignments as required.

3. Students are responsible to inform the instructor in advance of any absences.

4. Students participating in on-line classes are expected to access and read all materials posted on their course site. If any aspect of the course has not been opened and/or participated in the student will be considered absent for that class.

Professional Requirements:

A. PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Codes of Ethics and Competencies

Students are expected to know, understand and abide by the applicable Codes of Ethics:

a) Child and Youth Care Worker;

b) Social Service Worker;

c) Early Childhood Educator.

d) Education Assistant & Community Support Worker.

2. Guidelines for Professional Conduct

In addition, students are expected to consistently demonstrate professional conduct based on the following guidelines:

e) exercise personal discipline, accountability and judgement,

f) accept personal responsibility for continued competency and learning,

g) assist and serve the public, client or patient and place them before oneself,

h) recognize the dignity and worth of all persons in any level of society,

i) assist others in learning,

j) recognize one’s own limitations and areas for development, and

k) maintain confidentiality of information appropriate to the purpose and trust given when that information is acquired.

Professional Conduct will be measured by: one’s professional abilities, personal integrity, and the attitude one demonstrates in relationship with others.

3. Students who violate these professional standards may be required to withdraw from their Program.

4. Students may be required to withdraw when ethical, medical or other reasons interfere with the satisfactory completion of their Program.