Social Work – Certificate

Program Details

Length: 9 months

Total Credits: 39

Intake Terms: Fall

Delivery Method: In-person

Campus: Castlegar

Credential: Certificate

Cost:

Approximate program cost

Student Loans:

This program is eligible for student loans

Credential Received

Certificate in Social Work

Overview

Program Summary

Your sense of caring may have come naturally, or perhaps your life has been touched by circumstances that kindle a sense of empathy and a desire to be of service. If you have a desire to support people in times of need and crisis, a career in social services may be for you. Up to 90% of our Social Work (SSW) graduates find stable, satisfying work. A shortage of workers is predicted over the next five years.

Choose SSW if you:

Want to help build healthy communities
Have a strong desire to support others
Believe in caring for others
Feel a sense of duty to your community
Want to work with marginalized populations

Social work values form the foundation of this beneficial and rewarding program.

Program Benefits

Practical interviewing and counselling skills
Development of written and oral communication
Promotion of self-awareness, personal growth and readiness for practice
Critical thinking, team-building and problem-solving skills
Individual, group and family strategy skills
Feminist and Indigenous approaches to practice are introduced
Anti-oppressive perspectives are a foundation of the program

This program prepares you to work as entry level practitioner in the human services field.

Practicums include a variety of services and programs serving a wide range of populations that includes people who live in poverty, are young, are aging, have substance use and/or mental health problems, have behavioral problems, or other issues that interfere with their ability to cope successfully in a demanding society.

You will have the opportunity to demonstrate skills that include advocacy, child and youth care, employment supports, substance use awareness, group facilitation, community support and individual support, and problem-solving and communication skills.

Program Outcomes

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

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

Program Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

Completion of English Studies 12 or equivalent with a minimum of 60% or higher
Applicants who have previously completed a related certificate and are returning for entry into the second year of a Human Services Diploma are required to provide evidence of completion of a certificate in ECCE, EACSW, SSW or equivalent within the last five years. Acceptance for those who graduated prior to five years will be based on evidence of work in the human service field and/or professional development.

Additional Requirements

An official copy of all secondary and post-secondary transcripts
Proof of a negative tuberculosis test or of a clear chest x-ray that is less than 6 months old for those who have been requested to have this from our community partners
A current criminal record check from the Ministry of Justice. Some types of criminal records may limit or prohibit acceptance in field placement; acceptance into field placement is a requirement for program promotion

Basic computer skills are required for this program. Necessary skills include knowledge of internet, email, word processing and file management. You are encouraged to complete the Computer Skills Self-Assessment.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. CERTIFICATE, ADVANCED CERTIFICATE& DIPLOMA PROGRAMS

Students applying to the diploma program immediately following completion of a Human Services Certificate Program, may request that the contents of their file be transferred.

2. PART-TIME STUDIES IN HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS

a) Acceptance to an individual course does not constitute admission to the program. All program admissions will be considered according to Part I, A: Admissions Requirements.

b) The Social Work Certificate program may be completed on a part-time basis depending on number of spaces available. Students choosing to complete a program on a part time basis must meet with a program coordinator, councillor and/or School Chair at the time of acceptance to plan a course of studies.

c) Students who have been accepted for part time studies and are in good standing academically will normally be accepted upon re-application to the next term. Refer to Part II, Section B, Promotions re: academic requirements.

Graduation and Promotion

In order to receive your credential in your program, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 and a minimum of 60% or better in all semester courses.

B. PROMOTION

1. In order to progress to the next semester, the following requirements must be met.

a) Completion of all courses in the semester with a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.00 and a grade of a “C” or better in all semester courses.

b) Promotion to the second year of the Diploma program requires a cumulative GPA of 2.33 during the first year of studies or School Chair approval

2. Promotion to practicum will be determined by the following criteria:

a) A grade of "C" or better in all required courses as defined in Part II, C, Graduation Requirements.

b) Some types of criminal records may limit or prohibit a student's acceptance in field placement agencies. Ability to be accepted into field placement is a requirement for admission and promotion.

3. When there are concerns about unprofessional behaviour and/or patterns of absence, or when a student's grade in one or more courses falls below a "C", the student will meet with program faculty, the program coordinator, or school chair to discuss options and ways the student can be supported.

4. Considerations for practicum placement:

a) Practicum placements are normally completed within the West Kootenay/Boundary Region. Placements outside of the West Kootenay/Boundary region may be considered, contingent upon the needs of the student and placement availability.

b) To avoid a conflict of interest, students are required to inform instructors of agencies where family and/or personal connections exist.

c) Practicum placements will be arranged by a program instructor.

d) Agency staff will be informed if a student has refused to sign a waiver authorizing the College to share personal information about the student with agency staff.

5. Students will not be placed in practicum based on the following:

a) The student has not demonstrated readiness for practicum placement.

b) Two agencies refuse to accept the student in practicum placement.

c) The student lacks means of transportation.

6. Practicum evaluation will be based on:

a) A review of the student's performance in relation to stated course competencies.

b) A joint review comprised of college instructor, agency supervisor and student.

c) Completed practicum assignments.

In order to graduate with Honors students must meet all program requirements with no grades less than a B- and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Program Courses

After successful completion of the year one program courses you may ladder into the Social Work - Diploma program.

Consult the program coordinator for other options.

Term 1

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
ENGL110	College Composition	3.00	45
FAM180	Family Dynamics	3.00	45
HSER174	Interpersonal Communications	3.00	45
PSYC100	Introductory Psychology I	3.00	60
SSW160	Introduction to Social Work I	3.00	45
SSW162	Community Resources	3.00	45

Term 2

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
ADD184	Introduction to Addictions	3.00	45
ENGL111	Introduction to Literature	3.00	45
PSYC101	Introductory Psychology II	3.00	60
SSW157	Group Skills	3.00	45
SSW161	Introduction to Social Policy	3.00	45
SSW167	Field Work I	3.5	127

Add new course here to replace SSW 166 and 163, awaiting new course code and number

Term 3

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
SSW168	Field Work II	2.5	150

Additional Program Policies

Effective Term: Fall

Effective Year: 09/01/2026

Advanced Standing:

ADVANCE OR TRANSFER CREDIT

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.

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:

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

2. Students in good standing who are required to withdraw for personal or compassionate reasons may apply for re-entry the next time the program is offered; admission is subject to seat availability.

3. Students must complete the entire program within 60 calendar months of initial entry.

4. Re-entry applicants who cannot meet this deadline can meet with the School Chair to discuss options.

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:

Assignments

1. A minimum of three evaluative events will occur as specified in course outlines.

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

3. Assessments are due on the date stated on course or assignment outlines. Requests for extensions must be made by email no less than 24 hours before the due date. A revised due date will be negotiated by the student and the instructor. In the event of an extension, feedback may not be provided by the instructor.

4. 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%.

5. If there are extenuating circumstances that interfere with a student’s ability to participate in an assessment, the student can discuss options with the instructor

6. Assessments may include written papers, small group projects and presentations, debate, case study, online and in person discussions/forums, and skills-based practice sessions in class.

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 (SSW 163, 168) 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:

1. Student attendance in class supports their progression toward meeting the course learning outcomes and contributes to the learning community as a whole. They will gain valuable insights and opportunities that would not be possible without the conversations and activities they will participate in. If a student finds themselves in a situation where they aren't able to get to class or will be late, they will need to contact the relevant instructor so that they can collaborate on a plan for continued student success. When students miss class, the chances of successfully meeting the learning outcomes may be reduced and/or prevent the student from passing the class.

2.Students absent from any class or learning experience, for any reason, are responsible for the course material they have missed. As part of the plan for success, they may be required to make up missed assignments, activities, lab and/or practice education hours to successfully meet the learning outcomes. Absence from learning experiences may impact the student’s ability to meet the learning outcomes for that course and in turn, progression to the next semester.

3. If 2 or more classes or practicum days are missed, the relevant instructor will check in with the student to ensure they are set up with appropriate resources and to collaborate on a plan for success. Plans will be documented on record of advisement and/or learning plan forms.

Professional Requirements:

Students in the Social Work Certificate Program

1.Know, understand, and abide by the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) and British Columbia Association of Social Workers (BCASW)

Code of Ethics and demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of the program.

2. Acknowledge that Indigenous specific racism and colonialism exist and that students will integrate trauma-informed practice and work towards reconciliation.

3. Conduct themselves in an informed way to be inclusive, culturally safe, and always striving towards cultural humility. (See also Selkirk College Policy 6040: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity).

4. Required Withdrawal: Breaches in confidentiality or compromising the safety of clients are grounds for withdrawal from practicum

Other regulations:

RESPONSIBILITIES IN FIELD PRACTICUM PLACEMENTS

1. The selection of practicum placements is the responsibility of the program faculty.

2. Students will not provide transportation for clients while on practicum.

3. Students will not administer medications to clients while on practicum.

4. Students without supervision of agency staff will not be responsible for clients when off agency premises unless college instructor approval is given prior to the event.