Human Services Diploma: Social Service Worker (SSW) Specialty
2-Year Diploma at Castlegar
Delivered with the following methods: On Campus
Program Calendar
2011
- September 6 & 7- Orientation Days
- September 8 - Fall semester instruction begins
- December 9 - Fall semester instruction ends
2012
- January 3 - Winter semester instruction begins
- February 13 - 17 - Reading break
- April 5 - Winter semester instruction ends
- April 23 - Spring semester begins
- September 4 – Get Connected student orientation
- September 5 – Fall semester instruction begins
- December 7 – Fall semester instruction ends
- December 10 – 21 – Fall semester examinations
2013
- January 2 – Winter semester instruction begins
- February 11-15 – Reading Break
- April 5 – Winter semester instruction ends
- April 8-16 – Winter semester examinations
Program Objectives
A Human Services Diploma Program is available at Selkirk College:
- To provide access to all prerequisites for entry into the third year of the four-year degree program from the School of Social Work (SSW) at the University of Victoria, UBC Okanagan or Thompson Rivers University. The Schools of Social Work at the University of the Fraser Valley and University of Northern BC (UNBC) may accept the diploma as prerequisite. The Child and Youth Care Program (CYC) at the University of Victoria, University of the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island University or Douglas College may also grant third year of a four year degree program with additional courses.
- To provide more advanced training and recognition to certificate level and experienced practitioners in a specific human service field whose goal is to continue their learning and career advancement in a specific practice realm.
Additional Information
- The Diploma program may be completed on a full or part-time basis. Full-time students will be given priority status.
- Students attending full or part-time with the intent of completing the full Diploma program are required to attend a program orientation in early September.
- Some practicum sites may require an up-to-date criminal records check.
- Students entering the second year without a Selkirk College Human Services Certificate program must schedule an interview with the School Chair.
- Students must be computer literate.
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the general entrance requirements for admission to Selkirk College, an applicant must meet the following Human Service Diploma entrance requirements:
- A certificate in ECCE, SSW or CCSW with an overall GPA of "B", or School Chair approval. Applicants whose credential was earned more than five years ago are required to meet School Chair approval based on evidence of related work in Human Services or Continuing Education. Applicants with 30 university transfer credits, significant paid experience in a helping profession, and who meet all personal suitability requirements, will be considered on an individual basis.
- A résumé and two letters of reference from people who can attest to your suitability to the human services field. Students who have graduated from a Selkirk Human Services Certificate program in the past two years are exempted from this requirement.
Please Note: Depending on the certificate you are coming into the diploma with, you may need some bridge in courses. For example: Engl 111, SSW 160 and/or ADD 184.
Career Potential
The Diploma program prepares students to work with individuals across the lifespan in a variety of multi-disciplinary settings such as schools, community centres, government and non government or community agencies, correctional or residential programs, and early childhood education settings. Students are prepared to take on more advanced practice in a team setting. Also students are prepared to continue their studies in degree programs.
Note: With increased employer expectations for work readiness, the Human Services Diploma broadens one's scope of employment and income potential.
Approximate Expenses
Total program expenses are comprised of both College Fees and Program Specific Fees.
Elective Courses
In addition to the required courses listed, students must take four additional electives from University Arts and Sciences and/or Human Services courses. Consult your faculty advisor to develop your course schedule.
Unless entering with SSW certificate, Eng 111 is a requirement.
Program Courses
Course of Studies
Translation key:
- Crd = Credits
- Lec = Lecture Hours per week;
- Ttl = Total course hours
Courses marked as (D) are available via Distance Education.
| Course | Name | Cred | Lec | Ttl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Term 3 |
||||
| HSER 254 | Core Concepts in Human Services | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| HSER 258 | Fundamentals of Change I | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| HSER 276 (D) | Issues in Youth (Recommended Elective) | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| PSYC 240 (D) | Child Development | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| GERO 200 (D) |
Contemporary Issues in Gerontology (Recommended Elective) | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total: | 15 | 12 | 12 | |
| Course | Name | Cred | Lec | Ttl |
Term 4 |
||||
| HSER 255 | Professional Foundations for Human Services | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| HSER 257 (D) | Mental Health Issues: Practical Responses (Recommended Elective) | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| HSER 281 | Directed Studies - Methods | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| PSYC 241 (D) | Adult Development | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| HSER 259 | Fundamentals of Change 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Supervision in Human Service Agencies (Recommended Elective) | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| FNST 287 | First Nations Practice Studies (Recommended Elective) | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Total: | 21 | 21 | 21 | |
| Course | Name | Cred | Lec | Ttl |
Term 5 |
||||
| HSER 280 | Advanced Human Service Practicum | 5 | 0 | 40 |
| Total: | 5 | 0 | 40 | |
HSER 254 Core Concepts in Human Services
This course introduces students to the concepts of theory and practice in Human Services and the interrelationship between the two. A number of theoretical perspectives on change, such as developmental, feminist and multicultural, are explored both from a Social Work and Child and Youth Care practice perspective. Each approach offers a basis for understanding the change process and supporting behavioural change. These approaches offer the basis for developing a beginning of an integrated knowledge base for approaching practice.
Prerequisites:
HS Certificate or Instructor’s permission.
HSER 258 Fundamentals of Change I
This course is designed to assist the student to develop self-awareness as a helper and to develop both an understanding and a beginning level of skill. Students are required to participate in exercises, role plays, simulations and video taping in interviews and counselling in order to accomplish the course objectives.
Prerequisites:
HS Certificate or Instructor's permission.
HSER 276 Issues in Youth
Issues in Youth will explore the issues that face those in adolescence and early adulthood in various societies. 'Adolescence' and 'early adulthood' are terms used to describe a time of life in which major developmental and social changes occur. An exploration of adolescence and early adulthood, and the issues that are unique to these stages of life in various societies will occur. Students will be exposed to theories of adolescence, issues of gender, sociological explanations of existing issues, and to local and international programs designed to address these issues.
Prerequisites:
ENGL 110.
This course is available via Distance Education.
PSYC 240 Child Development
An introduction to normal child development, this course explores selected aspects of the physical, cognitive, emotional, and moral development of children from birth to adolescence; and examines the major theories of child development.
Prerequisites:
PSYC 100/101 or equivalent or written permission of the Instructor and School Chair.
This course is available via Distance Education.
GERO 200 Contemporary Issues in Gerontology
Contemporary Issues in Gerontology will provide students with an understanding of how the process of aging affects individuals and how an aging population affects and influences Canadian society. Aging will be examined within historical, contemporary and culture contexts. Topics will include aging and health, aging demographics, the psychology and sociology of aging, finances and economics, retirement, leisure, housing and transportation, and family social supports. Participants will have the opportunity to identify and examine their personal beliefs and values about the aging process throughout the course.
Prerequisites:
Certificate/Diploma in any Health or Human Service Discipline is preferred.
This course is available via Distance Education.
HSER 255 Professional Foundations for Human Services
The foundations of human services professional practices are explored through an examination of the issues surrounding professional identity, ethical practice, and the interdisciplinary team approach. The skills required for communicating as a professional and as a team member, both oral and written, are developed throughout the course.
Prerequisites:
HS Certificate or Instructor's permission.
HSER 257 Mental Health Issues: Practical Solutions (Recommended Elective)
Practical Responses to Mental Health and Addictions Problems, provides instruction in a variety of rehabilitative and treatment modalities used in work with marginalized populations. Attitudes toward mental health and substance use problems and how they impact helper effectiveness are explored in a supportive milieu. Evidence-based practices such as Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Harm Reduction are used as frameworks for the development of skills and knowledge. Students are introduced to strategies for overcoming stigma and supporting client empowerment in a variety of community and facility settings.
This course is available via Distance Education.
HSER 281 Directed Studies - Methods
This ia a directed studies methods course for working with a specified client population. Students are expected to demonstrate a basic understanding of the specific theoretical approaches to working with the specific client population. Further, they are expected to demonstrate an in depth understanding of the specific concerns and issues related to a distinctive group, such as people with specific disabilities, drug and alcohol addictions, people who experience violence, community-based advocacy, etc. Each student is required to develop a contract with an appropriate faculty member that includes the required outcomes.
PSYC 241 Adult Development
An introduction to normal adult development, this course examines critical issues and theories of adolescence, and early, middle and late adulthood.
Prerequisites:
PSYC 100/101 or equivalent or written permission of the Instructor and School Chair.
This course is available via Distance Education.
HSER 259 Fundamentals of Change 2
This course is designed to assist students to build advanced helping skills on the base developed in HSER 258. Students learn to use their helping relationships and interpersonal communication skills within the framework of the helping process model. Students are required to demonstrate their skill development on video tape, as well as demonstrate analytical skills that will require both self-awareness and knowledge of the helping model. The focus is on the skills required to carry out action planning, support of action and evaluating of outcome in helping interventions.
Prerequisites:
HS Certificate or Instructor’s permission.
HSER 267 Supervision in Human Service Agencies (Recommended Elective)
Human Service agencies are labour-intensive organizations which invest most of their financial resources in personnel who are engaged in delivering front-end or "hands-on" services. This course will explore the issues around the selection and supervision of staff and assist the participants to develop skills in managing staff in a way that will promote productivity while meeting the needs of these employees.
Prerequisites:
Certificate in ECCE, SSW, CCSW or 30 credits of University Transfer credit including ENGL 110/111 and PSYC 100/101 OR PLA indicating equivalent knowledge and skill to an ECCE, SSW or CCSW certificate.
FNST 287 First Nations Practice Studies (Recommended Elective)
This course allows students to explore issues directly impacting First Nations communities. An exploration of factors impacting the development of current issues as well as current approaches used to address these issues is undertaken.
Prerequisites:
ENGL 110.
HSER 280 Advanced Human Service Practicum
Practicum A second level or advanced practicum for individuals who have completed a previous block practicum or have demonstrated those skills through a PLA. After an orientation to the agency, students are expected to provide direct services, assuming full responsibility with appropriate supervision, to specified clients, or client groups. Students will develop competence in providing a specific service and in participating as a team member in the agency. The practicum is normally 250 hours.
Staff
The following staff are associated with this program:
Leslie Comrie
Instructor
Direct: 250.365.1322
Tel: 250.365.7292 Ext. 322
Room 0-019
Email
| More information
Kay Armstrong
Instructor
Direct: 250.304.6502
Tel: 250.365.7292 Ext. 502
Room A-33
Email
| More information
Deb Wandler
Instructor
Direct: 250.365.1362
Tel: 250.365.7292 Ext. 362
Room A-34
Email
| More information
