Social Service Worker

Pursue a fulfilling career working on the front line of social services.
  • Enjoy a more personalized learning environment with our small classes
  • Benefit from supportive and experienced faculty who are active in their industry
  • Gain the latest and best industry-specific knowledge and skills to be career-ready upon graduation

Program Availability and Schedule

Availability

Open

Closed

Waitlisted

Start Term

Availability

International
Availability

Competitive?

Fall 2025

No

Schedule

Data is currently unavailable for this program. Please take a moment to report this via our Website Feedback Form. Thank you!

Program Summary

Credential

Ontario College Diploma (2 Years)

Program Delivery

View delivery information

Program Code

0432X01FPM

Area of Interest

Community and Social Services

School

Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley

Campus

Pembroke

Other Campuses

Work Integrated Learning

Field Work Placement

In the two-year Social Service Worker Ontario College Diploma program, you gain the skills and knowledge to work effectively with individuals, groups and communities dealing with personal and social problems.

Through theory and practical experiences, the program prepares you to support a wide range of client groups and communities who are in the process of change or growth, including those impacted by issues such as:...(read more)

Overview

Pursue a fulfilling career working on the front line of social services.

In the two-year Social Service Worker Ontario College Diploma program, you gain the skills and knowledge to work effectively with individuals, groups and communities dealing with personal and social problems.

Through theory and practical experiences, the program prepares you to support a wide range of client groups and communities who are in the process of change or growth, including those impacted by issues such as:

  • loss and separation
  • family crisis
  • poverty
  • violence
  • homelessness
  • addiction
  • disability
  • unemployment
  • oppression
  • resettlement issues

As a student, you complete three field placement experiences totaling 700 hours. You identify, practice and incorporate theoretical knowledge at a level that provides top client service. As well, you strengthen the bond between yourself and the community by participating in various applied research projects and direct practice opportunities. With these opportunities, you are ready to work on the front line of social services.

Graduates may secure employment as Social Service Workers in provincial, municipal and private social service agencies including:

  • social service departments
  • long-term care facilities
  • addiction and mental health services
  • schools and programs for children and youth
  • community, health and resource centres
  • community shelters
  • residential treatment programs
  • drop-in centres
  • employment services

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

  • Have effective interpersonal skills.
  • Are committed to addressing social issues, such as poverty, homelessness, oppression and human rights.
  • Understand the importance of effective communication with clients and community partners (oral and written).
  • Are team-oriented and enjoy working with others.
  • Deal effectively with stressful situations.

Courses

Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with virtual learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.
Expand all Collapse all

Careers & Pathways

Careers

This program prepares you for your career by providing you with theopportunity to apply for professional accreditation in the field of social services. Upon graduation, you need to register as a Social Service Worker you will be required to register through the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers in order to be recognized as such.

Graduates may find employment as social service workers, addictions counsellor, case manager, crisis worker, disability support worker, employment counsellor, intake worker, mental health worker, residential counsellor, shelter worker, youth counsellor, community development worker.

Pathways

Expand all Collapse all

Please note: There may be more pathways available for this program than are listed here. Please use our Pathways search tool to see every option.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Develop respectful and collaborative professional and interpersonal relationships that adhere to professional, legal, and ethical standards aligned to social service work.
  2. Record information accurately and communicate effectively in written, digital, verbal and non-verbal ways, in adherence to privacy and freedom of information legislation, in accordance with professional and workplace standards.
  3. Integrate a practice framework within a service delivery continuum, addressing the needs of individuals, families and communities at micro, mezzo, macro and global levels, and work with them in achieving their goals.
  4. Plan and implement accessible and responsive programs and services, recognizing the diverse needs and experiences of individuals, groups, families and communities, and meeting these needs.
  5. Examine current social policy, relevant legislation, and political, social, historical, and/or economic systems and their impacts for individuals and communities when delivering services to the user/client.
  6. Develop strategies and approaches that support individual clients, groups, families and communities in building the capacity for self-advocacy, while affirming their dignity and self-worth.
  7. Work from an anti-oppressive, strengths-based practice, recognizing the capacity for resilience and growth of individuals and communities when responding to the diverse needs of marginalized or vulnerable populations to act as allies and advocates.
  8. Develop strategies and approaches to implement and maintain holistic self-care as a member of a human service profession.
  9. Work with individuals, groups, families and their communities to ensure that service provider strategies promote social and economic justice, and challenge patterns of oppression, discrimination and harassment, and sexual violence with clients, coworkers and communities.
  10. Develop the capacity to work with the Indigenous individual, families, groups and communities while respecting their inherent rights to self-determine, and to identify and address systemic barriers that produce ill-effects, developing appropriate responses using approaches such as trauma informed care practice.
  11. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Tuition & Fees

Get an idea of how much each semester will cost with our Tuition and Fee Estimator.

2024/2025 Academic Year

Tuition and related ancillary fees for this program can be viewed by using the Tuition and Fees Estimator tool at www.algonquincollege.com/fee-estimator.

Further information on fees can be found by visiting the Registrar`s Office website at www.algonquincollege.com/ro.

Fees are subject to change.

Additional program related expenses include:

  • Supplies cost approximately $1,500 in the first year and $1,000 in the second year.
  • Additional expenses related to verification for field placement requirements, ParaMed clearance, police record checks, and health immunization are the responsibility of the student.

Admissions Requirements

All applicants must satisfy both College Eligibility and Program Eligibility requirements.

College Eligibility

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. Applicants with an OSSD showing senior English and/or Mathematics courses at the Basic Level, or with Workplace or Open courses, will be tested to determine their eligibility for admission; OR
  • Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate; OR
  • General Educational Development (GED) certificate; OR
  • Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing for which a fee will be charged.

Program Eligibility

  • English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent) with a grade of 65% or higher.
  • Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject-specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
  • IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 88, with a minimum of 22 in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 22; OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 120, minimum of 120 in Literacy and no score below 105.

Not sure if you meet all of the requirements? Academic Upgrading maybe able to help with that: https://www.algonquincollege.com/access/.

Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English.

Application Information

SOCIAL SERVICE WORKER
Program Code 0432X01FPM

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should notify their Guidance Office prior to their online application at www.ontariocolleges.ca.

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants please visit this link for application process information: https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar`s Office
Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley
1 College Way
Pembroke, ON K8A0C8
Local: 613-735-4700
Toll-free 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 1-866-620-3845 Fax: 613-735-4739
https://algonquincollege.com/pembroke

Additional Information

Program Resources

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) RequirementsArchived Program Information Academic CalendarVirtual TourProgram Overview PDF

The social service worker field requires mature, flexible workers who commit to personal wellness and self-care, as well as the principles of social justice and anti-oppression. This demanding program places students in learning environments and in contact with emotionally challenging themes. This may be unsettling to those who are in current recovery for mental health, abuse or addiction problems. As such, we encourage prospective students to reflect upon their readiness to meet these demands.

This full-time program is offered at the Ottawa and Pembroke campuses. While the learning outcomes at the two campuses are the same, the curriculum order and subject delivery are reflective of local circumstances which affect program delivery.

There is also an Intensive offering delivered at the Ottawa Campus. This program is for individuals who have completed a degree or diploma (from an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology) in the humanities. Degrees outside of the humanities may be considered on an individual basis.

Social Service Worker is a registered professional title which may only be used by members in good standing of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). This relates to Ontario legislation called The Social Work and Social Service Worker Act. Graduates of the Social Service Worker program are required by law to join the OCSWSSW after graduation in order to use this professional title. The OCSWSSW grants or denies membership. See www.ocswssw.org for more information.

Field Placement Requirements

Health Requirements:
The physical and emotional health of each applicant to the program must be such that he or she can successfully cope with the program of instruction including the demands of field placement (e.g. stress and time management). Individuals who have concerns about their ability to meet these requirements should contact the coordinator of the program prior to submitting an application.

Students accepted into the Social Service Worker program must provide evidence of full and complete immunizations. The Algonquin College Health Services will review the student`s record of immunization and provide authorization for entry into field placement. Field placement agencies require the Hepatitis B vaccine and the Influenza vaccine.

Police Records Check:
Successful completion of field placement is a requirement for graduation from the Social Service Worker program. Agencies that provide placement opportunities may require you to have a clear Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS). Your acceptance for placement is at the discretion of the agency.

Field Placement Eligibility:
To be eligible for placement, you must submit proof of a PRCSVS, which will be retained on your departmental file and used only for purposes related to your placement. You will be required to disclose the contents of the PRCSVS, including all notations, to the placement agencies. It is your responsibility to obtain the PRCSVS from your local Police department prior to the deadline identified by your Department and to pay any associated costs. It may take a long time to obtain this documentation; please submit your application as early as possible. If you register in the program and do not have a clear PRCSVS and as a result are unable to participate in placement, you will not be able to graduate. Students under the age of 18 years cannot obtain a PRCSVS. Upon the age of majority being reached this will be required. Students should be prepared to update their PRCSVS every six months. Should you require further information, contact the Program Chair.

First Aid and CPR:
Students must obtain First Aid and CPR level C certificate in order to be eligible for field placement.

Contact

Rhonda Mullin

Program Coordinator

hallir@algonquincollege.com

613-735-4700, ext. 2714

Room 434

Get Started

Get More Information