Social Service Worker

- Duration and structure

- 9?month, full?time certificate program (September–May)

- Two 4?month academic terms followed by a 5?week, full?time block practicum

- Cohort model: students move through the curriculum together

- Main modules / subjects

- Social Service Worker core courses (SSRV), typically covering:

- History, values and philosophy of social work and social services

- The Canadian social welfare system and community resources

- Social service methods and helping processes

- Communication and interviewing skills for practice

- Community practice and group work skills

- Community responses to individual, family and social problems

- Diversity, ethics, and professional practice in social services

- Field work / practicum courses

- Social Service Field Work I and II (progressive integration into agencies)

- Experiential learning courses

- Integrated Experiential Learning I and II (skills labs, simulations, reflection)

- Supporting Arts and Sciences courses

- Academic writing and English

- Selected social sciences / humanities that support social service practice

- Key skills developed

- Direct practice skills

- Interviewing and assessment

- Case documentation and basic report writing

- Referral and navigation of community resources

- Professional and relational skills

- Communication and active listening

- Teamwork and collaboration in multidisciplinary settings

- Working effectively under supervision

- Time management and organizational skills

- Analytical and reflective skills

- Critical thinking about social issues and social policy

- Problem?solving in complex client situations

- Self?reflection, self?care, and maintaining professional boundaries

- Values and perspectives

- Awareness of social inequality and social justice issues

- Respect for diversity and different cultural contexts

- Balance of theory and practice

- Strong integration of classroom learning with applied practice

- Theoretical components

- Classroom?based SSRV, social science, and writing courses

- Lectures, readings, discussions, and written assignments

- Practical / experiential components

- Integrated Experiential Learning courses focused on applied skills

- Ongoing field work placements during the first two terms

- Final 5?week, full?time block practicum in a community agency

- Internships / practicums and projects

- Field placements

- Supervised placements in community and social service agencies

- Progressive responsibilities, from observation to more direct client contact

- Regular supervision and feedback from agency and faculty supervisors

- Block practicum

- 5 weeks full?time in an approved social service setting at the end of the program

- Opportunity to consolidate skills, build professional networks, and gain recent Canadian experience

- Course?based applied projects

- Practice interviews, role?plays, and skills demonstrations in class and labs

- Reflective journals and integration assignments linking theory to practice

Why Follow the Social Service Worker Program at Langara College?

Introduction

At Langara College, our Social Service Worker program is renowned for its dynamic blend of rigorous academics and hands-on practice. In just nine months, you move from the classroom to real-world front-line service roles, developing the confidence and competence that employers value. Rooted in a commitment to social justice and community empowerment, our program equips you not only with technical skills:like interviewing, assessment, and documentation:but also with the ethical framework and self-care strategies essential for sustainable, impactful work. Whether you’re fresh out of high school, considering a career change, or hoping to deepen your international perspective, this program delivers a fast-paced, supportive route into meaningful social service practice.

Academic Excellence

Our curriculum is built on the principle that theory must inform practice. You’ll learn from faculty who bring current research, clinical expertise, and community leadership into every class session. Core courses:such as Human Development Across the Lifespan, Group Dynamics, and Community Intervention:are carefully sequenced to strengthen your critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving. Small cohort sizes ensure you receive individual mentorship, active participation is encouraged, and reflective assignments tie classroom insights directly to fieldwork challenges. Three practicum placements, including an immersive five-week block in a local community agency, give you more than 600 hours of supervised experience, making every lesson come alive with real clients, diverse organizational cultures, and multidisciplinary teamwork.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of our Social Service Worker program are in high demand across British Columbia. Within six months of graduation, over 85% of our alumni secure positions in Neighbourhood Houses, youth and family agencies, immigrant settlement services, rehabilitation centres, and government ministries focused on child and family welfare. Entry-level salaries range from $45,000 to $55,000:competitive in the non-profit and public sectors:and can quickly rise as you accrue experience and specialized credentials. Our Career Services office hosts employer panels, job fairs, and interview workshops, plus, Langara’s partnerships with community agencies often lead to paid practicum roles and direct hires upon program completion.

Student Experience & Network

Life at Langara extends far beyond textbooks. You’ll grow alongside a diverse, close-knit cohort:building friendships, peer support groups, and professional networks that endure long after graduation. Student-led clubs, guest lectures by social policy makers, and community engagement projects give you leadership experience and enrich your cultural competence. Our extensive alumni network spans frontline practitioners, senior social workers, and policy advisors, they’re eager to mentor current students, host site visits, and create pathways for internships and career advancement. In addition, selected courses transfer directly to Bachelor of Social Work degrees at leading universities in British Columbia, should you wish to pursue graduate studies.

Conclusion

Choosing Langara College’s Social Service Worker program is more than an academic decision:it’s your launchpad into a rewarding career dedicated to social change. You’ll gain practical expertise, develop a professional identity, and join a community committed to making lives better. Applications for our next intake are now open. Visit langara.ca/ssw-program to register for an open house, connect with faculty, and take the first step toward becoming the empathetic, skilled social service leader your community needs.

Applications open 11 months in advance, and we encourage students to apply as early as possible. The application deadlines are currently set as following:

January (Spring) Semester: September 30

May (Summer) Semester: January 31

September (Fall) Semester: May 31

Students must apply online to Langara and meet the admission requirements for their chosen program. The application requires:

• Completing a student profile

• Uploading required documents

• Paying a CAD 155 application fee

The formal application process will follow the steps described below.

Step 1: Connect with Langara’s Representative

Students should contact a representative and provide their intended program, start term, and an electronic copy of their academic documents. These may include high school or university transcripts, diplomas, English proficiency test results, a copy of the passport ID page, and any additional documents required to meet the admission requirements for their chosen program.

Step 2: Apply to Langara

After receiving a response from the representative regarding their document assessment, students must apply online to Langara and ensure they meet the admission requirements for their chosen program. The online application includes completing a student profile and uploading the required documents. An application fee waiver code will be provided and should be used during the submission process.

Step 3: Receive an Offer of Admission

Students who meet the requirements will receive an offer of admission. If they apply for September and have not yet graduated, the offer will be conditional upon completing high school by July 31st.

Step 4: Apply for the International Regional Entrance Award

Once students receive an offer of admission from Langara, they may submit an application for the International Regional Entrance Award. Please note that the scholarship application deadlines may differ from the program application deadlines. For this reason, early application is strongly encouraged to ensure eligibility and timely consideration.

Step 5: Pay the Tuition Deposit

To confirm their spot and receive documentation needed for their student visa, students must pay a tuition deposit (normally CAD 6,000). Even if they are selected for the award, this deposit must be paid in full to access immigration documents.

Step 6: Receive Visa Support Documents

Once the deposit is received, students will be issued:

• Receipt of Payment

• Letter of Acceptance

• Provincial Attestation Letter

They can then begin the student visa application process through the appropriate Canadian consulate.

Step 7: Receive Award Confirmation

Award recipients will receive an official award letter. While not required for the visa process, this letter can be included as supporting documentation if the student chooses.

Step 8: Course Registration

About 2–3 months before classes begin, students can register for courses. They must enrol in a minimum of 9 credits to maintain full-time status. Registration support is available for international students.

Step 9: Visa Approval Confirmation

Students must confirm the outcome of their visa application by the deferral deadline (usually about one month before classes start). Students are expected to attend from the first day of class. In extenuating circumstances, late arrival may be approved but must be pre-approved by each of their instructors.

Step 10: Fee Payment Deadline – First Term

The CAD 6,000 deposit may not cover the full tuition and fees for the first term. If a balance remains, students must pay the outstanding amount before the fee payment deadline to avoid course deregistration. For entrance award recipients, a temporary hold will be placed on their account to prevent deregistration while the award is being applied.