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 Service Worker (SSW) graduates find stable, satisfying work. A shortage of workers is predicted over the next five years.
Choose Social Service Work 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 Provide an Opportunity to Explore
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
- Problem-solving and communication skills
Transfer Opportunities
Your SSW certificate transfers to two Human Services diploma specialties at Selkirk and also to related programs at other universities.