Social Service Worker

2 years – Ontario College Diploma

How to Apply
Book a tour
Contact

Field placement opportunity in community agency setting.

Overview

Upcoming Intakes:

Fall 2025: College Drive – North Bay

Winter 2026: College Drive – North Bay

This program will give you the knowledge and skills you need to enter this rewarding career field. Learn skills and methods that will prepare you to work in different settings and challenging situations. Themes include social justice, empowerment of marginalized citizens and ethics. You will also be introduced to Indigenous history and culture through the Canada's First Peoples Course. Graduates can go on to work with individuals or groups in a variety of community settings.

Your Future Career

  • Residential facilities
  • Social Service departments
  • Addictions and mental health services
  • Schools and youth services
  • Community health and resource centres
  • Transition houses and shelters

What You Learn

  • Trauma informed practice and crisis intervention
  • Human development
  • Effective leadership in group settings
  • Substance abuse training
  • Canada's First Peoples
  • Client interviews and assessment
  • Advocacy related to intimate personal violence

Note: Graduates may apply to register with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)

OSSD or equivalent, ENG4C or ENG4U

If English is not your first language you must provide proof of English competency.

View current English Language Proficiency Requirements.

Semester 1

CLT100 First Peoples of Canada
CMM125 College Communication
GENED General Education Elective - Online
SSW105 Social Service Worker Interviewing I
PSY200 Lifespan Development
SOC100 Foundations of Sociology
SSW101 Introduction to Social Service Work Practice I

Semester 2

ENG200 Creative Writing
SSW155 Social Service Work with Families
SSW160 Social Service Worker Interviewing II
SSW103  SSW Methods: Community Organization
SSW104  Introduction to Social Service Work Practice II
SSW165 Mental Health and Addictions
SSW219 Group Work for Social Service Workers

Semester 3

SSW225 SSW Methods of Intervention
SSW238 SSW Methods: Intimate Personal Violence
SSW290 Trauma and Crisis
SSW292 Fieldwork Preparation
SSW294 Accountable Professional
SSW296 Introduction to Gerontology
GENED General Education Elective - Online (SSW)

Semester 4

SSW293 Fieldwork Integration
SSW295 Fieldwork Placement

2025-26 – 2 years – Ontario College Diploma

College Drive Campus – Domestic
Year Tuition Ancillary Fees Material Fee Trip Fee Total
1 $2720.24 $1587 $70 - $4377.24
2 $2720.24 $1423 - - $4143.24

2025-26 – 2 years – Ontario College Diploma

College Drive Campus – International
Year Tuition Ancillary Fees Material Fee Trip Fee Total
1 $15547.54 $1975.5 $70 - $17593.04
2 $15547.54 $1811.5 - - $17359.04

Mandatory Non-Academic Requirements for Placement:

Work-Integrated Learning (also called Placement, Field Placement, Practicum, Clinical Placement, etc.) provides students with rich and meaningful experiences wherein they have the opportunity to apply and extend the learning they gain from the classroom in real-word contexts. View placement requirements here.

Textbooks:

Check out the Campus Bookstore to not only purchase your textbooks but also view your book list before the semester starts. 

Technology/Devices:

Canadore College has implemented Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) to enhance your learning experience in and out of the classroom while ensuring flexibility in learning.

To learn more about BYOD and to find out what is required for your program, please visit https://www.canadorecollege.ca/BYOD

You will also need:

  • Business Casual Clothing (2nd year) - up to $100.00

Ontario College Diploma
Students can apply to register with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Learning outcomes represent culminating demonstrations of learning and achievement. In addition, learning outcomes are interrelated and cannot be viewed in isolation of one another. As such, they should be viewed as a comprehensive whole. They describe performances that demonstrate that significant integrated learning by graduates of the program has been achieved.

View Program Vocational Learning Outcomes

View course outlines

Find out more about General Education program requirements here.

There are many options available to students who already have some postsecondary education.

Whether you are looking to study at Canadore from another school,  continue your education at Canadore, or looking to pursue further education elsewhere, we can help find the right path for you!

Whether you want to Transfer TO Canadore, Transfer WITHIN Canadore, or prepare to Transfer FROM Canadore, we've got you covered!

Learn more about Credit Transfer and Pathway opportunities here.