COURSE CURRICULUM

The Social Service Diploma program is structured to provide students with both foundational knowledge and specialized skills necessary for effective practice in social services. In the first year, students begin with core courses such as Foundations of Social Service Practice, Interpersonal Communications, Social Welfare in Canada, and Advanced Interpersonal Skills Practice, complemented by Human Development courses covering growth from conception through adulthood. Practical experience is integrated through the Social Services Practice Experience I course, while students also complete an English course, choosing between Essay Writing and Critical Analysis or Essay Writing & Indigenous Perspectives. Additionally, three electives totaling nine credits are selected from English, Humanities, or Social Science courses that transfer to BC degree-granting institutions, allowing students to broaden their academic perspective. In the second year, students build on this foundation with eight courses selected from options including Family Relationships, Conflict Management, Program Planning, Introduction to Group Work Practice, Self-Care in Human Services, Law and Social Service, Social Work Practice in Mental Health and Addictions, Contemporary Perspectives on Substance Abuse, and Community Development, as well as any 200-level Social Service courses. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning through the Advanced Practice Experience Social Services course, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, develop professional skills, and prepare for careers in agencies addressing mental health, addictions, and community support services.