COURSE CURRICULUM

The Social Service Worker – Immigrants and Refugees Accelerated (SSIA) program offers a focused, one-year pathway for students to build on existing credentials or pursue career specialization in newcomer support, emphasizing equity, social justice, and anti-oppression principles. Delivered through a seven-week summer semester followed by a full academic year, the program combines online, hybrid, and in-person learning with practical field placements to prepare students for real-world social service work. In the first semester, students engage in online courses such as Anti-Oppressive Practice, Interviewing Skills and Principles, Introduction to Immigrant and Refugee Policies, Field Seminar on Laws, Principles and Ethics, and Introduction to Settlement Sectors, establishing a strong foundation in professional ethics, critical thinking, and settlement knowledge. The second semester emphasizes applied skills through in-person and hybrid courses, including Resiliency Through the Life Span, Service Coordination and Advocacy, Supportive Counselling, Integrative Field Work Seminar, Field Placement, and Non-Profit Funding and Grant Writing, equipping students with practical tools for community engagement, program development, and client advocacy. The final semester focuses on advanced topics and integration, including Group Dynamics, Immigrant Families and Systemic Violence, Migration and Trauma, and additional field placements, allowing students to consolidate knowledge, reflect critically on social issues, and develop cultural competency. Graduates are prepared to support immigrants and refugees with dignity, advocacy, and a commitment to social justice.