COURSE CURRICULUM

The Elder Care – Social Service Worker program curriculum is designed to provide students with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience necessary for supporting seniors in diverse care settings. In the first semester, students build foundational skills through courses in College Writing, Introduction to Aging, Introduction to Social Work, Basic Psychology, Issues in Diversity, and Interpersonal Communications, establishing a strong understanding of human behavior, ethical practice, and communication techniques. Semester two focuses on applied eldercare skills, including Activation and Restorative Care, Death, Dying, Grief and Bereavement, Interviewing for Human Services, Group Dynamics in Social Service, Interpersonal Violence in Canadian Society, Dementia: Family and Caregiving, and the Gerontology Field Work Seminar I, which introduces students to real-world practice. In the third semester, students continue to develop professional competence through Case Management, Volunteer Program Management, Community Practice, Recreation, Leisure and Therapeutic Program Planning, Gerontology Field Work Seminar II, and two elective courses, allowing for customization of learning. The final semester emphasizes extensive hands-on experience with Gerontology Field Work Seminar III and a 34-credit Gerontology Field Work placement, enabling students to apply their knowledge in supervised settings. This curriculum ensures that graduates are well-prepared to provide compassionate, evidence-informed, and ethical support to seniors, while developing strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills essential for a career in eldercare.