Overview
We know you’ll make a difference as a Social Service Worker! Yeah, we’re that confident. The Social Service Worker program will provide you with the knowledge and skills you’ll need to support and empower individuals, families, groups and communities! Become a part of a profession that creates social justice and change!
Learn how to incite real change with diverse individuals and families by building collaborative, culturally safe and strengths-based relationships! Gain an understanding of social problems such as family violence, addictions, mental health and poverty! You will learn tools to create compassionate solutions from an anti-oppressive and trauma-informed practice approach.
This two-year program is about jump-starting your career as a Social Service Worker with the skills and knowledge to make an impact. Gain real-world experience with over 400 hours of field placements, allowing you to apply classroom learning in a community-based environment.
As a graduate of the Sault College Social Service Worker program, you`ll meet the requirements for registration to become a regulated professional Social Service Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers & Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
Making a difference is your passion. You will find it here.
Degree Transfers and Pathways
Whether you're starting here with a certificate or diploma program, or transferring your credits from another institution or informal experience into a program at Sault College, we have so many ways for you to continue your postsecondary education with us. Explore pathways to a degree or a diploma and learn about transfer options.
Pathways Beyond >
Earn your diploma here and then choose to complete your degree with one of our partnering universities, in as little as one more year.
Pathways Within >
Complete two diplomas in as little as three years or earn a certificate on the path towards a diploma or degree, all right here.
Pathways Into >
If you've completed any courses from another institution or have informal learning experiences, transfer your credits into a program here.
Courses
| CMM235 - 3 S.S.W. Documentation and Record Keeping |
| SSW207 - 3 SSW Community Resources & Fieldwork Preparation |
| SSW212 - 3 SSW Group Practice Skills |
| SSW221 - 3 Ethics and Professionalism |
| SSW227 - 3 SSW Essential Practice Skills |
| PSY120 - 3 Lifespan Development |
| GEN110 - 3 Student Selected General Education |
| Note: *This student-selected general education course code indicates a general-education course is taken in this semester. Students will choose from a selection of courses (details) prior to the semester in which the student-selected general education course is to be taken. |
Requirements & Program Information
Ontario Secondary School diploma with Grade 12 English (C) ENG4C, or mature student status. You are encouraged to look at the High School Program Pathway Chart available online in the Program Overview for recommended courses that will help you be more prepared for the SSW program. Missing any requirements? Get them for free from Academic Upgrading.
Educational Paths
2+ 2 Diploma to Degree:
Graduates of our SSW Program who achieve a minimum of 3.30 overall grade point average (GPA) are eligible to pursue their Bachelor of Social Work Degree through established Exceptional Agreement with Algoma University! You can get both your diploma and degree in four years!
Social Service Worker graduates can pursue further education through a variety of pathways. University education can be pursued at Algoma University and other select Ontario universities through established articulation agreements. Graduates have pursued degrees in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Community Development, and other areas. For further information on the options, visit the Algoma University website at www.algomau.ca.
University of Windsor also offers a block transfer with an overall B average into their Honours BA in Disability Studies program. For further information, see the University of Windsor website, or contact Shelagh Towson at towson@uwindsor.ca.
SSW graduates can also earn a three-year Child and Youth Care diploma in only two years. This dual diploma option is available using a predetermined educational map that provides you with advanced standing. For further information, contact the CYC or SSW coordinators and refer to the laddering options section.
Clinical/Lab and Field Placement Requirements
In the second year of the SSW program, students complete a field placement component (typically 14 hours per week in the fall semester and 21 hours per week in the winter semester).
Eligibility for the field placement component involves submitting several placement requirements. Placement requirements will be presented during an information session at the beginning of the second semester in a Fieldwork Preparation course. Students must submit all the requirements before the established deadline. If the appropriate documentation is not received by the SSW program deadline, students will not be registered in the subsequent fieldwork component of the program.
There are several workplace related safety certificates and professional training opportunities that students must complete in the fieldwork preparation course, which are available free of charge. Some requirements that have additional costs and time commitments are noted below. All costs associated with these requirements are the responsibility of the student.
- Standard First Aid and CPR - Level C
- Police Record Check - Vulnerable Sector Check
This is required by students as you will be participating in a placement during which you may have unsupervised access to vulnerable persons.
It is important to review the Criminal Record Check Policy as a prospective applicant: Criminal Record Check Policy
- Immunization record
As it can take time to obtain a copy of your immunization record, it is suggested to begin this work in advance.
Career Path
Within the province of Ontario, Social Service Work is a regulated profession. Upon your successful graduation from the program, you will receive a Social Service Worker diploma, and be eligible for registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
Social Service Workers are employed in community-based organizations, social service agencies, educational, health and corrections settings. Past graduates have been employed with developmental services, educational settings, social services, income security programs, mental health, addictions and concurrent disorder programs, long term care facilities, and others.
We recommend you consider obtaining your driver’s licence early on in the program as it’s a requirement for many potential future employers in the social service work field.
SSW graduates are well prepared to apply the generic Social Service Work skills learned to the job market, responding to the unique mandate of each organization. For further information on the profession and potential employment opportunities, visit the OCSWSSW website at www.ocswssw.org.
Fees & Costs
| Domestic | International | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Ancillary | Tuition | Ancillary |
| $2,648.20 | $1,250.00 | $15,120.30 | $1,900.00 |
These fees are for the 2025-2026 academic year (year 1 of study), and are subject to change. Please visit your Student Portal to view your Schedule of Fees.