Program Information

• General admission requirements apply.
• English 12 with a minimum "C" grade, or equivalent.
• Volunteer or paid employment in the human services field.
• Résumé and two current letters of reference.
• Submit a Personal Profile.
• Interview may be required.

Notes on Admission

• Students who have completed a Human Services Certificate (e.g., Community Support Worker or Special Education Assistant) at VIU, or elsewhere, or have completed one or more years of University-level courses, may request to have some coursework recognised towards program requirements.. For further information, please contact the program Chair.
• Individuals who have gained knowledge and skills, through considerable experience in the field and through non-formal learning, may wish to explore Prior Learning Assessment towards credit.
• Fieldwork and/or practicums will require a satisfactory criminal record check prior to placement. Criminal Record Checks are requested through VIU. The Registration Centre at VIU will contact prospective students by mail regarding the requirements for a Criminal Record Check. Criminal Record Checks are processed through the Ministry according to the Criminal Records Review Act. A check completed through the RCMP is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the Act. A criminal record may limit practicum possibilities and work opportunities in the human services field.
• Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Seats in the program are offered as follows: first qualifying applications are given first offers, until all seats are filled.

* ENGL 115 and ENGL 125 are recommended.

Note: Not all courses are offered each year.

Additional Notes

• Students planning to apply to the third year of VIU's Bachelor of Social Work degree require the following:
  • 6 credits of Degree English Requirements or equivalent. A minimum grade of "C+" is required in each course.
  • 6 credits of SOCW 200A and SOCW 200B or equivalent. A minimum grade of "B-" is required for each course.
  • 24 credits of Arts & Humanities and/or Social Science courses.
  • 24 credits of other post-secondary courses not including Social Services/Social Work courses.
  • A minimum Grade Point Average of 2.33 (“C+”) calculated on the most recent 24 credits completed.
• Students who have successfully graduated (or are on track to graduate in this coming academic year) from the VIU Social Services Diploma program will be granted 54 credits towards the 60 credits required for application to the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program. They will be required to complete an extra 6 credits (with a specific emphasis on arts and humanities and social sciences), assuming they have no prior courses completed. VIU Social Services Diploma graduates will need to ensure that they meet all academic requirements to apply to the BSW including GPA; 2 English courses at “C+” or better; and SOCW 200A and 200B at “B-“ or better.
• Students planning to apply to the third year of VIU’s Bachelor Arts, Child and Youth Care degree program must choose CYC 111 and CYC 112 and should consult with the Child and Youth Care advisor.
• SOCW 281 (Practicum) is taken as a full-time block placement between late April/May and June (210 hours) and is assessed tuition fees the same as other courses in the program.

Graduates of the diploma program will gain skills to prepare them for work in a broad range of social services positions, including supervisory/administrative roles and more specialized direct service roles with community agencies, private service providers, and some government services.

Domestic (Canadian)