Courses
Social Service Worker-2025/2026
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
Group 1 | ||||
| WRIT-1094 | Reason & Writing 1 for Community Studies | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce Community Studies students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
| BSCI-1247 | Group Development & Practice | 3 | ||
| Group Development and Practice is designed as a live, in-person, in-class, experiential learning opportunity aimed at developing students' knowledge and understanding of human behaviours within groups. Drawing from Atkins, Wilson, & Hayes' "Prosocial: Using Evolutionary Science to Build Productive, Equitable, and Collaborative Groups", this course explores the role of self in group dynamics and processes and uses that knowledge and understanding to apply fair and inclusive guidelines and practices. Students will learn and apply Prosocial Core Design Principles to develop skills related to effective individual and group functioning in essential areas such as communication, decision making, conflict resolution, workload distribution, and evaluation through participating in ongoing group work over the term. This course introduces students to the Prosocial Model for group processes and dynamics, building the foundational skills necessary for effective group work in the current Foundation to Community Building (SOCW1057) Course and the upcoming Community Organization & Development 1 (SOCW1053) Course. | ||||
| SOCW-1057 | Foundation to Community Building | 2 | ||
| This course will provide the student with an introduction to community resources and capacity building and apply that knowledge through a community mapping project. Students will learn about the diversity of resources that make up a community through exploration of; Individual Capacities/Assets, Local Associations & Organizations, and Local Institutions. Through the community mapping experience, students will be able to identify local resources & services, recognizing the strengths/assets, challenges/gaps and the impact on individuals, families, and neighbourhoods which they will present to their class bringing awareness of the resources throughout the local community. Students will also become familiar with the SSW Program Manual expectations & requirements through review of the SSW Program Manual. | ||||
| SOCW-1058 | Social Welfare Systems | 3 | ||
| This course is designed as an introduction to present Social Service and Welfare Policy in Canada. It will investigate the social, legal and humanitarian origins of social policy and the implications for social service work will be examined. Federal, provincial and municipal statutes, regulations, policies and practices will be considered and analyzed. This course will also examine service delivery models, funding issues as well as demographic and legislative trends that have an impact on social policy. | ||||
| SOCI-1006 | Sociology for Social Service Workers | 3 | ||
| This course introduces students to the basic sociological concepts and major perspectives as a means of understanding society and social issues. The course will acquaint students with the social processes of socialization, social interaction, collective behaviour, social and cultural change, social stratification, and deviance and social control. Finally, the course will lay a foundation for evaluating and conducting research on current social issues. | ||||
| PSYC-1130 | Psychology for Social Service Workers | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce the student to classic theories of personality and various approaches to understanding personality development. Students will explore how to apply theories of personality to explain various aspects of human behavior and learn how different approaches are applied in the Social Work/Social Service Worker field. | ||||
Group 2 | ||||
| TAKE THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY COURSE: (MINIMUM GRADE C) | ||||
| SOCW-1059 | Counselling 1 | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce students to the foundational counselling skills required to continue to SOCW-1062 Counselling 2. An emphasis is on recognizing the diverse and multicultural milieu of the individuals and communities we serve. Through experiential learning opportunities, students will actively learn and practice introductory interviewing and basic counselling skills required for developing effective professional relationships in the Social Services Field. Students will have the opportunity to actively practice and demonstrate the application of their skills utilizing feedback, critical analysis, self-evaluation, and reflective practice by conducting individual interviews. | ||||
| Level 2 | ||||
| Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course. | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
Group 1 | ||||
| COMM-3082 | Communications for Community Studies | 3 | ||
| This course, designed for students who plan to work in the field of Community Studies, focuses on professional written and verbal communication skills. Students learn to prepare a variety of work-related documents. In addition, students learn about research methods and documentation formats. The principles of effective writing - organization, grammar, style, clarity, and tone - are reinforced throughout the course. The goal of the course is to prepare students for the communication tasks and considerations they will encounter in the Community Studies workplace in order to meet the needs of employers and/or the communities they will serve. | ||||
| RSCH-1002 | Ethical Principles-Research & Evaluation | 3 | ||
| This course will provide students with the opportunity to practice the principles of research and evaluation necessary for the Social Service field. Additionally, they will be introduced to the basic skills necessary to assist in fundraising for small agencies, building on the information and skills acquired in SOCW-1057 Foundation to Community Building | ||||
| SOCW-1060 | Professional Practice-SSW | 2 | ||
| This course is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their field placement and professional practice experiences, aligned with the standards set by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Through an in-depth exploration of the SSW Field Placement Manual (London Campus), students will grasp the essential criteria and standards for field placement readiness and professional conduct in real-world settings. By employing a strategic approach, students will learn to navigate the Applied Skills Contract required for their upcoming placement, including mastering SMART goals and how to operationalize the 10 vocational learning outcomes outlined by the ministry. | ||||
| SOCW-1052 | Social Work With Families-Intro | 2 | ||
| This course provides an introductory exploration of the principles, practices, and challenges associated with working with families within the context of human services. Drawing from Patricia Spindel's "Working with Families: A Guide for Health and Human Services Professionals, 2nd Edition," students will gain an understanding of family systems theory, family structures, communication strategies, and engagement techniques. Emphasis is placed on identifying strengths and resources and developing effective intervention plans tailored to the diverse needs of families. Through a blend of theoretical frameworks and practical applications, students will cultivate skills in cultural humility and sensitivity, recognizing the importance of respecting and integrating diverse cultural backgrounds into their professional practice. Ethical and legal considerations will be explored to support students in understanding the complexities of working with families in a responsible and professional manner. This course provides students with the foundational skills for their upcoming Families Assessment SOCW3030 Course. | ||||
| SOCW-1061 | Human Development & Social Work | 3 | ||
| From a Canadian perspective, this course will examine development and behaviour across the lifespan according to the normal human growth and development trajectory. How cultural contexts and experiences influence development will be discussed. Some problems and issues experienced across the lifespan will be explored and major theories of development will be reviewed. | ||||
| EDUC-3017 | Strategies for Effective Communication | 3 | ||
| This course is designed to support students' success in Level 2 of the Social Service Worker diploma program and to prepare them to function well in their social work field practice. Emphasis will be placed on the acquisition and mastery of program-specific written and oral skills, critical thinking, and effective interprofessional communication skills. | ||||
Group 2 | ||||
| TAKE THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY COURSE: (MINIMUM GRADE C) | ||||
| SOCW-1062 | Counselling 2 | 3 | ||
| This course builds on introductory counselling skills with an emphasis on expanding active listening, relationship building and empowerment techniques. Students will learn how to appropriately apply counselling skills in the context of a structured interview. Students will be expected to work in small groups and pairs to practice and illustrate their learning. Learning outcomes will emphasize a student's ability to demonstrate self-awareness and understanding of potential impacts on clients within a counselling and Social Service Worker role. This learning is necessary for students to demonstrate as they prepare for field placement. | ||||
| Level 3 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
Group 1 | ||||
| SOCW-3021 | SSW Practice & Intervention | 2 | ||
| This course is designed as a co-requisite to Social Service Work Field Practice: FLDP-3050. Through individual reflective exercises, group discussions, group facilitations, and application to field placement experience, students will focus on the theory & practice of the Ministry's 10 Vocational Learning Goals. Students will also be applying these skills in developing & evaluating the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities (MTCU) Goals using SMART Goals and completing the FLDP-3050: Fall2024 Applied Skills Contract for evaluation of their application. This process prepares students for the expectations of the OCSWSSW's required annual Continuing Competence Program (CCP). | ||||
| FLDP-3050 | Social Work Field Practice 1 | 8 | ||
| The field practicum offers students the opportunity to implement and practice the skills and theory taught in the classroom. To enhance skills and to facilitate integration of theory and practice the student is monitored by an agency supervisor who works in consultation with a faculty advisor. | ||||
| SOCW-3030 | Social Work Assessment With Families | 3 | ||
| This course has been designed to deepen students' understanding of social service work with families by building on the information learned in SOCW1052 and SOCW1033. Students will learn fundamental skills to assess family functioning, intervention planning, and the importance of documentation. This course will focus on using family centered and strengths based approaches to work within a variety of family forms, definitions, and experiences. Learning will be facilitated through the application of foundational concepts to case studies and activities, which are intended to stimulate critical thinking and support the integration of theory and practice. | ||||
| SOCW-1054 | Social Work in Mental Health 1 | 3 | ||
| During this course, the fundamental service provision approaches to mental health will be explored. To be further developed in Mental Health II - SOCW-3031. Students will become knowledgeable about types of mental health problems, their causal factors, symptoms, and options for assessment and treatment. | ||||
| SOCW-1053 | Community Organization & Development 1 | 3 | ||
| This course builds on the learnings students acquired in Foundations to Community Building SOCW 1057. It offers an overview of community development principles, processes and practices with an emphasis on experiences of community organizing in North America. Students will become acquainted with the effects of larger societal forces, undertaking social justice work at the community level and be introduced to practical models for community empowerment and social change in relation to a variety of issues and contexts. Students will have the opportunity to experience community-based learning and effective participatory action research methods. | ||||
Group 2 | ||||
| TAKE THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY COURSE: (MINIMUM GRADE C) | ||||
| SOCW-3036 | Counselling 3 | 3 | ||
| Building on Counselling 1 and 2, this course will familiarize the student with key concepts, techniques, goals and the development of client/counsellor relationships with emphasis placed on working with resistance and additional challenges. The student will examine various theoretical approaches to counselling and practice skill development within each counselling model. This course will draw on the student's knowledge and practice experience from field placement. Learning will emphasize self-awareness, insight and critical reflection of the client/counsellor relationship and the counselling process in preparation for the student to move towards a more independent role within their field placement. | ||||
| Level 4 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
Group 1 | ||||
| SOCW-3032 | Analysis of Social Interventions | 3 | ||
| This course is designed to further students in their critical analysis of social issues and problems through the examination of interventions designed to address them. Students will consider strategies of intervention, the role of stereotypes and ideology in treatment, the unintended consequences of social intervention, and the roles of ethics and evaluation. The impact of social interventions will be investigated through critical analysis of current responses to racism, violence against women, poverty, youth and family issues, crime, welfare and capitalist economics in Canada. The development of social empathy in society will also be explored. | ||||
| SOCW-3031 | Social Work in Mental Health 2 | 3 | ||
| This course is a continuation of Social Work in Mental Health 1. During this course, students will become more knowledgeable about types of mental health problems (not previously covered in Social Work in Mental Health 1). Selected topics from the previous course will be revisited in order to explore assessment and intervention at a deeper level. Assessment approaches will be explored through the DSM classification system and the strengths-based perspective. | ||||
| FLDP-3051 | Social Work Field Practice 2 | 8 | ||
| Social Work Field Practice 2 offers students the opportunity to further implement and practice the skills and theory taught in the classroom and developed in Social Work Field Practice 1. The student will be expected to perform their duties equivalent to an 'entry level' position by the completion of this course. To enhance skills and to facilitate integration of theory and practice, the student is monitored by an agency supervisor who works in consultation with a faculty advisor (college supervisor). | ||||
| SOCW-3037 | Community Organization & Development 2 | 3 | ||
| Community development is a process of building communities for purposeful action directed by the desire for social equality. This course will further expand the learnings students acquired in Community Organization & Dev. 1, focusing on principles and practices of community organizing and social change. It will provide students with a greater understanding of theories, methods & models of community work. Students will be provided with the opportunity to further their knowledge of community development principles, processes and practices to ignite community participation in practical community-based interventions. | ||||
Group 2 | ||||
| TAKE THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY COURSE: (MINIMUM GRADE C) | ||||
| SOCW-5003 | Group Facilitation & Counselling-Adv | 3 | ||
| This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the strategies and skills necessary for effective group facilitation, as detailed in "Group Counseling: Strategies and Skills" Ninth Edition by Ed Jacobs, Christine Schimmel, Bob Masson, and Riley Harvill. Students will gain a thorough understanding of group dynamics, therapeutic forces, and the role of the group leader. Building skills from Counselling 3 SOCW3036 course and the Group Development & Practice BSCI1247 course, this course integrates theoretical frameworks with practical applications, emphasizing the development of core leadership skills, ethical and culturally competent practices, and effective intervention techniques. Through a combination of lectures, in-class, in-person, ongoing interactive group work, and hands-on experiential learning, students will learn to design and implement group session plans, facilitate diverse group types, and manage group dynamics. The course will also cover essential skills such as active listening, empathy, dealing with challenging behaviour, and feedback & evaluation processes. | ||||
| Gen Ed - Electives | ||||
| Take 3 General Education Credits - Normally taken in Level 2 | ||||
| Program Residency | ||||
| Students Must Complete a Minimum of 21 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program | ||||