Community Social Services
Community Social Services
“My Counselling class allowed me to understand what I was doing well, what I needed to improve upon and what it felt like to engage in the therapeutic process.”
Vidita S., graduated 2022
Earn 2 Credentials
HONOURS BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES
from the University of Guelph
+
SOCIAL SERVICE WORKER DIPLOMA
from Humber
What will I learn?
Build on your knowledge to learn how to deliver impactful services to improve lives and change society.
Highlights
- Open up opportunities by expanding on your skills in advocacy and social justice, crisis intervention and counselling
- Explore the development and delivery of programs designed to assist individuals, families and communities
- You have fulfilled the required placement hours through your diploma admission requirements (see below) and thus do not complete placement
- Self-care is taught throughout your courses to better equip you to deal with crisis situations; reduce anxiety, depression and stress; and increase happiness
- An opportunity to complete the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Mental Health First Aid Certification is available
Social services work vs. social work
It’s important to understand that there is a difference between a Social Service Worker and Social Worker. Our program grants you an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Community Social Services (BASc). This means you will be educated in social service work and can get registered as a Social Service Worker.
According to the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, that regulates these professions:
- Social service workers assist clients in dealing with personal and social problems by delivering counselling, community services and social support programs.
- Social workers collaborate with their clients to address challenges through a process of assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation.
For the full description on differences in scopes of practice, places of employment and more, please visit their website .
Transfer pathways
If you have any postsecondary education and you wish to apply to the University of Guelph-Humber, then you are a Transfer Applicant.
College block credit transfer pathways
Our college block credit transfer pathways allow you to move seamlessly with your college diploma into our honours degree program. We offer full-time and part-time programs for applicants eligible for our College Block Credit Transfer Pathways.
If you are in your final year of diploma completion, or have a completed diploma, in one of the recognized Ontario college diplomas listed below (or equivalent) with a minimum cumulative average of low to mid-70s, you are eligible for block transfer credit.
Recognized diplomas:
- Child and Youth Care (CYC): 10.0 transfer credits
- Developmental Services Worker (DSW): 10.0 transfer credits
- Social Service Worker (SSW): 10.0 transfer credits
*Centennial College graduates with an Addiction & Mental Health Worker diploma may receive 10.0 transfer credits (equivalent to two years of study) based on diploma equivalency.
Applicants with one of the listed diplomas (or equivalent) diploma will not have placements in their U of GH program plan because those requirements are fulfilled by the completion of the diploma.
Please refer to www.ocswssw.org for details on other diploma equivalences. If you are applying with a recognized diploma from outside of Ontario, you will be required to submit a professional portfolio to demonstrate your prior learning and experience. Guidelines for the portfolio will be emailed to you and noted on your WebAdvisor account after applying. The portfolio includes a resumé, philosophy statement and references.
Full-time:
- Three courses in your first year will be asynchronous online, all other courses will on campus
- Complete your degree in two years of full-time study
- Start fall 2025
Part-time study fully online:
- Your classes will be asynchronous online
- Complete your degree in two and a half years of part-time study
- Start fall 2025
Future options include:
- Addictions Coordinator
- Case Manager
- Community Support Worker
- Community Youth Worker
- Crisis Counsellor
- Family & Community Mediator
- Family Support Coordinator
- Hospice Support Worker
- Intensive Behaviour Therapist
- Mental Health Worker
- Parole Officer
- Residential Youth Worker
- Social Service Coordinator
- Social Worker
- Volunteer Coordinator
Graduate school and further education
- Bachelor/Master of Social Work
- Bachelor/Master of Education
- Master of Arts in Public Policy & Administration
- Master of Arts in Critical Disability Studies
- Law School
- Postgraduate Certificate in Addictions & Mental Health
- Master of Education in Counselling Psychotherapy
- PhD in Social Justice Education
Note: Some careers and entry into further education may require additional study.
If you don't see your career goal listed here - talk to us! There are many more options.
#GHApproach
Profs in the industry
You are largely taught by working practitioners in fields related to helping professions. Learn from their firsthand experience!
Supported learning
- Your classmates/cohort will move through the program together.
- Your professors open doors to diverse professional networks. Their mentorship can guide you to new opportunities.
- Your program team is eager to assist you. With everything in one building and a small student population, they’re a footstep or email away. Check out your team: Academic Advisor, Placement Coordinator, Career Coordinator, Librarian and Student Life Coordinator.
Safe spaces
Once you experience it, you’ll recognize it. U of GH creates a tremendous sense of safety through the support of Program Chairs, professors and staff. Feel comfortable to share your voice and care for your mental health.
Learn outside of class
Soka Education Research Centre on Global Citizenship (SERC-GC)
Join SERC-GC: an undergraduate research centre—the first of its kind in the world. Explore how to nurture human potential and happiness for the greater benefit of humankind through the study of Soka (value-creating) education and global citizenship. Travel as a Research Assistant to present study results at professional symposiums.
Participate in professional development
The CSS Symposium is an annual student-run event that gives you the opportunity to learn from invited practitioners and researchers in your field.
Societies
Get involved with the CSS Society! Societies are related to our programs and offer a realm of activities outside of class. They can help you develop leadership skills, gain professional experience and network. Check out our Clubs and Societies page.
Extra! Extra!
U of GH offers more extracurriculars for students in all programs. Learn more on our Extra! Extra! page.
Travel and learn with study tours (10 days) and Study Elsewhere (one semester). Visit our Global Learning Opportunities page for details!
After graduation (unique opportunities)
Heading to law school
Graduate ready for Canadian law school or take advantage of our partnerships in England. Earn a senior status law degree (LLB) with The City Law School, City, University of London in just two years without an LSAT requirement, or a Master of Law (LLM) through distance learning with the University of London in one year (full-time) or up to five years (part-time). Both with reduced tuition.
A step ahead
After graduation, take advantage of our partnership for a Master of Science degree with the University of Guelph (in Guelph, Ontario) MSc in Management. Speak with your Academic Advisor for more information.
