Program Length
- 2 Years
Credential
- Diploma
Location Offered
- Nanaimo
Do you want to make a difference and pursue a career that values diversity, empathy, collaboration and inclusiveness? Social Services professionals dedicate themselves to helping people live better lives and build stronger communities.
The Social Services diploma program at VIU gives you a strong foundation in developmental psychology, adolescent and child development, trauma resiliency and conflict resolution. With a social services diploma you become an advocate for human rights and social justice, helping to protect vulnerable people.
A diploma of social work can lead to a satisfying career as a human service assistant, probation officer, rehabilitation counsellor, school counselor, or marriage and family therapist to name just a few of the occupations in this growing field of work.
The Social Services Diploma Program
The program provides advanced-level training for working in the social services field and is available on a full-time or a part-time basis. The program includes the following components:
- courses in addictions and addiction treatment, conflict resolution, leadership and supervision, community development, interpersonal skills, and special topics;
- elective courses drawn from a wide-ranging selection of elective options in many different disciplines relevant to the human services field.
The program uses workplace-based projects and assignments to help students integrate and apply classroom learning in practice.
Students who successfully complete the program will receive a Vancouver Island University diploma. Completion of the program also earns credit towards VIU's Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care degrees.
Students may also complete courses towards the diploma at the Cowichan campus.
| Year 1 | Credits |
|---|---|
| CRIM 290 - (Alternative Conflict Resolution in Criminal Justice Systems) | 3 |
| PSYC 121 - (Developmental Psychology I) | 3 |
| PSYC 122 - (Developmental Psychology II) | 3 |
| SOCW 200A - (Intro to Social Work Practice) or approved alternative | 3 |
| SOCW 200B - (Intro to Social Welfare in Canada) or approved alternative | 3 |
| SOCW 211 - (Family Studies) | 3 |
| CYC 165 - (Introduction to Group Work in Child & Youth Care Practice) | 3 |
| SOCW 252 - (Interpersonal Communication Skills) | 3 |
| Degree English Requirement* | 6 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
* ENGL 115 and ENGL 125 are recommended.
| Year 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
| HHS 276 - (Trauma and Resiliency Across the Lifespan) | 3 |
| SOCW 270 - (Social Work Practice in Mental Health and Addictions) | 3 |
| SOCW 280 - (Methods in Social Work Practice) | 3 |
| SOCW 281 - (Practicum) | 6 |
15 credits chosen from the following list: Faculty of Social Sciences | 15 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
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.
Completion Requirements
To earn the diploma, students must:
- complete all required courses, and maintain a minimum “C” grade average;
- complete all requirements for program completion within a 5-year period.
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all requirements for the diploma are met. Students are encouraged to consult the Social Services Program Chair/Advisor for information and guidance.
- 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 apply for advanced standing on a course-by-course basis. 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.
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 Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees for One Year | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (30 credits x $166.40 per credit) | 4,992.00 |
| Student Activity fee (4% of tuition) | 199.68 |
| Student Services fee (30 credits x $7.35 per credit) | 220.50 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) | 265.00 |
| Approximate yearly cost for books and supplies | 1,100.00 |
| Total | 6,997.98 |
The practicum courses SOCW 281/282 are offered in a separate semester and students should add an additional semester’s worth of Students' Union fees to the fee total.
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
International Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees for One Year | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (2 semesters x $11996.55 per semester) | 23,993.10 |
| Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $463.40 per semester) | 926.80 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) | 265.00 |
| Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year (Note: Books and supply costs vary depending on course load and course type.) | 1,100.00 |
| Total | 26,505.70 |
The practicum courses SOCW 281/282 are offered in a separate semester and students should add an additional semester’s worth of Students' Union fees to the fee total.
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
Domestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Application Fee:
$45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
No
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Jenny Carpen-Rouget Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2283 Email: Jenny.Carpen-Rouget@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Louise Stern Phone: 250.740.6268 Email: Louise.Stern@viu.ca
Area Contact:
Name: Rossanne Sutherland Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2387 Email: Rossanne.Sutherland@viu.ca
Document Deadline:
All requested transcripts and supported documents are due April 15, 2025. |
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Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.
Visit the Department WebsitePrevious versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.