Durham College Canada

Social Service Worker

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 4 Semesters
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Undergraduate Diploma
Closing soon January 2027

Course Overview

As a Social Service Worker at Durham College, you will gain the essential skills and knowledge to support individuals and communities facing complex challenges. This undergraduate diploma is designed for compassionate and driven individuals who aspire to make a tangible difference in social service settings, such as group homes, women's shelters, and addiction services. You will explore foundational principles of psychology, sociology, and professional practice, preparing you for direct client interaction and intervention within diverse populations. This program equips you to address critical needs with empathy and expertise.

You will study full-time on campus over four semesters, immersing yourself in a curriculum that balances theoretical learning with practical application. Throughout your journey, you will develop crucial interviewing, counselling, and crisis intervention skills, culminating in three progressive field placements and seminars. These hands-on experiences, alongside modules in areas like anti-oppressive practice and special populations, will prepare you for real-world scenarios. Upon graduation, you will be ready to pursue rewarding careers as a front-line social service professional, equipped to advocate for and support vulnerable individuals and families.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This program equips students with the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary for a career in social service work. Across multiple semesters, students will explore essential topics such as communication, psychology, Indigenous populations, and professional practice. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning through field placements and develops crucial skills in interviewing, counselling, and crisis intervention, preparing graduates for diverse roles in the social service sector.

1 Semester 1

Communication foundations
Field placement preparation
Indigenous populations
Principles of psychology
Lifeskills
Professional practice
Interviewing and counselling skills 1

2 Semester 2

Indigenous elective
Development across the lifespan
Diversity and cultural humility
Field placement 1 and seminar
Interviewing and counselling skills 2
Crisis intervention

3 Semester 3

General education elective
Pharmacology and behaviour
Social welfare and anti-oppressive practice
Special populations: Introduction to addictions and mental health
Special populations: Introduction to gerontology
Family and family systems
Group counselling skills
Field placement 2 and seminar

4 Semester 4

General education elective
Abnormal psychology
Social justice
Special populations: Addictions and mental health applied
Special populations: Gerontology advanced
Field placement 3 and seminar

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 11,524.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 11,524.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 23,049.00

Currency note: Program costs shown in USD based on the available tuition breakdown.

Living Costs

Accommodation
USD 411.00 - USD 1,164.00
Food & Groceries USD 2,167.00 - USD 3,901.00
Transport USD 781.00 - USD 1,214.00
Utilities & Bills USD 1,041.00 - USD 1,561.00
Estimated Total USD 3,989.00 - USD 6,676.00

Living cost estimates are based on Oshawa Campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

84%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Artificial Intelligence & Machine LearningData Science & AnalyticsDevOps & Site Reliability EngineeringHardware & Semiconductor EngineeringHealthcare ConsultingHome Health & Long‑Term CareNetworking & Internet ServicesProduct Management & UXQuality Assurance & TestingRehabilitation & Physiotherapy

Top Employers Hiring for this course

GE HealthCare

Headwaters Health Care Centre

Lakeridge Health

Why Study Social Service Worker at Durham College

What makes this program stand out

January 2027 Closing soon

Next intake is in January 2027

Life at Durham College in Canada

What daily life looks like for international students

Language

English

Primary language everywhere

Climate

Mild & Rainy

10-20°C average, pack layers

Safety (Numbeo Safety Index)

Very Safe

Exeter is one of UK's safest cities

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Social Service Worker at Durham College

Can I work while studying?

International students can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during term time and unlimited hours during breaks. An unlimited number of on-campus work hours is also allowed without a separate work permit.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Graduates can work as Social Service Workers, Counsellors, Case Managers, Support Workers, and Employment Program Coordinators.

What will I actually study in this course?

The Social Service Worker program combines academic study with practical experience, focusing on front-line interviewing and counselling skills. Students will be prepared to work in various settings, such as women's shelters and addiction facilities.

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The next intake for the Social Service Worker program is in January. Make sure to apply in advance to secure your spot.
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