Social Service Worker Certificate

Thompson Rivers University’s Social Service Worker Certificate program prepares students to develop essential relational, communication, and helping skills for working with individuals experiencing distress within human service environments. The program emphasizes compassion, ethical practice, non-judgmental support, and intercultural awareness, equipping learners to engage effectively with diverse populations. Through foundational coursework, students gain an understanding of interpersonal relationships, family dynamics, professional practice, Indigenous communities, and substance use within social service contexts.

The curriculum combines academic study with applied learning, including a mandatory field education placement of at least 190 hours in a community social service agency. Students build practical competencies through courses in communication, child and youth care, and human service practice while also completing required arts credits to broaden their academic foundation. Graduates are prepared for entry-level roles in settings such as schools, transition houses, group homes, child and youth care programs, and peer counselling services, where they apply ethical, client-centred approaches to support individuals and communities.

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent.

What You’ll Learn

• Develop communication, interpersonal, and helping skills to support individuals in distress.
• Learn ethical, non-judgmental, and culturally responsive approaches, including Indigenous-informed practice.
• Gain knowledge in family systems, substance use, child and youth care, and human service practice.
• Build hands-on experience through a minimum 190-hour field placement in a community social service agency.