The Social Services Worker Diploma (SSWD) program provides opportunities for students to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and qualifications to enable them to work in a human services worker field. The program involves two years of full-time study, with a combination of practice, theory, and academic course requirements aimed to prepare students to become critical practitioners with an emphasis on advocacy, social justice, and social change. The program may also be taken on a part-time basis
The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Information and Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council, effective September 2025PDFnew window. (Download a PDF of the current Program Completion GuidePDFnew window).
Career Prospects
The SSWD program prepares students to work as paraprofessionals in a variety of social service and health agencies. Typical jobs include, but not limited to: financial assistance worker, bail supervisor, residential service worker, social work assistant, mental health assisted living worker, family support worker, supported employment, community living worker, transition houses, women’s programs, Aboriginal support worker and family violence worker.
Details
Intakes
| Location | Starting | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Dawson Creek | Fall | Full-Timenew window, Part-new windowTimenew window |
| Fort St John | Fall | Full-Timenew window, Part-Timenew window |
| Dawson Creek | Winter* | Full-time (extended)new window, Part-Timenew window |
| Fort St John | Winter* | Full-time (extended)new window, Part-Timenew window |
| Dawson Creek | Spring | Full-time (extended)new window, Part-Timenew window |
| Fort St John | Spring | Full-time (extended)new window, Part-Timenew window |
* January intake is for domestic students only.
The SSWD program can be available at remote campuses through a combination of online and videoconference course delivery methods. Arrangements can be made practicum placements at remote locations.
Length
60 credits (1055 hours), minimum.
This is a two year program taken over four semesters with minimum of 15 credits per semester. Part-time studies will take longer and all key SSWD courses (SSWD 110, SSWD 120, SSWD 210, SSWD 215/PSYC 220/ECTA 121, SSWD 220, SOWK 200, and SOWK 201) must be completed within six years of program admission.
Estimated Program Fees
Program fee type: Academic
Costs indicated are estimates for a full-time course load.
Book, instruments, supplies, uniforms/clothing and third-party fees are additional.
Domestic Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 3,653.03 | $ 152.76 | $ 0.00 | $ 3,805.79 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 3,726.08 | $ 155.81 | $ 0.00 | $ 3,881.89 |
International Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | International Medical Insurance | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 11,580.00 | $ 149.76 | $ 0.00 | $ 828.00 | $ 12,557.76 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 12,300.00 | $ 152.75 | $ 0.00 | $ 828.00 | $ 13,280.75 |
Special Pathways
**Students who have completed the first 3 semesters of NLC’s Early Childhood Education and Care Diplomanew window program (fifteen three-credit courses), and graduates of NLC’s Education Assistant Certificatenew window, will be granted a course substitution for SSWD 110new window; also, as indicated below, HDEC 101new window & HDEC 104new window will substitute for PSYC 211new window, HDEC 121 will substitute for SSWD 215new window, and ECEC 201new window for either PSYC 235new window or SOCI 204new window. These courses may impact transfer to other institutions; check the BC Transfer Guidenew window for information about transfer credit. (Please note that the HDEC courses must be completed within six years with a minimum grade of C+)
Still have questions?
Contact:
- info@nlc.bc.caemail if you are in Canada
- info@international.nlc.bc.caemail if you are outside of Canada
- academic-chair@nlc.bc.caemail if you are currently an NLC student
Admission Requirements
*A. Domestic students and students from countries that practice Standard Written English (see Appendix APDFnew window) must have official transcripts demonstrating that they have met the English Requirements: One of the following with a “C” grade or higher: English 12 or English Literature 12 or English First Peoples 12, ENGL 050, or ENGL 099. Alternatively, any university-level English course with a “C” grade or higher. Students who do not meet one of the above English requirements must complete the NLC Writing Assessment for appropriate course placement.
B. International students who do not meet the requirement A. above, and domestic students who received their secondary education in French or another language, must show that they have met the NLC English requirement: see Appendix A (General Academic English Language Proficiency Requirements) PDFnew window
*Note that some course options have specific prerequisites. Meeting the program entrance requirements does not ensure course prerequisites have been met for all available courses.
Post-Admission Requirements
- Students will be required to attend a program-specific orientation session, usually held the first class of SSWD 110new window. Accommodations can be made for students enrolling before the add/drop date or part-time students.
- ALL students must complete a Ministry of Justice Schedule B Criminal Record Check (CRC) for working with children and vulnerable adults before beginning the program. Failure to do so will prevent students from registering in SSWD 220 – Practicum and Seminarnew window and may result in program withdrawal. Please see the NLC website for completion instructions and more information pertaining to Criminal Records Checksnew window.
Important Notes
- The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans for domestic students. Visit Student Aid BCnew window to apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid.
- The SSWD Diploma at NLC is recognized for up to 60 transfer credits to UNBC, TRU, UVIC, RRU. For individual, course-by-course transfer to various institutions, students are advised to consult the BC Transfer Guide.
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | •50% of all coursework must be completed at Northern Lights College. •SSWD 220new window must be completed at Northern Lights College. |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | •SSWD students must achieve a minimum grade of C+ in all key SSWD courses (an SSWD student who does not obtain a minimum grade of C+ (65%) in these key courses will receive an F grade; ’D’ grade minimum in all other courses •Program cumulative GPA of 2.33 for all courses applied to the Diploma •A ‘P’ (Pass) must be achieved in SSWD 220new window |
| Completion Requirements | •All key SSWD courses must be completed within six years of program admission. |
| Attendance Requirements | •For each of the key SSWD courses, absences should not exceed 20% of contact time (i.e. 9 hours) |
| Key SSWD courses | SSWD 110new window, SSWD 120new window, SSWD 215new window/PSYC 220new window, SSWD 220new window, SOWK 200new window, SOWK 201new window |
| Professional Suitability | •Student professional growth will be evaluated throughout the program. Students must adhere to the BC College of Social Workers Code of Ethics and Standards of Practicenew window, along with all NLC student conduct policies. Further details are described in the SSWD Program Handbook and in course syllabi. |
*Please note the following semester break down is based on a student beginning their program in the Fall semester. Students starting in other semesters should consult with the course catalogue in Borealis and with a Program Advisor when selecting courses.
Semester One
All of:
- ENGL 100 – Academic Writing (3.0 credits)
- PSYC 101 – Introduction to Psychology I (3.0 credits)
- One Social Worker Elective (see below) Minimum credits: 3.0
- One Open Elective (see below) Minimum credits: 3.0
And one of:
- SSWD 110 – Introduction to Social Service Work (3.0 credits) **
- IHSW 101 – Introduction to Human Service Work (3.0 credits)
Semester Two
All of:
- PSYC 102 – Introduction to Psychology II (3.0 credits)
- SSWD 120 – Ethics and Practice (3.0 credits)
- One Social Worker Elective Minimum credits: 3.0
- One Open Elective Minimum credits: 3.0
And one of:
- ENGL 105 – Nonfictional Prose (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 110 – Introduction to Workplace Communications (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 111 – Poetry and Drama (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 112 – Prose Fiction (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 230 – Technical Writing (3.0 credits)
Semester Three
All of:
- SOWK 200 – Introduction to Social Work Practice (3.0 credits)
- SSWD 210 – Methods of Intervention and Practice Areas (3.0 credits)
And one of:
- WGST 100 – Women and Gender Studies (3.0 credits)
- PHIL 111 – Contemporary Moral Issues (3.0 credits)
And either of:
- PSYC 211 – Developmental Psychology (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 101 – Human Development I (3.0 credits) AND HDEC 104 – Human Development IInew window**
And one of:
- SSWD 215 – Interpersonal Communications (3.0 credits)
- PSYC 220 – Interpersonal Communications (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 121 – Interpersonal Communications (3.0 credits)**
Semester Four
All of:
- SOWK 201 – Introduction to Social Welfare (3.0 credits)
- SSWD 220 – Practicum and Seminar (3.0 credits)
And one of:
- HIST 104 – Canada, Post-Confederation (3.0 credits)
- POLI 101 – The Government of Canada (3.0 credits)
And one of:
- FNST 100 – Indigenous Peoples of Canada (3.0 credits)
- FNST 102 – Treaties and Aboriginal Rights (3.0 credits)
- ANTH 202 – Ethnography of Canada’s First Nations Peoples (3.0 credits)
- ANTH 203 – Contemporary Canadian Native Peoples (3.0 credits)
And one of:
- PSYC 235 – Structure and Dynamics of the Family (3.0 credits)
- SOCI 204 – The Family in Canada (3.0 credits)
- IHSW 102 – The Indigenous Family and Parenting (3.0 credits)
- ECEC 201 – Building Professional Family Partnerships (3.0 credits) **
Social Worker Electives
- ANTH 101 – Cultural and Social Anthropology I (3.0 credits)
- ANTH 102 – Cultural and Social Anthropology II (3.0 credits)
- CRIM 101 – Introduction to Criminology (3.0 credits)
- CRIM 103 – Psychological Explanations of Criminal and Deviant Behaviour (3.0 credits)
- CRIM 131 – Introduction to the Criminal Justice System (3.0 credits)
- CRIM 135 – Introduction to Canadian Law and Legal Institutions (3.0 credits)
- CRIM 210 – Youth and the Criminal Justice System (3.0 credits)
- IHSW 103 – Indigenous Wellness and Healthy Practices (3.0 credits)
- IHSW 104 – Social and Health Issues in Indigenous Communities (3.0 credits)
- PHIL 110 – Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking (3.0 credits)
- SOCI 101 – Introduction to Sociology I (3.0 credits)
- SOCI 102 – Introduction to Sociology II (3.0 credits)
- SOSC 220 – Research Methods for the Social Sciences (3.0 credits)
Open Electives
Open electives are courses in any area and at the baccalaureate level. Generally, these are courses that are numbered 100 or higher and are transferrable to a university. See the BC Transfer Guide for transferability. For further information on possible choices, please contact your Program Chair.
Suggest Electives
Students should consider post-diploma plans when choosing program-specific and open electives. In particular, students moving on to degree programs are advised to consult with receiving institutions to ensure students have selected required courses for a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program.
Students wanting to have an indigenous focus on Indigenous studies should select four of the following courses:
- ANTH 202 – Ethnography of Canada’s First Nations Peoplesnew window
- ANTH 203 – Contemporary Canadian Native Peoplesnew window
- IHSW 101 – Introduction to Human Service Worknew window
- IHSW 102 – The Indigenous Family and Parentingnew window
- IHSW 103 – Indigenous Wellness and Healthy Practicesnew window
- IHSW 104 – Social and Health Issues in Indigenous Communitiesnew window
- IHSW 105 – Community Helping Projectnew window
- FNST 100 – Indigenous Peoples of Canadanew window
- FNST 102 – Treaties and Aboriginal Rightsnew window
Credential
Diploma in Social Services Worker