This program prepares you for your career by providing you with the opportunity to apply for professional accreditation in the field of social services. Upon graduation, you need to register as a Social Service Worker through the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers in order to be recognized as such.

You may find work in: drop-in centres, employment services, addiction and mental health services, schools and youth services, community health and resource centres, shelters, residential treatment programs.

• 3* Year PSW Opportunity Minimum 2 years of study.

College Eligibility

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. Applicants with an OSSD showing senior English and/or Mathematics courses at the Basic Level, or with Workplace or Open courses, will be tested to determine their eligibility for admission; OR
• Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate; OR
• General Educational Development (GED) certificate; OR
• Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing for which a fee of $50 (subject to change) will be charged.

Program Eligibility

• English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent) with a grade of 65% or higher.
• Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
• IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 88, with a minimum of 22 in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 22.

Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English.

Health Requirements:

The physical and emotional health of each applicant to the program must be such that he or she can successfully cope with the program of instruction including the demands of field placement (e.g. stress and time management). Individuals who have concerns about their ability to meet these requirements should contact the coordinator of the program prior to submitting an application. Students under the age of 18 years cannot obtain a PRCSVS. Upon the age of majority being reached this will be required. Students should be prepared to update their PRCSVS every six months.

Students accepted into the Social Service Worker program must meet the following health requirements: Provide evidence of full and complete immunizations. The Algonquin College Health Services will review the student`s record of immunization and provide authorization for entry into field placement. Field placement agencies require the Hepatitis B vaccine and the Influenza vaccine.

Police Records Check:

Though not an admission requirement, applicants must note important information listed below regarding Police Record Check program requirements.

Successful completion of field placement is a requirement for graduation from the Social Service Worker program. Agencies that provide placement opportunities may require you to have a clear Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS). Your acceptance for placement is at the discretion of the agency. If you register in the program and do not have a clear PRCSVS and as a result are unable to participate in placement, you will not be able to graduate.

Field Placement Eligibility:

To be eligible for placement, you must submit proof of a PRCSVS, which will be retained on your departmental file and used only for purposes related to your placement. You will be required to disclose the contents of the PRCSVS, including all notations, to the placement agencies.

It is your responsibility to obtain the PRCSVS from your local Police department prior to the deadline identified by your Department and to pay any associated costs. It may take a long time to obtain this documentation; please submit your application as early as possible. Should you require further information, contact the Program Chair.

Bangladesh

Higher Secondary Certificate – With an average of 60% and no core subject below 55%

Or: General Certificate of Education (0 Level). Require a minimum of five academic subjects, of which one is English with a grade of C

English Proficiency requirements are as follows for consideration:

•  A minimum TOEFL score of 80 (internet-based with no single test score below 20)
•  Or IELTS with an overall minimum score of 6.0 (with no single test score below 5.5)
•  Or CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment) with an overall band score of 60

India

One of the following:

• CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) or ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) – Higher Secondary Certificate – With an average of 60% and no grade below 55%
•  Or Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat State Boards – Higher Secondary Certificate – With an average of 65% and no grade below 60%
•  Or all other State Boards – Higher Secondary transcripts – With an average of 60% and no grade below 55%

English Proficiency requirements are as follows for consideration:

•     1. Academic IELTS with an overall minimum score of 6.0 (with no single test score below 6.0)

Nepal

High School Transcripts

English Proficiency requirements are as follows for consideration:

•  A minimum TOEFL score of 80 (internet-based with no single test score below 20)
•  Or IELTS with an overall minimum score of 6.0 (with no single test score below 5.5)
•  Or CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment) with an overall band score of 60

Sri Lanka

One of the following:

•  Sri Lanka General Certificate of Education at Ordinary Level Examination Level results or
•  General Certificate of Education (G.C.E.) At Ordinary Level (showing at least five subjects passed) or
•  National Diploma (Agriculture, Technology)

All of the above must be completed with a minimum grade representing 65 percent or higher in required program subjects

English Proficiency requirements are as follows for consideration:

• A minimum TOEFL score of 80 (internet-based with no single test score below 20)
• Or IELTS with an overall minimum score of 6.0 (with no single test score below 5.5)
• Or CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment) with an overall band score of 60