9 Social Work Certificate Programs in Canada

As a social work enthusiast, there are social work certificate programs in Canada that you can enroll in and get certified as a professional social worker. Read along as I unravel the information you need about them.

Have you ever encountered or seen someone or a group of people who are always on the lookout for people with disabilities, people who are homeless or unemployed, or people suffering from domestic violence or abuse of drugs? These sets of people are called social workers.

A social worker works with families, individuals, groups, and communities to improve lives. They are health professionals who respond to social issues like racism, poverty, and unemployment. The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) is an organization for social workers in Canada, and their social workers share the following core values:

  • Respect for the inherent dignity and worth of persons
  • Pursuit of social justice
  • Service to humanity
  • Integrity in professional practice
  • Confidentiality in professional practice
  • Competence in professional practice

Social workers serve people in many different ways, including Therapy/Counselling, Social policy analysis, Community capacity building, Health Promotion, Research, and Collaboration with other professions. 

Social work can take place in person or remotely. Social workers are found in a variety of places including; Family courts, Family services agencies, Government departments, Hospices, Hospitals, Human rights organizations, Libraries, Mental health clinics, Private practice, Schools, Child welfare settings, Community health centers, Consultation agencies, Correctional facilities and other places to mention but a few.

To work as a social worker in Canada, depending on where you live, you will need the following;

  • A bachelor’s degree in social work
  • Supervised practical experience (practicum)
  • Provincial/Territorial written and oral examinations
  • Membership in a provincial/territorial association of social workers

It is worthy of note that you can work as a social worker in Canada if you have a criminal record because they believe that your lived experience can be useful in your career because it will help you to connect with clients. 

A social worker’s job is both gratifying and emotionally challenging. It requires the following characteristics in a person:

  • Empathy
  • Strong communication skills
  • Persuasive skills
  • Critical Thinking
  • Unbiased judgment

Social work is quite strenuous in terms of the challenges faced, which brings about the question: is it easy being a social worker?

 There are rewarding career paths that a social worker can pursue to further contribute to society, as well as social work courses offered online that one interested in becoming a social worker can take, without spending a dime. 

Since this article is dwelling on social work certificate programs in Canada, we will be talking about them soon. In the meantime, you can check it this article on free online health and social care courses.

Social Work Certificate Programs in Canada

Social Work Certificate Programs in Canada

This section will talk about the social work certificate programs in Canada. Pay rapt attention and read through. They are as follows;

  • Certificate in Applied Counselling Studies
  • Mental Health & Addictions Associate Certificate
  • Diplôme en Services à la Personne (Diploma in Personal Services)
  • Diplôme en Travailleur Jeunesse (Diploma in Youth Worker)
  • Certificate in Personal Support Worker
  • Certificate in Pre-Community Services
  • College Certificate in Human Services Foundation
  • Applied Counselling Certificate
  • Certificate in Cultural and Artistic Practice for Environmental and Social Justice

1.      Certificate in Applied Counselling Studies

This is the first on our list of social work certificate programs in Canada. Offered by Kelowna College of Professional Counselling, the school offers two diplomas in counseling, namely;

  • Diploma – specialization in Professional Counselling
  • Diploma – specialization in Addiction Counselling

The Certificate in Applied Counselling Studies is designed for counselors and therapists who wish to expand their areas of clinical practice and open up career opportunities in private practice and mental health agencies. The specialized curriculum provides practical knowledge and skill training, applicable to all types of counseling settings. Practitioners can choose from a broad assortment of courses.

The 7-month Certificate program is made up of 9 courses, each course 3 weeks in length. The program is geared toward individuals with prior learning or experience in the mental health field, who intend to enhance their knowledge and clinical skills in one specific area of clinical practice such as:

  • Sex and Intimacy Counselling
  • Youth and Family Counselling
  • Life Skills Coaching
  • Support Counsellor
  • Community-Based Counselling
  • Pastoral Counselling
  • Practice of Psychotherapy
  • Or a customized certificate

School of Study – Kelowna College of Professional Counselling

Location – Kelowna, Canada

Duration – 7 months

Study Format- Distance Learning

The language taught – English

2.      Mental Health & Addictions Associate Certificate

In this program, you will complete two online courses that examine current research about the causes and treatment of mental health and substance use challenges for marginalized populations and participate in a two-day experiential workshop focused on motivational interviewing skills. It is the next on our list of social work certificate programs.

This certificate is designed for those who wish to focus their practice in the area of Mental Health and Addictions and may be of interest to:

  • Human Services students
  • Human Services workers
  • Degree holders looking for work-related skills and/or credentials
  • Nurses wishing to practice in the area of Mental Health and Addictions

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate professionalism in practice consistent with the code of ethics and standards of practice of their respective disciplines.
  • Use effective interpersonal skills including active listening, collaboration, self-awareness, and conflict resolution within multi-faceted roles and contexts.
  • Understand and respect cultural differences and multiple ways of knowing.
  • Practice from an ethic of inclusivity.
  • Establish and maintain wellness strategies to assure work/life balance both personally and professionally.
  • Engage in critical thinking, problem-solving, and reflective practice.

School of Study – Selkirk College

Location – Castlegar, Canada

Duration – 3 courses over 3 terms

Type of Study – On Campus

The language taught – English

3.      Diplôme en Services à la Personne (Diploma in Personal Services)

Diplôme en Services à la Personne (Diploma in Personal Services) is offered by Collège de l’Île, and the college is a Francophone post-secondary community college in Canada. It is the next on our list of social work certificate programs.

This program prepares the student to work as a front-line worker with children, adolescents, and adults with learning challenges or non-pedagogical needs.

These professionals work in primary and secondary schools, special schools, and care centers.

The conditions of admission are as follows;

  • High school diploma or its equivalent
  • Proof of no criminal record
  • Level certification in French (if applicable)

School of Study – Collége De L’Île

Location – Charlottetown, Canada

Duration – 2 years

Pace – Full time

Study Format – on-campus

The language taught – French

4.      Diplôme en Travailleur Jeunesse (Diploma in Youth Worker)

Diplôme en Travailleur Jeunesse (Diploma in Youth worker) is offered by Collège de l’Île, and the college is a Francophone post-secondary community college in Canada.

This program prepares the student to identify and respond to the social and emotional needs of youth at risk by supporting their development and social integration.

Youth workers work for government and social service agencies, group homes, schools, and other institutions.

The conditions of admission are as follows;

  • High school diploma or its equivalent
  • Proof of no criminal record
  • Level certification in French (if applicable)
  • School of Study – Collége De L’Île

Location – Charlottetown, Canada

Duration – 2 years

Pace – Full time

Study Format – on-campus

The language taught – French

5.      Certificate in Personal Support Worker

Offered by the Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Technology, this program is the next on our list of social work certificate programs in Canada. 

The personal support worker program enables students to make a difference every day by helping people live with independence and dignity.

The demand for personal support workers is greater than ever and keeps growing in order to meet the needs of a retiring population

School of Study – Loyalist College of Applied Arts & Technology

Location – Belleville, Canada

Duration – 1 year

Pace – Full time

Study Format – on campus

The language taught – English

6.      Certificate in Pre-Community Services

This is the next on our list of social work certificate programs in Canada. The pre-community service program offered by George Brown College helps students to have an overview of the helping field, including roles and systemic issues and a theoretical basis through courses in sociology and psychology. 

They will improve their skills and confidence in a supportive learning environment. A strong emphasis on group learning encourages cooperation, teamwork, and mutual support that will be beneficial in the helping professions.

They will also be prepared to make effective and informed decisions regarding future education and career choices.

School of Study – George Brown College

Location – Toronto Canada

Duration – 1 year

Pace – Full time

Study Format – on-campus

The language taught – English

7.      College Certificate in Human Services Foundation

This is the next on our list of social work certificate programs. Offered by Fanshawe College, it is a one-year certificate program that provides a broad education in understanding human behavior. 

Students will learn interpersonal solid skills, theoretical models of behavior, client service strategies, and written and verbal communication skills. Graduates of this program will be prepared to advance or supplement their education.

The program gives them excellent preparation and extra consideration if they are planning on entering any of Fanshawe’s Human Services career programs like Child and Youth Care, Early Childhood Education, or Recreation and Leisure Services, among others.

The program provides a broad education in understanding human behavior and serves as a foundation for preparing a student to enter specific people helping with career programs. Basic academic coursework relevant to human services and volunteer experience in a human service setting combine to provide a comprehensive introduction to the field of helping

School of Study – Fanshawe College

Location – London, Canada

Duration – 1 year

Pace – Full time

Study Format – on campus

The language taught – English

8.      Applied Counselling Certificate

The Providence Applied Counselling Certificate is intended for those who want to improve their understanding of Christian counseling and caregiving skills for helping ministries or counseling services. The program involves taking courses from qualified and experienced practitioners, enjoying the benefits of a group of students, and learning in a Christian environment.

Some of the courses offered in this program are;

  • Foundations of Counselling
  • Counselling Theory Practicum I
  • Crisis and Trauma Counselling
  • Theories of Counselling and Psychotherapy
  • Psychopathology
  • Ethical & Legal Issues for Counsellors and Educators

Graduates build careers in counseling therapy, crisis intervention, community mental health, para-church counseling, and church ministries. Many choose to plug their Certificate into a Master of Arts program and continue in the Counselling Program.

School of Study – Providence University College/Theological Seminary

Location – Otterburne, Canada

Study Format – Distance Learning

The language taught – English

9.      Certificate in Cultural and Artistic Practice for Environmental and Social Justice

Being the last on our list of social work certificate programs in Canada, it is offered by the faculty of environmental and urban change at York University as a continuing studies program.

The program prepares students to collaborate with communities to create all forms of art, express diverse identities, and explore and take action on social and environmental issues.

As the first of its kind in Canada, this certificate allows them to develop creative artistic skills, deepen their social analysis and learn to work collaboratively with community arts groups. They will gain real-world experience in placements with local cultural agencies and community organizations.

Through this program, students develop the following;

  • Cultural and artistic skills
  • Deepen their social analysis
  • Learn to facilitate creative processes with groups working for social change

School of Study – Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change | YORK UNIVERSITY

Location – Toronto, Canada

Duration – 1 to 2 years

Pace – Full-time and part-time

Study format – On campus

The language taught – English 

Conclusion

Now, having seen all these certificate programs in social work, you can decide to enroll in any one of your choices if you are a resident of Canada.

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