Community Support Worker: Social Service Worker & Community Mental Health Certificate

Total:  804 hours, 39 weeks

• Orientation (20 hours)
• Introduction to Microsoft Computer Skills (60 hours)
• Workshops: Standard First Aid (16 hours) & FoodSafe Level 1 (8 hours)
• CSW – Social Service Worker (300 hours)
• CSW – Community Mental Health (300 hours)
• CSW – Practicum Placement (100 hours)

Communication (interpersonal) (76 hours)

• learn and use the communications skills that will facilitate effective working and personal relationships with individuals that require assistance and with members of the care team; these skills will also provide a behavioural foundation for conflict management and negotiation

Personal Growth (24 hours)

• use life skills as problem-solving behaviours appropriately and responsibly in the management of personal affairs
• take care of your physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual needs
• plan personal growth and manage change

Life Span Development (48 hours)

• learn the theory and concepts of human development from prenatal to elderly
• describe the parameters of typical physical, emotional, intellectual, moral, spiritual development throughout the human life span

Mental Health (140 hours)

• understand the historical and current context of human services in Canada, with an emphasis on mental health and substance-related problems

Supportive Care (76 hours)

• use skills and knowledge, adaptive devices, and personal care plans to care for and support individuals that require support

Professional Growth (36 hours)

• gain a comprehensive overview of the range of responsibilities and competencies in the profession
• know the relevant governing legislation and community agencies
• become competent lifelong learners and highly ethical professional practitioners

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Revised: June 2025.

Applicants must meet the following requirements prior to acceptance into the program.

• Grade 12 graduation from BC secondary school or equivalent*, or equivalent* from another school system, or be a mature applicant (19 years of age on the first day of class).

• Satisfy one of the following language proficiency requirements:
  • Completion of three years of full-time secondary (grades 8-12), or two years if the grades are 10, 11, 12, in English, in a country where English is one of the principal languages **.
    • This may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a BC Adult Graduation program, or providing international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, or IQAS.
  • Completion of two years of full-time post-secondary education, in English, in a country where English is one of the principal languages ** (includes international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, IQAS.)
    • Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.
  • Provide verified results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below. Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program.

Mature student applicants.

• If the applicant is 19 years or older at the start of the program and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as described above, then:
  • Provide attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time instruction in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages, and
  • Complete an Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation Reading, Writing, WritePlacer) with these minimum scores:
• Reading 230
• Writing 230
• WritePlacer 4

English language proficiency tests.

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS academic, IELTS general, IELTS academic online)
  • Overall score of 5.5 minimum
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition)
  • Overall score of 46 minimum
• Canadian Academic English language Assessment (CAEL or CAEL Online)
  • Overall score of 40 minimum
• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP General or CELPIP Online)
  • Scores of listening 6, speaking 6, reading 5, writing 5 minimum
• Duolingo English test (DET)
  • Overall score of 95 minimum
• Pearson test of English (PTE) academic
  • Overall score of 43 minimum
• Cambridge English qualifications B2 first exam (FCE)
  • Overall score of 160 or “C” minimum
• Cambridge linguaskill
  • Overall level of B2 minimum
• LanguageCert academic
  • Overall level of B2 minimum
• The Michigan English test (MET)
  • Overall level of B2 minimum
• iTep academic
  • Overall score of 3.5 minimum
• Eiken
  • Placement of Grade Pre-1 minimum

Applicants must meet with a DCC official and complete the required documents.

*Equivalent:

For detailed information about equivalencies please speak with your DCC Admissions Advisor.

**Countries list:

For the list of countries where English is one of the principal languages speak to your DCC admissions advisor.

Applicants interested in working with a school district upon graduation from the Community Support Worker program should note that many school districts require graduation from grade 12 for employment.

Domestic Fees

Community Support Worker –
Social Service Worker & Community Mental Health
Certificate Fees

Application Fee: $125.00
Criminal Record Check: $28.00
Tech Fee: $190.00
Lab Fee: $50.00
Tuition: $13,672.55
First Aid: $195.00
Foodsafe: $60.00
Textbooks: $391.87
Supplies: $15.00
Total: $14,748.81

International Fees

Community Support Worker –
Social Service Worker & Community Mental Health
Certificate (International) Fees

Application Fee: $175.00
Criminal Record Check: $28.00
Tech Fee: $190.00
Lab Fee: $50.00
Tuition: $17,774.31
First Aid: $195.00
Foodsafe: $60.00
Textbooks: $391.87
Supplies: $15.00
Total: $18,900.57