The Community Social Services program is designed for students who want to help individuals, families and communities to overcome the issues and concerns in their lives. The students who have chosen this program indicate a desire for careers (and graduate level study) in the areas of social work, family therapy, community development, counselling, family law, mediation and agency administration. Our program offers an ideal combination of theory and experiential learning to provide students the necessary background to enter the workforce in the social services sector or for admission to graduate and professional programs of study.

All graduates will be prepared to apply for membership as a Registered Social Service Worker in the Ontario College of Social Workers & Social Service Workers.

Students are required to complete a total of 20.00 course credits consisting of 16.50 core Community Social Service credits, and 3.50 additional credits consisting of 2.00 restricted electives credits and 1.50 general elective credits, in order to be eligible for graduation. In order to obtain recognition for an optional area of emphasis, students are required to complete a minimum of 1.50 restricted electives from the listing in that area. If opting to complete an area of emphasis, students must declare an area of emphasis by the start of the seventh (7th) semester of full-time study. Only one area of emphasis may be declared. Transfer students admitted under an articulation agreement (block credit) are not eligible for an area of emphasis. Students must complete these requirements in order to be eligible to graduate with both the university honours degree (awarded by the University of Guelph) and the college diploma (awarded by Humber). No option exists to graduate with only one of the above listed credentials as the program is fully integrated.

Conditions for Graduation

In addition to meeting all program specific course and credit requirements, students must have a minimum 60% cumulative average in order to be eligible for graduation. Students will not normally be eligible to graduate while on Probationary status or Required to Withdraw status. A student denied graduation while on Probationary status or Required to Withdraw status may submit a request for Academic Consideration to the Academic Review Sub-Committee.

Practicum Placement

Foundation Practicum - 45 hours

Seminar and supervised field placement where students will have the opportunity to take part in the day-to-day operations of a social services agency. Students will participate in a job-shadowing experience under the direct supervision of a social services professional, and have the opportunity to observe social services procedures and practices.

Intermediate Practicum I & Intermediate Practicum II - 375 hours (187.5 hours per course)

Seminar and supervised field placement in a community of social service agency providing students with an in-depth experience of front-line work in a human services agency under direct supervision. Students will develop work habits such as serving clients effectively, and how to navigate moral, ethical, clinical, and political issues as they emerge in placements.

Advanced Practicum I & Advanced Practicum II - 375 hours (187.5 hours per course)

Seminar and supervised field placement in a community or social service agency providing students with an in-depth experience of front line work in a human services agency under direct supervision. Agency field supervisors and course instructors may raise professional, ethical, attitudinal, and practical issues which are important for students to address. Where possible, the advanced practicums will be related to the student's chosen area of emphasis. The advanced practicum includes the writing of a research paper on a critical aspect of the students' practicum.

Total Practicum Hours – 795 hours

Areas of Emphasis

Students may choose between two optional areas of emphasis. In order to obtain recognition for an area of emphasis, students are required to complete a minimum of 1.50 restricted elective credits from the listing in that area. Only one area of emphasis may be declared.

Mental Health and Addictions [MHA]

This area of emphasis focuses on increasing knowledge and skill in a range of issues related to working in the field of mental health and addictions. Students with interests in learning about theory, research, assessment, best practices and interventions, and current issues related to mental health and addictions will benefit from this area of emphasis.

Youth and Families [YF]

This area of emphasis focuses on increasing knowledge and skill in a range of issues related to working with youth and families.  Students with interests in learning about theory, research, assessment, best practices and interventions, and current issues related to youth and families will benefit from this area of emphasis.

Community Social Services - Schedule of Studies

Note: All courses are weighted 0.50 credits unless noted otherwise.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Semester 1
AHSS*1130	Principles of Sociology	0.50
CSS*1000	Social Work in Canada	0.50
CSS*1190	The Political Process & Social Work	0.50
CSS*1210	CSS Writing & Communication Skills	0.50
PSYC*1110	Introduction to Psychology	0.50
Semester 2
CSS*1010	Social Issues and Social Environments	0.50
CSS*1020	Interpersonal Communication Skills	0.50
CSS*1030	Issues in Advocacy and Social Justice	0.50
CSS*1120	Couple and Family Dynamics	0.50
0.50 electives or restricted electives		0.50
Semester 3
CSS*2010	Understanding Mental Health Issues	0.50
CSS*2030	Anti-oppressive Social Work Practice	0.50
CSS*2070	Counselling Foundations	0.50
SCMA*2040	Research Methods for Social Science	0.50
0.50 electives or restricted electives		0.50
Semester 4
CSS*2040	Foundation Practicum I	0.50
CSS*2050	Ethical and Professional Issues in Human Services	0.50
CSS*2060	Group Work: Theory and Practice	0.50
Select 1.00 credits from the following:
1.00 restricted electives		1.00
0.50 electives & 0.50 restricted electives		1.00
Semester 5
CSS*3030	Spirituality in Social Work Practice	0.50
CSS*3100	Social Work Practice with Older Adults	0.50
CSS*3120	Intermediate Practicum I	1.00
SCMA*3040	Quantitative Methods for Social Science	0.50
Semester 6
CSS*3020	Diversity in Social Work Practice	0.50
CSS*3040	Counselling: Advanced Practice	0.50
CSS*3060	Crisis Intervention: Theory and Practice	0.50
CSS*3130	Intermediate Practicum II	1.00
Semester 7
CSS*4010	Agency Administration and Community Relations	0.50
CSS*4030	Social Work and the Law	0.50
CSS*4120	Advanced Practicum I	1.00
Select 0.50 credits from the following:
CSS*4200	Honours Thesis Preparation
0.50 electives or restricted electives
Semester 8
CSS*4040	Empowerment Oriented Case Management	0.50
CSS*4130	Advanced Practicum II	1.00
Select 1.00 credits from the following:
CSS*4210	Honours Thesis 1
1.00 restricted electives
0.50 electives & 0.50 restricted electives

¹

CSS*4210 Honours Thesis may be eligible as a restricted elective under a declared Area of Emphasis dependent on the topic chosen.

 Restricted Electives

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CSS*4050	Leadership and Advocacy for Global Issues	0.50
CSS*4200	Honours Thesis Preparation	0.50
CSS*4210	Honours Thesis 2	1.00
CSS*4900	Independent Study in Community Social Services	0.50

²

CSS*4210 Honours Thesis may be eligible as a restricted elective under a declared Area of Emphasis dependent on the topic chosen.

Mental Health and Addictions [MHA]

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CSS*2080	Mental Health and Addictions	0.50
CSS*3010	Drug and Chemical Use and Abuse	0.50
CSS*4100	Community Services in Mental Health and Addictions	0.50
CSS*4910	Independent Study in Mental Health and Addictions	0.50
PSYC*1020	Indigenous Mental Health: A Global Perspective	0.50

Youth and Families [YF]

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CSS*1040	Child and Adolescent Development	0.50
CSS*2090	Supporting Families: Research and Applications	0.50
CSS*4000	Family Theory and Therapy	0.50
CSS*4060	Family Mediation and Conflict Resolution	0.50
CSS*4920	Independent Study in Youth and Families	0.50