The Social Services and Well-Being Studies program is designed for students wanting to learn how to help individuals, groups, families, and communities to overcome the issues and concerns in their daily 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, law, mediation, public policy, 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 eligible to apply for membership as a Registered Social Service Worker (RSSW) with 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 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 Polytechnic). 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 Placements

Field Preparation and Professional Readiness

The field preparation and professional readiness course will equip students with practical knowledge and skills to engage in professional practice and to be successful in their subsequent field practicum. The fundamentals of professional practice are introduced as students develop knowledge of professional behaviour, collaborative working relationships, workplace culture, and confidence-building practices. Students will learn how to navigate the complexities of early career transitions through exposure to community agencies, specialized training opportunities, and career services. Additionally, students will learn about the expectations associated with field practicum, including those of the program, the agencies, and the professional college. Students will become familiar with the organization of the field practicum sequence and the documentation, policies and procedures connected to the evaluation and monitoring of field practice.

Practicum Placements

Starting in the second year, students receive workplace preparation and experience through several progressive practicum placements in social service agencies across the GTA. Students will be considered ‘professionals in training’ and performance expectations will increase according to the semester level. Throughout the placements, students participate in classroom seminars to critically analyze and share their experiences. For more information, visit: https://www.guelphhumber.ca/programs/social-services-well-being-studies/high-school

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 Practice [MHP]

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

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*1050	The Social Determinants of Health	0.50
CSS*1060	Mental Health, Well-Being and Resiliency	0.50
CSS*1210	Writing & Communication Skills	0.50
PSYC*1110	Introduction to Psychology	0.50
Semester 2
CSS*1020	Interpersonal Communication Skills	0.50
CSS*1030	Issues in Advocacy and Social Justice	0.50
CSS*1070	Media, Mental Health and Digital Advocacy	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 Challenges	0.50
CSS*2030	Anti-oppressive Theory and 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*2050	Ethical and Professional Issues in Human Services	0.50
CSS*2060	Group Work: Theory and Practice	0.50
CSS*2100	Field Preparation and Professional Readiness	0.50
1.00 credits electives or restricted electives		1.00
Semester 5
CSS*3030	Spirituality and Religion in Professional Practice	0.50
CSS*3100	Aging, Health and Well-Being	0.50
CSS*3120	Intermediate Practicum I	1.00
SCMA*3040	Quantitative Methods for Social Science	0.50
Semester 6
CSS*3020	Working with Diverse Communities	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	Law and Legislation in Professional Practice	0.50
CSS*4120	Advanced Practicum I	1.00
0.50 electives or restricted electives		0.50
Semester 8
CSS*4040	Case Management	0.50
CSS*4130	Advanced Practicum II	1.00
1.00 credits electives or restricted electives		1.00

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

Students are required to complete a total of 2.00 restricted elective credits and 1.50 general elective credits. 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.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CSS*4200	Honours Thesis Preparation	0.50
CSS*4210	Honours Thesis 2	1.00
Mental Health Practice (MHP)
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
PSYC*1020	Indigenous Mental Health: A Global Perspective	0.50
Youth and Families (YF)
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

²

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