Community Support Worker
COMMUNITY SUPPORT WORKER CERTIFICATE AND DIPLOMA
Intake for this program has been postponed indefinitely.
Contact Faculty of Community and Health Studies re status of this program.
DESCRIPTION
Graduates of the Community Support Worker (CSW) program support children and adults with intellectual disabilities in schools and in the community. People with intellectual disabilities increasingly participate in valued community roles such as friend, citizen, student, employee and neighbor, creating the need for qualified workers to support people in everyday activities at home or in school. Certificate graduates are eligible to work with children and teens as special education assistants in school districts across B.C. As well, graduates are employed to provide practical and emotional support to adults in day programs, group homes, or in their own homes. This is a career that provides real opportunities to do meaningful work.
Students can complete a CSW certificate program in 10 months (September to June). Students who choose to complete the diploma program need to take a further two semesters. Most classes are offered in the daytime for the certificate, while diploma semester courses are offered in the late afternoon and evening. There are a limited number of part-time seats available. Each semester has theory and field practice components so that students are job ready upon graduation. Graduates can transfer credits to select degree programs at the University of Victoria, University of Calgary, Athabasca University, Vancouver Island University University of the Fraser Valley.
The CSW program is part of the Education, Community and Health Specialties initiative that provides students the opportunity to study with students in other programs. These programs include Community Support Worker (CSW), Special Education Teacher Assistant (SETA), Home Support Resident Care (HSRCA) and Gerontology-Based Therapeutic Recreation (GBTR). Students from all four programs will take core courses under the acronym ECHS. In addition, students from the CSW program will take program specialty courses. Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a certificate in Community Support Worker.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the general Kwantlen admission requirements, the following specific requirements apply to this program. Upon provisional acceptance to the program additional admission requirements need to be completed prior to receiving final acceptance, these include:
- Meet the same English proficiency requirement as the Kwantlen admission requirement: minimum of "C" grade in English 12, Technical Professional Communication 12, Communications 12 or English Literature 12 or equivalent. Please contact Enrolment and Registrar Services for further information.
- Two current employment or volunteer reference letters
- Submission of a medical letter confirming good physical and mental health and a clear TB test within six months prior to entry into the program
- A valid and current standard First Aid course, including CPR level C, or approved equivalent (2-day program)
- An acceptable criminal record search completed within three months prior to the start of the program (June or later)
- An applicant orientation with program faculty or designate
Please note that not all of the requirements listed above need to be submitted at the time of application. Please contact Enrolment and Registrar Services for further information.
CONTENT
FULL-TIME CERTIFICATE
- Semester 1 (Sept. - Dec.)
- Semester 2 (Jan. - June)
- CSWC 1250 Working in Schools
- CSWC 1235 Supporting Learning II
- CSWC 1290 Personal Care - Community Support Worker
- HSWC 1205 Wellness: Taking Care of Self
- ECHS 1212 Interpersonal Communications Two
- HSWC 1240 Community Living
- CMNS 1217 Writing for the Specialized Workplace 2
- CSWC 1380 Professional Practice II (Practicum)
- Exit: Graduate with Certificate
FULL-TIME DIPLOMA
- Semester 3 (Sept. – Dec.)
- Semester 4 (Jan. –June)
- Exit: Graduate with Diploma
PART-TIME Year 1
- Semester 1 (Sept. - Dec.)
- Semester 2 (Jan. -June)
PART-TIME - YEAR 2
- Semester 1 (Sept. - Dec.)
- Semester 2 (Jan. – June)
- Exit: Graduate with Certificate
PART TIME - YEAR 3
- Semester 1 (Sept. – Dec.)
- Semester 2 (Jan. –June)
PART-TIME - YEAR 4
- Semester 1 (Sept. – Dec.)
- University Transfer Elective
- Elective
- Semester 2 (Jan. –June)
- CSWD 2145 Changing Perspectives and Paradigms
- University Transfer Elective
- Exit: Graduate with Diploma
GRADUATION
Upon successful completion of this program, students are awarded a Community Support Worker Certificate or Diploma.
