Why Choose North Island College?

• Study abroad. With sufficient demand, Human Services diploma students may choose to participate in an international placement during their diploma year. Not only will you have a credential recognized locally, but you will also have the opportunity to study abroad!
• Want to go further? The diploma program provides students with the opportunity to transfer to a university and complete degrees in areas such as social work, education, and child and youth care.
• A dynamic, caring community. As a student of the Human Services diploma, you will be able to participate in the student HSW Club and the Global Learning Initiative, which fosters a sense of community through local events, volunteer work and learning about global issues.  
• Be prepared. A combination of university transfer and skill-based courses prepares students for employment or continuing studies. Supervised practice experiences are available to help you gain experience in your chosen field.

Program Highlights

NIC's human services department and its programs are part of a provincial network that ensures not only high-quality instruction and programming, but also transferability throughout the province. The program has links with Vancouver Island University, Camosun College, Royal Roads University, and the University of Victoria through a Vancouver Island Collaborative Agreement, which fosters collaboration related to post secondary education and training needs throughout the region. The human services department at NIC also works closely with community agencies to ensure that course content is current, relevant, and valued by employers.

The Human Services diploma has a generic focus which allows students to pursue courses in community support, education assistance,  social services, or behaviour interventionism. A variety of employment options exist in human service agencies depending on the courses chosen and final practicum focus.

The diploma provides opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills developed in the certificate programs, and can be pursued on a part-time or full-time basis. The program runs from September until the end of June and includes human services (HSW), social services (SSW) courses.

During the diploma program, students can choose from a variety of university transfer courses, including but not limited to, the field of criminology, sociology, psychology, women's studies, First Nations studies, and equity and social justice, to name a few. In the spring semester, students participate in an eight-week, full-time practicum to gain experience in their chosen field. Students must also have current standard first aid certification.

Note: The human services department is currently reviewing the human services diploma program to examine possibilities for including new course work in emerging areas in the field of human services, providing more specialized courses in education assistance and community support, and increasing university transfer credit for students who want to pursue degree programs.

Career Opportunities

The Human Services diploma prepares graduates for employment in human services agencies that require two years of education and training. It also provides students who wish to pursue a bachelor's degree with transfer credit toward many education, social work, or child and youth care programs in the province.

Practice Experience

The program offers an eight-week full-time practice experience at the end of the program. The placement is supervised by agency personnel and faculty. A weekly seminar provides additional learning, and connection of theory with practice. Education assistants have placements in school districts, community support workers in agencies that support individuals with developmental delays and physical disabilities. Students who wish to have more general experience may be placed in agencies that support families, or individuals who are struggling with financial or family interaction issues, violence or addiction issues, or mental health issues. Those who choose a practicum focusing on Behaviour Interventionism will conduct a placement in a setting where they will gain exposure to this developing area of practice. The purpose of the practice experience is to provide students with direct on the job experience. This allows students to learn exactly what the job entails, what skills are required, and the opportunity to learn those skills both in theory and in practice. This is an exciting and holistic approach to learning. It is important to note that if a student's main goal is to work in social services or to pursue a bachelor of social work degree, the Social Service diploma may be the best option for employment and transferability. The human services faculty are currently developing international placement options which will begin in spring 2011.

Seat Availability

A student who fails any course in the program cannot progress until the course is passed. In order to repeat a course, the student must reapply to the program in a subsequent offering of the same term in which the failure occurred providing there is an available seat. If in repeating the course, the student fails again, then the student will be removed entirely from the program and can only re-enter by going through the admission process. Please note that the student may be required to begin at term one.

A student who has failed a human services (HSW) course, repeated it and passed, re-entered the program and then fails another course, will be removed entirely from the program and can only re-enter by through the admission process. Please note that the student may be required to begin at term one.

Re-entering the program under any circumstance is dependent on an available seat and at the discretion of the human services department. Students who fail a required course may be asked to complete a learning assessment prior to being reconsidered for re-admission. These regulations are important to the profession to ensure that graduates have the required skills and knowledge, and are therefore deemed safe to practice.

Before Classes Begin

Once accepted to the program but before classes begin, you will be required to:

• Continued Certification in Standard First Aid with CPR Level C throughout the program
• Submit a Criminal Record Check permission form, which will be sent to you by Admissions once you are offered a seat in the program. Please note: A criminal record checks are valid for five years; previous NIC students may not need to resubmit this form.

Admission Requirements

1. Completion of a Education Assistant/Community Support Certificate or Education Assistant/Community Support Certificate, Indigenous Focus or equivalent Human Services Certificate within the last 5 years with a minimum C (60%) in each course or instructor permission.

To Be Successful

• All diploma students are required to complete a Human Services Diploma Education Plan Checklist, which includes a list of all of required courses and their chosen electives, and a timeframe for completion of the diploma program. Students are advised to consult with a Student Advisor or human services instructor to have questions answered and/or to make changes to the plan. All students are responsible for ensuring their plan is designed to meet their educational goals. A copy of the plan will be kept on file with the department.
• Students planning to continue on to a university degree program are advised to ensure that their elective choices are university transferable.
• It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they have a current criminal record search and updated First Aid prior to going into HSW 250.
• Students are advised to have strong essay writing and good computer skills as they are expected to submit well written, word processed assignments and access online resources.
• All students are required to adhere to the program expectations document and standards outlined in individual Human Service course guides (ie: attendance, confidentiality professional conduct etc), the Canadian Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Ethical Practice. Failure to adhere to these standards may result in the student being required to leave the program. Students are encouraged to review this document and decide if they are able to meet the standards outlined. Students who have concerns about meeting program expectations are encouraged to speak with a Human Services faculty member or college counselor.
• Students must receive a C or better in all classes in order to be promoted to the next term.

Program Requirements

Year 1

Completion of the Education Assistant/Community Support Certificate or Education Assistant/Community Support Certificate, Indigenous Focus

Year 2

Terms 1 and 2

15 credits chosen from:

• SSW 120 Foundations of Social Work Practice
• SSW 122 Social Welfare In Canada
• SSW 201 Family Relationships
• SSW 203 Conflict Management
• SSW 204 Program Planning, Development and Implementation
• SSW 205 Introduction to Group Work Practice
• SSW 206 Self Care in Human Services
• SSW 207 Law and Social Services
• SSW 208 Social Work Practice in Mental Health and Addictions
• SSW 209 Contemporary Perspectives on Substance Abuse
• SSW 210 Community Development
• or any 200 level HSW courses

Plus 15 credits chosen from: Any English, Humanities, or Social Sciences courses that transfer to BC degree granting institutions.

Term 3

• HSW 250 Advanced Practice Experience

Completion Requirements

1. A letter grade of C (60%) or better in all classes
2. A letter grade of P (Pass) in all Practicum courses