Human Service Worker Certificate

The Human Service Worker certificate program is designed to be taken on a full-time or part-time basis, either online or by blended studies, meaning a mixture of online and face-to-face classroom learning. Full-time students will start in September of each year and complete all the required courses and practica by the end of June (10 months). Part-time students may take up to 3 years to complete all course work and practica requirements.

Both face-to-face and online classes are semester based. This is not a self-paced or continual entry program.

As a Human Service Worker student you will be introduced to helping strategies so you can provide assistance to individuals or groups with a variety of needs. This 10-month program is available fully online or in a combination of classroom and online learning. A second year diploma is available if you wish to continue your education to prepare for specialized work in the human service worker field.

A major component of human service education is learning-by-doing. Our program provides extensive hands-on experiences in a variety of community agencies. This allows you to practice the theory you are learning, better preparing you for employment.

HSW Certificate Program Requirements

Year 1 Fall Semester

Year 1 Winter Semester

Year 1 Spring Semester

Total Credits: 44

View Human Service Worker Planning Guide

View official program outline.

Practicum Information

There are two practicums in this program. Where possible, students will complete their requirements for practicum in their own communities. If they are not able to complete practicum requirements in their own communities, students must be prepared to travel elsewhere, and will be responsible for their own transportation as well as any travel and living expenses.

Year 1 – Semester 1 – Fall

Year 1 – Semester 2 – Winter

Year 1 – Semester 3 – Spring

Academic Requirements:

• Secondary school graduation or equivalent.
• Earned a minimum grade of C+ (65%) in at least 1 of the following:
  • ENST 12 – English Studies 12
  • ENFP 12 – English First Peoples 12
  • ENGL090 – English – Provincial Level

Additional Requirements:

• Completion and submission of CYFS Admission Package
• Completion of immunizations, documented by the immunization form in the admission package, or completion of Immunization Waiver Form (Incomplete immunizations may impact a student’s access to Practicum placements).
• Good command of oral and written English language
• Complete a criminal record check through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Criminal Records Review Program*

Thank you for your interest in applying to be a student in one of our Health and Human Services programs at the College of the Rockies. As a successful applicant, you will receive or have received a request to provide documentation confirming you are current in immunizations.

Immunizations:

Immunization services in BC are in flux as Public Health Departments must regularly reprioritize resource distribution. Public Health agencies will do their best to accommodate College of the Rockies student immunizations by individual appointment. Immunizations are also available through local pharmacists and Travel Clinics. We recommend that students continue to pursue obtaining required immunizations to complete program admission and practicum placement requirements as soon as available.

It is the responsibility of the student to continue to actively seek to obtain and complete these requirements.

Obtaining and completing these admission requirements can be more difficult, your admission into the Health and Human Services programs will not be held up while you wait to complete these requirements.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

View or download: CYFS Handbook – Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Credit can be awarded for one or more courses in this program through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR).

For the 2025/26 academic year (2025/SU, 2025/FA, 2026/WI, 2026/SP)

_{*Tuition and Fees for domestic students are estimates and are subject to change. Depending on course electives there may be additional lab fees. Tuition and Fees do not include textbook costs or supplies. Tuition fees include student technology fees, student activity fees, and alumni fees. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.}

Additional Costs:

Travel within the Program

Practice experiences are essential in the HSWR program. It may not be possible to arrange practice experiences in the location and at the time preferred by students. Students must arrange their own transportation. Travel and accommodation arrangements and costs associated with practice experiences are the responsibility of the student.

Computer

In the HSWR program, teaching and learning strategies incorporate the use of technology through various platforms such as online learning and communication. Students must have access to a computer in order to engage in this learning.

Books and Supplies

In addition to tuition and other fees, students can expect to purchase books and supplies. Visit our bookstore for textbook information and costs.

“Human Service Worker” is a generic term for people who hold professional and paraprofessional jobs in diverse settings that support people with social challenges. Depending on the employment setting and the kinds of clients served there, job titles and duties vary a great deal.

A Human Service Worker certificate prepares you for entry level positions. With additional education, some of the careers you could consider are:

• Social / Community Service Worker*
• Correctional Service Officer *
• Social Worker *
• Manager in Social, Community / Correctional Services *

* High Opportunity Occupation