Social & Community Services

Social Service Worker - Fast Track Program

Program Code:
Program Length:
Starting:
Certification:
Location:
Apply to:
C135
4 weeks, 8 months
May
Ontario College Diploma
St James Campus
ontariocolleges.ca for external candidates;
George Brown College graduates can apply directly to the SSW program (C119)
Semester 3.

Admission Requirements and Fees
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Student success in college requires well developed learning skills and attitudes (such as being able to work
independently, participate in a team, be well-organized, develop good work habits, and show initiative). These
skills are as important as prior academic achievement. Applicants should have thoroughly developed these skills
and attitudes before beginning their college programs.
List of Courses
Fast Track Application Reference Form
Applicant Questionnaire (pdf*)
The Applicant Questionnaire should be completed only AFTER receiving confirmation of academic eligibility from the
George Brown admissions office.
Students who have a diploma from a designated* college program or baccalaureate from a university in social
sciences can apply to the SSW Fast Track option. This program begins in May 2010 and consists of four (4) weeks
of compulsory course modules. These are pre-requisites and students are required to successfully pass all of the
modules in order to continue into the to the 2nd (Fast Track) year of the full-time SSW program which begins in
September 2010.
*Examples of college programs:
Assaulted Womens and Childrens Counsellor/Advocate

Child and Youth Worker
Community Worker
Behavioural Science Technology
Career and Work Counsellor.
Check the availability and status of this program: 2011/2012 Start Dates
2010/2011 Start Dates
Note: Due to ongoing program improvements courses are subject to change without notice.
The Social Service Worker Fast Track Program at George Brown College offers a unique bridge to a career in Social
Services for college and university graduates.
Building on your current skill as a college or university graduate, the Social Service Worker program provides
graduates with the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to work in the diverse and complex field of social
services. Students are eligible for international field placements in Cuba, Jamaica and other countries.
In addition to the theoretical models, methods and skills of social service work practice, you will receive training in
group work, life skills methodology, community organizing and development. Finally students can gain valuable
experience through 500 hours of field work supervised by qualified professional practitioners in a field placement.
The college maintains relationships with well over 200 agencies operating in a wide range of community, formal,
informal and international social service settings locally and overseas.
At George Brown College you will be well-prepared to work in diverse urban communities. You will develop the
abilities to respond to individual and community issues of homelessness, poverty, substance abuse, mental health
concerns, oppression, crisis and other areas of social justice. Family work, group facilitation, advocacy and
proposal writing will be integral components of your program of study.
Note: In compliance with requests from our student placement partners, all students in this program must have a
police reference check completed before their field placement. These reference checks, which can take several
weeks, are done to protect the clientele of these agencies, who are considered "vulnerable persons" under the law.
The fees for the reference checks vary and must be paid by the student. Students are responsible for ensuring that
the check covers appropriateness for "individuals being employed and/or volunteering who will be working with
vulnerable person(s)." Students who are unable to provide a clear police reference check may be unable to
complete their field placement and, therefore, be unable to complete the program.
Your Career
Graduates will meet the educational requirements for registration as a Social Service Worker in the Ontario College
of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Graduates work in a variety of agency settings including addiction and mental health services, residential group
homes, day treatment programs, case management services, shelters, drop-in and community centres, family
service organizations, hospitals, governmental and non-governmental services.
Fast Track Option advantages include:
After (4) four weeks of compulsory preparation modules, successful applicants can go directly into the 2nd
year (Semester 3 & 4) of the full-time Social Service Worker program.
Excellent applied experience in a variety of social, community, human services and government settings.
Eligibility for registration as a Social Service Worker in the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social
Service Workers.
Advanced standing in the School of Social Work at some universities.
Courses:
Pre-requisite - May 2010
Course Code Course Name
SWRK 1051
SWRK 1052
LIFE 1010
SWRK 1053
Fundamentals in Social Service Work
Communications and Interviewing
Life Skills & Coaching
Special Topics in Social Service Work

Semester 3 September 2010
Course Code Course Name
LIFE1013
COUN1032
SWRK2085
SWRK2052
SWRK2053
SWRK2075
SWRK2076
Life Skills 2
Communication and Interviewing 2
Case Management
Group Facilitation
Concurrent Disorders
Field Placement II
Field Seminar II
GenEd Elective

Semester 4
Course Code Course Name
LIFE1013
SWRK2054
SWRK2084
SWRK 2073
SWRK2075
SWRK 2076
Life Skills 2
Transition to the World of SS Work
Traditional and Non-traditional Family Systems
Community Development
Field Placement II
Field Seminar II
GenEd Elective