Social Service Worker

Langara College, located in Vancouver, British Columbia, is a public college known for accessible, career-focused education and strong transfer pathways to Canadian universities. Although its institutional roots go back to 1965 and it became an independent college in 1994, Langara today serves about 22,000 students including approximately 1,500 international learners from more than 80 countries. The college provides a friendly, campus-based experience in one of Canada’s most livable and multicultural cities.

Langara offers around 72 programs spanning arts and sciences, business, health and community services, technology, and continuing studies, with an emphasis on small class sizes and experiential learning. The college is particularly well regarded for university-transfer credentials, diploma programs that lead directly to employment, and pathways that simplify progression to four-year degrees. Student supports include academic advising, tutoring, career services, and language assistance for newcomers.

For international students, Vancouver’s safe, diverse neighborhoods and strong employer market make Langara an appealing option for academic preparation or career-oriented study. Housing, health insurance, and practical settlement resources are available through the college, and students benefit from English-language support and orientation programming. Prospective applicants should explore transfer agreements, program start dates, and available scholarships to align study plans with Canadian credential and immigration goals.

The Social Service Worker program at Langara College is a non-degree program that prepares you for a career in social services. It's a one-year program that helps you develop the knowledge and skills you need to work in social services, including counseling, case management, and community outreach. You'll gain practical experience through two practicum placements, including a five-week block placement at the end of the second semester.

The curriculum includes courses like Introduction to Social Welfare in Canada and Introduction to Social Work Practice. You'll learn about the role of social work and allied professions in ameliorating social welfare conditions, and you'll develop an appreciation of how a helping professional can affect people's lives. You'll also learn about the ethical underpinnings of the profession and how to relate the contexts of your own experience to the social contexts of disadvantaged people.

With a Social Service Worker certificate or diploma, you can pursue careers like a social worker, counselor, or community outreach worker. You can work in hospitals, clinics, or non-profit organizations, helping people access social services and support. You can also work in government agencies, developing policies and programs to support vulnerable populations. Other career options include case manager, youth worker, or mental health worker.