Program Information
Social Service is a three-year program that prepares students for careers in human services or for further studies in social work at the university level (preparation for university may require additional courses). Social Service students are trained to work with individuals of all ages and with families, groups, and communities experiencing social problems.
These problems, linked to living conditions and social inequality, often involve poverty, unemployment, family and spousal violence, adjustment difficulties, loss of autonomy, isolation, suicide and substance abuse. Social service workers help these individuals, families and communities to meet their needs adequately, to defend their rights and to promote social change.
Throughout your three years of study, you will participate in training internships that will allow you to apply your skills in the field. Dawson College is the only anglophone college in Quebec to offer Social Service.
Among the skills you will acquire in the program are:
- forming a helping relationship
- conducting an interview
- facilitating groups
- carrying out psychosocial interventions with individuals or families
- carrying out interventions with people in crisis
- carrying out interventions in communities
Career Opportunities
Social service workers work in agencies maintained by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, such as health and social service centres (CSSSs), residential care and long-term facilities, rehabilitation centres, youth protection agencies, and some hospitals.
They also work for the Ministère de l’Emploi et de la solidarité and for various school boards. As well, social service workers are often employed by community organizations such as youth centres, community centres, shelters, senior centres, advocacy groups and popular education groups.
