- Application Deadline:March 1
- Program Code:388.A0
- DEC in:Social Service
- Program Length:3 years
If you would like to:
- Work with vulnerable populations
- Interact with people from various communities and cultural backgrounds
- Support people living with physical, psychological and mental health issues
- Make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities
- Develop positive changes in public policy
- Work as part of a team
Then the Social Service Program could be for you.
The heart of Social Service is accompanying individuals and families and helping them overcome life’s most difficult challenges. In Dawson’s Social Service Program, you will learn skills and techniques that will help you accompany, care for, protect and guide your vulnerable clients. With these skills, you will intervene in difficult situations, find resources, propose solutions, inform clients about their rights and help protect children, elderly people and marginalized people. Classroom learning is put into practice during three internships in the community that add up to a grand total of 765 hours of real experience. Dawson College offers Quebec’s only Social Service Program in English.
The teachers gave me all the knowledge I needed, and then I applied it through case scenarios or fieldwork. I was constantly learning!— Jessica G.
What you will learn?
- To develop core social work skills: empathy, active listening, clarification
- To perform needs assessments
- To perfect interview and group facilitation skills
- To create and maintain helpful relationships with clients and co-workers
- To practise crisis situation intervention
- To complete social service research
- To gain knowledge of community resources
- To develop and implement community action projects
- To work with clients who are mandated
- To be sensitive to the defence of rights (individual and collective)
Where will this program lead you?
A DEC in Social Service Technology prepares graduates to work in a variety of health and social service organizations, such as hospitals, community health centres, youth protection agencies, rehabilitation centres and long-term care facilities in the following roles:
- social service workers
- case workers
- educators in group homes
- friendly visitors for the elderly
- group facilitators
Graduates also work for the Ministère de l’Emploi et de la solidarité and for various school boards. In addition, social service workers are employed by community organizations such as youth centres, community centres, shelters, senior centres, advocacy groups and popular education groups.
Graduates who pursue university often apply to programs such as Social Work or Applied Human Services.
What else you should know?
- Teachers are experienced social service workers who are passionate about teaching and coaching students through the rewards and challenges of working in the human services field
- An interdisciplinary approach brings students together for shared courses with students from Nursing, Diagnostic Imaging Technology and Physiotherapy Technology
- Dedicated video recording equipment is available for assignments and practice
- Students benefit from one-on-one time with teachers
- Students have access to a dedicated student lounge that is equipped with a microwave and sink
- Students must pass a mandatory police background check in the first semester in order to participate in fieldwork
What do you need to get in?
- A Diploma of Secondary Studies (DES) or academic background judged equivalent to the DES
- Interview
- Two recommendation forms
Application Deadline
March 1
