Program Policies

Academic Standing and Advancement Policies

To be in good standing and to register unconditionally, students must meet the requirements of Bylaw 8 as well as the program requirements.

Bylaw 8

Students must pass more than 50% of their active courses in a semester or term to be considered in good standing. Students who fail 50% or more of their active courses in a semester/term, or who fail the same course three times, shall be placed on academic probation. 

Please refer to Bylaw 8: Concerning the Promotion of Academic Success in the College Bylaws section

Program Academic Standing Policy

• Students must not fail the same Specific Education course twice.
• Students must complete the program within six years from the time they were admitted to the Social Service program.

Students who do not satisfy the condition(s) to remain in good standing will be expelled from the program and the college. The expelled student has the right to appeal the expulsion to the Academic Standing Appeals Committee.

Program Advancement Policy

• To advance to term 5, students must have completed all Specific Education courses in previous terms.
• To advance to term s, students must have completed twelve (12) General Education courses.

Students in the Program who are prevented from advancing in their Specific Education courses may continue taking General Education courses and must either:

1. Submit an “Intent to Continue in Current Program” form to the Registrar’s Office by March 1 or November 1, as appropriate, in order to resume taking Specific Education courses in the following semester. OR
2. Submit an online Program Transfer request by March 1 or November 1, as appropriate, in order to enroll in a different program.

Students not taking any courses in a semester must reapply to the College by the application deadline in order to be part of a program of study.

Exceptional Circumstances

In extenuating circumstances, the Program Coordinator may recommend an exception to the Program Academic Standing and Advancement Policy to the Program Dean for approval. This recommendation must be accompanied by a revised Progression Chart.

Professional Conduct Policy

Techniques de Travail Social students are trained to become helping professionals working on sensitive psychosocial issues and with a vulnerable clientele. Professional conduct must be displayed in all activities associated with the program – during fieldwork and in the classroom.

Social service workers collaborate closely with Social Workers and other licensed allied health professionals, necessitating adherence to a shared set of values and standards in their professional conduct. These encompass a wide range of essential principles, such as upholding privacy and confidentiality, obtaining informed consent for care, establishing and maintaining appropriate professional boundaries, demonstrating competence in their practice, displaying respect for clients and their cultural backgrounds, engaging in reflective and reflexive practice, fostering a non-judgmental approach, empowering clients, adhering to professional writing standards, and ensuring the secure retention of case files.

The Canadian Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics (CASWE) and Le Code de deontologie des membres de l’Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des therapeutes conjugaux et familiaux of l’Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des therapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Quebec (OTSTCFQ) define the standards of behaviour expected in the field of social work. Many of these same principles apply to the field of social service work. Some behaviours that are particularly problematic for the occupation of social service worker that may result in a student being expelled from the program, include but are not limited to:

Violation of professional boundaries with clients, professional workers, and teachers, such as:

• Dual or multiple relationships with clients
• Inappropriate physical contact with clients
• Romantic or sexual relationships with clients
• Ignoring or creating risks to others’ emotional and/or physical well-being, or reputation

Breaching of confidentiality, such as:

• Inappropriate divulging of confidential case or client information
• Not respecting the rules and regulations of informed consent

Inappropriate behaviour for the occupation, such as:

• Falsification of client documentation
• Biased and/or hurtful remarks, communications and/or actions (sexist, homophobic/ transphobic, xenophobic, racist, ethnocentric, classist, ableist, ageist, etc.)
• Aggressive or disrespectful behavior (insults, verbal, or physical intimidation) whether demonstrated in person or through online or digital communications
• Lack of accountability, communication, and responsibility in fieldwork to clients, professional workers, and teachers

The procedure for expelling students from the program based on professional conduct will be applied in accordance with the College’s ISEP and this program’s Professional Conduct Policy.

Students expelled from the program under the Professional Conduct portion of the Academic Standing and Advancement Policy may appeal to the Academic Dean.