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Fleming Announcements, Updates, and FAQs

Updated: 2024-04-24 10:35:47

Social Service Worker

Want to make a difference in the community? As a Social Service Worker you can be on the front line of positive change.

Program Information

Start Date

September 03, 2024

Domestic Availability

Accepting Applications

International Availability

Accepting Applications

Program Code

SW

Delivery

Hybrid, In Person, Placement

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

Program Contact

Alexis Rischke-Peddle

Program Coordinator

Domestic Tuition

$2499.6 per semester*

International Tuition

$8995.56 per semester*

View Curriculum

January 06, 2025

Domestic Availability

Accepting Applications

International Availability

Accepting Applications

Program Code

SW

Delivery

Hybrid, In Person, Placement

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

Program Contact

Alexis Rischke-Peddle

Program Coordinator

Domestic Tuition

$2499.6 per semester*

International Tuition

$8995.56 per semester*

*Domestic tuition amounts shown are from the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.

*International tuition amounts shown are from the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.

View Curriculum

May 05, 2025

Domestic Availability

Accepting Applications

International Availability

Accepting Applications

Program Code

SW

Delivery

Hybrid, In Person, Placement

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

Program Contact

Alexis Rischke-Peddle

Program Coordinator

Domestic Tuition

$2499.6 per semester*

International Tuition

$8995.56 per semester*

*Domestic tuition amounts shown are from the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.

*International tuition amounts shown are from the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.

View Curriculum

September 02, 2025

Domestic Availability

Coming Soon

International Availability

Coming Soon

Program Code

SW

Delivery

Hybrid, In Person, Placement

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

Program Contact

Alexis Rischke-Peddle

Program Coordinator

Domestic Tuition

$2499.6 per semester*

International Tuition

$8995.56 per semester*

*Domestic tuition amounts shown are from the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.

*International tuition amounts shown are from the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.

Apply Now

Canadian Students

View Curriculum

January 05, 2026

Domestic Availability

Coming Soon

International Availability

Coming Soon

Program Code

SW

Delivery

Hybrid, In Person, Placement

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

Program Contact

Alexis Rischke-Peddle

Program Coordinator

Domestic Tuition

$2499.6 per semester*

International Tuition

$8995.56 per semester*

*Domestic tuition amounts shown are from the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.

*International tuition amounts shown are from the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.

Apply Now

Canadian Students

View Curriculum

May 04, 2026

Domestic Availability

Coming Soon

International Availability

Coming Soon

Program Code

SW

Delivery

Hybrid, In Person, Placement

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

Program Contact

Alexis Rischke-Peddle

Program Coordinator

Domestic Tuition

$2499.6 per semester*

International Tuition

$8995.56 per semester*

*Domestic tuition amounts shown are from the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.

*International tuition amounts shown are from the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.

Apply Now

Canadian Students

View Curriculum

Social Service Workers build and maintain relationships with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; recognize and respond to individual, group, organizational and community injustices and inequalities; and provide direct services and/or a bridging to resources to improve the quality of peoples’ lives at the personal, cultural, and system levels. Social Service Workers provide these services in a range of residential and community settings while working with other professionals such as child and youth workers, addiction counsellors, teachers, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, and doctors.

The program is four semesters in length with classroom-based courses in the first three semesters and a block placement in the final semester. Applied learning activities are infused into our classroom-based courses such as:

  • Practicing interviewing and group facilitation skills for the purposes of engagement, assessment, goal planning and social support with individuals, groups, organizations, and communities;
  • Working in teams to plan on and off-campus events, fundraising campaigns, educational awareness days, and promotion of social change;
  • Conducting research to challenge forms of oppression as well as to design/develop/improve social service programs; and
  • Participating in self-care strategies for personal and professional well-being.

Building on the above knowledge and skills gained, a full-time placement in the fourth and final semester of the program provides a range of practice opportunities in a work setting (agency and location to be determined in consultation with the student, faculty, and available agency sites).

In addition, as a regulated profession in Ontario, upon having successfully completed this program you will have the necessary skills for employment as a Social Service Worker in Ontario and be eligible for membership with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services. Please see the OCSWSSW website for more information about the profession and eligibility for membership.

* Students starting in January are required to attend classes over the summer semester.

Fleming College's Social Service Worker program is well-known within the Peterborough, City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton counties and has established strong relationships with social service agencies in these specific locations. This is good choice for local people as well as for those that want to take advantage of smaller classes and more individually focussed learning.

The program's flexible delivery structure features entry points in the fall, winter, and spring with all four intakes running every semester. This meets the needs of diverse student groups including:

  • Students who require or wish a reduced course load
  • Students who want to complete the program faster can attend four continuous semesters and graduate in sixteen months
  • Winter intake, first semester students take second semester in the spring, third semester in the fall, and fourth semester in the winter. Spring first semester intake takes semester two in the fall, the third semester in the winter, and the fourth semester in the spring. Students starting in September complete the second semester in the Winter, the third semester in the Fall, and the forth semester in the Winter and take the summer semester off.
  • Individuals receiving funding that is dependent on attending classes continuously without semester breaks would start in the Winter or Spring semesters.

Students now have the opportunity to complete two college diplomas - Social Service Worker and Mental Health and Addiction - within a two-year period. This pathway includes two field placement opportunities where students acquire additional hands-on experience to further prepare them for career success. Students have the option of entering into either program, and after completing their first semester can declare their intention to complete either one diploma in Social Service Work, one diploma in Mental Health and Addiction, or both diplomas.

The dual diploma pathway is available to students who enter in the fall or winter semester only. Students must attend school for six consecutive semesters to complete both diplomas. Students who start in the Social Service Worker program in first semester and who choose the Dual Diploma option will complete their Mental Health and Addictions Worker field placement first in the fifth semester and will complete the Social Service Worker field placement in the sixth semester.

Dual diploma - Social Service Worker + Mental Health and Addictions Worker

The fourth and final semester integrates learning in the form of a full-time placement and takes place in a work setting matching your learning needs and choice of location with consultation between the student, faculty, and available agency sites. Please be aware that 30 hours of volunteer service within an agency is required between entry into the SSW program and prior to entry into the fourth semester for placement and students must have successfully completed all first, second, and third semester courses prior to entry into fourth semester.

Specific agencies may have requirements such as proof of a current Emergency First Aid certification, CPR certification (Level C), a university degree, or additional immunizations. Also, some agencies may have required in-service training that the student must take prior to placement.

To succeed in this program and career, you must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • Adherence to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice set by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers (OCSWSSW) which includes the Continuing Competence Program criteria in order to maintain good standing once a member;
  • Professionalism which is defined by the SSW program faculty as showing kindness, patience, transparency, compassion, flexibility, engagement, and an ability to give and receive constructive feedback;
  • Respectful interactions and strong interpersonal communication skills, both in verbal and written form;
  • Emotional awareness and willingness to engage in self-care;
  • A passion for supporting people;
  • Speaking out and challenging injustices and inequalities at the personal, cultural, and system levels;
  • Sensitivity to diversity;
  • Computer skills like email, word processing, and file management as well as skills in navigating social media tools; and
  • Consistent time management and organizational skills

As a practicing Social Service Worker in Ontario, you will support people to recognize, develop and sustain their strengths to achieve good quality of life while they manage and challenge a broad range of personal and environmental barriers at the personal, cultural, and system levels. These include, but aren’t limited to:

  • The self and societal stigma that impact people with developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, addiction issues, concurrent disorders, and dual diagnosis disorders;
  • The experiences of persons who have been victims, witnesses, or perpetrators of intimate personal violence;
  • Poverty issues individuals, families, and communities face related to a lack of accessibility and availability of sustainable income, transportation, housing, food security, employment and educational/skills-training opportunities; and
  • The experience of persons who experience oppression based on race, culture, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, language, etc.

In addition, the Scope of Practice for Social Service Workers in Ontario which is a list of work that you can perform as a professional, can be found on page 8 of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice Handbook, 2nd edition.

Social service agencies that have hired Fleming College Social Service Worker graduates include, but are not limited to:

  • Canadian Mental Health Associations
  • Hastings Centennial Manor Long-Term Care
  • Associations for Community Living
  • Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre
  • Peterborough Aids Resource Network
  • Kinark Child and Family Services
  • Ontario Works
  • Community Counselling and Resource Centre
  • A Place Called Home
  • John Howard Society
  • Mon Ami Children’s Service

Plan to spend approximately $1350 for year one and $700 for year two for books and supplies.

Non Academic Requirements

Your program has mandatory requirements which may include a criminal reference check, first aid, CPR-C, etc. For more information, please see the Non Academic Requirements page.

  • Develop respectful and collaborative professional and interpersonal relationships that adhere to professional, legal, and ethical standards aligned to social service work.
  • Record information accurately and communicate effectively in written, digital, verbal and non-verbal ways, in adherence to privacy and freedom of information legislation, in accordance with professional and workplace standards.
  • Integrate a practice framework within a service delivery continuum, addressing the needs of individuals, families and communities at micro, mezzo, macro and global levels, and work with them in achieving their goals.
  • Plan and implement accessible and responsive programs and services, recognizing the diverse needs and experiences of individuals, groups, families and communities, and meeting these needs.
  • Examine current social policy, relevant legislation, and political, social, historical, and/or economic systems and their impacts for individuals and communities when delivering services to the user/client.
  • Develop strategies and approaches that support individual clients, groups, families and communities in building the capacity for self-advocacy, while affirming their dignity and self-worth.
  • Work from an anti-oppressive, strengths-based practice, recognizing the capacity for resilience and growth of individuals and communities when responding to the diverse needs of marginalized or vulnerable populations to act as allies and advocates.
  • Develop strategies and approaches to implement and maintain holistic self-care as a member of a human service profession.
  • Work with individuals, groups, families and their communities to ensure that service provider strategies promote social and economic justice, and challenge patterns of oppression, discrimination and harassment, and sexual violence with clients, coworkers and communities.
  • Develop the capacity to work with the Indigenous individual, families, groups and communities while respecting their inherent rights to self-determine, and to identify and address systemic barriers that produce ill-effects, developing appropriate responses using approaches such as trauma informed care practice.

Students applying to Social Service Worker must meet the following requirements:

  • OSSD including Gr 12 C English

PC / Windows

  • Operating System:
    Windows 10
  • Processor:
    Core i5 - 1.6Ghz minimum
  • Memory:
    8GB minimum
  • Hard Disk:
    160GB minimum

Apple / MacOS

  • Operating System:
    MacOS 10.12 or newer
  • Processor:
    Core i5 6th Gen or better
  • Memory:
    8GB minimum
  • Hard Disk:
    160GB minimum

Internet Connection: 2.5 Mbps Download and 3.0 Mbps Upload (minimum)

Students are required to have their own computer, internet access, webcam and microphone.

Transfer Agreements

You may be able to use credits obtained at Fleming College to continue your postsecondary education in pursuit of a degree. The articulation and credit transfer agreements with our partner institutions are summarized here.

Bachelor of Arts (General) in Community, Economic, and Social Development
Requirement
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative program Grade Point Average (GPA).
Transfer Credit
  • 30 out of a 90 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Algoma University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Social Work
Requirement
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative program Grade Point Average (GPA).
  • All students apply to be admitted into the third year after all of the prerequisites are complete. The third and fourth years are the Professional Years of the program. Please refer to Algoma University's Academic Calendar for further details.
Transfer Credit
  • 45 out of a 120 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Algoma University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Services
Requirement
  • Completion of the program.
Transfer Credit
  • 60 out of a 120-credit degree.
  • Refer to the articulation statement for further details.

To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.

For more information

Visit the Athabasca University website for further articulation and program information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Requirement
  • Minimum 75% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
  • 5 out of a 20 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Brock University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Arts in Women's and Gender Studies
Requirement
  • Minimum 75% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
  • 5 out of a 20 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Brock University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Arts
Requirement
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative program Grade Point Average (GPA).
Transfer Credit
  • 5 out of a 20 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Carleton University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Social Work
Requirement
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative program Grade Point Average (GPA).
  • A supplementary application.
  • Refer to Carleton's admission website for the supplementary application instructions.
Transfer Credit
  • 5 out of a 20 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Carleton University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Community and Criminal Justice
Requirement
  • Minimum 70% cumulative program average.
  • Completion of the Conestoga College Summer Bridge.
Transfer Credit
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.

For more information

Visit the Conestoga College website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Early Learning Program Development
Requirement
  • Minimum 70% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
  • 10 out of a 41-course degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.

For more information

Visit the Conestoga College website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Human Services (3Yr)
Requirement
  • Minimum 65% cumulative program average.
  • The program is offered face-to-face (Gold Coast campus or Logan campus) or online.
Transfer Credit
  • 120 credit points out of a 240 credit point degree
  • Refer to the articulation agreement for further details.

To apply please see the Griffith University's admissions website.

For more information

Visit the Griffith University website for further articulation and program information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Bachelor of Behavioural Science
Requirement
  • Minimum 65% cumulative program average.
  • Possess ENG4U (Grade 12 University English) or equivalent with a course grade of 65%.
Transfer Credit
  • 15 out of a 120 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.

For more information

Visit the Humber College website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Social Work
Requirement
  • Minimum 70% cumulative program average.
  • Minimum 70% (or 'P') in field placements.
Transfer Credit
  • 5 out of a 20 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Lakehead University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Social Work
Requirement
  • Minimum 80% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
  • 30 out of a 120 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Laurentian University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Social Work in Indigenous Social Work
Requirement
  • Minimum 75% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
  • 42 out of a 120 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Laurentian University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Arts (General)
Requirement
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative program Grade Point Average (GPA).
Transfer Credit
  • 30 out of a 90 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Nipissing University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies and Digital Technology
Requirement
  • Minimum mid-70% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
  • 60 out of a 120 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Ontario Tech University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Requirement
  • Minimum mid-70% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
  • 60 out of a 120 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Ontario Tech University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Commerce
Requirement
  • Minimum mid-70% cumulative program average.
  • Completion of the Ontario Tech Commerce Bridge.
Transfer Credit
  • 45 out of a 120 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Ontario Tech University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Community Mental Health
Requirement
  • Minimum 70% cumulative program average. Completion of the Seneca College Summer Bridge.
Transfer Credit
  • Entry into 5th semester standing in an 8-semester program.

To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.

For more information

Visit the Seneca College website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
Requirement
  • Minimum 70% cumulative program average.
Transfer Credit
  • Entry into 4th semester standing in an 8-semester program.

To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.

For more information

Visit the Seneca College website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies
Requirement
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative program Grade Point Average (GPA).
  • The diploma must include a one-year introductory university-level humanity or social science course or equivalent.
  • A personal letter explaining how attending this program will benefit the applicant and Disability Communities. The letter should not exceed two pages, double spaced.
Transfer Credit
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Toronto Metropolitan University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Social Work
Requirement
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative program Grade Point Average (GPA).
  • At least two years accumulated of paid full-time equivalent relevant work experience in the social services field.
  • Completion of CVSW 015 Foundations of Social Work II with at least a "B" grade. Only successful applicants will be pre-selected to take this course by Undergraduate Admissions in conjunction with the School of Social Work.
Transfer Credit
  • 20 out of a 38 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Toronto Metropolitan University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Social Work
Requirement
  • Minimum 75% cumulative program average.
  • Admission into the generalist years (1st and 2nd year) of the Bachelor of Social Work program.
  • Admission into the professional years (3rd and 4th year) of the Bachelor of Social Work program includes an additional application process, and admission is competitive. Please refer to Trent University's School of Social Work for further details.
Transfer Credit
  • 6 out of a 20 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Trent University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Bachelor of Social Work (SSW & MHAW Dual Diploma Option)
Requirement
  • Minimum 75% cumulative program average in both the Mental Health and Addiction Worker program AND the Social Services Worker program.
  • Admission into the generalist years (1st and 2nd year) of the Bachelor of Social Work program.
  • Admission into the professional years (3rd and 4th year) of the Bachelor of Social Work program includes an additional application process, and admission is competitive. Please refer to Trent University's School of Social Work for further details.
Transfer Credit
  • 8 out of a 20 credit degree.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Trent University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

See the official articulation agreement.

Bachelor of Arts
Requirement
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative program Grade Point Average (GPA).
Transfer Credit
  • 5 out of a 20 credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the University of Windsor website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Bachelor of Social Work
Requirement
  • Minimum 75% cumulative program average.
  • Note: This is a competitive entry program, and a higher overall average for admission may be required.
Transfer Credit
  • 10 out of a 20-credit degree.
  • Refer to ONTransfer.ca for further details.

To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

For more information

Visit the Wilfrid Laurier University website for further articulation and program information.

Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.

Program Code: CJS

Ontario College Diploma

Sutherland Campus

September 2024, January 2025, September 2025, January 2026

Program Code: DSW

Ontario College Diploma

Sutherland Campus

September 2024, January 2025, September 2025, January 2026

Program Code: DA

Ontario College Diploma

Sutherland Campus

September 2024, January 2025, May 2025, September 2025, January 2026, May 2026

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