About Social Service Diploma in North Island College

NIC’s Human Services department and its programs are part of the Vancouver Island Collaborative Agreement which ensures high quality instruction, programming and transferability throughout BC. NIC's Social Services diploma links with Vancouver Island University, Camosun College and the University of Victoria. You are able to earn transfer credits toward social work or child and youth care degree programs. NIC's Human Services department also works closely with community agencies to ensure course content is current, relevant and valued by employers in the field.

Social service students at NIC will be exposed to a variety of community agencies that help children, youth and adults access services such as financial assistance, parenting resources, employment support, life skill acquisition or youth justice, as well as services to prevent family violence and/or substance abuse. You will examine issues relating to inequality, social policy, human rights, multiculturalism, conflict management, program development and community development.

Using an anti-oppressive feminist framework, the first year includes a number of specific courses in interpersonal communications, social work practice, social policy and advanced interpersonal communications. It also includes university studies classes which can be chosen from a variety of different areas, including but not limited to, sociology, psychology, criminology, history, women's studies, First Nations' studies, and equity and social justice to name a few. 

In the second year, you can choose specialized courses in social services including family relationships; group practice; addictions; conflict resolution; community development; mental health and addictions; program planning and implementation; law; and social services. 

Career Opportunities

As a graduate, you will be qualified to work with individuals accessing services from agencies in areas such as financial assistance, family support, employment, life-skills acquisition, services to women, youth justice, mental health, substance abuse and a variety of other community-based programs.

Job titles may include, but would not be limited to, family support worker, outreach worker, transition house counsellor, employment counsellor, addictions support worker, youth worker, community development worker, crisis intervention counsellor and mental health worker.

Note: Prior experience or further training may be necessary to work in upper level social service positions.

Academic qualification equivalents

• Class 12 passed students from a recognized board including CBSE, CISCE or a state board
• All India Senior School Certificate or Higher Secondary Certificate/Standard 12 or Indian School Certificate (Year 12) as recognized qualifications

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS: Academic IELTS overall score of 6.0 (no band lower than 5.5).
• TOEFL iBT: 80 overall with no subsection less than 19.
• PTE:  Academic 54 overall with no component less than 46.

North Island College Highlights

North Island College Cost of Attendance

Students can save over 10,000 CAD by taking admission for the first year in NIC and then transferring to another university. The fees for international students differ from that of domestic students, the breakdown of the estimated cost of fees is given below.