Course Overview:

Master the art of client connection through this dynamic and interactive course, designed to help students develop the interpersonal skills that form the foundation of effective social service work. Learners will practice and refine essential abilities such as active listening, empathy, non-verbal communication, and conflict resolution, while also exploring how trust is built and maintained in professional helping relationships. Tailored to the realities of British Columbia’s multicultural landscape, the course emphasizes culturally safe and respectful approaches to client engagement. Special attention is given to working with Indigenous and South Asian communities, recognizing their unique histories, traditions, and experiences within the social service system. Students will engage in immersive role-plays, guided simulations, and case studies to apply theoretical concepts in practice, preparing them to navigate real-world client interactions with confidence, sensitivity, and professionalism.

Prerequisite:

  • The students must have completed grade 12 or equivalent education, or mature student status (19 years or older).
  • Applicants must submit a written statement outlining their motivation, relevant experience, and career goals. An admissions interview may also be required to assess communication skills, professional awareness, and readiness for both academic study and practicum learning.
  • Because the program includes placements with vulnerable populations, applicants must provide a clear Criminal Record Check. Some sites may also require proof of immunizations, first aid certification, or other documentation to ensure safety and readiness for practicum participation.
  • All applicants must meet one of the following Language Proficiency Requirements (LPR):
    • Completion of 2 years of secondary education (including English 10 and 11 with a grade of ‘C’ or higher) from a country where English is one of the principal languages, or
    • Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, or
    • To meet BC Health Care Assistant English Competency Standards, students from non-English speaking countries must have completed grade 12 or equivalent education and provide verified results for one of the English Language Proficiency tests with minimum scores listed below:
      • IELTS: overall score of 6.0, with a minimum of 6 in Speaking/Listening, and not below 5.5 in Reading/Writing.
      • CAEL: overall score of 60, with no section below 50.
      • TOEFL iBT: minimum 76 overall, with no sub-scores lower than 20 (Speaking/Listening) and 18 (Reading/Writing), or
      • Another accredited equivalent score.
  • Mature Student Applicants
    Applicants who are 19 years of age or older at the start of the program, are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and are unable to provide official secondary or post-secondary education records may demonstrate English proficiency by:
    • Submitting a signed attestation confirming they have completed at least three years of full-time education in English in a country where English is one of the primary languages and
    • Completing the Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation: Reading, Writing, and WritePlacer) with the following minimum scores:
      • Reading: 235
      • Writing: 235
      • WritePlacer: 4

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:

  • Apply active listening and empathetic response techniques in structured role-play scenarios, grounded in trauma-informed, culturally safe, and decolonizing practice.
  • Use conflict-resolution strategies to address and de-escalate client disputes in diverse settings, while upholding anti-oppressive and decolonizing principles.
  • Develop client-centered communication plans tailored to multicultural and multilingual contexts, incorporating cultural humility and decolonizing approaches.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of verbal and non-verbal communication skills in helping interactions, with attention to cultural context, power dynamics, and decolonizing frameworks.
  • Facilitate culturally inclusive group discussions with clarity, confidence, and professionalism, while fostering relational accountability and decolonizing ways of engaging.

Course Content & Topics:

Credit Information:

  • Credits: 3

Duration:

  • 14 Weeks: 3 hrs/week

Course & Related Fees:

  • Domestic & International: $700 (Seven hundred dollars)

For a detailed breakdown, please refer to Policy #S-005 Programs & Course Fee Schedule

Non-Refundable Fees:

  • Application Fee: $50.00/course (payable online and non-refundable)