Course Overview:

This course introduces students to key psychological principles that support effective social service practice. Topics include lifespan development, human behavior, personality, and mental health, with an emphasis on understanding how these factors influence client needs in community-based settings. Learners will explore the impacts of stress, resilience, and coping mechanisms, as well as common mental health challenges encountered in frontline work. A strong focus is placed on trauma-informed care, equipping students with strategies to recognize the effects of trauma and respond in ways that promote healing and safety. The curriculum emphasizes culturally relevant approaches for working with diverse populations who may face unique challenges in accessing services, fostering adaptability across various community contexts. Through case studies, group discussions, and reflective assignments, students will develop the ability to apply psychological concepts to real-world social service scenarios.

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:

  • Describe basic psychological concepts and explain how they can inform supportive, non-clinical interactions with clients, integrating cultural safety and decolonizing awareness into helping relationships.
  • Identify and outline developmental stages when reviewing multicultural case examples for supportive care planning, acknowledging that Western developmental models may not reflect Indigenous or culturally diverse worldviews.
  • Recognize and describe common mental health challenges to help guide appropriate referrals and supportive responses, while understanding how colonial systems and stigma influence client experiences and access to care.
  • Use trauma-informed principles to provide safe, supportive assistance within the limits of a non-clinical role, incorporating decolonizing values such as relational accountability and respect for community-led approaches.
  • Identify and describe how cultural and historical trauma may influence client behaviour to inform culturally sensitive support, with specific attention to intergenerational trauma and the ongoing impacts of colonization on Indigenous and marginalized communities.

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)