Course Overview:

This course examines the principles and practices of anti-oppression, equity, and inclusion in the social service sector. Learners analyze how systemic barriers such as racism, poverty, discrimination, and historical legacies shape client experiences and access to support. The course emphasizes advocacy strategies for dismantling inequities and promoting social justice within community and organizational settings. The curriculum includes BC-specific case studies, policy examples, and advocacy projects, focusing on diverse populations facing unique challenges. Students will engage in practical exercises and group discussions, developing skills to challenge systemic barriers and enhance equitable service delivery across varied community contexts.

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:

  • Identify and describe systemic barriers that affect marginalized and Indigenous communities in BC, including those rooted in colonization and structural inequities.
  • Develop and use basic advocacy strategies to promote fair and culturally safe access to social services for diverse client groups.
  • Apply anti-oppressive and decolonizing principles when supporting clients from varied cultural, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • Explain the role of social justice in everyday social service work and describe how frontline workers can contribute to equitable service delivery.
  • Create a practical inclusion plan that supports cultural safety, belonging, and decolonizing approaches within a multicultural agency setting.
  • Recognize and describe signs of intergenerational trauma and explain how historical and cultural trauma may influence client experiences, while making appropriate referrals when issues fall outside a supportive, non-clinical scope.

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)