Community Support Worker (CSW)
The Community Support Worker program equips students with the knowledge, practical skills, and hands-on experience required to support individuals in community and social service environments. Students learn to assist people experiencing mental health concerns, developmental disabilities, social barriers, and a range of other support needs. The program integrates classroom instruction with practical training and supervised field experience.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
Career / Occupation
Program Duration
Admission Requirement
- The applicant is 19 years of age prior to the start of the study period and/or graduation from grade 12 (or equivalent)
English requirement:
Evidence that 3 years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8-12), or 2 years if the Grades are 10, 11, or 12, have been successfully completed in English in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages.
- 2 years of full-time post-secondary education* have been completed in English in a country where the English is one of the principal languages (includes international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, and IQAS).
- Where English is the program’s language of instruction, evidence of achievement in a recognized standardized language test/assessment* at an overall level equivalent to IELTS 5.5 (academic) or higher. All accepted language tests/assessments must be listed with a minimum score/level specified for each. ‘Or equivalent’ will not be accepted. Language tests must include assessments of reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
- Evidence of graduation from language program with a minimum grade/level from a Languages Canada accredited institution with an established pathway/articulation agreement allowing direct entry (no further testing required) to a diploma or degree program at a public institution in Canada. The pathway/articulation agreement must be current at the date of enrolment.
- Evidence that a language standard defined and accepted by a third-party regulator has been met.
- Important note: this option may only be applied when:
- English is the program’s language of instruction, and
- the applicant is a mature domestic student facing barriers, and
- the applicant cannot access their educational records or cannot provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as outlined in this policy
- Accuplacer:Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit Page 3 2025.02.11
Applicant is [X] years or older at the start of the program and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and Applicant provides attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time instruction in English* in a country where the English is one of the principal languages, and Applicant completes an Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation: Reading, Writing and WritePlacer) and achieves the following minimum scores: - Reading: 230, and
- Writing: 230, and
- WritePlacer: 4
- Photocopy of Personal ID (For local students: passport photo page or PR card. For international students: passport photo page and valid permit within Canada)
Other required documents
Program Costs
| Program Costs | Local | International |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee (non-refundable) | CAD $ 250 | CAD $ 250 |
| Tuition Fee | CAD $ 12,000 | CAD $ 18,000 |
| Handout Fee | CAD $ 100 | CAD $ 100 |
| Administration Fee | CAD $ 90 | CAD $ 90 |
| Materials Fee | CAD $ 8 | CAD $ 8 |
| TOTAL AMOUNT PAYABLE UNDER THIS CONTRACT | CAD $ 12,448 | CAD $ 18,448 |
Required Materials
- Computer Applications: Habraken, J. (2022). Microsoft Office Inside Out (Office 2021 and Microsoft 365). US: Microsoft Press.
- Community Support Work Fundamentals:
- Segal, E.A., Gerdes, K., & Steiner, S. (2019). An Introduction to the Profession of Social Work (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.
- Hamilton, L. A. (2008). Becoming a personal support worker (3rd ed.). Canada: Pearson.
- Psychology Fundamentals: McCann, D., Weiten, W., & Matheson, D. H. (2022). Psychology: Themes and Variations (Sixth Canadian ed.). Toronto : Cengage.
- Mental Health Fundamentals：Bard, B., MacMulin, E., & Williamson.(2017). Morrison-Valfre’s Foundations of Mental Health Care in Canada (1st ed.,). Toronto: Elsevier
- Addiction Fundamentals : Capuzzi, D., &Stauffer, M. (2020). Foundations of Addictions Counseling (4th ed.). USA: Pearson.
- Privacy and Ethics Fundamentals: Thirous, J. P., & Krasemann, K. (2015). Ethics: Theory and Practice (Updated 11th ed.). USA. (Updated in 2021)
- Additional learning materials may be provided by the instructor as required.
Completion Requirements
Program Schedule
Alternative schedules are available.
Note
- The refund policy is set according to the Private Training Act regulated by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB).
- The tuition fee does not include optional school trips, mandatory First Aid certification, Canadian Criminal Record Check (CRC) fees, or any other individual expenses incurred for classes, field practicums, or assignments.
- All courses require a final grade of 60% to pass. Graduation requires successful completion of all courses and mandatory practicum placements.
Best value – Best instructors – Excellent student support
Capital College
Unit 540
4400 Hazelbridge Way
Richmond, BC, Canada
V6X 3R8
(604) 270-7426
