Program Details

  • Program Code: C101
  • Credential:
    Ontario College Diploma
  • Duration:
    2 years (4 semesters)
  • Method of Study:
    Full-time
  • Starting Months: September
  • Domestic Tuition:
    $3,884.00 *
  • International Tuition:
    $18,525.00 **
  • Spring 2026 Delivery:
    Not Available

Program Availability

SemesterDomesticInternational
Fall 2025
Closed
Closed
Winter 2026
Not Available
Not Available
Spring 2026
Not Available
Not Available
  • Work-Integrated Learning:

    Field Placement

  • PGWP Eligible: Yes
  • CIP Code: 19.0707
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Program Description

Leadership Claims

Preparing students to work with individuals and communities toward progressive social change for nearly 50 years.

The Community Worker program is one of the few programs of its kind in Canada.

Program Overview

The Community Worker program prepares students to work for progressive social change with organizations, communities, and individuals across a range of issues such as poverty, housing, legal rights, discrimination, food justice, immigration and refugee settlement.

Full Description

The Community Worker (C101) program will teach you the knowledge and skills you need to work with diverse and historically marginalized individuals and communities on a range of concerns. If you are passionate about human rights and social justice, the two-year diploma program is for you.

Whether you are a mature student, a high school graduate or a newcomer or looking for a career change, our diverse and committed student body is a core strength of our program.

This program is proud to be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025. If you are an alumnus of the program from 50 years ago, please contact the program coordinator.

This is an approved education program by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). Upon graduation of this program, you may apply to receive the additional designation of RSSW (Registered Social Service Worker). Extra fees may apply.

Community Worker Program Features:

  • The School of Social and Community Services has partnerships with more than 350 agencies across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and beyond.
  • Graduates of Anishnawbe Health Toronto’s (AHT) Community Health Worker Training program can gain direct entry into the second year of the Community Worker program.
  • The Tommy Douglas Institute of Labour and Social Justice, founded by the Community Worker program faculty, is a progressive space of dialogue for educational communities and wider communities to explore, discuss and advance ideas of critical pedagogy and educating for change in the 21st century. It is also home to the Courage My Friends podcast. Episodes are hosted on rabble.ca and explore community, education, and social justice issues in the 21st century.

The Role of a Community Worker

Emerging from a proud history of community-based organizing, advocacy and activism, community workers work with individuals and communities at all levels (local, national, natural and global) toward positive social change.

Community workers are committed to the full and equal inclusion of all peoples within societies that value equality, diversity and human dignity. The pursuit of social justice is about rights and not charity; working in solidarity with communities, not for them.

Key Skills Taught in the Community Worker Program

Throughout the program, you will have the opportunity to develop a variety of important and high-demand skills, including:

  • anti-oppressive and intercultural practices in working with diverse populations
  • critical analysis, research, and writing
  • group facilitation, counselling and leadership development
  • community organizing, activism and advocacy
  • community development, project design and funding
  • policy analysis and rights-based advocacy

Community Worker Program Structure

The program combines classroom instruction and supervised field placements. In preparation for field placement, you will be required to work in multiple small and large groups within classes and community settings.

Theory, analysis, and practice are presented through a variety of innovative instructional tools developed from popular education and learner-centred approaches to teaching and learning.

Highly engaged classes of dialogue, debate, interactive lectures, guest panels, and group activities will provide you with a current, exciting, and critically engaging program of study.

Program Courses Are Organized into Four Core Areas:

  • community work theory and practice
  • social and political analysis
  • group skills and counselling
  • field placement and seminar

Community Worker Faculty

Faculty are experienced educators who bring their passion for education and change to create a highly engaging and dynamic learning environment. The faculty have local, national, and global activism backgrounds, and they remain active on social issues and maintain close ties to communities, activists, and organizations.

Accelerated program

Graduates of a diploma or degree program may be eligible for the Community Worker (Accelerated) (C131) program.

Your Field Education Options

You will develop relationships with our community partners through unpaid field placements and in your classes through networking events and guest panels. Program option courses are often taught by practitioners currently working in the field.

Types of Community Worker Field Placements

You will have the opportunity to develop practical skills and gain valuable professional experience by completing unpaid field placements in semesters 2, 3 and 4.

Through our strong ties to community partners and advocacy organizations, you can find placements suited to your specific interests and on a wide range of issues such as poverty, settlement services, housing, food justice, education, HIV/AIDS, Indigenous services, arts-based agencies and anti-violence. The Community Worker program is the recipient of the South Africa Most Transformative Program Award for 2022/2023 from EDU Africa Virtual Internship.

Note:

In compliance with the requirements of our field partners, all students in this program are required to complete a vulnerable sector check before commencing their field placement. These reference checks, which can take up to four months, are done to protect the clientele of these agencies who are considered “vulnerable persons” under the law. The fees for the reference checks vary by region and must be paid by you. You will be responsible for ensuring that the check covers appropriateness for “individuals being employed and/or volunteering who will be working with vulnerable person(s).” The program will assist you in applying for the vulnerable sector check once you begin the program.

Without a "clear" vulnerable sector check, you may find that your choice of placement is limited. If you find yourself in this situation, you will be encouraged to work with the field education coordinator to identify placement opportunities that do not require the vulnerable sector check. You will also be encouraged to inquire and apply for Suppression and Destruction of Record or Record Suspension (formerly known Pardon) at your specific regional police services, in order to prepare for your future career or employment. For more information, please visit the Clinical Pre-placement website.

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

Community Worker Graduates

George Brown's Community Worker program is an approved education program by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). Upon graduation, you may apply to receive the additional designation of RSSW (Registered Social Service Worker). Extra fees may apply.

The Community Worker program is proud to continue a long tradition of graduating Community Workers into a range of professions such as:

  • shelter supervisors
  • international development workers
  • immigration and refugee settlement, and community development
  • health and community advocacy in food justice, Indigenous rights and climate justice

Educational Pathways

As a Community Worker graduate, you may apply for advanced entry into other programs in the School of Social and Community Services and the School of Early Childhood. You will also be eligible to apply to the following programs:

If you graduate from this program with a high academic standing, you may qualify for pathways to the following programs:

For further information, see Transfer Guide.

Alumni Impact

We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.

From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries.

Latest Alumni Stories

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Watch what this current student in the Community Worker program had to say about her recent online learning experience.

Gigi Chiamoh, Community Worker (C101) Student
Ontario College Diploma
Kayla Moryoussef

I got to pick a practicum that was unique to me and actually do, in the field, what I wanted to be doing when I graduated. I think that’s invaluable. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

-Premier's Award nominee, community services category, 2023. 

Kayla Moryoussef
Ontario College Diploma

"My time in the Community Worker program has been invaluable, especially the practical experience I gained during my placement. The professors in the program also pushed me to expand my critical skills by creating meaningful dialogue and acknowledging lived experiences. The skills I gained from the program will stay with me as I go into the field and pursue higher education."

Amina Hagar
Ontario College Diploma

"The Community Worker program was a truly eye-opening experience which allowed me to define what my real passions are. Be it during the placements, the classes or the readings, each one assisted me to better understand the complexities of the state of society. The field placements allowed me to apply my classroom learning and were very beneficial for my current career goals. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone seeking a new career or wishing to enter the social services through an advocacy and social justice lens." 

Jorge Cordero
Ontario College Diploma

"The Community Worker program taught me how to succeed in the field with critical thinking skills, human rights and anti-oppressive based frameworks. The program prepared me for the challenges and joys of working in the field. Wherever I go, I am praised for studying in the Community Worker program. My workplace has more Community Workers from George Brown than anywhere else!"

Natalie Illanes Nogueira
Ontario College Diploma

"If you are interested in working with communities to make society better, then this program is for you. Experienced professors will give you the tools and support you need to effectively advocate for change. Going to the Community Worker program played a major role in getting my first full-time position in the field straight out of school."

Michael Waglay
Ontario College Diploma

"This program offers an excellent balance between practical skill building, and the development of theoretical analysis. While you will become accredited to work in the social service work field, you will also develop a more critical understanding of society. I feel more able to articulate the injustices that I see in the world around me, and more prepared to participate in strategies toward social change."

Emily Green
Ontario College Diploma

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