George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
Community Worker
(Accelerated) (C131)
Program Details
- Program Code: C131
- Credential: Ontario College Diploma
- Duration: 5 weeks, 8 months (3 semesters) full-time
- Method of Study: Full-time
- Starting Months: May
- Domestic Tuition: $3,607.00* ‡
Program Availability
| Semester | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2021 | Not Available | Not Available |
| Winter 2022 | Not Available | Not Available |
| Spring 2022 | Closed | Closed |
- Work-Integrated Learning:
Field Education
- PGWP Eligible: No
Get answers to your questions
Book info sessionProgram Description
Leadership Claims
Preparing Community Workers for more than 40 years.
Program Overview
Community Worker (Accelerated) is a dynamic, fast-track social justice program designed to prepare you to work with individuals, organizations and communities across a range of issues including poverty, housing, violence, food justice, immigration and settlement in ways that are responsive to their multiple and changing needs.
This fast-track is a condensed version (three semesters) of the two-year (C101) program that allows applicants with an existing diploma or degree to fast-track their way into a career as a Community Worker.
If you apply to the 2021/22 intake for this program, you will start in May 2022. To begin your studies in May 2023, apply to the 2022/23 academic year.
This is an approved education program by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
Full Description
Community Worker (Accelerated) is a dynamic, fast-track social justice program grounded in the principles of and respect for human rights and anti-oppression practice. Students are prepared to work with largely urban-centred, diverse communities across a range of issues (i.e. poverty, housing, food justice, immigration and settlement, etc.) in ways that are responsive to their multiple and changing needs.
If you apply to the 2021/22 intake for this program, you will start in May 2022. To begin your studies in May 2023, apply to the 2022/23 academic year.
This fast-track program is a condensed version (three semesters) of the two-year (C101) program that allows applicants with an existing diploma or degree to fast-track their way into a career as a Community Worker.
If you are passionate about human rights and social justice, committed to working with diverse communities, bring a mature and professional approach to your education and field work, and are prepared to take on a course load of 20+ hours per week, this program is for you.
About the Community Worker (Accelerated) Program
The three-semester Community Worker (Accelerated) program combines classroom instruction with supervised field placements. 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 participatory classes of dialogue, debate, activities, interactive lectures, guest speakers and panels, and group work provide students with a program of study that is current, exciting and critically engaging.
Key Skills Taught In the Community Worker (Accelerated) Program
Throughout the program, students will have the opportunity to develop a variety of important and high-demand skills, including:
- anti-oppressive and intercultural practice in working with diverse populations (including youth, immigrant communities, Indigenous populations)
- critical analysis, research and writing
- group facilitation and leadership
- individual and group counselling
- conflict mediation and restorative justice
- community organizing, activism and advocacy
- community development, project design and proposal writing
- policy analysis and rights-based advocacy
Community Worker Program Features:
- Strong ties with over 350 agencies across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
- Founder and lead organizer of the annual Tommy Douglas Institute that brings communities, students, educators and activists together to explore higher education and social justice in the 21st century.
- The full-time Community Worker (C101) program has been graduating community workers for more than 40 years.
Four Core Program Areas:
- community work theory and practice
- social and political analysis
- group skills and counselling
- field placement and seminar
Not only will you develop relationships with our community partners through field placements, you will also meet with sector professionals in your classrooms at networking events, guest panels and program electives taught by agencies and practitioners currently working in the field (i.e., Community Legal Issues, Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Perspectives in Community Development, Housing and Homelessness).
Community Worker (Accelerated) Faculty
The experienced educators that make up our faculty bring their passion for education and change to create a highly engaging and dynamic learning environment. Coming from backgrounds in local, national and global activism, they remain active on social issues and maintain close ties to communities, activists and organizations.
Community Worker (Accelerated) Students
Graduates from other degrees and diploma programs interested in learning more about social justice and community development enrol in this program. Our students are a diverse group of students with broad social and community experiences.
Your Field Education Options
Students have the opportunity to develop practical skills and gain valuable work experience by completing a 400-hour placement in the final two semesters of the program.
Through our strong ties to more than 350 field agencies across the GTA, students can find placements suited to their interests in a variety of settings, from immigration and settlement services to community food centres, and from cultural community services to governmental agencies.
Students also have the option to apply for one of our exciting international field experiences, in India or Jamaica.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Your Career
Attain Additional Designation of Registered Social Service Worker (RSSW)
Graduates of the Community Worker program will be awarded the professional designation of Community Worker (CW).
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) recognizes the CW program as equivalent to any Social Service Worker program offered in Ontario at a College of Applied Arts and Technology. See list of Social Service Work programs web page for details. As such, CW graduates are eligible to apply for a certificate of registration with the OCSWSSW and can also apply to receive the designation of Registered Social Service Worker (RSSW).
Additional fees for registration apply. Visit the OCSWSSW Fee Chart web page for more information.
Courses
Semester 2
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CWRK1310 | Community Work Theory |
| CWRK1312 | Socio-Politcal Analysis and Human Rights |
| CWRK1313 | Community Work in Practice |
| CWRK1314 | Interpersonal Communication Skills from an Anti-Oppressive Perspective |
Semester 3
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| COUN2003 | Counselling |
| CWRK2019 | Canadian Social Policy |
| CWRK2038 | Fieldwork II |
| CWRK2039 | Fieldwork Seminar II |
| CWRK2043 | Community Development: Programs & Funding |
Semester 4
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CWRK2016 | Group Facilitation |
| CWRK2032 | Global Politics |
| CWRK2038 | Fieldwork II |
| CWRK2039 | Fieldwork Seminar II |
| CWRK2044 | Critical Digital Community Work |
| CWRK2046 | Contemporary Issues in the Field of Community Work |
Course Outline URL
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Establish constructive relationships with individuals concerned with community work.
- Describe their personal values and motivation as a community worker.
- Serve in a variety of grassroots community organizations especially in the areas of co-operatives, seniors and community legal services.
- Be comfortable in community work roles ranging from direct service to classical advocacy and organizing.
- Understand and articulate the special needs of multicultural groups.
- Analyze social inequalities and demonstrate creativity in the organization of new services and institutions to meet community needs.
- Work with groups to identify their own needs.
- Access existing services and community resources.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
$3,607.00* ‡
Additional Costs
* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2020. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2021 and at later dates.
‡May semester fees are paid separately.
International Students
Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
Financial Assistance
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Admission Requirements
- Diploma or Bachelor's Degree
** Please note that successful completion of the 5-week program in May is required prior to entrance to the Fall semester.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English Language proficiency test results must test at the College level in the George Brown College English assessment to be considered for admission.
Please visit English Proficiency page for more details.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit Transfer Guide for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
Special Requirements
Note: Some of our student placement partners require students in this program to have a police reference check completed before 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 and must be paid by the student. Students are responsible for ensuring that the check covers appropriateness for “individuals being employed and/or volunteering who will be working with vulnerable person(s).” Students without a clear police reference check may find that their choice of placements is limited.
How to Apply
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown Polytechnic Online Application System.
Contact Us
School of Social & Community Services
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2185
Email: communityservices@georgebrown.ca.
Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Community Worker Program (Accelerated) Co-ordinator:
Farhia Abdi
Email: fabdi7@georgebrown.ca
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 3926
For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
International Students
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page
Program Description
Leadership Claims
Preparing Community Workers for more than 40 years.
Program Overview
Community Worker (Accelerated) is a dynamic, fast-track social justice program designed to prepare you to work with individuals, organizations and communities across a range of issues including poverty, housing, violence, food justice, immigration and settlement in ways that are responsive to their multiple and changing needs.
This fast-track is a condensed version (three semesters) of the two-year (C101) program that allows applicants with an existing diploma or degree to fast-track their way into a career as a Community Worker.
If you apply to the 2021/22 intake for this program, you will start in May 2022. To begin your studies in May 2023, apply to the 2022/23 academic year.
This is an approved education program by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
Full Description
Community Worker (Accelerated) is a dynamic, fast-track social justice program grounded in the principles of and respect for human rights and anti-oppression practice. Students are prepared to work with largely urban-centred, diverse communities across a range of issues (i.e. poverty, housing, food justice, immigration and settlement, etc.) in ways that are responsive to their multiple and changing needs.
If you apply to the 2021/22 intake for this program, you will start in May 2022. To begin your studies in May 2023, apply to the 2022/23 academic year.
This fast-track program is a condensed version (three semesters) of the two-year (C101) program that allows applicants with an existing diploma or degree to fast-track their way into a career as a Community Worker.
If you are passionate about human rights and social justice, committed to working with diverse communities, bring a mature and professional approach to your education and field work, and are prepared to take on a course load of 20+ hours per week, this program is for you.
About the Community Worker (Accelerated) Program
The three-semester Community Worker (Accelerated) program combines classroom instruction with supervised field placements. 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 participatory classes of dialogue, debate, activities, interactive lectures, guest speakers and panels, and group work provide students with a program of study that is current, exciting and critically engaging.
Key Skills Taught In the Community Worker (Accelerated) Program
Throughout the program, students will have the opportunity to develop a variety of important and high-demand skills, including:
- anti-oppressive and intercultural practice in working with diverse populations (including youth, immigrant communities, Indigenous populations)
- critical analysis, research and writing
- group facilitation and leadership
- individual and group counselling
- conflict mediation and restorative justice
- community organizing, activism and advocacy
- community development, project design and proposal writing
- policy analysis and rights-based advocacy
Community Worker Program Features:
- Strong ties with over 350 agencies across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
- Founder and lead organizer of the annual Tommy Douglas Institute that brings communities, students, educators and activists together to explore higher education and social justice in the 21st century.
- The full-time Community Worker (C101) program has been graduating community workers for more than 40 years.
Four Core Program Areas:
- community work theory and practice
- social and political analysis
- group skills and counselling
- field placement and seminar
Not only will you develop relationships with our community partners through field placements, you will also meet with sector professionals in your classrooms at networking events, guest panels and program electives taught by agencies and practitioners currently working in the field (i.e., Community Legal Issues, Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Perspectives in Community Development, Housing and Homelessness).
Community Worker (Accelerated) Faculty
The experienced educators that make up our faculty bring their passion for education and change to create a highly engaging and dynamic learning environment. Coming from backgrounds in local, national and global activism, they remain active on social issues and maintain close ties to communities, activists and organizations.
Community Worker (Accelerated) Students
Graduates from other degrees and diploma programs interested in learning more about social justice and community development enrol in this program. Our students are a diverse group of students with broad social and community experiences.
Your Field Education Options
Students have the opportunity to develop practical skills and gain valuable work experience by completing a 400-hour placement in the final two semesters of the program.
Through our strong ties to more than 350 field agencies across the GTA, students can find placements suited to their interests in a variety of settings, from immigration and settlement services to community food centres, and from cultural community services to governmental agencies.
Students also have the option to apply for one of our exciting international field experiences, in India or Jamaica.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Your Career
Attain Additional Designation of Registered Social Service Worker (RSSW)
Graduates of the Community Worker program will be awarded the professional designation of Community Worker (CW).
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) recognizes the CW program as equivalent to any Social Service Worker program offered in Ontario at a College of Applied Arts and Technology. See list of Social Service Work programs web page for details. As such, CW graduates are eligible to apply for a certificate of registration with the OCSWSSW and can also apply to receive the designation of Registered Social Service Worker (RSSW).
Additional fees for registration apply. Visit the OCSWSSW Fee Chart web page for more information.
Courses
Semester 2
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CWRK1310 | Community Work Theory |
| CWRK1312 | Socio-Politcal Analysis and Human Rights |
| CWRK1313 | Community Work in Practice |
| CWRK1314 | Interpersonal Communication Skills from an Anti-Oppressive Perspective |
Semester 3
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| COUN2003 | Counselling |
| CWRK2019 | Canadian Social Policy |
| CWRK2038 | Fieldwork II |
| CWRK2039 | Fieldwork Seminar II |
| CWRK2043 | Community Development: Programs & Funding |
Semester 4
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CWRK2016 | Group Facilitation |
| CWRK2032 | Global Politics |
| CWRK2038 | Fieldwork II |
| CWRK2039 | Fieldwork Seminar II |
| CWRK2044 | Critical Digital Community Work |
| CWRK2046 | Contemporary Issues in the Field of Community Work |
Course Outline URL
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
$3,607.00* ‡
Additional Costs
* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2020. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2021 and at later dates.
‡May semester fees are paid separately.
International Students
Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
Financial Assistance
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Admission Requirements
- Diploma or Bachelor's Degree
** Please note that successful completion of the 5-week program in May is required prior to entrance to the Fall semester.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English Language proficiency test results must test at the College level in the George Brown College English assessment to be considered for admission.
Please visit English Proficiency page for more details.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit Transfer Guide for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
Special Requirements
Note: Some of our student placement partners require students in this program to have a police reference check completed before 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 and must be paid by the student. Students are responsible for ensuring that the check covers appropriateness for “individuals being employed and/or volunteering who will be working with vulnerable person(s).” Students without a clear police reference check may find that their choice of placements is limited.
How to Apply
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown Polytechnic Online Application System.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Establish constructive relationships with individuals concerned with community work.
- Describe their personal values and motivation as a community worker.
- Serve in a variety of grassroots community organizations especially in the areas of co-operatives, seniors and community legal services.
- Be comfortable in community work roles ranging from direct service to classical advocacy and organizing.
- Understand and articulate the special needs of multicultural groups.
- Analyze social inequalities and demonstrate creativity in the organization of new services and institutions to meet community needs.
- Work with groups to identify their own needs.
- Access existing services and community resources.
Contact Us
School of Social & Community Services
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2185
Email: communityservices@georgebrown.ca.
Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Community Worker Program (Accelerated) Co-ordinator:
Farhia Abdi
Email: fabdi7@georgebrown.ca
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 3926
For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
International Students
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page
Visit St. James Campus
Book campus tourGet answers to your questions
Book info sessionVisit St. James Campus
Our Virtual Tour showcases the following areas:
- Campus Facilities
- Student Services
- Applied Learning Environments
- Labs & Classrooms
Community Worker
(Fast-Track) (C131)
Program Details
- Program Code: C131
- Credential: Ontario College Diploma
- Duration: 5 weeks, 8 months (3 semesters) full-time
- Method of Study: Full-time
- Starting Months: May
- Domestic Tuition: $3,594.00* ‡
Program Availability
| Semester | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2020 | Not Available | Not Available |
| Winter 2021 | Not Available | Not Available |
| Spring 2021 | Closed | Closed |
- Work-Integrated Learning:
Field Education
- PGWP Eligible: No
Get answers to your questions
Book info sessionProgram Description
Leadership Claims
Preparing Community Workers for more than 40 years.
Program Overview
Community Worker (Fast-Track) is a dynamic social justice program designed to prepare you to work with individuals, organizations and communities across a range of issues including poverty, housing, violence, food-justice, immigration and settlement in ways that are responsive to their multiple and changing needs.
Full Description
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the planned delivery of this program starting in September 2020 will be online with limited access to field placement experiences.
PLEASE NOTE: In response to this evolving situation, the delivery, learning activities and evaluation methods may be further modified mid-semester.
Learners will require access to high-speed internet, a computer with a built-in or external web camera, a microphone and Google Chrome or Firefox as a web browser.
Community Worker (Fast-Track) is a dynamic social justice program grounded in the principles of and respect for human rights and anti-oppression practice. Students are prepared to work with largely urban-centred, diverse communities across a range of issues (i.e. poverty, housing, food-justice, immigration and settlement, etc.) in ways that are responsive to their multiple and changing needs.
If you are passionate about human rights and social justice, committed to working with diverse communities, bring a mature and professional approach to your education and field work, and are prepared to take on a course load of 20+ hours per week, this program is for you.
What can you expect from the Community Worker (Fast-Track) program?
The three-semester Community Worker (Fast-Track) program combines classroom instruction with supervised field placements. 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 participatory classes of dialogue, debate, activities, interactive lectures, guest speakers and panels, and group work provide students with a program of study that is current, exciting and critically engaging.
What key skills will you learn?
Throughout the program, students will have the opportunity to develop a variety of important and high-demand skills, including:
- anti-oppressive and intercultural practice in working with diverse populations (including youth, immigrant communities, Indigenous populations)
- critical analysis, research and writing
- group facilitation and leadership
- individual and group counselling
- conflict mediation and restorative justice
- community organizing, activism and advocacy
- community development, project design and proposal writing
- policy analysis and rights-based advocacy
Features of the Community Worker program include:
- Strong ties with over 350 agencies across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
- Founder and lead organizer of the annual Tommy Douglas Institute that brings communities, students, educators and activists together to explore higher education and social justice in the 21st century.
- The full-time Community Worker (C101) program has been graduating community workers for more than 40 years.
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
Not only will you develop relationships with our community partners through field placements, you will also meet with sector professionals in your classrooms at networking events, guest panels and program electives taught by agencies and practitioners currently working in the field (i.e. Community Legal Issues, Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Perspectives in Community Development, Housing and Homelessness).
Who are the Community Worker (Fast-Track) faculty?
The experienced educators that make up our faculty bring their passion for education and change to create a highly engaging and dynamic learning environment. Coming from backgrounds in local, national and global activism, they remain active on social issues and maintain close ties to communities, activists and organizations.
What kind of students enrol in the Community Worker (Fast-Track) program?
Graduates from other degrees and diploma programs interested in learning more about social justice and community development enrol in this program. Our students are a diverse group of students with broad social and community experiences.
Your Field Education Options
Students have the opportunity to develop practical skills and gain valuable work experience by completing a 400-hour placement in the final two semesters of the program.
Through our strong ties to more than 350 field agencies across the GTA, students can find placements suited to their interests in a variety of settings, from immigration and settlement services to community food centres, and from cultural community services to governmental agencies.
Students also have the option to apply for one of our exciting international field experiences, in India or Jamaica.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Your Career
Attain Additional Designation of RSSW
Graduates of the Community Worker program will be awarded the professional designation of Community Worker (CW).
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) recognizes the CW program as equivalent to any Social Service Worker program offered in Ontario at a College of Applied Arts and Technology. See List of Social Service Work Programs web page for details. As such, CW graduates are eligible to apply for a certificate of registration with the OCSWSSW and can also apply to receive the designation of RSSW (Registered Social Service Worker). Additional fees for registration apply. Visit the OCSWSSW Fee Chart web page for more information.
Courses
Semester 2
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CWRK1310 | Community Work Theory |
| CWRK1312 | Socio-Politcal Analysis and Human Rights |
| CWRK1313 | Community Work in Practice |
| CWRK1314 | Interpersonal Communication Skills from an Anti-Oppressive Perspective |
Semester 3
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| COUN2003 | Counselling |
| CWRK2019 | Canadian Social Policy |
| CWRK2038 | Fieldwork II |
| CWRK2039 | Fieldwork Seminar II |
| CWRK2043 | Community Development: Programs & Funding |
Semester 4
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CWRK2016 | Group Facilitation |
| CWRK2032 | Global Politics |
| CWRK2038 | Fieldwork II |
| CWRK2039 | Fieldwork Seminar II |
| CWRK2044 | Critical Digital Community Work |
| CWRK2046 | Contemporary Issues in the Field of Community Work |
Course Outline URL
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Establish constructive relationships with individuals concerned with community work.
- Describe their personal values and motivation as a community worker.
- Serve in a variety of grassroots community organizations especially in the areas of co-operatives, seniors and community legal services.
- Be comfortable in community work roles ranging from direct service to classical advocacy and organizing.
- Understand and articulate the special needs of multicultural groups.
- Analyze social inequalities and demonstrate creativity in the organization of new services and institutions to meet community needs.
- Work with groups to identify their own needs.
- Access existing services and community resources.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
$3,594.00* ‡
Additional Costs
* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2019. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2020 and at later dates.
‡May semester fees are paid separately.
International students: Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
Financial Assistance
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Admission Requirements
- Diploma or Bachelor's Degree
** Please note that successful completion of the 5-week program in May is required prior to entrance to the Fall semester.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English Language proficiency test results must test at the College level in the George Brown College English assessment to be considered for admission.
Please visit georgebrown.ca/englishproficiency for more details.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit georgebrown.ca/transferguide for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
Special Requirements
Note: Some of our student placement partners require students in this program to have a police reference check completed before 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 and must be paid by the student. Students are responsible for ensuring that the check covers appropriateness for “individuals being employed and/or volunteering who will be working with vulnerable person(s).” Students without a clear police reference check may find that their choice of placements is limited.
How to Apply
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown Polytechnic Online Application System.
Contact Us
School of Social & Community Services
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2185
Email: communityservices@georgebrown.ca.
Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Community Worker Program (Fast-Track) Co-ordinators:
Farhia Abdi
Email: fabdi7@georgebrown.ca
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 3926
For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
International Students
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page
Program Description
Leadership Claims
Preparing Community Workers for more than 40 years.
Program Overview
Community Worker (Fast-Track) is a dynamic social justice program designed to prepare you to work with individuals, organizations and communities across a range of issues including poverty, housing, violence, food-justice, immigration and settlement in ways that are responsive to their multiple and changing needs.
Full Description
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the planned delivery of this program starting in September 2020 will be online with limited access to field placement experiences.
PLEASE NOTE: In response to this evolving situation, the delivery, learning activities and evaluation methods may be further modified mid-semester.
Learners will require access to high-speed internet, a computer with a built-in or external web camera, a microphone and Google Chrome or Firefox as a web browser.
Community Worker (Fast-Track) is a dynamic social justice program grounded in the principles of and respect for human rights and anti-oppression practice. Students are prepared to work with largely urban-centred, diverse communities across a range of issues (i.e. poverty, housing, food-justice, immigration and settlement, etc.) in ways that are responsive to their multiple and changing needs.
If you are passionate about human rights and social justice, committed to working with diverse communities, bring a mature and professional approach to your education and field work, and are prepared to take on a course load of 20+ hours per week, this program is for you.
What can you expect from the Community Worker (Fast-Track) program?
The three-semester Community Worker (Fast-Track) program combines classroom instruction with supervised field placements. 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 participatory classes of dialogue, debate, activities, interactive lectures, guest speakers and panels, and group work provide students with a program of study that is current, exciting and critically engaging.
What key skills will you learn?
Throughout the program, students will have the opportunity to develop a variety of important and high-demand skills, including:
- anti-oppressive and intercultural practice in working with diverse populations (including youth, immigrant communities, Indigenous populations)
- critical analysis, research and writing
- group facilitation and leadership
- individual and group counselling
- conflict mediation and restorative justice
- community organizing, activism and advocacy
- community development, project design and proposal writing
- policy analysis and rights-based advocacy
Features of the Community Worker program include:
- Strong ties with over 350 agencies across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
- Founder and lead organizer of the annual Tommy Douglas Institute that brings communities, students, educators and activists together to explore higher education and social justice in the 21st century.
- The full-time Community Worker (C101) program has been graduating community workers for more than 40 years.
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
Not only will you develop relationships with our community partners through field placements, you will also meet with sector professionals in your classrooms at networking events, guest panels and program electives taught by agencies and practitioners currently working in the field (i.e. Community Legal Issues, Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Perspectives in Community Development, Housing and Homelessness).
Who are the Community Worker (Fast-Track) faculty?
The experienced educators that make up our faculty bring their passion for education and change to create a highly engaging and dynamic learning environment. Coming from backgrounds in local, national and global activism, they remain active on social issues and maintain close ties to communities, activists and organizations.
What kind of students enrol in the Community Worker (Fast-Track) program?
Graduates from other degrees and diploma programs interested in learning more about social justice and community development enrol in this program. Our students are a diverse group of students with broad social and community experiences.
Your Field Education Options
Students have the opportunity to develop practical skills and gain valuable work experience by completing a 400-hour placement in the final two semesters of the program.
Through our strong ties to more than 350 field agencies across the GTA, students can find placements suited to their interests in a variety of settings, from immigration and settlement services to community food centres, and from cultural community services to governmental agencies.
Students also have the option to apply for one of our exciting international field experiences, in India or Jamaica.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Your Career
Attain Additional Designation of RSSW
Graduates of the Community Worker program will be awarded the professional designation of Community Worker (CW).
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) recognizes the CW program as equivalent to any Social Service Worker program offered in Ontario at a College of Applied Arts and Technology. See List of Social Service Work Programs web page for details. As such, CW graduates are eligible to apply for a certificate of registration with the OCSWSSW and can also apply to receive the designation of RSSW (Registered Social Service Worker). Additional fees for registration apply. Visit the OCSWSSW Fee Chart web page for more information.
Courses
Semester 2
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CWRK1310 | Community Work Theory |
| CWRK1312 | Socio-Politcal Analysis and Human Rights |
| CWRK1313 | Community Work in Practice |
| CWRK1314 | Interpersonal Communication Skills from an Anti-Oppressive Perspective |
Semester 3
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| COUN2003 | Counselling |
| CWRK2019 | Canadian Social Policy |
| CWRK2038 | Fieldwork II |
| CWRK2039 | Fieldwork Seminar II |
| CWRK2043 | Community Development: Programs & Funding |
Semester 4
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CWRK2016 | Group Facilitation |
| CWRK2032 | Global Politics |
| CWRK2038 | Fieldwork II |
| CWRK2039 | Fieldwork Seminar II |
| CWRK2044 | Critical Digital Community Work |
| CWRK2046 | Contemporary Issues in the Field of Community Work |
Course Outline URL
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
$3,594.00* ‡
Additional Costs
* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2019. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2020 and at later dates.
‡May semester fees are paid separately.
International students: Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
Financial Assistance
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Admission Requirements
- Diploma or Bachelor's Degree
** Please note that successful completion of the 5-week program in May is required prior to entrance to the Fall semester.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English Language proficiency test results must test at the College level in the George Brown College English assessment to be considered for admission.
Please visit georgebrown.ca/englishproficiency for more details.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit georgebrown.ca/transferguide for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
Special Requirements
Note: Some of our student placement partners require students in this program to have a police reference check completed before 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 and must be paid by the student. Students are responsible for ensuring that the check covers appropriateness for “individuals being employed and/or volunteering who will be working with vulnerable person(s).” Students without a clear police reference check may find that their choice of placements is limited.
How to Apply
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown Polytechnic Online Application System.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Establish constructive relationships with individuals concerned with community work.
- Describe their personal values and motivation as a community worker.
- Serve in a variety of grassroots community organizations especially in the areas of co-operatives, seniors and community legal services.
- Be comfortable in community work roles ranging from direct service to classical advocacy and organizing.
- Understand and articulate the special needs of multicultural groups.
- Analyze social inequalities and demonstrate creativity in the organization of new services and institutions to meet community needs.
- Work with groups to identify their own needs.
- Access existing services and community resources.
Contact Us
School of Social & Community Services
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2185
Email: communityservices@georgebrown.ca.
Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Community Worker Program (Fast-Track) Co-ordinators:
Farhia Abdi
Email: fabdi7@georgebrown.ca
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 3926
For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
International Students
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page
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