Training
To become a social worker you must first complete a university degree in social work or social services, and then become a member of the professional order of social workers of Quebec, called l’Ordre professionnel des travailleurs sociaux du Québec. A list of universities that offer these programs is available on the website of the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work.
Some people might opt to do a college diploma (a DEC) in Social Service in CÉGEP. With a DEC you can perform tasks similar to what a social worker does, but you cannot be considered a “social worker” unless you have a university degree and are a member of the professional order of social workers. A list of professional training centres and other institutions that offer this specialty in English is available on the Inforoute FPT website.
If you are interested in becoming an expert witness or creating and administering programs, it is important to complete a master’s degree in social work.
To learn more about the job prospects (salary, rate of growth in the profession, etc.) of social workers, take a look at the Job Futures website.
Useful High School Courses:
The following courses could help you prepare for a future as a social worker:
Speak to your guidance counsellor to see if there are other courses offered at your school that could prepare for this career.
Some people might opt to do a college diploma (a DEC) in Social Service in CÉGEP. With a DEC you can perform tasks similar to what a social worker does, but you cannot be considered a “social worker” unless you have a university degree and are a member of the professional order of social workers. A list of professional training centres and other institutions that offer this specialty in English is available on the Inforoute FPT website.
If you are interested in becoming an expert witness or creating and administering programs, it is important to complete a master’s degree in social work.
To learn more about the job prospects (salary, rate of growth in the profession, etc.) of social workers, take a look at the Job Futures website.
Useful High School Courses:
The following courses could help you prepare for a future as a social worker:
- English Language Arts
- French as a Second Language
- History and Citizenship Education
- Ethics and Religious Culture
Speak to your guidance counsellor to see if there are other courses offered at your school that could prepare for this career.
