Graduates of Social Service Work Diploma Programs outside Ontario

NOTE: The social work program offered at Grant MacEwan College, Edmonton, Alberta has been approved by the Council of the OCSWSSW as equivalent to a social service work program offered in Ontario at a College of Applied Arts and Technology. If you obtained a diploma in social work from Grant MacEwan College, please go to Graduates of a Social Service Work Diploma Program from a College of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario.

If you are a graduate of a social service work program outside Ontario, the Registrar may issue a general certificate of registration for social service work if you possess a combination of academic qualifications and practical experience that the Registrar determines is substantially equivalent to the qualifications required for a diploma in social service work offered at an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology.

The registration policy sets out the following requirements that must be met before issuing a certificate of registration in these cases:

1. The applicant must possess:

A) a minimum of a diploma from a two year program at an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology; OR

B) a diploma equivalent to a diploma from a two year program at an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology; OR

C) a degree from a university program that is at least two years in length.

The total number of instructional hours completed in the academic program must be at least 1600 hours.

2. Within this academic program, the applicant must demonstrate that he/she meets:

A) The General Education Standard; AND

B) 8 Vocational Learning Outcomes; AND

C) 13 Generic Skills Learning Outcomes. These are further identified on the application form.

In addition to the formal education described above, the applicant must have practised in a situation where he/she performed the role of a social service worker for at least 900 hours and had direct responsibility for providing social service work services to any of the following: individuals, dyads, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Your 900 hours of social service work practice must be supervised by a social worker or a social service worker.

Important information for applicants about the evaluation process

The Registrar’s evaluation of each application form and supporting documents strictly adheres to the criteria identified above. Please carefully review the requirements as they relate to your academic qualifications and practical experience prior to initiating the application process.

The review process will only begin after the OCSWSSW has received all your documents and fees. The OCSWSSW may contact you if more information is required.

Applicants should be aware that due to the large number of applications received by the College and the complexity of the evaluation of the application, there is generally a lengthy waiting time for processing these applications. Once all required documents are received by the OCSWSSW, applications are processed in the order in which they are received.

How to Apply

Before downloading the appropriate registration guide and application form, please ensure you read Information for All Applicants.

Fees: The registration fee and non-refundable application fee must be enclosed with each application.

Mail your completed application form, the documents you submit yourself, and the full fees to the OCSWSSW. A photocopy of the application or sending the application by fax or email will not be accepted.

Forward the Length of Practice and Supervision Confirmation Form to other individuals to complete. They are required to mail the completed form directly to the OCSWSSW.

Arrange for your academic institution to forward directly to the College an official transcript(s) of courses and grades, signed by the Registrar with the institution’s seal and/or stamp.

If you have questions about the application process, you may contact the College at (416) 972-9882 or toll free 1-877-828-9380 or e-mail Registration.

To download a registration guide and application form for general certificate of registration in social service work (combination of academic qualifications and practical experience), please click on the following links:

1. Registration Guide*
2. Application Form
3. Length of Practice and Supervision Confirmation Form – which is to be forwarded by you to the individual(s) you have chosen to complete the form about your practice and supervision.

* Before completing the application form, please read the registration guide for further requirements.