Diploma in Indigenous Community Service Worker Program

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This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training.

This program is designed to prepare students to work effectively with Indigenous communities by addressing unique cultural, social, and systemic challenges. The curriculum emphasizes understanding Indigenous histories, traditions, and worldviews while fostering cultural competence and advocacy skills. Students will learn about community development, social service practices, and strategies to support health and well-being within Indigenous contexts. Topics include trauma-informed care, reconciliation practices, intergenerational healing, and community resource coordination. Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and practical experience to promote positive change and empower Indigenous individuals, families, and communities through culturally
respectful and inclusive approaches.

Note: This program is not eligible for the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP).

Indigenous Community Support Worker
Cultural Liaison
Case Manager for Indigenous Programs
Crisis Intervention Worker
Indigenous Youth Worker
Family Support Worker in Indigenous Context

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

High school graduation or equivalent;
OR
Mature Student Status (19 years old before starting classes)

English Language Proficiency Policy

In addition to the admission requirements listed above, applicants must meet one or more of
the following criteria:

Completion of grades 9-11, including English 11 with a grade of ‘C’ or higher from a country where English is one of the principal languages, OR
Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction. See Appendix A for the list of approved countries. OR
Provide verified results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below. Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: overall score of 5.5 or higher
- Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test: overall score of 40 or higher
- Duolingo English Test (DET): overall score of 95 or higher
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT: Minimum overall score of 46
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP):
  Minimum overall score: Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Minimum overall score of 43
- Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First exam (FCE): Minimum overall score of 160 or “C”
- Cambridge Linguaskill: Minimum overall B2 level
- LANGUAGECERT Academic: Minimum overall B2 level
- The Michigan English Test (MET): Minimum overall B2 level
- iTEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 3.5
- EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1

Appendix A:

The list of approved countries:

American Samoa	Dominica	Lesotho	St. Kitts & Nevis
Anguilla	Falkland Islands	Liberia	St. Lucia
Antigua and Barbuda	Fiji	Malta	St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Australia	Gambia	Mauritius	Tanzania
Bahamas	Ghana	Montserrat	Trinidad & Tobago
Barbados	Gibraltar	New Zealand	Turks & Caicos Islands
Belize	Grenada	Nigeria	Uganda
Bermuda	Guam	Seychelles	United Kingdom
Botswana	Guyana	Sierra Leone	US Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands	Ireland	Singapore	USA
Canada	Jamaica	South Africa	Zambia
Cayman Islands	Kenya	St. Helena	Zimbabwe

Upon completion of this program, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

Understand Indigenous histories, traditions, and worldviews, and their impact on contemporary social and community issues.
Develop culturally competent practices for working with Indigenous individuals, families, and communities.
Apply trauma-informed and intergenerational healing approaches to support health and well-being in Indigenous contexts.
Collaborate with community organizations, leaders, and stakeholders to promote reconciliation and social justice.
Design and implement community service programs that address systemic challenges and empower Indigenous communities.

Course Title/Work Experience Component* (in order of delivery)	# of Hours of Instruction*	Delivery Method (In-class, Distance, or Combined)	Distance/Combined Delivery Description (Synchronous or Asynchronous)	Breakdown for Combined Delivery Courses Summary of in-class vs. online attendance
CRMH 100 – Introduction to Communication	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
ACS 101 – Introduction to Human Services	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
ICS 102 – Indigenous Histories and Contemporary Realities	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
ICS 103 – Culturally Competent Practice	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
ICS 104 – Trauma-Informed Practice for Indigenous Communities	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
ICS 105 – Indigenous Governance and Advocacy	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
ICS 106 – Ethics in Indigenous Community Work	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
ICS 107 – Mental Health and Wellness in Indigenous Contexts	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
ICS 108 – Community Development and Social Change	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
ICS 109 – Indigenous Child and Youth Care	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
SSWC 110 – Social Psychology	80	In-class, Distance, and Combined	Synchronous	50% in-class and 50% Synchronous
Practicum	80	Practicum	Practicum	Practicum
TOTAL PROGRAM HOURS	960 Hours

Program Fees

Fee Type	Fee
Tuition	$18,008.00
Application Fee	$250.00
Administrative Fee	$100.00
Total	$18,358.00

Method(s) of Evaluation

Students will be evaluated in each course required to complete the Program (see course outlines).

Completion Requirements

Program (see course outline)

Course Completion: Successful completion of all 12 required courses, with a minimum passing grade of 60% in each course.
Attendance Requirement: Students must maintain a minimum attendance of 80% of the total scheduled instructional hours. Attendance is tracked for both in-class and synchronous distance components. Failure to meet the minimum attendance requirement may result in ineligibility for program completion.
Practicum Completion: Successful completion of the practicum component consisting of 80 hours. The practicum is evaluated on a pass/fail basis and requires satisfactory performance as assessed through written evaluations completed by the host supervisor and reviewed by the institution.

Program Duration

960 hours (880 Instructional Hours + 80 practicum)
48 weeks Full-time

Homework Hours

4 – 6 Hours per course

Delivery Method(s)

In-class instruction: 100% hours of instruction delivered in a classroom or other setting, where instructors share the same physical space as students
Distance education: 100% hours of instruction, if applicable, delivered remotely from a BC location.
Combined delivery (both in-class and distance): (both in-class and distance): Instruction
provided through a combination of in-class and distance delivery.
- 50% of the combined program will be provided by distance (online) delivery.
If distance or combined delivery is indicated, the online components are:
- Synchronous, meaning students attend classes virtually in ‘real time ‘with instructors and classmates.

Description	On-Campus
Application Fee	$100.00
Archiving Fee	$6.00
Course Change Fee	$60.00
Comprehensive Exam Re-writes	$100.00
Program Change Administrative Fee	$150.00
Individual Course Certificates	$10.00
Transcript	$20.00
Diploma Reprint	$20.00
Certificate Reprint	$20.00

Discounts

Diploma of Professional Counselling ONLY

Contact admissions department

Promotions only if approved by Executive Director

Refund Policy

Refund Policy is in compliance with the Private Training Institutions Branch requirements. Click here to view policy.

More Information

UBC Approved Prerequisites at VCCT.

Good news for any students who are thinking of undertaking further education and are interested in the Counselling Psychology MEd or MA Program at UBC.

The following VCCT courses have been approved as equivalent to the following prerequisites for the CNPS MA Program:

UBC Prerequisites	VCCT Equivalent Prerequisites
CNPS 362 (Basic Interviewing Skills)	= CCS 600 (Clinical Counselling Skills)
CNPS 363 (Career Counselling)	= CCO 600 (Introduction to Career Counselling)
CNPS 365 (Theories of Counselling)	= MOD 600 (Models of Counselling) or CSM 600 (Case Study Approaches to Models of Counselling)
Abnormal or Behavioural Disorders	= IPP 600 (Introduction to Psychopathology)

This means that students at VCCT who have undertaken the above courses at VCCT will be eligible to apply to the UBC masters programs if they fulfill the other admission criteria specified by UBC.

VCCT & Simon Fraser University Transfer Credits

SFU Prerequisites	VCCT Equivalent Prerequisites
EDUC 323	MOD 600 Models of Counselling CSM 600 Case Study Approaches to Models of Counselling
EDUC 423	CCS 600 Clinical Counselling Skills BSC 600 Basic Counselling Skills
Developmental Psychology	PSD 600 Psychosocial Development
Other Relevant Course Requirement	CCO 600 Introduction to Career Counselling IPP 600 Introduction to Psychopathology

New Transfer Credits to Trinity Western University (TWU).

Students who have completed the VCCT diploma program will receive 36 credits towards their BA in Psychology at Trinity Western University.

The Breakdown is as follows (this can be explained to students who require further information):

VCCT & Trinity Western University Transfer Credits
For PSYC Majors:	30 Lower Level PSYC credit; PSYC 331 (3); and PYSC 340 (3). 36 Credits total.
Students still need to complete the required psychology courses for a psychology major as listed in the calendar.

New college connection - Rocky Mountain College (RMC).

Students who have completed the VCCT Diploma of Professional Counselling will receive credits for the following Rocky Mountain College programs:

Rocky Mountain College Credits
BA in Human Services in Counselling:	24 – 33 credits
BA in Human Services in Child & Youth Care:	15 – 27 credits
Diploma in Counselling – Counselling Focus:	12 – 21 credits
Diploma in Counselling – Child & Youth Care Focus:	9 – 15 credits

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Diploma in Indigenous Community Service Worker Program

Request Information

More Information

UBC Approved Prerequisites at VCCT.

VCCT & Simon Fraser University Transfer Credits

New Transfer Credits to Trinity Western University (TWU).

New college connection - Rocky Mountain College (RMC).

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