Diploma in Human Service Work

For Diploma in Human Service Work, tuition is CAD 7,362 total (domestic).

The Human Service Work Diploma prepares students for careers supporting vulnerable individuals in social service, mental health, and developmental disabilities settings. The program spans two years of full-time study with in-person classes and includes an eight-week practicum each year. Students gain hands-on experience in community-based and residential programs across the Okanagan region, working with children, youth, adults, and people with mental health challenges or developmental disabilities.

Students develop skills in building respectful relationships, effective communication, professional ethics, advocacy, teamwork, and critical thinking. They learn to support clients through assessment, planning, emotional support, and action planning while maintaining self-awareness and a commitment to social justice. The curriculum emphasizes client-centered practice and integrates theoretical knowledge with real-world application.

The program requires a negative tuberculin test, a first aid certificate, a criminal record check, and completion of the B.C. Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum before starting practicum. Applicants must meet academic requirements, including English 12 with at least 60%, and complete a mandatory orientation. Admission is granted in chronological order based on application date.

Okanagan College, located in British Columbia with a campus in Kelowna, is a public college focused on hands‑on learning and student success. Since 1963 the college has offered practical programs across arts, sciences, business, health and technology, combining modern facilities with applied instruction to prepare graduates for local and global careers.

The college provides a wide selection of credential pathways, including diplomas, certificates and transfer options to universities, supported by experienced faculty and strong industry partnerships. Programs emphasise experiential learning, co‑op placements and applied projects that connect students directly with employers. International learners benefit from supportive services, small class sizes and targeted orientation to life and work in Canada.

Kelowna's lifestyle and regional economy offer plentiful internship and employment possibilities in technology, tourism, health services and the creative sector. Okanagan College is well suited to students seeking an affordable, practice‑oriented education with clear pathways to further study or immediate workforce entry. The college balances community engagement, industry ties and a welcoming campus culture for international students.