Social Services Worker – Indigenous Specialization
Ontario College Diploma
4 Semesters / 2 Years
School of Community Services
Key Details
Program Start Dates
September 2025
Please visit Ontario College Application Service to learn more about start dates.
Credential
Ontario College Certificate
Program Duration
2 Semesters / 1 YearCurrently not available for international students
Program Contacts
Bradie Granger
Chair, School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Public Safety
bradie.granger@cambriancollege.ca
School of Community Services
cips@cambriancollege.ca
Program Overview
Prepare to keep calm and carry on in emergencies
Train to work in the challenging field of 911 emergency operations and other dispatch centres. You’ll gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to handle demanding scenarios, manage the public, and collaborate with emergency personnel.
Equip yourself with the skills to work with a specialized workforce, covering call management, crisis intervention, pre-hospital care, professional communications, equipment operations, and more. Highlights include practical experience shadowing actual and simulated emergency calls. Most courses are delivered online, except for one in-person 60-hour placement.
Program Highlights
Program highlights
- 120 hours placement – 60 hours in your home community and 60 hours in-person in the Sudbury region
- Shadow live and simulated emergency calls
- Grads can receive certification from the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, Canada (APCO)
Admissions
Admission requirements
For graduates of the new curriculum (OSS): Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or equivalent or mature student status, including:
- Any grade 12 English (C) or (U)
Academic Upgrading
Are you missing admission requirements? Strengthen your academic skills for free at your own pace through Academic Upgrading!
Program delivery
Program delivery
2025-2026
Fall term start
- Semester 1: Fall 2025
- Semester 2: Winter 2026
Program of Study
Program of study for 2025-26 Academic Year
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| EMC 1001 | APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator | 3 |
| KBD 1001 | Computer Keyboarding Skills I | 3 |
| EMC 1012 | Emergency Services Structure | 3 |
| EMC 1003 | Crisis Intervention | 3 |
| EMC 1010 | Foundations of Emergency Comm | 3 |
| PSY 1125 | Positive Psychology | 3 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| EMC 1006 | Emergency Management | 3 |
| EMC 1008 | Interpersonal Communications | 3 |
| EMC 1009 | Emergency Communication Placement | 3 |
| EMC 1011 | Placement Seminar | 3 |
| NTN 1001 | Stress Wellness and Nutrition | 3 |
| CAT 1000 | Advocacy and Ethics | 3 |
| One General Education Course. 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 21 | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
- 1
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For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.
Important Notice
Fees presented are estimates based on projections for future academic year(s) of study. Actual fees charged may differ from what is published here. A full detailed listing of all fees is available in myCambrian and updated annually no later than May 1 for the following academic year. Students in Academic Upgrading are responsible for any fees listed on their invoice each term.
Tuition and ancillary fees
Please see our fees page for the breakdown of tuition and mandatory ancillary fees by program and semester for both domestic and international students.
Books and supplies
Books and supplies may be required at the course level over and above what is estimated above. Please consult your professor/instructor for further information.
College may be more affordable than you think!
Have you said, “school can wait another year”? Don’t sacrifice your future any longer – you can do it!
Whether it’s fear, financial reasons, or something else that is impacting your decision to start school, we’re here to listen to you and help in any way we can!
Work-integrated learning (WIL)
Take your education beyond the classroom!
Cambrian programs blend academic learning, hands-on training, and community involvement opportunities to help you achieve your ultimate goal – your dream career. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios within and outside of the classroom through work-integrated learning. Whether it be a capstone project, co-op, practicum, preceptorship component, or placement, you’ll benefit from a practical, job-related experience before you graduate.
Work-integrated learning (WIL) resources
Your program may give you the opportunity to gain practical work experience through a capstone project, co-op, practicum, preceptorship component, or placement. Before starting your program it’s important to understand the differences between the opportunities as well as the requirements.
Additional details: You will participate in a 120-hour placement. The first 60 hours can be completed remotely and the remaining 60 hours are in the Sudbury region and compressed into a one to two-week period.
Field of Study
School of Community Services
Discover the profound difference you can make in the lives of others when you follow the rewarding and noble path provided by Cambrian’s School of Community Services. Community Services programs prepare you to address social and community needs, support child and family welfare, navigate support systems and become a powerful force for positive change.
Specific program pathways
College or university degree opportunities
If you are a graduate of this program, you may continue your studies at a college or university and you may receive credit(s) for your prior college education. Refer to Cambrian’s college and university agreement details for further information.
Career Outcomes
Need a career coach?
Explore how this program can lead to a great career! Cambrian’s Career Coach platform is a user-friendly, online tool that provides up-to-date and comprehensive labour market data to help you explore career options, salary expectations for the Greater Sudbury region, and more!
See where you'll be learning!
Minimum technology requirements
Success in this program requires that you come equipped with some program-specific technology requirements.
Minimum technology requirements
- Regular access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection
- Webcam and headset
- Personal computer
- Windows 8, 8.1, or 10 operating system
- Web browser: Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer 10 or higher
- Apple Mac
- OS X operating system
- Web browser: Firefox or Safari
System requirements for assistive technology
To access the widest range of assistive technology (AT), a Windows-based computer is recommended.
- Recommended OS: Windows 10 or newer
- Recommended CPU: Intel or AMD multicore processor
- Recommended RAM: 8 GB
- Recommended storage for assistive technology: 8 GB of available hard drive of solid state drive space (please note this is not the total drive size and refers specifically to available space needed for assistive technology)
- Recommended audio: Speakers or headphones for text-to-speech and microphone for speech input.
While Apple computers can provide many AT options, some specialized software may not be available/compatible with this platform. Please consult with the Glenn Crombie Centre for further details.
Bring your own device (BYOD)
Cambrian College has implemented a BYOD principle to both enrich the student learning experience in and out of the classroom and to ensure flexibility!
Ready to take the first step?
Start gaining the highest level of skills at Cambrian now – and you’ll be ready to take advantage of the many career opportunities waiting for you just around the corner. The future is yours!
Have Questions? We are here to help.
If you have any questions about programs, funding, OSAP, deadlines, student services, or anything else, reach out to our support team and we are happy to help!
Related Programs
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