• Grade 12/GED or 19+ years of age

• Successful completion of Focus College Entrance Interview.The interview will discuss the student’s interest in the CSW field. The interview will determine the student’s ability to work with individuals with diverse abilities.

• Submission of a clear Ministry of Justice criminal record search within six months upon completion of the CSW program

• Letter of reference attesting to suitability for dealings with individuals with developmental disabilities.

One of the English language proficiency options listed below need to be fulfilled.

Option 1: Evidence that 3 years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8-12), or 2 years if the Grades are 10, 11, or 12, have been successfully completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages. Applicants must produce transcripts as evidence of completion (high school transcripts, completion of BC Adult Graduation Program or providing international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES or IQAS)

Option 2: 2 years of full-time post-secondary education* have been completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages (includes international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, or IQAS).

*Language development courses (e.g. ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.

Options 3: Assessment Options
Verified results must be provided for one of the Standardized English language proficiency tests listed below:

• International English Testing (IELTS) Academic: Minimum overall score of 6.0
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT: Minimum overall score of 67 (TOEFL-Home test not accepted).
• Canadian English Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 7, and Writing 7
• Duolingo English Test: Minimum overall score of 105
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Minimum overall score of 52

Option 4: Evidence that a language standard defined and accepted by third-party regulator has been met.

• This may include minimum language standards or testing options set by a third-party regulator (e.g., Health Colleges, Public Registries, Transport Canada, etc.).

Option 5: Accuplacer
This option can only be applied when:

• English is the program’s language of instruction, and
• The applicant is a mature domestic student facing barrier, and
• The applicant cannot access their educational records or cannot provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as outlined in the language proficiency requirement.

Requirements:

• Applicant is 19 years or older at the start of the program and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and
• Applicant provides attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time instruction in a country where English is one of the principal languages, and
• Applicant completes an Accuplacer English Assessment (Next generation: Reading, Writing, and WritePlacer) and achieves the following minimum scores:
  • Reading: 230, and
  • Writing: 230, and
  • WritePlacer: 4

See full English Language Proficiency Requirements for details.

• Negative TB test result submitted prior to first practice experience.

• Approximately 10-15 hours/week homework is required from students to be successful in this fast-paced and intensive program.