Pre-Community Services

Pre-Community Services is a one-year certificate program which allows students to gain exposure to various careers in the community services field including, but not limited to, working with children and youth, adults and families, and persons with special needs. This program is an excellent foundation for students entering community services. By taking this program, students will be able to make more informed decisions when choosing a career path and will be better prepared to enter a variety of career-based academic programs in community service professions such as Social Service Worker, Child & Youth Care, Early Childhood Educator and Developmental Services Worker.

Pre-Community Services students become more aware of community issues such as poverty, homelessness and mental illness through unique and flexible learning opportunities including workshops, community-based visits, guest speakers and hybrid courses. Pre-Community Services builds a strong foundation for post-secondary success by enhancing important fundamental skills necessary to pursue future studies.

See Course List

Admission Requirements

O.S.S.D. or equivalent with:

Grade 12 English C or U

Mature Student Assessment for this program is available in the subject of English for the purpose of demonstrating proficiency in this required admission subject. For all other admission requirements, applicants must complete the required course(s) as listed above. For more information, please contact counselling@lambtoncollege.ca. Review the Mature Student Admission process.

Academic admission requirements can be obtained through Academic Upgrading and the Pre-Programs at Lambton College.

Technology Requirements

In order to keep pace with the requirements of each and every course in your program, it is mandatory to own a reliable laptop to complete tests and assignments.

Course List

COM-1013: Critical Thinking and Writing

In this writing course, students respond to current issues and news articles via various styles of paragraphs and essays. Students strive for clarity of message and diplomatic expression of opinion based on fact. Students practice thinking critically and organize and hone their writing to ensure clarity and correctness in their messages. Critical Thinking and Writing lays the foundation for a subsequent research-writing course.

PSY-1003: Psychology I

This course focuses on how we behave. It is an attempt to understand ourselves and others. The primary goal of this course is to see psychology as an objective way of studying human experience.

SOC-1003: Sociology I

Sociology is a social science focusing on the systematic and diverse study of human group life. This course introduces students to the discipline of sociology and the sociological approach to understanding humans and our behaviour. This course attempts to develop one's ability to critically examine our world and relate it to our own lives. This course concentrates on a Canadian perspective and covers topics such as culture, socialization, social interaction, crime, deviance and stratification.

ELEC-XXX3: Elective

HSF-1003: Introduction to Human Services

Introduction to Human Service (HSF 1003) offers students within the Human Services Foundation program the opportunity to explore associative themes of interest relevant to career paths within the service fields. Students will research current affairs related to populations served and challenges faced by those who access community services in Canada. Students will also participate in and lead group discussions in order to develop greater understanding of the individual populations that each associative Human Services career path is designed to serve.

ANT-2003: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

Introduction to Cultural Anthropology looks at people - all people, everywhere, and everything they do, laugh at, believe, love, desire or dream about. It examines cultural and behavioural differences as well as similarities, the way that people with differing "life styles" structure their cultures, and the cultural characteristics which are common to us all. Language, religion, art, social inequality and modern world order are all highlighted within a cross-cultural framework. If you're a "people" watcher then this is the course you've been waiting for!

COM-2053: Communications for Community Services

This course enhances students' communication skills in preparation for work in community services. Through the theme of "advocacy and education," students read, examine, and respond to selected essays and articles, creating research reports and research presentations to share with their peers. The research process provides students with the opportunity to develop their writing skills through critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, application, and evaluation. These skills are necessary for success in current and future college courses, the workplace, and students' personal lives.

PSY-1053: Human Relations

This course provides a forum for enhancing students' abilities and understanding of the value to human social interaction through communication and connection. This course places a strong emphasis on applied learning in the context of communicating with others, recognizing that personal development evolves from social interaction. Course topics include the study of emotion-focused brain functionality, self-understanding and awareness, understanding the importance of perception skills in relationships, developing strong verbal and nonverbal communication skills, recognizing prosocial leadership skills, understanding and establishing healthy team dynamics, and addressing conflicts in relationships.

PSY-2003: Psychology II

This course focuses on how we behave. It is an attempt to understand ourselves and others. The primary goal of this course is to investigate the application of psychological information to people's lives.

HGD-1013: Human Growth and Development

Using a developmental psychology lens this course focuses on providing students with an opportunity to improve understanding of self. Through personal reflection students will examine the human lifespan from conception and prenatal development through old age and death. Students will gain understanding and perspective of their development across physical, cognitive, social and personality contexts. Examination of fundamental theories, historical arguments/perspectives and current issues provide opportunity for critical thinking and application of influences to one's development within the student's life.

Program Maps

Current Students

Current students can view program maps from previous years on the mylambton website.

You will need to login with your C# and password in order to access your program map.

Employment Opportunities

Through direct employment, transfers to other programs (colleges and universities) and upgrading, Pre-Community Services graduates may find employment in retail, industry, marketing and education. Students typically choose to go onto further education through Transfer Opportunities.

Please Note: Students seeking transfer credit (internal and external) should be aware that transferable courses may require a minimum grade level to qualify; grade minimums can vary by institution as well as by program.