Community Development Work
How To Apply
Program Details
- Program Code1230
- Credential TypeOntario College Diploma
- SchoolSchool of Community Care and Public Safety
- Program TypePost-secondary program
- Program Length2 years/ 4 semesters
- LocationAshtonbee Campus
- Emailldavid2@centennialcollege.ca
- Telephone416-289-5000
Program Availability
- Program Overview
- Courses
- Career Options and Education Pathways
- Admission Requirements
- How to Apply
- Tuition and Fees
- Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
- Centennial Stories
- Faculty Members
- Advising Services
- Indigenous Studies
Interested in learning more about the Community Development Work Program? Join us at our next program information session! Register here.
The Community Development Work Diploma is a two-year program that prepares you to work with diverse communities and create positive social change. You’ll learn through classroom study, skill-building workshops, and hands-on field placements that connect theory to real-world practice.
Throughout the program, you’ll explore topics such as community engagement, social policy, equity and inclusion, program planning, advocacy, participatory research, sustainable and economic development. Courses focus on collaboration, critical thinking, and practical problem-solving—skills that help you work effectively with individuals, groups, and organizations across many settings.
A key part of the program is your field placement. Under the guidance of experienced professionals, you’ll complete placements with community organizations, non-profits, advocacy groups, and/or municipal agencies. These experiences let you build professional connections, gain real-world experience, and make a tangible difference in your community.
When you graduate, you’ll be ready for roles such as Community Outreach Worker, Program Coordinator and Community Health Ambassador in organizations like Community Health Centres, Settlement agencies and Neighbourhood Community Hubs—and you’ll have the skills and confidence to help communities grow stronger and more inclusive.
Want to keep pursuing your education afterwards? This program can also lead you directly into year three of a university bachelor degree in Social and Community Development.
Program Overview
Interested in learning more about the Community Development Work Program? Join us at our next program information session! Register here.
The Community Development Work Diploma is a two-year program that prepares you to work with diverse communities and create positive social change. You’ll learn through classroom study, skill-building workshops, and hands-on field placements that connect theory to real-world practice.
Throughout the program, you’ll explore topics such as community engagement, social policy, equity and inclusion, program planning, advocacy, participatory research, sustainable and economic development. Courses focus on collaboration, critical thinking, and practical problem-solving—skills that help you work effectively with individuals, groups, and organizations across many settings.
A key part of the program is your field placement. Under the guidance of experienced professionals, you’ll complete placements with community organizations, non-profits, advocacy groups, and/or municipal agencies. These experiences let you build professional connections, gain real-world experience, and make a tangible difference in your community.
When you graduate, you’ll be ready for roles such as Community Outreach Worker, Program Coordinator and Community Health Ambassador in organizations like Community Health Centres, Settlement agencies and Neighbourhood Community Hubs—and you’ll have the skills and confidence to help communities grow stronger and more inclusive.
Want to keep pursuing your education afterwards? This program can also lead you directly into year three of a university bachelor degree in Social and Community Development.
Courses
Career Options and Education Pathways
Companies Offering Jobs
City of Toronto, Toronto Community Housing Corporation, Toronto Regional Conservation Authority, Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services, Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities, Woodgreen Community Services, Jays Care Foundation - Toronto Blue Jays, The Neighbourhood Group Community Services, Working Women Community Centre, Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, Habitat for Humanity GTA, Women's Habitat of Etobicoke, Culturelink, Community Living-Toronto, Agincourt Community Services Association(ACSA), Canadian Blood Services, Parents Engaged in Education, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Parkdale Activity and Recreation Centre, The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, Chocosol Traders, 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations, The Reading Partnership, YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth, Community Learning Center, Burnaby Neighbourhood House, Adapted and inclusive Toronto parks and recreation
Program Highlights
Experiential Learning Opportunities
Your learning extends beyond the classroom through guest speakers, community site visits, field trips, and applied projects. These hands-on experiences help you connect theory to practice and see how community development really happens across a variety of sectors.
Supportive Learning Environment
Learn in a welcoming, multicultural and inclusive setting where collaboration and respect come first. Small classes and dedicated instructors offer personalized support, mentorship, and guidance to help you reach your goals.
Field Placement Experience
Put your skills into action with a supervised field placement at a community organization, non-profit, advocacy group or municipal government office. You’ll gain real-world experience, build professional networks, and make a meaningful impact in your community.
Practical, Skills-Focused Curriculum
Build the essential skills employers value—community engagement, facilitation, advocacy, program planning and funding, and participatory research. After you graduate you’ll be ready to take on real challenges and create positive change in diverse communities.
Stackable Certificate
During your two years in the program, you'll have the opportunity to obtain a Stackable Certificate in Indigenous Studies: First Peoples in Canada.
Pathways to Further Education and Career Growth
This diploma opens doors to rewarding roles in community-focused organizations and provides direct pathways into related university degrees, including Sheridan’s Bachelor of Social and Community Development and Humber’s Bachelor of Community Development.
Career Outlook
Community Engagement and Development
- Community Outreach or Engagement Worker
- Community Development Officer
- Community Animator/Organizer
- Community Connections Coordinator
Social & Human Services
- Systems Navigator
- Housing Stability Coordinator
- Youth Worker
- Employment Specialist
- Recreation Specialist
Health and Well-Being
- Community Health Worker/Ambassador
- Health Promoter
- Food Security Engagement Coordinator
Equity, Advocacy & Policy
- Diversity and Inclusion Specialist
- Civic Engagement / Social Responsibility Coordinator
- Constituency Assistant
- Grants Officer
- Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Lead
- Social Enterprise Coordinator
Career Outlook
- Community Outreach or Engagement Worker
- Community Development Officer
- Community Animator/Organizer
Education Pathways
Graduates of this diploma program have the opportunity to apply learning achieved at Centennial College for credits toward further study at the degree level.
Listed below are institutions offering credits for this program. Please note that each receiving institution has minimum admission requirements in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the institution.
| Partner Institution | Degree |
|---|---|
| Algoma University | Honours Bachelor of Arts in Multiple majors |
| Bachelor of Arts in Community Development | |
| Bachelor of Arts in Community Economic and Social Development | |
| Bachelor of Science in multiple majors | |
| Athabasca University | Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Services |
| Centennial College | 2895 - International Development Graduate Certificate |
| Humber Polytechnic | Honours Bachelor of Community Development degree completion |
| Lakehead University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor Degree in Multiple majors (3-year) |
| Laurentian University | Honours Bachelor of Arts - Multiple majors (some programs offered in French) |
| Nipissing University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in Multiple majors |
| Ontario Tech University | Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies |
| Bachelor of Arts in Psychology | |
| Facilitating Adult Learning with Technology (undergraduate diploma) | |
| Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Bridge) | |
| Queen's University | Bachelor Degree in Arts and Science |
| Royal Roads University | Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies |
| Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies | |
| Seneca Polytechnic | Honours Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies |
| Sheridan College | Honours Bachelor of Social and Community Development |
| Toronto Metropolitan University | Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies |
| Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies (Part-time) | |
| Bachelor of Health Administration - 2 year (Degree completion) | |
| University of Ottawa | Honours Bachelor of Commerce for non-business related program |
| University of Waterloo | Honours Arts and Business Degree in Multiple majors |
| Windsor, University of | Bachelor of Arts Liberal Arts and Professional Studies (3-year) |
| Wilfrid Laurier University | Honours Bachelor of Arts in Public Safety |
| York University | Honours Bachelor Degree in Multiple majors |
Visit our search page for more information on pathways and transfer credits.
You can use this Education Pathways Checklist as a guide to help with your education journey.
For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please visit ONTransfer.
Educational Partners
Woodgreen Community Services, Action Against Hunger, City of Toronto, United Way of GTA, Afghan's Women Association, Toronto Community Housing, Agincourt Community Services, Action for Neighbourhood Change, Evergreen Brick Works, Social Services Network, Park People, City of Toronto, United Way of GTA, ChocoSol Chocolate Traders, Community-Based Tourism Network & Tubagua Ecolodge (Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic).
Placement Partners
TRCA Snap programs, Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities, Green Thumbs Growing Kids Toronto, Centre for Inclusive Economic Opportunity-Golden Mile, Next Generation Arts, City of Toronto - Social Development, Finance and Administration - CD Unit - Towards Peace, Marketcity, Springboard Services, Olive Branch of Hope - Breast Cancer Support Services, Birchmount Community Action Council, Shelter Movers, Eastview Centre, Impact'n Communities, Victoria Park Hub, Madison House, Toronto Community Housing, Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre, Soso Ministries, Community Living Ontario, Centennial Sustainability, Uzima, Yonge Street Mission, Chocosol, BGC East Scarborough, Center for Black Excellence, The Neighbourhood Organization, Juliette's Place, Empower the Youth Foundation
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older)
- Grade 12 English (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required), or take the Centennial College Centennial English Admission Test
Additional Requirements
Semester Requirements
A C Grade is required in all core courses.
How to Apply
1. Apply Online
Domestic Students
If you are applying through the Better Jobs Ontario Program, please work with an Employment Ontario service provider. For more information go to Better Jobs Ontario Program.
If you have previously attended a full-time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.
All other applicants must apply online at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in-person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.
International Students
Apply directly to Centennial College here.
2. Submit Documents
Domestic Applicants
Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.
Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.
International Applicants
Please refer to the International Education Application Guide.
3. Confirm Your Offer of Admission
Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.
You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.
You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.
When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.
4. Pay Fees
Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.
You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement or your seat may be given to another applicant.
5. Build Your Timetable (Register for Courses)
Build your timetable (web-register for courses) at my.centennialcollege.ca.
Your web-registration will not open if:
You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
You received a Conditional Offer of Admission and you have not met the conditions of your offer.
Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.
Tuition and Fees
Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters, beginning Fall 2025.
| Student | Tuition (2 Semesters) | Ancillary Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | $2,721.00 | $1,347.33 | $4,068.33 |
| International | $17,148.00 | $1,845.28 | $18,993.28 |
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.
- Maintain professional working relationships which adhere to ethical standards when addressing potential conflict of interests within the community.
- Identify personal values and motivational goals that would assist in the successful implementation of community projects.
- Apply leadership, team building, networking, conflict resolution and organizational skills to working in teams with a variety of populations.
- Advocate for community needs, values and goals through community agencies and professional organizations.
- Apply principles of community development to a variety of individuals, organizations and communities in order to meet the special needs of multicultural groups.
- Contribute to the design, implementation, and evaluation of community development programs and services aimed at addressing community needs and reducing social inequalities.
- Analyze trends and issues in the political, social and economic environment of a community in order to effectively deliver contemporary community programs.
- Assess community needs based on community member consultation, feedback from community workers and the use of community assessment tools.
- Provide appropriate referral information to assist individuals, groups and organizations in accessing existing services and community resources.
- Develop Community Development policy that facilitates social empowerment and promotes global citizenship, diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Apply fundraising strategies to secure resources for the implementation of community programs that facilitate personal, organizational and community goals.
- Examine contemporary Community Development research in order to identify and implement specific community development approaches and best practices that will promote community action.
Advising Services
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