Social Policy Researchers & Program Officers
Formal Description
“Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers conduct research, develop policy and implement or administer programs in areas such as consumer affairs, employment, home economics, immigration, law enforcement, corrections, human rights, housing, labour, family services, foreign aid and international development. They are employed by government departments and agencies, hospitals, educational institutions, consulting establishments, professional associations, research institutes, non-government organizations and international organizations or they may be self-employed.” (NOC 2021)
Sample Job Titles
This category includes a variety of job titles that may not necessarily be reflected by the category title. For a full index of job titles, see the category entry on the ESDC site. Example job titles include:
Adoption Project Officer
Child Welfare Policy Analyst
Community Social Development Officer
Correctional Service Policy Consultant
Employment Equity Policy Analyst
Housing Policy Analyst
Human Rights Commission Officer
Immigration and Citizenship Consultant
Ingenious Affairs Officer
International Aid and Development Researcher
Labour Market Analyst
Pollster
Public Housing Officer
Social Policy Advisor
Women's Shelter Program Cooridinator
Workers' Compensation Policy Analyst
Typical Employment and Education Requirements
The requirements listed for each occupational category will tend to vary across particular roles, job titles, and contexts.
The following typical requirements are listed on the ESDC’s 2021 entry for this occupational category:
- “A bachelor’s degree or college diploma in a social science or related discipline, or in business administration is usually required.”
- “A master’s degree in a social science or related discipline or in business administration may be required.”
- “Registration with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council is required for regulated Canadian immigration consultants.”
Success with a Social Sciences Undergraduate Degree and Beyond
When reviewing typical requirements, please remember:
- Degree and diploma listings often end with a purposefully open-ended phrase (“or a related field”, “or a similar discipline”) that acknowledges the variety and applicability of social sciences and liberal arts degrees.
- Employers often focus less on the name or title of a candidate’s degree, and more on how they articulate their transferable skills and experiences.
- Many qualifications and certifications are available as post-graduate certificates aimed at recent university graduates; these can make an excellent further education option for a social sciences or liberal arts degree.
Related Sectors
Whereas Economic and Social Development Canada’s ‘occupational’ categories tend to focus more on the duties and functions that people play in specific roles, exploring careers by ‘sectors’ helps us to sort by employer type, industry, or general field of work. Here are just a few of the sectors that may be relevant to this category:
Academic Program Connections
As you select your program of study and the courses you will take, you can chart a path towards success in this sector from any one of our social sciences departments and programs. Here are just a few examples of academic disciplines that have connections with this sector:
Economics Learn More
The analytical tools and knowledge of economic systems gained in this degree, enables students to address social issues, create effective policies and evaluate outcomes.
Health, Aging & Society Learn More
Understanding the social determinants of health allows the ability to analyze and address disparities in health outcomes across different populations.
Indigenous Studies Learn More
A degree in Indigenous Studies is a strong basis for careers in this field, especially in roles focused on social equity, cultural awareness, and policy development for Indigenous and broader communities.
Political Science Learn More
Political Science helps to understand how policies are created, discussed, and put into practice in government and non-government institutions.
