Home » Programs » Human & Community Services

Social Work

Program Description

This two year full time Social Work Diploma program will equip students with the social work competencies required to enter the work force as beginning social work practitioners.Completion of the program will prepare and enable students to continue their education in a Bachelor of Social Work program at various Universities, including the University of Calgary’s Bachelor of Social Work degree program and its Learning Circle BSW program.

This program is approved by Alberta Advanced Education and Technology and is in a candidacy status with the Alberta College of Social Work.

 

 

Admission Requirements

 Applicants to this program must possess an Alberta High School Diploma or equivalent with a mark of 50% in English 30/30-1 or equivalent.

 Mature Applicants, (students who are 21 years or older), must meet the following criteria with or without a completed high school diploma: (1) have been out of school for at least three consecutive years; AND (2) have completed English 30-1 with 50% or equivalent.
 
All applicants will be asked to complete a pre-entry interview with the Chairperson of the Social Work Diploma program.
 
Applicants will be asked to provide a current character reference from an employer, Band or Mtis agency or leadership, elder, teacher, government official, or other approved source.
 
Prior to the beginning of the program, prospective students will be required to submit current Child Welfare and RCMP/Police checks and complete a Program Applicant Information package.

Career Opportunities

Students graduating from the Social Work Diploma program qualify for entry into many Human, Health and Social Service related sectors.  Areas of employment include:

  • Child and Family Services (Child Welfare)
  • Addictions
  • Mental Health
  • Foster Care
  • Group Homes
  • School Liaison
  • Counselling
  • Women Emergency Centres
  • Income Security
  • First Nation and Metis Child Services
  • Corrections
  • Elderly
  • Child Care
  • Homeless Shelters
  • Community Development
  • First Nations

Program Structure

 

Course
Course Title
Credits
Year 1:
 
 
Term I (September – December)  
15
 
Introduction to Social Welfare and
Social Work
3
Introduction to Human Services
and Basic Counselling
3
Social Work Practicum IA
3
Literary Analysis
or 3 credits approved English
3
Basic Psychological Processes
or  3 credits approved Psychology
3
 
 
 
 
Term II (January – April)
18
 
Rural and Northern Practice
3
Social Work practice from an
Anti-Oppressive Perspective
3
Addictions and Mental Health
3
Social Work Practicum IB
3
Aboriginal Writings
3
Individual and Social Behaviour
or 3 credits approved psychology
3
 
 
 
Year 2: Diploma
 
 
Term I (September – December)
15
 
Social Policy
3
Social Work with Families
3
Introduction to Sociology or 3 credits approved sociology
3
Developmental Psychology
or 3 credits approved psychology
3
 
SOWK 250 Social Work Practicum IIA 3
 
 
 
Term II (January – April)
18
 
Community Development
3
Social Work in Organizations
3
Social Work with Groups
3
Social Work Practicum IIB
3
Introduction to Politics and Government or 3 credits approved political science
3
Historical Perspectives in
Native Studies or 3 credits approved Native Studies
3

 

 
   

 

Transferability

The program will seek 2-year transfer to the University of Calgary’s, BSW program, 2 years toward the Bachelor of Human Services at Athabasca University and other Canadian universities offering BSW programs.

Tuition And Fees