BSW Blended

University Transfer (UT) Route

Fall 2024 year of admission

Calgary | Edmonton | Lethbridge

SOWK 201 Program Requirement

You can take SOWK 201 any time before or during the application cycle.

You're encouraged to take SOWK 201 in spring/summer prior to starting the program, but it can be taken in fall during block week in addition to your first term BSW workload.

SOWK 201 is a program requirement, and pre-requisite for other courses. Completion by the end of the fall term is strongly recommended. 

Year 3

You'll complete 60 units for your degree - 51 units of core social work courses and 9 units of social work option courses.

Courses are offered in a prescribed sequence and deviation from the curriculum plan is not normally allowed to ensure program progression and eligibility for practicum(s). If you are struggling with the course load or wish to take more courses in a term, as a first step consult your Student Advisor. Deviation from the recommended load/sequence needs approval from the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs. Permission may not be granted for the admission term.

Did you know? All class times are scheduled in mountain time (MT)

Fall

Begin to explore the scope of social work practice in your community and build foundational social work knowledge and skills for practice and research. Critically examine various social work paradigms, theories and approaches. 

Topics explored: anti-racist and anti-colonial social work practice, practice with diverse identities and equity deserving groups, communication and interviewing skills, evidence-informed practice, and research as daily practice.

Critical Analysis of Social Work Theories and Practice

Learners critically examine diverse theories and perspectives and integrate theory and practice.

Communication and Relationship Building Skills

Learners practice and apply foundational Social Work communication, engagement, and relational skills and processes to practice across contexts with diverse individuals, families, organizations, and communities.

Social Work Research

Learners develop foundational knowledge of research, research process and methodologies. Learners critically apply research skills in diverse contexts.

Community Engaged Practicum and Preparation  A

Learners prepare and participate in field experiences and integrative seminar. This is supported through social work supervision to develop their professional Social Work identity and engage in peer learning.

Winter

Further develop your social work skills and identity. You'll participate in supervised learning activities, including community service, social justice initiatives and events, simulations, and micro-credentialing.

Topics explored: ethical decision making, self-care strategies, social action, assessment and intervention skills, and group processes.

Social Work Practice Skills, Processes, and Strategies

Learners develop and practice skills and approaches in working with diverse individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. Learners critically evaluate and apply anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and anti-colonial models of practice.

Developing Identities in Social Work Practice

Learners examine social identities in Social Work practice, develop their Social Work practice framework, and apply professional ethics in working with diverse populations.

Community Engaged Practicum and Integration B

Learners engage in experiential, inquiry-based learning  through community service and social justice initiatives. Social Work supervision and an integrative seminar  scaffold, support, build Social Work competence, and engage in peer learning while developing their professional Social Work identity.

You may study topics such as: addictions and recovery, human sexuality, gerontology, intimate partner violence, loss and grief, mental health and trauma, social work in health care or child welfare settings, and social work with immigrants and refugees.

Consult the timetable for course offerings.

Spring

Explore non-western ways of knowing, being, doing and connecting in social work practice. 

Topics explored: Indigenous healing practices, complex intergenerational trauma, African-centered worldviews.

Indigenous Peoples’ Histories, Cultures, and Healing Practices

From an Indigenous worldview, learners gain an appreciation of the diverse Indigenous healing practices that are rooted in natural laws, languages, and spirit. Learners are invited to engage in learning that honours the resistance and resilience of Indigenous peoples in the face of colonial violence, genocide, and complex intergenerational traumas.

Africentric Social Work Practice

Learners critically examine African-centred worldviews, philosophies, values, and principles in historical and contemporary contexts, which inform the application and an exploration of the interconnections with anti-racist and anti-colonial Social Work.

Year 4

Fall

Develop your skills as a leader, advocate and change marker while exploring social work practice in local, global, international, environmental and mental health contexts. 

Topics explored: environmental justice, ecological social work, human rights, social action and social change, international social work, trauma-informed care and interprofessional practice.

Leadership and Advocacy Skills for Social Justice

Learners apply leadership and advocacy models and skills in working with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations across diverse contexts. Learners critically reflect on their professional identities as leaders and change makers.

Multiple Dimensions of Mental Health

Learners develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills to address a continuum of mental well-being to mental illness, classification of mental disorders, and addictions within diverse local and international contexts.

Green Social Work and Sustainability

Learners examine the role of Social Work in addressing the environmental crisis across individual, community, organizational, and professional contexts. Learners critically assess and apply approaches and innovations to integrate environmental justice and sustainability in Social Work practice.

Social Work Practice in an Interconnected World

Learners engage in critical examination of the interconnections among local, international, and global opportunities and challenges. Learners explore and apply Social Work skills to promote social action, social change, resilience, and wellness.

You may study topics such as: addictions and recovery, human sexuality, gerontology, intimate partner violence, loss and grief, mental health and trauma, social work in health care or child welfare settings, and social work with immigrants and refugees.

Consult the timetable for course offerings.

Winter

Build your social work skills and knowledge in preparation for gradation.  You'll critically reflect on your practice experiences and refine your personal practice framework.  

Practicum options include placement with a specific agency/community setting, a faculty member on a research project or through a supervised, self-directed model.

Final Practicum

Learners engage in 400 hours of supervised Social Work practice. Learners build Social Work competence in various settings including research, human service organizations or through the self-directed practicum model.

Final Integrative Seminar

Learners integrate academic knowledge with practice experience, engage in critically reflective practice, and demonstrate the values and ethics guiding Social Work practice. Learners evolve their personal practice frameworks in preparation for graduation as professional Social Workers.

You may study topics such as: addictions and recovery, human sexuality, gerontology, intimate partner violence, loss and grief, mental health and trauma, social work in health care or child welfare settings, and social work with immigrants and refugees.

Consult the timetable for course offerings.