BSW Online
University Transfer (UT) Route
Fall 2024 year of admission
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. Critically examine various social work paradigms, theories and approaches.
Topics explored: scope of social work practice, anti-racist & anti-colonial practice, practice with diverse identities and equity deserving groups, and communication and interviewing skills.
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.
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
Explore, learn and reflect on the practice of social work and who you are as a social worker. You'll participate in supervised learning activities, including community service, social justice initiatives, and micro-credentialing.
Topics explored: ethical decision making, self-care strategies, social action, and your personal practice framework.
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.
Spring
Build your social work skills for practice and research with diverse population and contexts.
Topics explored: assessment and intervention skills, group processes, evidence-informed practice, and research as daily practice.
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.
Social Work Research
Learners develop foundational knowledge of research, research process and methodologies. Learners critically apply research skills in diverse contexts.
Summer
Develop knowledge and practical skills to address mental health and well-being.
Topics explored: classification of mental disorders and the DSM-V, addictions, trauma-informed care, assessment skills, and interprofessional care.
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.
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.
Year 4
Fall
Develop your skills as a leader, advocate and change marker while exploring non-western ways of knowing, being, doing and connecting in social work practice.
Topics explored: social action and change, Indigenous healing practices, complex intergenerational trauma, African-centered worldviews.
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.
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.
Winter
Build your social work skills and competence in preparation for gradation. You'll critically reflect on your 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.
Spring
Apply critical theories to practice in local, global, international, and environmental contexts and in relation to social justice in society, social structures, and organizations.
Topics explored: environmental justice, ecological social work, human rights, social action and social change, and international social work.
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.
Summer
Social work option courses explore emerging topics. Choose an area of interest where you're looking to expand your knowledge and skills.
Option courses change from year-to year, consult the timetable for a list of possible courses.
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.
