Bachelor of Social Work Edmonton
Our downtown Edmonton campus offers an in-class BSW program
Welcome to social work!
Social work is a practice-based profession that promotes social justice and well-being.
Graduates of our BSW are generalist practitioners. You will learn the skills and knowledge required to work with individuals, groups, organizations, and communities.
What will I learn?
This program will prepare you to:
• Apply critical thinking skills in your professional social work practice;
• Understand diverse social issues and apply strategies to advocate, influence and promote social change;
• Apply theories supported by empirical evidence to understand and influence individuals, families, groups, organizations and community development and activities, and
• Understand and adhere to the social work profession's ethical standards and principles.
Here are a few areas where social workers practice:
- community-based services
- community development activities
- child welfare services
- institutional health care
- long term care centres
- corrections
- education
- settlement support, and
- hospital services
Is a BSW the right fit for you?
Class of 2019 BSW graduate on the importance of social work and what new applicants need to expect
Ask an Alumna - Keeta Gladue
University Transfer Students and Degree Holders
You'll complete 60 units for your degree - 51 units are core social work courses and 9 units are social work option courses.
Social work core courses cover topics such as social policy and social justice, anti-oppressive generalist practice, and practice and evaluation with individuals, families, organizations, and communities.
Through option courses, you may study topics such as loss and grief, social work in health care or child welfare settings, mental health, social work with Indigenous peoples, and social work with immigrants and refugees.
You'll complete two practica in the final year. Your introductory practicum is 300 hours and your senior practicum is 400 hours. Practicum is scheduled weekdays during business hours. You'll have to be available to complete a full-time practicum.
Alberta Social Work Diploma Students
You'll complete 60 units for your degree - 24 units are core social work courses, 12 units are social option courses and 24 units are non-social work courses taken outside the faculty.
Your program is designed to build on the knowledge and skills you've already gained in your diploma.
Social work core courses cover topics such as social policy and social justice, research, and anti-oppressive generalist practice.
Through social work option courses, you may study topics such as loss and grief, social work in health care or child welfare settings, mental health, social work with Indigenous peoples, and social work with immigrants and refugees.
Non-social work courses are general arts (e.g., psychology, sociology) or science (e.g. statistics) courses at the junior or senior level.
You'll complete one practicum in the final year during the winter. This practicum is 400 hours. Practicum is scheduled weekdays during business hours. You'll have to be available to complete a full-time practicum.
