Virtual Bachelor of Social Work
Live, work and study in your home community
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.
About our Virtual BSW
Online environment
You'll need reliable internet for this program. You should also be comfortable communicating online in a group environment, through written discussions and real-time Zoom sessions.
Some in person classes
Even though it's mostly online, you're still required to attend annual block week classes at our Calgary or Edmonton campus.
Full-time program
On average you should plan on dedicating 12-15 hours per week for each course.
Right on schedule
Even though the program is online, it still follows the UCalgary semester schedule. You'll begin in the fall with set start and end dates and specific assignment deadlines. You'll also take courses year-round, including the spring and summer.
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 - 54 units are core social work courses and 6 units are social work option courses.
Social work core courses are grouped into four theme areas: Generalist Practice in Context; Communication and Information; Diversity and Oppression; and Social Work Methods.
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 during the spring and summer. 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 - 45 units are core social work courses and 15 units are non-social work courses taken outside the faculty.
Social work core courses are grouped into four theme areas: Generalist Practice in Context; Communication and Information; Diversity and Oppression; and Social Work Methods.
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 spring or summer. This practicum is 400 hours. Practicum is scheduled weekdays during business hours. You'll have to be available to complete a full-time practicum.
