Online BSW
Completely online degree opens the door to a wide range of careers in the helping profession.
Ready to challenge your perspective?
Advancing social justice and eradicating racial and other forms of injustice is at the core of our redesigned BSW. You'll learn:
- Foundational knowledge and skills required for anti-oppressive, anti-racist, decolonizing, and anti-colonial practice.
- Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, being, and connecting.
- Critically reflect and demonstrate an understanding of your own social location, identity, and assumptions in your practice.
- Recognize and manage your biases and preferences to advance social justice and support the social well-being of social work service users.
- Develop knowledge and skills for practice with the support of social work supervision in practicum.
Is an online BSW right for you?
"I've completed at least two years of university study."
You'll apply as a University Transfer student. You'll need to have completed 57 units of university transferable non-social work courses. You'll also need SOWK 201.
"I have an Alberta Social Work Diploma."
You'll apply as an Alberta Social Work diploma applicant, if you have a diploma from a school that has a UCalgary transfer agreement.
Note: Available at our Calgary and Edmonton campus only, or the Online BSW.
"I have a degree in another subject."
You'll apply as a University Transfer student. You'll also need SOWK 201.
"I have a social work diploma from a school outside Alberta*."
You'll apply as a University Transfer student. Normally you'll need an additional 30 units of university transferable non-social work courses.
*with the exception of Ontario
"I'm a high school student."
Unfortunately you can't apply to the faculty directly from high school, but we have some suggestions for your first two years of university.
"I have a social work diploma from a school in Ontario."
You'll apply as a University Transfer student. You must have a three-year advanced diploma to qualify for a block of 30 units. You'll need an additional 30 units of university transferable non-social work courses.
Note: Two-year diplomas do not qualify for block credit.
Program Requirements
Alberta Social Work Diploma
Core courses cover topics such as theory and practice in:
- an interconnected world, research, mental health, Indigenous peoples' histories, cultures, & healing practices, green & sustainable social work, and africentric social work practice.
- experiential learning through practicum.
- You'll complete a 400-hour practicum in the fall term of your final year often scheduled weekdays during business hours, 4 full days/week.
- Your practicum will typically be completed in-person, close to or in your home community, anywhere in Canada.
- Our field education team is dedicated to supporting you through your practicum journey.
Through social work option 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.
Non-social work courses are general arts (e.g., psychology, sociology) or science (e.g. statistics) courses at the junior or senior level.
University Transfer
Core courses cover topics such as theory and practice in:
- an interconnected world, advocacy for social justice, communication & relationship building, professional ethics, research, mental health, Indigenous peoples' histories, cultures, & healing practices, green & sustainable social work, and africentric social work practice.
- experiential learning through practicum.
- Starting in your first semester, you'll complete 300-hour of learning through community service and social justice initiatives.
- You'll also complete a 400-hour practicum in the winter term of your final year often scheduled weekdays during business hours, 4 full days/week.
- Your practicum will typically be completed in-person, close to or in your home community, anywhere in Canada.
- Our field education team is dedicated to supporting you through your practicum journey.
Through social work option 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.