BSW FAQs

There is no requirement for human services related volunteer or work experience to apply to the program, but it is strongly recommended. 

If you are applying to the two year Bachelor of Social Work program as a University Transfer of After-Degree applicant, you can take SOWK 201 as an Open Studies student any time before or during the application cycle. We offer SOWK 201 online every term. For more information on our current offerings and how to apply, click here.

Current UCalgary students: self-register through your Student Centre.

When you apply to the two-year BSW (Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, and Online), you can pick two program choices on your application for admission. If you are applying to the direct-entry BSW, this program is only offered from our main campus in Calgary.

All dates and deadlines are firm. If your complete application is not received by the deadline, your file will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

Check your status in your Student Centre and monitor your emails for updates.

No, offers of admission are valid for the term to which you apply. You will need to re-apply next year.

High school graduates can apply to our Direct Entry Bachelor of Social Work program delivered at the University of Calgary's main campus. This allows you to begin your journey toward a rewarding career in social work right after high school.

Blended BSW (Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge): Expected completion time is 20 months.

Online BSW: Expected completion time is 24 months.

Direct Entry BSW: Expected completion time is 44 months.

If you are applying to the Two-Year BSW program, you can check which of your courses are transferable to UCalgary using:

• the Alberta Transfer Guide,
• our internal transfer credit database: UCalgary Transfer Credit Search Tool.

You must submit your request for advanced credit in writing when you apply by contacting our student advisors. You will not be given advanced credit for social work courses unless there is social work-specific content in that course. A maximum of 6 units of Social Work courses will be allowed for transfer credit.

Use the Undergraduate Student Cost Estimator to calculate your expenses for the year.

Student loans are available to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons, and American citizens.

You can search for available awards, scholarships, and bursaries, and learn how to apply.

Questions about loans, awards, scholarships and bursaries? Contact Enrolment Services

Field education is a critical part of your journey to become a social worker. See your route specific practicum schedule for more detail.

No, you cannot graduate from another degree program before entering the BSW as a Change of Program applicant. 

Open Studies students, including students in the University Entrance Program (UEP) and Indigenous Student Access Program (IASP), are not considered change of program applicants, and will need to apply as external applicants via Admissions. 

Admission to the BSW program is competitive. All students who meet the competitive threshold have equal chances of admission. There is no supplemental application, and we do not accept resumes, statements, references or other additional materials.

Yes, you may take SOWK 201. All other SOWK courses are restricted to students admitted to the program.