More about certificates
Focused graduate education in subjects most requested by the social work community.
Graduate education for professional social workers
Certificates offer flexible, graduate social work education in Advanced Social Work Practice, Clinical Social Work Practice, and International & Community Development, Leadership in the Human Services. These eight month programs are offered online; most require attendance at two in-person residencies at one of our Alberta campus locations. Some students choose to pursue their Master of Social Work through certificates.
Offers of admission are valid for the term to which you apply.
Earned your BSW outside of Canada/USA? Get your degree assessed by CASW for equivalency prior to applying. Learn more
Many social workers choose certificates to help them in their practice. Certificates provide in-depth graduate education and formal credentials without having to commit to a full Master of Social Work.
Focused graduate education in subjects most requested by the social work community.
If you want recognized expertise in a particular area – but don't necessarily want to pursue an MSW – then certificates might be a good solution for you.
Certificates provide flexibility in how you pay for your education as well as when you take courses. Certificates are offered online, over eight months. If this year looks to be very busy with life and work events, then look to take a certificate another year. This approach also allows you more time to pay for your education.
Even though certificates are offered online, most require up to two, in-person, residencies at one of our Alberta campus locations. These residencies provide opportunities to build and practice your skills and apply the theory you've learned.
Certificates also provide a flexible way to ladder into a Master of Social Work degree. To do this, you'll have to complete two certificates - one in Advanced Social Work Practice and a second in Clinical Social Work Practice, International & Community Development, or Leadership in the Human Services. This means that you'll have to make three applications. You apply for each certificate, then you apply to enter the MSW program. It's important to note that applying to the MSW is competitive and each applicant is evaluated independently. Completing two certificates doesn't guarantee entry. So if an MSW is your primary goal you might want to consider applying directly to the program.
You'll also learn advanced clinical practice in a variety of community settings that are defined by geography, membership or experience. Some of the community settings you'll study will include Indigenous, refugee, LGBTQ2+, disability and racialized communities, as well as post-disaster, and occupational and workplace communities.
Edmonton residencies >>
Applications for fall 2024 open: January 15
Applications close: April 15