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Advanced Social Work Practice

Online

This certificate is offered fully online.

Online courses consist of a mix of real time classes at set times and learning that can be done on your own schedule.

Internet access

You'll require regular access to an internet connection, and you'll need a camera and microphone.

A high speed internet connection is recommended, but not required.

Test your Internet Connection

8 months

You'll begin your Certificate studies in the fall semester (September), and the total completion time is eight months.

You'll follow the UCalgary academic calendar and be given specific assignment deadlines.

Take your practice to the next level

This certificate builds on your real world experience and previous education by providing you with social work models and change strategies to help you advance just social work practice from micro to macro levels.

You'll learn powerful research strategies to examine structural issues of marginalization and injustice in local, national and global contexts. You'll also explore the political, public policy context where social work and social welfare programs are delivered.

Certificates provide graduate education and formal credentials. If you plan on applying to our MSW, you'll need this certificate and another certificate in Clinical Social Work Practice, International and Community Development, or Leadership in the Human Services.

Advanced Social Work Practice: Courses


Social Justice and Theory in Advanced Social Work Practice

Examines concepts of culture, identity, oppression and differentness in relationship to theories of social justice, at all levels of professional practice.

Research and Philosophy in Advanced Social Work Practice

Explores social work research through examination of various approaches (qualitative and quantitative), paradigms, and methods and applies social work research to theories as you develop your professional practice model.

Advanced Practice Theories in Context

Examines theoretical models, philosophical frameworks and ethical foundations of social work practice as a means to facilitate change while locating social work’s development and current practice in historical, economic, political, social and cultural contexts.

Advanced Policy Practice in Context

Explores the influences of public policy on the lives, relationships, and well-being of individuals, families, groups and communities, while examining the relationship between social justice in the policy-making process and the role of social workers in shaping policy.  


Admission Requirements

  1. A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from an accredited/recognized institution.
  2. A minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.
  3. The equivalent of two years of full-time paid work or a minimum of 3,000 hours of paid and/or volunteer work in the human services field by the application deadline.
    What is relevant social work and human service experience? 
  4. English Language Proficiency

    Offers of admission are valid for the term to which you apply.

 

Degree Award

Your degree must be awarded prior to the start of the program. We cannot accept a letter of completion as a replacement for degree award. Your final transcript noting your degree must be received by June 30.

How to apply?

Applications open: Jan. 15, 2024
Deadline: April 15, 2024

Required Documents

  • Resume
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • Test scores, if applicable

Follow our step-by-step instructions

Information Session

  • March 28, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. MT

Register today!

Earned your BSW abroad?

If you completed an undergraduate degree in Social Work or equivalent in another country (outside Canada/USA), you must have your degree assessed by the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) as equivalent to a Canadian BSW, prior to applying to the MSW program.

Learn more