Introduction

Your Bachelor of Social Work Degree

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree program will provide you with skills and knowledge needed to excel in the field of human services and social services.

Your program will allow you to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for professional social work practice. You will gain in-depth theoretical knowledge, extensive practical experience, and a reflective understanding of various social issues. Our internationally known educators and researchers will help you develop the qualities and skills necessary to become a social worker, while our small class sizes and friendly atmosphere will enhance your learning experience.

Admission to the Bachelor of Social Work

Admission to the Bachelor of Social Work program requires either:

1. Two years of study, which includes completion of 20 university transfer half-courses (including Social Work 201); or
2. A Social Work Diploma from an approved college in Alberta that is part of the Alberta Association of Social Work Diploma Programs Agreement.

A BSW degree can be obtained through the university's Calgary campus or through our Edmonton and Lethbridge regional sites. Both the University Transfer and Post-Diploma routes are offered at the Calgary and Edmonton locations, while in Lethbridge only the University Transfer route is available.

The BSW degree is also offered through our Learning Circles at a number of rural, remote, and Aboriginal centres across Alberta, as well as online through the Virtual Learning Circles.

Please note that students are officially admitted to the BSW degree program in year three of a four-year degree program. Once admitted, students are required to complete 20 half-course equivalents (60 credits) to earn the BSW degree. 

Contact a Student Advisor

Whether you are a new Social Work student, or if you are interested in transferring into the program, you can contact a Social Work advisor to get assistance with admission, program planning, registration approval, and degree requirement related questions.

Faculty of Social Work

Student Services Calgary Office
Room 3256, Professional Faculties Building
Email: bswinfo@ucalgary.ca
Website: www.fsw.ucalgary.ca

FSW Central and Northern Alberta Region (Edmonton)
Email: fswcnar@ucalgary.ca
Website: www.ucalgary.ca/fswcentralandnorth

FSW Southern Alberta Region (Lethbridge)
Email: aiken@uleth.ca
Website: www.ucalgary.ca/fswsouth

Courses Required in Your First Year

Required courses
Students are admitted into the third year of the social work program after two years of university study (10 full-course equivalents). University transfer students must take SOWK 201 as an option course within their first two years of study, prior to admission to the Faculty of Social Work.

If you are interested in transferring into a Bachelor of Social Work for your third year, outlined below is the suggested course pattern for your first year at the University of Calgary.

You should ensure that the courses you choose also satisfy the requirements of the degree program in which you are currently registered.

Bachelor of Social Work

View First Year Options.

It is recommended that students take options within the Human Services field – this would include courses in Anthropology, Development Studies, English, History, Indigenous Studies, Law and Society, Psychology, Sociology, and Women Studies.

Post Diploma/After Degree Students
Information on your degree requirements and course selection can be found in the University Calendar.

Did you receive credit (e.g. IB or AP) upon admission?

If you are coming to the U of C with Advanced Placement credit or International Baccalaureate credit, you will follow the same registration process as any first time university student. You may be eligible to use your transfer credit in your degree program depending on the program you have entered and whether or not the courses are applicable.

You may view your transfer credit by logging into your online Student Centre. Once you know the transfer credit you have received, you may contact the student advisor in your faculty to get advice on course selection.

Generally, students must complete 3.0 full-course equivalents (6 half-course equivalents or 18 credits) at the junior (200-level) before they are allowed to register in 300-level courses. However, if you received IB or AP credit for a 200-level course, you may take the 300-level course that has your 200-level course listed as a prerequisite.