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The BSW Learning Circles route (formerly Access route) provides opportunities for undergraduate social work education for Alberta students in rural, remote and Aboriginal communities. In order to register in the BSW Learning Circles route, students must be available to attend course offerings in selected rural, remote, and Aboriginal communities.

New applicants should refer to A.2 "Admission Requirements" in the Undergraduate Admissions section of this Calendar for regulations regarding University admission requirements.

The overall objective of the BSW program is to prepare students for entry-level general social work practice. The BSW program provides opportunities for students to acquire sufficient knowledge, values, and skills to enable them to maintain a professional standard of practice.

The BSW Learning Circles route promotes access to the BSW degree for students in rural, remote, and Aboriginal communities in Alberta. The BSW Learning Circles Virtual Site offers the curriculum through a blended learning approach integrating technology with some face-to-face opportunities. For more information on the BSW Learning Circles Virtual Site consult the Student Services Office or the web page: http://fsw.ucalgary.ca/students/current_bsw/virtual.  

The BSW Learning Circles route provides an undergraduate curriculum that is culturally and geographically relevant to communities outside urban areas. Course content is innovative and aligned with traditional philosophies and knowledge systems. Community collaboration and adaptive delivery methods are key features of the Learning Circles route. The Learning Circles route offers an innovative variation of the BSW program. The final degree remains the accredited University of Calgary BSW degree.

Core content has been grouped into four theme areas: Generalist Practice in Context; Research in Context; Diversity and Oppression; Social Work Methods. These form the basis for courses that are listed as Social Work 300-level courses (Social Work 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307). Courses related to local region practicum placements are listed as Social Work 400-level courses (Social Work 410, 412). Social work option courses for Learning Circles students have the same 500-level designation as option courses for the students in Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge.

Note: Social Work 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, and 307 cannot be taken by students in Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge.

Each theme area is comprised of three half-course equivalents, including one theme course (full-course) and one additional half-course. One theme area is offered in each Fall and Winter Term. The same theme area is offered in each site location in any given term. Students can complete the four theme areas over two academic years. Practicum and integration seminar courses will be taken after all four social work theme areas and all non social work courses have been completed. The theme areas do not have to be taken in a particular sequence.

Social Work option courses may be taken at any time in the program. Option offerings in block format will be made available in Spring/Summer Terms.

Admission

Students who will have completed a Social Work Diploma at an approved Community College may apply for admission to the Learning Circles Post-Diploma route. Such applicants must also meet basic University admission requirements. Applicants not meeting University basic admission requirements cannot be admitted to the Faculty.

Applicants to the Learning Circles Post-Diploma route will receive credit for ten Social Work half-course equivalents from their Diploma program. In order to be considered for admission, students must also have completed eight university transfer, non-Social Work half-course equivalents.

Applicants are evaluated on the following criteria:

1. Grade Point Average (60%). One-third of the grade point average is calculated on the cumulative grade point average for social work courses and two-thirds of the grade point average is based on the last ten non-social work half-course equivalents completed. Refer to the general admissions section for detailed information on calculation of the GPA.

2. One letter of reference from the field instructor of record (5%);

3. Admission essay (10%);

4. A recommendation from the chair/director of the social work program that the student attended (15%);

5. Relevant volunteer/work experience (10%).

Note: Students who graduated with an Alberta Social Work Diploma more than five years prior to applying to the University of Calgary, will need to provide three letters of reference and are not required to supply the recommendation from the chair/director of the social work program that the student attended and the field instructor of record.

Requirements

In order to graduate, students must have completed:

Seven and one half full-course equivalents: Social Work 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 412, 413

One full-course equivalent Social Work at the 500-level

Six and one half full-course equivalent non-Social Work courses of which four full-course equivalents are completed within the Social Work diploma.

Note: All required 300-level Social Work courses and non-Social Work courses must be completed prior to registering in Social Work 412.

Note: All required non-Social Work courses will normally be completed prior to registering in Social Work 410 or 412.