3.3 Faculty of Social Work - Undergraduate Course Work
Social Work 201
Social Work 201 is a requirement for the University Transfer (including After-Degree) program. Students are strongly encouraged to complete this course prior to admission or during the first term of the program. Social Work 201 must be completed by the end of the Winter term of the first year of the program. A minimum grade of ‘C-‘ is required.
Students who are unsuccessful will be given one further attempt at the course. A second unsuccessful attempt will result in the student being required to withdraw from the program. Social Work 201 may be attempted a maximum of two times.
Social Work 201 is not eligible for a CG grade.
Interprofessional Health Education
The Interprofessional Health Education (IPHE) courses provide the foundation for sound and evidence-informed interprofessional practice in the fields of health, mental health, and addictions where comorbidity is common. Interprofessional Health Education (IPHE) 501 and 503 may be taken by Social Work undergraduate students admitted to the BSW program for Fall 2023 and prior, and credited either as a 500-level Social Work option OR as a non-Social Work option. From Fall 2024 onwards, Interprofessional Health Education 501 and 503 are required non-social work option courses for Alberta Social Work Diploma students, while for University Transfer students they count as social work options.
Field Practicum
Field practicum courses provide an opportunity for the student to learn through direct social work practice. Practica are typically completed in-person, close to the student’s home community, anywhere in Canada. Successful completion of these courses is a requirement for continuation in the program. In the BSW program, students are required to complete a number of core and option courses before registering in the final field practicum. It is the student's responsibility to review and follow the curriculum plan specific to their program option and entry route. For program specific requirements, see Program Details.
The field practicum courses are Social Work 390, 392 and 590. Students will have placements in the field practicum based on availability, student interest, and agency choice.
Students are expected to be in practicum for a specific number of hours per week for the duration of their scheduled term. The practicum represents a significant time commitment. Students must ensure that they are aware of field requirements, and available for field placements as scheduled, in order to complete their practicum within the appropriate terms.
Notes:
Students must maintain concurrent registration in the Final Practicum (Social Work 590) and related Final Integrative Seminar (Social Work 592). University Transfer students normally must complete the Community Engaged Practicum and Preparation (Social Work 390) and Community Engaged Practicum and Integration (Social Work 392) in two consecutive terms.
Note: Students must obtain a grade of “C” or better in Social Work 390 to proceed with Social Work 392.Social Work 390 and 592 are not eligible for CG grade.
Students registered in the field practicum courses, Social Work 392 and 590, in the Fall or Winter Term are not required to continue in practicum during that session’s Term Break (formerly known as Reading Week). If, in consultation with the agency and field instructor, the student decides to continue the practicum through the Term Break, the practicum end-date is adjusted accordingly.
International students must have a valid work permit for their practica in Canada. The work permit must be presented to the Field Education Office in the Faculty of Social Work prior to the start of the practicum.
Students who fail or withdraw from a field practicum course (Social Work 590) will fail or be required to withdraw from the corequisite course (Social Work 592). In addition, the student may be required to withdraw from the program. Students may register in practicum courses a maximum of two times.
Police Information Check
Students are advised that agencies that offer social work practicum placements may require a current Police Information Check (PIC) prior to acceptance into a placement. The placement agency has the discretion to refuse a placement based on a Police Information Check. Registration with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) also requires a Police Information Check. Students who are concerned about the presence of a criminal record should contact the police department to discuss the process for eliminating or erasing such a record. Students are obligated to inform the Faculty immediately of any change in status of their criminal record. Alberta Health Services (AHS) requires the Faculty of Social Work to document a PIC for all students placed in AHS practica.
Immunization Requirements
Many practicum settings require students to be immunized prior to a practicum placement, e.g., Alberta Health Services see albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/hp/cdc/if-hp-cdc-ipsm-std-imm-post-sec-stud-08-302.pdf.
Students must meet immunization requirements prior to the start of all practicum courses if required by their practicum agency.
Prerequisites and Corequisites
Students are responsible for ensuring that they have all of the prerequisites and corequisites for the courses in which they register. The Faculty checks prerequisites before the drop deadline and removes students who are not eligible to enrol.
Students with deferred work from the previous term will be removed from a course if they fail to achieve a "C-" or above upon completion of the deferred work in the prerequisite course, with the exception of Social Work 390. Students will be liable for the cost of tuition if the deferred grade is reported and registration is cancelled after the drop deadline.
Student Advising
The Faculty of Social Work Student Services in Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge advise students on academic matters and University regulations. Students can book an appointment with a student advisor or drop-in.