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3.4 Faculty of Social Work - Student Standing


Academic Review, Probationary Status and Dismissal

Academic performance will be monitored throughout the program. The academic performance of students in the Bachelor of Social Work program is reviewed after each Winter Term, provided they have completed at least 18 units at the University of Calgary since their previous review. Students who have not completed 18 units since their previous review and are in good standing or on regular academic probation, will retain that standing until their next review.

The Faculty of Social Work reserves the right to review student academic standing at any time, regardless of the units completed. The Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs may permit a student to continue in program under specified conditions or require them to withdraw if specified conditions are not met. Students will be notified of these conditions in writing by the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs.

The GPA calculation for the academic review includes all University of Calgary courses completed since the previous review. Both grades for a course that is repeated in the same review period are used in the GPA calculation. Transfer credit is not considered in the GPA calculation for the academic review.

Students placed on academic probation or required to withdraw as a result of an academic review will be notified in writing by the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs.


Academic Standing

(a) Students are considered to be in good standing if they achieve a GPA of at least 2.30 over all courses taken since their previous review.

(b) Students are placed on academic probation if they achieve a GPA of at least 2.00 but less than 2.30 over all courses taken since their previous review and have not been on academic probation in the last five years. University regulations permit students to be on probation only once during their degree. Students who fail to meet this requirement will be required to withdraw from the BSW program.

(c) Students are required to withdraw from the Faculty of Social Work if they achieve a GPA less than 2.00 over all courses taken since their previous review. Students who are required to withdraw from the Faculty of Social Work will not be readmitted.

Students admitted after having been required to withdraw from the University or another post-secondary institution will be admitted on probation and must maintain a grade point average of at least 2.30 in every academic review period after readmission. Failure to do so will result in permanent dismissal.

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.


Graduation Requirements

All candidates for the Bachelor of Social Work degree must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Students must successfully complete 120 units and all program requirements as described under Program Details.

  2. A minimum of 30 units completed at the University of Calgary.

  3. A cumulative grade point average of 2.30 or above is required on all courses taken towards the BSW degree.

  4. In the case of a student repeating a required course, the GPA for graduation purposes (not degrees with distinction) shall include only the higher grade.

  5. A maximum of 6 units of "D" or "D+" grades within the program.

  6. A maximum of 3 units of Credit Granted (CG) grades. Social Work 201, 390 and 592 are not eligible for CG.

  7. A maximum of 6 units of Social Work transfer credit.


Minor Field and Embedded Certificates

Students may formally declare a Minor and/or an Embedded Certificate and have this recorded on their official transcript provided they satisfy the requirements for the relevant Minor program and/or Embedded Certificate. This declaration must be made prior to application for graduation.

Minors may be taken from Continuing Education and the Faculties of Arts, Education, Medicine, Science, and the Haskayne School of Business.


Graduation "With Distinction"

The notation "With Distinction" will be inscribed on the permanent record and graduation parchment of all BSW students whose grade point average on the last 27 units of University of Calgary Social Work graded courses places them in the top 10 per cent of the Faculty's graduates. A minimum GPA of 3.85 will be required.


Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade)

The Faculty of Social Work will allow students to pursue the Flexible Grade Option in courses offered by the Faculty, with the exception of the following courses:

  • Social Work 201

  • Social Work 390

  • Social Work 592

See F.1.3 in Academic Regulations for the general University regulations governing the Flexible Grade Option.


Back to 3. Faculty of Social Work Regulations

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