Social Work (BSW Program)
Glen Schmidt, Adjuct Professor and Professor Emeritus
Joanna Pierce, Associate Professor and Chair
Bruce Bidgood, Associate Professor
Dawn Hemingway, Associate Professor
Nancy Jokinen, Associate Professor
Indrani Margolin, Associate Professor
Heather Peters, Associate Professor
Si Chava Transken, Associate Professor
Susan Burke, Assistant Professor
Tammy Pearson, Assistant Professor
Website: http://www.unbc.ca/social-work
The School of Social Work offers a schedule of studies leading to the degree of Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).
The Bachelor of Social Work is designed to prepare students for beginning-level generalized social work practice with individuals, families, groups and communities. The program's orientation places emphasis on Social Work in northern and remote areas, Indigenous peoples, women and the human services, and community practice and research. Analyses of class, gender and race relations are considered central to the Social Work program. As mandated by its accrediting body, the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE), and the relevant Social Work Codes of Ethics, Social Work at UNBC provides a professional program prepares graduates with the intellectual, analytical, practical and professional skills needed to advocate for justice and equality and to promote beneficial change.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Bachelor of Social Work program is limited and is based on academic qualifications and available space. Students will normally complete 60 credit hours of study that includes a minimum of 48 credit hours of liberal arts and science courses. Students will achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.67 (B-) (calculated on a student's most recent 60 credit hours of study) and meet other selection criteria prior to program entry. More information about these criteria can be found in the BSW Supplementary Application for Admission form.
Students who have completed a social service worker program at a community college may be eligible for discretionary transfer credit.
The School of Social Work will permit up to three Social Work elective courses to be taken prior to formal admission to the BSW program. Successful completion of these courses does not guarantee admission into the program.
Students will be required to undergo a criminal records search prior to being admitted (see Academic Regulation 19).
Undergraduate students are required to take 60 credit hours of Upper-Division Social Work courses. The minimum requirement for a Bachelor of Social Work is 120 credit hours.
Students applying to the School of Social Work will have completed the following four BSW course prerequisites:
Students applying to the School of Social Work with a Baccalaureate degree in a related discipline do not have to complete the four BSW course prerequisites.
Field Placements
Every effort will be made to secure appropriate field placements for students in the School of Social Work. However, the location and type of placement are subject to availability.
Costs Associated with the School of Social Work
Costs associated with study in the School of Social Work are the responsibility of the individual student, including transportation costs and any expenses involved in academic studies, lab, and field placement. In some circumstances, students may complete field experiences at sites other than their campus of registration. Provision for all travel, accommodation, and living expenses associated with field education is the sole responsibility of the student.
Standards of Professional Conduct
Academic Performance
Students may repeat a Social Work course once. Students who fail a required Social Work course twice are required to withdraw from the program.
Qualification for Degree
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that his/her degree requirements are met. Graduation requirements are found in the Regulations and Policies section of this Calendar. To fulfill the requirements of graduation, the student must also:
Transfer Credit
All transfer credit for course work taken prior to admission to the BSW program will be evaluated, and applied at the time of initial registration in the program. After students have been admitted to the School of Social Work, course work taken in other institutions for transfer credit towards the degree requires a letter of permission prior to the registration in the course.
Program Requirements
300 Level
400 Level
Students must select an additional 12 credit hours of approved 400-level Social Work courses from the approved list.
Electives at any level in any subject sufficient to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours.
BSW: Child Welfare Specialization
The Child Welfare Specialization provides a program of studies that prepares students for practice in child welfare, while also satisfying the general practice criteria required for BSW accreditation and for designation as a Registered Social Worker (RSW).
Students must meet all prerequisites for entry into the UNBC BSW program, and must be accepted into the program. The fourth-year practicum takes place in a child welfare or an Indigenous child welfare agency.
The Child Welfare Specialization is designed to provide a Social Work degree that prepares students for social work practice in all child and family serving agencies.
Program Requirement
BSW: Indigenous Specialization
The Indigenous Specialization provides a program of study that prepares students for practice with Indigenous peoples while also satisfying the general practice criteria required for UNBC BSW accreditation and for designation as a Registered Social Worker (RSW).
Students must meet all prerequisites for entry into the UNBC BSW program, and must be accepted into the program. The fourth-year practicum takes place in an Indigenous setting.
Program Requirement
Select one Social Work electives from the approved list.
The Child Welfare Certificate program is open only to Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Child and Youth Care graduates. The Certificate is designed to prepare students for child welfare work, with a particular focus on practice in the northern and rural regions of British Columbia. However, certificate graduates will be well prepared to work in all agencies and locations that provide child welfare service. The Certificate consists of 30 credit hours. Admission into the Certificate program is limited. Students must establish their course of study with approval from the Chair of the Social Work Program.
Students will be required to undergo a criminal records search prior to being admitted. Refer to Academic Regulation #19.
A maximum of 6 credit hours may be transferred from courses taken in the UNBC Bachelor of Social Work Program, or from other recognized institutions into the Certificate program.
Standards of Professional Conduct
All students are expected to abide by professional standards as set forth by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE) and the relevant Social Work Codes of Ethics. Violation of professional standards may result in suspension or dismissal from the program or the education institution.
Qualification for a Certificate
Dawn Hemingway, Associate Professor
Nancy Jokinen, Associate Professor
Indrani Margolin, Associate Professor
Heather Peters, Associate Professor
Si Chava Transken, Associate Professor
Susan Burke, Assistant Professor
Tammy Pearson, Assistant Professor
Website: http://www.unbc.ca/social-work
The School of Social Work offers a schedule of studies leading to the degree of Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).
The Bachelor of Social Work is designed to prepare students for beginning-level generalized social work practice with individuals, families, groups and communities. The program's orientation places emphasis on Social Work in northern and remote areas, Indigenous peoples, women and the human services, and community practice and research. Analyses of class, gender and race relations are considered central to the Social Work program. As mandated by its accrediting body, the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE), and the relevant Social Work Codes of Ethics, Social Work at UNBC provides a professional program prepares graduates with the intellectual, analytical, practical and professional skills needed to advocate for justice and equality and to promote beneficial change.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Bachelor of Social Work program is limited and is based on academic qualifications and available space. Students will normally complete 60 credit hours of study that includes a minimum of 48 credit hours of liberal arts and science courses. Students will achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.67 (B-) (calculated on a student's most recent 60 credit hours of study) and meet other selection criteria prior to program entry. More information about these criteria can be found in the BSW Supplementary Application for Admission form.
Students who have completed a social service worker program at a community college may be eligible for discretionary transfer credit.
The School of Social Work will permit up to three Social Work elective courses to be taken prior to formal admission to the BSW program. Successful completion of these courses does not guarantee admission into the program.
Students will be required to undergo a criminal records search prior to being admitted (see Academic Regulation 19).
Undergraduate students are required to take 60 credit hours of Upper-Division Social Work courses. The minimum requirement for a Bachelor of Social Work is 120 credit hours.
Students applying to the School of Social Work will have completed the following four BSW course prerequisites:
| SOCW 200-3 | Introduction to Social Work Practice | |
| SOCW 201-3 | Introduction to Social Welfare | |
| FNST 100-3 | The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada | |
| WMST 100-3 | Introduction to Women's Studies |
Students applying to the School of Social Work with a Baccalaureate degree in a related discipline do not have to complete the four BSW course prerequisites.
Students admitted to the Bachelor of Social Work program are required to withdraw from the Bachelor of Social Work program if they register a second fail in Social Work Field Education (SOCW 302-6 and/or SOCW 402-15).
The minimum requirement for a Bachelor of Social Work is 120 credit hours.
The minimum requirement for a Bachelor of Social Work is 120 credit hours.
Field Placements
Every effort will be made to secure appropriate field placements for students in the School of Social Work. However, the location and type of placement are subject to availability.
Costs Associated with the School of Social Work
Costs associated with study in the School of Social Work are the responsibility of the individual student, including transportation costs and any expenses involved in academic studies, lab, and field placement. In some circumstances, students may complete field experiences at sites other than their campus of registration. Provision for all travel, accommodation, and living expenses associated with field education is the sole responsibility of the student.
Standards of Professional Conduct
All students are expected to abide by professional standards as set forth by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE) and the relevant Social Work Codes of Ethics. Violation of professional standards may result in suspension or dismissal from the program or
the educational institution.
the educational institution.
Academic Performance
Students may repeat a Social Work course once. Students who fail a required Social Work course twice are required to withdraw from the program.
Qualification for Degree
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that his/her degree requirements are met. Graduation requirements are found in the Regulations and Policies section of this Calendar. To fulfill the requirements of graduation, the student must also:
- attain a minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.33 (C+) on courses for credit towards the Social Work degree.
- obtain a minimum passing grade of 2.00 (C) in every Social Work course for credit towards the degree. (note: Students enrolling in any required course must have completed all prerequisites with a grade C or better); and
- complete all requirements for the BSW program within eight years of admission into the program or from the first Social Work course used for credit towards the degree.
In addition, BSW students may choose to meet the requirements for one of the Areas of Specialization described in this degree program. The Specialization will be recorded on the student's transcript.
Transfer Credit
All transfer credit for course work taken prior to admission to the BSW program will be evaluated, and applied at the time of initial registration in the program. After students have been admitted to the School of Social Work, course work taken in other institutions for transfer credit towards the degree requires a letter of permission prior to the registration in the course.
Program Requirements
300 Level
| SOCW 300-3 | Social Work Communication Skills | |
| SOCW 301-3 | Critical Social Work Practice | |
| SOCW 302-6 | Social Work Field Education I | |
|
Social Work and Indigenous Peoples
|
||
| SOCW 320-3 | Critical Social Policy | |
| SOCW 330-3 | Social Work Research/Policy/Practice | |
| SOCW 336-3 | Social Work Philosophy and Ethics |
400 Level
| SOCW 401-3 | Northern/Remote Social Work Practice | |
| SOCW 402-15 | Social Work Field Education II | |
| SOCW 420-3 | Family/Child Welfare Policy | |
|
Human Growth and Development
|
Students must select an additional 12 credit hours of approved 400-level Social Work courses from the approved list.
| SOCW 422-3 | Child Welfare Practice | |
| SOCW 426-3 | Current Issues in Child Welfare Practice | |
| SOCW 433-3 | Women in the Human Services | |
| SOCW 437-3 | Social Work with Groups and Communities | |
| SOCW 439-3 | Social Work/Law and the Justice System | |
| SOCW 440-3 | Social Work in Mental Health | |
| SOCW 441-3 | Social Work and Substance Abuse | |
| SOCW 442-3 | Social Work with Victims of Abuse | |
| SOCW 443-3 | Medical Social Work | |
| SOCW 444-3 | Social Work Critical Issues in Aging | |
| SOCW 445-3 | Social Work and Cross-Cultural Practice | |
| SOCW 449-3 | Gender and Sexuality | |
| SOCW 450-3 | Social Work and Family Practice | |
| SOCW 452-3 | Social Work/Crisis Intervention | |
| SOCW 453-3 | Social Work Practice and Spirituality | |
| SOCW 454-3 | Disability Issues | |
|
Indigenous Governance and Social Policy
|
||
|
Indigenous Family Caring Systems
|
||
|
Individual and Community Wellness for Indigenous Peoples
|
||
| SOCW 498 (3-6) | Special Topics | |
| SOCW 499-3 | Directed Readings |
Elective Requirement
Electives at any level in any subject sufficient to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours.
BSW: Child Welfare Specialization
The Child Welfare Specialization provides a program of studies that prepares students for practice in child welfare, while also satisfying the general practice criteria required for BSW accreditation and for designation as a Registered Social Worker (RSW).
Students must meet all prerequisites for entry into the UNBC BSW program, and must be accepted into the program. The fourth-year practicum takes place in a child welfare or an Indigenous child welfare agency.
The Child Welfare Specialization is designed to provide a Social Work degree that prepares students for social work practice in all child and family serving agencies.
Program Requirement
| SOCW 300-3 | Communication Skills in Social Work Practice | |
| SOCW 301-3 | Critical Social Work Practice | |
| SOCW 302-6 | Social Work Field Education I | |
|
Social Work and Indigenous Peoples
|
||
| SOCW 320-3 | Critical Social Policy | |
| SOCW 330-3 | Social Work Research, Policy and Practice | |
| SOCW 336-3 | Social Work Philosophy and Ethics | |
| SOCW 401-3 | Northern and Remote Social Work Practice | |
| SOCW 402-15 | Social Work Field Education II | |
| SOCW 420-3 | Family/Child Welfare Policy | |
| SOCW 421-3 | Human Growth and Development | |
| SOCW 422-3 | Child Welfare Practice | |
| SOCW 426-3 | Current Issues in Child Welfare Practice | |
| SOCW 439-3 | Social Work/Law and the Justice System |
Select one (1) Social Work Elective from the Approved List.
Elective Requirement
Electives at any level in any subject sufficient to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours.
BSW: Indigenous Specialization
The Indigenous Specialization provides a program of study that prepares students for practice with Indigenous peoples while also satisfying the general practice criteria required for UNBC BSW accreditation and for designation as a Registered Social Worker (RSW).
Students must meet all prerequisites for entry into the UNBC BSW program, and must be accepted into the program. The fourth-year practicum takes place in an Indigenous setting.
Program Requirement
| SOCW 300-3 | Social Work Communication Skills | |
| SOCW 301-3 | Critical Social Work Practice | |
| SOCW 302-6 | Social Work Field Education I | |
|
Social Work and Indigenous Peoples
|
||
| SOCW 320-3 | Critical Social Policy | |
| SOCW 330-3 | Social Work Research, Policy and Practice | |
| SOCW 336-3 | Social Work Philosophy and Ethics | |
| SOCW 401-3 | Northern and Remote Social Work Practice | |
| SOCW 402-15 | Social Work Field Education II | |
| SOCW 420-3 | Family/Child Welfare Policy | |
| SOCW 421-3 | Human Growth and Development | |
| SOCW 455-3 | Indigenous Governance and Social Policy | |
| SOCW 456-3 | Indigenous Family Caring Systems | |
| SOCW 457-3 | Individual and Community Wellness for Indigenous Peoples |
Select one Social Work electives from the approved list.
Elective Requirement
An elective at any level in any subject sufficient to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours.
The Child Welfare Certificate program is open only to Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Child and Youth Care graduates. The Certificate is designed to prepare students for child welfare work, with a particular focus on practice in the northern and rural regions of British Columbia. However, certificate graduates will be well prepared to work in all agencies and locations that provide child welfare service. The Certificate consists of 30 credit hours. Admission into the Certificate program is limited. Students must establish their course of study with approval from the Chair of the Social Work Program.
Students will be required to undergo a criminal records search prior to being admitted. Refer to Academic Regulation #19.
A maximum of 6 credit hours may be transferred from courses taken in the UNBC Bachelor of Social Work Program, or from other recognized institutions into the Certificate program.
Standards of Professional Conduct
All students are expected to abide by professional standards as set forth by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE) and the relevant Social Work Codes of Ethics. Violation of professional standards may result in suspension or dismissal from the program or the education institution.
Qualification for a Certificate
- To fulfill the requirements of graduation, the student must: attain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.33 (C+) on courses for credit towards the Certificate
- complete all course requirements for the Certificate
Certificate Requirements
|
Northern and Remote Social Work
|
|
| Child Welfare Practice | |
| Current Issues on Child Welfare Practice | |
| Social Work/Law and the Justice System | |
| Directed Readings |
Updated: May 8, 2020
