Social Work (Bachelor)

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Program code
BSOWK
Discontinued
No
Program
Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Department
Social Work
Credential type
Bachelor's Degree
Transcript title
Bachelor of Social Work
Date of first offering
Start term
202630
End term
Not Specified
Credential
Bachelor of Social Work
Length of program
Four years
Credits
120.00
Admissions requirements

Applicants must meet the admissions requirements listed below:

  • Completion of a minimum of 30.00 University Transferable (UT) credits including the following:
    • PSYC 1130 - Lifespan Human Development or equivalent (note 1)
    • Any 3.00 credit ENGL University Transferable course or any 3.00 credit CMNS University Transferable course
    • 24.00 credits of University Transferable non-Social Work courses
  • The following are required to determine suitability (note 2) for the program:
    • A completed BSW intent form describing why you wish to enter the program and the field of Social Work.
    • A completed BSW Volunteer/Work hours form documenting 50 hours of experience helping people.
    • BSW reference form completed by the supervisor of your volunteer or paid work experience.
    • An Interview with program faculty.
    • A Criminal Record Check (information will be provided by Enrolment Services following an offer of admission into the program).

Notes:

  1. CFCS 1130 (Change and Development Lifespan) can be used to satisfy the PSYC 1130 Lifespan requirement.  However, if CFCS 1130 was completed prior to September 2018, an additional 3 University Transferable (UT) credits would be required to satisfy the 30 UT credits for admission into the program.
  2. Suitability is determined by applicants' readiness for Social Work practice and practicum placement working with vulnerable people.
  3. Students who have completed a Community Social Service Work diploma or similar credential may satisfy the admission requirements of the Bachelor of Social Work program.
Curriculum framework

Graduation Requirements:

  • Successful completion of 120.00 credits, including the Year I requirements completed as a part of the program admission:
    • 30.00 University Transferable credits including a 3.00-credit course in Lifespan Human Development. (A university transferable course is a course that transfers to one of the Research Universities - SFU, UBC (UBCV or UBCO), UNBC or UVIC in the BC Transfer Guide.)
  • A minimum of 45.00 upper-level (3000-level or higher) credits required
  • A minimum program GPA of 2.00 is required
  • A minimum of 40% (48.00 credits) of coursework must be completed at Douglas College
  • A minimum of 50% (60.00 credits) of new Douglas College coursework to contribute to this credential 
  • Time limit to complete the program graduation requirements: 10 years. Any courses completed outside of that time limit will not be usable. Students may seek the permission of the Department/Program to complete a credential outside the approved time limits.

Course Requirements (see note 1):

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

Year II (see note 1)

SOWK 2100

Introduction to Social Work Practice

3.00

SOWK 2200

Introduction to Social Welfare

3.00

SOWK 2122

Counselling: Theory and Practice I

3.00

SOWK 2333

Family Systems Social Work

3.00

SOWK 2360

Substance Misuse

3.00

SOWK 2362

Social Work with Seniors

3.00

SOWK 2363

Social Work Practice: Mental Health

3.00

SOWK 2400

Metropolitan Social Work Practice

3.00

SOWK 2422

Social Work Practice with Groups and Communities

3.00

ENGL elective

ENGL 1130 or any UT ENGL course not previously taken

3.00

Year III (see note 1)

SOWK 3100

Social Work Theories and Perspectives for Social Work Practice

3.00

SOWK 3122

Counselling: Theory and Practice II

3.00

SOWK 3140 (see note 2)

Practicum I

4.50

SOWK 3233

Child Welfare Social Work

3.00

SOWK 3250

Social Work with Indigenous Peoples

3.00

SOWK 3240 (see note 2)

Practicum II

4.50

UT Elective

3000 or 4000 level UT elective from outside of Social Work

3.00

UT Elective

3000 or 4000 level UT elective from outside of Social Work

3.00

UT Elective

3000 or 4000 level UT elective from outside of Social Work

3.00

Year IV (see note 1)

SOWK 4100

Macro Social Work

3.00

SOWK 4160

Research Methods in Social Work

3.00

SOWK 4140 (see note 2)

Practicum III

4.50

SOWK 4260

Global and Environmental Perspectives in Social Work

3.00

SOWK 4133

Risk Assessment, Mitigation and Prevention

3.00

SOWK 4233

Social Work in Mandated Settings

3.00

SOWK 4240 (see note 2)

Practicum IV

4.50

UT Elective

3000 or 4000 level UT elective from outside of Social Work

3.00

UT Elective

3000 or 4000 level UT elective from outside of Social Work

3.00

 

Total Credits

90.00

Notes:

1. The courses are listed in the year that they should be taken. Students who need to repeat a course after the maximum two attempts must meet the SOWK Coordinator no later than 4 weeks after final grades are published to discuss eligibility to re-register for the course. There is no guarantee that the next offering of a SOWK course will be available to a student given seat limits and other restrictions.  

2. Eligible students completing an International Field Placement may substitute AIST 3040 and AIST 3030 for SOWK 3140/3240 Practicum or SOWK 4140/4240 Practicum.

Learning outcomes

Upon completing this program, the successful student will be able to:

  • apply knowledge and skills to work with:
    • families and children, those who are systemically vulnerable due to poverty, mental health or substance misuse; and
    • immigrants, Indigenous people, and seniors;
  • apply relevant critical-thinking, creative thinking and ethics in working with clients and as members of the inter-professional service teams; and
  • develop academic skills to prepare them for graduate studies in the social work field.