Social workers advocate for social justice and work with people to resolve problems in their day-to-day lives. They work one on one with vulnerable children and adults, families in need of assistance, seniors, people with disabilities, people who struggle with substance misuse or mental health problems, refugees and other clients to identify and achieve goals for a better quality of life.
If this sounds like you, the Douglas College Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program will give you the social-work skills and knowledge to take on roles at non-profit community organizations, child welfare agencies, residential and health-care programs and more, where you will work with children, individuals, families and community groups.
In-demand skills
Bachelor of social work grads are in high demand throughout the province. B.C.’s 2025 Labour Market Outlook lists social work as one of the province’s top occupations in terms of job opportunities.
Program at a glance
Our BSW program takes three years to complete; all you need is 30 university-transferable credits to be admitted. With our degree, the prerequisites are built into the first year of the program, so even if you have taken general university-transferable courses, you’ll still be eligible to apply.
Douglas College BSW graduates are eligible to write the licensure exam, administered by the BC College of Social Workers, to become registered social workers in BC.
Student success story
Mission Statement
We are known for our relational strengths-based approach to social work education. Our small size and unique program structure enable students to grow and learn as a community, together with faculty. Students from diverse cultures, identities and life experiences can succeed in the program; every student is supported to fulfil their potential. We take an intersectional and anti-oppressive lens to working for change and seek to equip students to work for Reconciliation and social, economic and climate justice. As an applied program, we focus on the real-life application of social work theories and knowledge. Students learn critical thinking and a range of helping strategies to work with individuals, groups, communities and systems, exploring ways in which social workers can make a positive impact. Actively engaged with local communities and helping organizations, our goal is to prepare students to be successful in a broad range of social work positions and further studies.
Equity Statement
The Social Work Department is committed to fostering an equitable, accessible, diverse, and inclusive learning environment. We particularly welcome applications from members of equity-deserving communities (i.e. Indigenous, racialized and/or ethnic minority, sexual and/or gender minority, and disability communities).
To support success, the program has the following in place:
- More accessible admission requirements than is typical for BSW programs
- A relational recruitment process that considers structural barriers
- Hands-on Program Advisor help to navigate admissions and course choices
- Small class sizes, a community-building cohort model and supportive faculty
- Close working relationships with:
- Indigenous Student Services, partnership with Indigenous community agencies, and the integration of opportunities to learn from Indigenous knowledge keepers
- Student Support Navigators for students who come from government care or alternative secondary education, first-generation students and mature students
- Accessibility Services and Counselling Services
- Ongoing review to decolonize curriculum and pedagogy, and to ensure that students with diverse identities and experiences feel seen and supported.
Recent developments
Studies within the BSW are designed intentionally to reflect both the conceptual and practical aspects of social work which the students approach with genuine enthusiasm and initiative. They have made a conscious choice to enter a challenging, but rewarding profession, with a keen interest to help people who are typically disenfranchised and lacking access to resources in society.
Our classes are composed of students from a diversity of backgrounds and prior learning experiences which are incorporated to add richness and meaning to class discussions. The input of students brings the application of theories to life and without this the teaching experience would not be nearly as rewarding for all concerned. As a closed cohort the students develop close connections, to support one another, and to navigate the policies and expectations within the program. The group has formed a BSW Student Association which provides opportunities to advocate, support, and share ideas and suggestions.
Many of the students have secured paid positions or enhanced their employment following graduation across a range of career paths. This listing is not exhaustive but some examples of these are the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), Corrections, Indigenous Service Agencies, Immigration, Substance Misuse Services, Mental Health, and Senior Services. Others have pursued graduate level studies in Social Work and related disciplines while some will be taking a well deserved break over the summer before deciding on next steps. A recent success of the BSW is the selection of a student as the Valedictorian for the entire FACS graduating class in Winter 2026.
We wish all students good luck in their future pursuits with the hope that they will keep in touch with the instructors and support staff as their careers progress.
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Accreditation
The Douglas College Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program was approved by the BC Ministry of Advanced Education in Spring 2016, and has been developed to meet all the accreditation standards of the Canadian Association of Social Work Educators (CASWE). Please note, however, that the BSW program is not currently accredited by CASWE.