Social Work

Contact:
Elaine Spencer
Chairperson

Program Information:
E-mail:  inquire@rdc.ab.ca
Phone:  403.342.3400  OR  1.888.732.4630

Department Information:

For more information visit the Social Work Department, under Academic Departments.

Two-Year Diploma

Students may apply for the program on a fulltime or part-time basis, and application requirements and the application process are the same for each stream.  Program planning will take place with students during the registration process.

The mission of the Social Work Diploma Program at RDC is to prepare the student for employment as a social worker and to provide a foundation for further post-secondary education by introduction to and integration of: practice skills, theoretical knowledge base, and application of social work ethics and values. The Program fulfills its' mission through promotion of ethical practice, social and economic justice, respect for and acceptance of diversity among peoples, and relationship building.

Social workers are trained to 'help people help themselves'. The focus of social work is on the interactions between people and their social environment. The program looks at how to help people meet the demands of daily life. It looks at how social work seeks to improve people's problem-solving and coping skills, and links them with systems that offer resources, services, and opportunities.

Related Careers

Social Work Diploma graduates can expect job opportunities in both public and private agencies. You may work, directly or indirectly, with people having problems with finances, employment, child neglect, foster care, alcohol or drug dependency, marital and family conflict, young offenders, and individual emotional problems.

The Program

Objectives of the program are:

1. To provide a two-year diploma program in Social Work that will prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for jobs in beginning social work positions.
2. To prepare students to continue their education in a Bachelor of Social Work program.

Transfer Features

The RDC Social Work Diploma can be transferred to the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary (programs in Calgary and Edmonton, and Learning Circles Program offered at RDC); the University of Victoria; Thompson Rivers University (Kamloops); University of Regina.

Admission Requirements

A) Academic Requirements

1. High School Diploma with no mark below 50% in:

a. ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2
b. Social Studies 30-1

OR

2. Mature Student

You must be 19 years of age or older, out of high school at least one full year before the program starts, and have minimum mark of 50% in ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2, or a minimum score at the 50th percentile on the English component of the College Board Placement Test (written on campus) or the Test of Adult Basic Education (written off campus) and a score of 2-3 on a writing sample.

AND

B) Other Requirements

1. Once it has been determined that you have met the academic requirements in (A) above, you will be mailed a package of materials which includes (a) a personal profile/questionnaire, and (b) three confidential reference request forms. All students are required to complete this questionnaire and arrange for their references to be forwarded to the College in order to have a complete admissions package.
2. You are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer or employment experience in a related social service field.  The purpose of the volunteer work is exposure to the human services field.  It is recommended that volunteer hours be completed with one organization when possible.  Your main function must involve contact with people, and one reference form needs to be completed by the supervisor of the volunteer work.  Please contact the Social Work program directly at 403-342-3304 to discuss the applicability of volunteer opportunities and/or employment for your application. 
3. An interview with a Social Work faculty member is required as part of admission. Once your completed package is received by the College, you will be contacted for this interview. The majority of your work or volunteer experience must be completed prior to your interview with a Social Work faculty member.

Note: While not an admission requirement for the program, most practicum agencies may require Criminal Record Checks of students working in their organizations. Other agencies may require that instituted orientation programs specific to their agency be undertaken. Students should be prepared for approximately $50 to $75 in extra expense when placed in these agencies.

Increasingly, social work practice in many social services agencies requires workers to work extended hours of operaiton. Many agencies now provide a variety of programs associated with their services that operate on evenings or weekends. Students need to be prepared to work during non traditional business hours if placed in these agencies.

Note regarding university transfer: While students may enter the SOWK Diploma program without English 30 or ELA 30-1, those intending to transfer to a university program are advised to complete English 30 or ELA 30-1 before entering the program. This will enable you to take university transferable English courses in your first year. Students who enter the program without English 30 or ELA 30-1 may take English 30 (or equivalent) upon admission to Social Work but may not complete the Diploma within four terms. English 30 or ELA 30-1 is not credited toward Diploma requirements.

Program Content

Year 1 Fall Term

• English or Communication Option*
• PSYC 260 Basic Psychological Processes
• SOCI 260 Sociological Concepts and Perspectives
• SOWK 201 Introduction to Social Works Methods I
• SOWK 204 Social Work Ethics in Practice
• SOWK 207 Social Services History, Function and Structure
• SOWK 208** Field Work

Winter Term

• English or Communication Option*
• PSYC 261 Social and Individual Behaviour
• SOCI 261 Social Institutions and Process
• SOWK 202 Introduction to Social Works Methods II
• SOWK 209** Field Work II
• SOWK 210  Social Work Practice with Groups

Year 2 Fall Term

• SOWK 301 Social Work Methods III
• SOWK 306 Social Work Administration   
• SOWK 308** Field Work III
• SOWK 312 Social Problems and Issues In Social Work
• Option* (3 credits)
• Option * (3 credits)

Winter Term

• SOWK 304 Social Work Methods V - Working with Communities
• SOWK 307 Social Policy
• SOWK 309** Field Work IV
• SOWK 313 Social Work in Health Care Settings 
• Option* (3 credits)

* One of your three options must include one of PSYC 353, PSYC 355 or PSYC 357. This course may be taken in either the fall or winter term in second year. Options may not include high school equivalency courses. If you plan to transfer to a university, choose courses which are transferable

** Following individual student program planning, students have the option to complete Field Placement in Year 1 and/or Year 2 during the Winter and Spring terms. 

Program Cost Estimates 

• Program Cost Estimates (pdf)

Graduation Requirements

You must pass all course requirements and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.