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Social Work and Human Services
ufv.ca/swhs

Bachelor of Social Work degree

The UFV Bachelor of Social Work program prepares social workers for generalist practice, reflecting principles of social justice, equality, and respect for diversity. The program addresses the structural barriers that prevent people from reaching their full potential. With a commitment to lifelong learning and a critical analysis of oppression, graduates will have the knowledge, skills, and professional social work values necessary to work collaboratively with individuals, families, groups, and communities in diverse and cross-cultural environments. The program contributes to the knowledge base of social work through partnerships with professional and local communities.

Social work education is a critical process that respects diverse sources and forms of knowledge while encouraging dissent. We are committed to scholarship including debate on social work and social welfare, with particular attention to how social problems come to be defined and addressed.

All individuals, families, groups, and communities are entitled to be treated with respect, with justice, and without discrimination. To that end, we seek to provide equitable educational opportunities and participation of those groups experiencing systemic oppression. Valuing our community base, we seek to promote social change.

Graduates will be prepared to work with individuals, families, groups, and communities in a variety of settings, funded by both government and non-government sources, including: child welfare, programs and services for women, immigration and cross-cultural services, family and community services, health care, mental health, corrections, addictions, services for the elderly, unemployment and income security programs, Aboriginal settings, and services and programs for people with disabilities and special needs.

Entry into the program is at the third-year level. The BSW program has full accreditation with the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (2012-2020). 

Entrance requirements

1. Applicants must have SOWK 110 (Introduction to Social Work and Human Services) and SOWK 210 (Introduction to Social Welfare), or an equivalent six credits.

2. In order to be considered, applicants must have completed 48 general university-level qualifying Arts and Science credits (by May 1st of the year of application) that are applicable to the BSW graduation requirements (see Academic regulations, below), with a GPA of 2.67. These 48 credits must include:
• three credits in English composition (i.e. CMNS 155 or ENGL 105);
• three credits of English literature (i.e. ENGL 108-170);
• three credits of Human Development (i.e. SOWK 225 or PSYC 250);
• and three credits of Introductory Statistics (i.e. STAT 104 or PSYC 110).

It is recommended that students have three credits of Sociology of Families (i.e. SOC 331 or SOWK 283).

Students who have completed a UFV Community Support Worker certificate or UFV Social Services diploma program may be eligible to receive additional discretionary credits. Up to six credits may be given for a completed certificate and up to 12 credits for a diploma, as well as additional credits for any completed qualifying Arts and Science transfer courses (i.e. English, Psychology, etc.).

Note: A current list of qualifying Arts and Science courses is available at ufv.ca/swhs.

3. 400 hours of recent, supervised work in human services, either paid or voluntary, which may include practicum hours.

4. Readiness for and interest in social work/personal suitability.

5. All applicants must be willing and able to uphold the Social Work Code of Ethics.

Note: Please see the Practicum regulations and field placement practicum details section below.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider the Social Services Studies program path.

When to apply

Applications are accepted for entrance to the Fall semester only, with an application deadline of January 31. See Specific intake application process for more information.

How to apply

1. To be considered for Fall semester entrance (September), completed applications must be received by January 31 of the year of application. All completed applications submitted by this date will be reviewed. Applications received after this date will be considered only if space permits.

2. Submit the application fee, along with the UFV application for admission form, to the Office of the Registrar (OReg). Application forms are available from any OReg or Student Services office. You can also print an application form or apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/admissions/apply.

Additional documents required for a complete application:
• Official, sealed transcripts (or interim transcripts) from all previous post-secondary institutions showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements.
• SWHS Additional Application Information Form detailing your past experience and education (available at ufv.ca/admissions/forms).
• A personal statement (typed, double-spaced, about 800 to 1,000 words in length) that addresses the following questions:
   i. Why do you want to become a social worker?
   ii. What kinds of life/work experiences have you had that contributed to this decision?
   iii. What experiences have you had that prepare you for social work in a culturally diverse environment?
   iv. What do you see as the most pressing social problem or issue facing Canadian society? Why?
• Two recent satisfactory letters of reference from social workers or related work, practicum, or volunteer supervisors should be submitted with your application package. These must be on reference forms available from the School of Social Work & Human Services or they can be original, signed letters on letterhead, addressing the criteria on the reference forms.

3. Upon admission to the BSW program, you will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required when you register (see the Fees and Other Costs section). This money will be applied toward your tuition fees. Final payment of all course fees is due at the end of the second week of classes.

4. In cases where interim transcripts are submitted, an admission decision may be made conditionally upon completion of academic requirements. Proof of completion of entrance requirements is due at the end of the first week in May for Fall admissions.

Basis for admission decision

Applications will be reviewed using a point rating system. Complete applications will be evaluated according to the following categories:

1. Academic experience, including GPA and number of credits (scored out of 40);

2. Work and/or volunteer experience in the human services field (scored out of 25);

3. Letters of reference (scored out of 10); and

4. Applicant statement (scored out of 25).

Academic regulations

In completing the BSW program, students are required to have:
• a minimum of 60 credits of Social Work (SOWK) courses and a minimum of 60 credits of qualifying Arts and Science courses. (A minimum of 30 upper-level social work credits must be completed at UFV.)
• maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 for practicum placements and 2.67 for graduation. Students with a cumulative GPA of less than 2.5 will be required to withdraw.
• obtain a C or 2.0 or better in each SWHS course. Credits that are over 10 years old may be stale-dated; students should check with the Program Advisor regarding transferability.

Acceptance into the program does not guarantee practicum placement. A criminal record check completed through the Ministry of Justice is required prior to practicum placement.

Part-time students may be required to complete additional requirements if it takes them more than five years to finish the third and fourth years. In planning their programs, part-time students should make particular note of course prerequisites and course corequisites. Consulting with the Program Advisor before registering into specific courses is recommended. Admission to field education courses is particularly dependent on the student choosing the appropriate course corequisites and prerequisites.

Students in other degree programs may be granted permission to register in a maximum of two Social Work courses without being in the BSW program. Students must meet the prerequisites for these courses.

Practicum regulations and field placement practicum details

All students are required to complete two field placements in the BSW program. Complete policy and procedures are outlined in the BSW Field Education Manual, available on the SWHS website.

To complete the field placement requirements, the following criteria apply:
• completion of prerequisites
• program GPA of 2.5
• acceptance into the program does not guarantee practicum placement. A criminal record check completed through the Ministry of Justice is required prior to practicum placement.

The Field Education Coordinator will work collaboratively with each student to identify field placement sites which respond to individual learning interests of students and meet the program criteria.

Field placement sites are located in the Fraser Valley and across the Lower Mainland. The School strives to place students in their home communities. Students are responsible for transportation to practicum sites. Most field placements will require students to have a valid driver’s license and access to an insured vehicle. Students are responsible for maintaining professionalism in the field placement.

A third-year field placement requires students to be available for three days (21 hours) per week. Fourth-year students must be available for four days (28 hours) per week. Students are required to attend a mandatory bi-weekly seminar for both third and fourth year field placements.

All field placements and field instructors are approved through the Field Education Coordinator. For complete details, please refer to the BSW Field Education Manual.

Students who have extensive social work experience prior to admission may be eligible to challenge the third year field placement. Please refer to the BSW Field Education Manual for application and approved process.

Note: The field placement requires a separate application process and all criteria must be met including a criminal record check through the Ministry of Justice.

Graduation

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all program requirements are met. This should be done in consultation with the Program Advisor.

Students must apply for graduation by completing a request to graduate form available at the Office of the Registrar. This must be done no later than April 1, with program requirements completed by April 30.

Program outline

(Subject to change as per CASWE Accreditation Standards.)

Third year

Semester V (Fall)

Semester VI (Winter)

Fourth year

Semester VII (Fall)

Semester VIII (Winter)

Electives

BSW students are required to complete a total of six SOWK electives (see below) and two upper-level electives. University-level Arts electives which contribute to the breadth of the student’s knowledge should be chosen in consultation with the Program Advisor.

SOWK Group A electives

Students must complete a minimum of two SOWK Group A electives:

SOWK Group B electives

Students must complete four SOWK Group B electives unless they choose to complete all three Group A electives, in which case they are required to complete three Group B electives:

Child Welfare specialization

For program information on the Bachelor of Social Work — Child Welfare specialization, please see this section.

Certificate in Extended Studies in Social Work: Child Welfare specialization

Students who have completed the Bachelor of Social Work can be recognized for additional work to meet the Child Welfare specialization. Please see this section for more details.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.