Social Work, Diploma

Program Information
Credential: 
Diploma
Duration: 

2 years

Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dr. Tim Heath
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca

Department Information

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

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

Students may apply for the program on a full or part-time basis, 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 through the introduction and integration of: practice skills, theoretical knowledge, and application of social work ethics and values. The Program fulfills its' mission by promoting 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 examines 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.

Objectives of the program are:

  1. To provide a two-year diploma program in Social Work that prepares 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 or virtually); the University of Victoria; Thompson Rivers University (Kamloops); University of Regina.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 
Academic Requirements:

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

  1. ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2
  2. 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 of 80 on the Reading component, 86 on the Sentence component and 5 on the written essay component of the College Board Placement Test.

Note: In addition to the program admission requirements, applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Non-academic Requirements

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:

  1. 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. The purpose of the volunteer OR employment experience 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 employment or volunteer supervisor. For further information see the volunteer information on the departmental webpage.
  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.
Other Requirements: 

Note: While not an admission requirement for the program, applicants are advised that they will be required to provide a Police Information Check and Vulnerable Sector Check to most agencies where they will be placed for practicum experiences. The existence of a criminal record may prevent practicum placement, program completion, professional licensure and therefore affect future employment prospects. It is the decision of each agency or institution to accept or reject a student for placement or observation experience based on the results of the criminal record check. Students should be prepared for approximately $50 to $75 in extra expense to acquire these documents.

Note: Students with Study Permits that are admitted to a program that has a practicum or clinical placement in childcare, primary/secondary school teaching or health service field occupations must complete their Medical Authorization as required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada one month prior to the start of classes.

Note: Increasingly, social work practice in many social services agencies requires workers to work extended hours of operation. 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.

Graduation Requirements: 

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

Program Content

Year 1

  • SOWK 201 Introduction to Social Work Methods I
  • SOWK 202 Introduction to Social Work Methods II
  • SOWK 204 Social Work Ethics in Practice
  • SOWK 207 Social Services History, Function and Structure
  • SOWK 208 Field Work I
  • SOWK 209 Field Work II
  • SOWK 210 Social Work Practice with Groups
  • SOCI 260 Sociological Concepts and Perspectives
  • PSYC 260 Basic Psychological Processes
  • PSYC 261 Social and Individual Behaviour
  • English or Communication Option
  • English or Communication Option

Year 2

  • SOWK 301 Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families
  • SOWK 304 Social Work Practice with Communities
  • SOWK 306 Social Work Administration
  • SOWK 307 Social Policy
  • SOWK 308 Field Work III
  • SOWK 309 Field Work IV
  • SOWK 312 Social Problems and Issues In Social Work
  • SOWK 313 Social Work in Health Care Settings
  • SOCI 261 Canadian Society
  • Option* (3 credits)
  • Option* (3 credits)
  • 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.

Note: Students may need to take some year two courses in year one depending on which term(s) they do Field Work I and II. Students are advised that this may include a Spring term.

Year 1 Course Descriptions

SOWK 201

An overview of the social service field. Philosophy; purpose; and objectives of social work practice. Emphasis is on the helping process; working principles; and cardinal values of social work. Developing the knowledge and skills needed for case work. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: SOWK 204

SOWK 202

SOWK 201 continued. Communication skills in social work practice. Interviewing; assessing; and recording skills. Audio-visual equipment is used in developing interpersonal communication skills. Prerequisite: SOWK 201

SOWK 204

A comprehensive overview of ethical principles and theory in social work practice. The main focus of this course is on the skill development; integration and application of ethics in decision making in critically reflective social work practice.

SOWK 207

This course pertains to the philosophy; history and development of social welfare in relation to social services organizations; programs and methods of service delivery. Focus is on the variety of venues for social work practice and different groups of individuals who social workers interact with.

SOWK 208

Normally two days per week in one of a variety of social services agencies. Observing the agency and social service practice. Learning agency policies and procedures. Working closely with a practicum supervisor in the agency. Included are 15 hours of seminars that focus on the integration of classroom lecture material and field practice experience. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: SOWK 204; SOWK 201; SOWK 207

SOWK 209

SOWK 208 field placement continued. Under supervision; you may begin to take limited responsibility for delivery of social services to individuals; groups; or communities. Included are 15 hours of seminars that focus on the integration of classroom lecture material and field practice experience. Prerequisite: SOWK 208; 201 and 204

SOWK 210

This course is about the theory and practice of working with groups. The focus is on the knowledge and skill for effective social work practice in groups; as both group member and leader. Task and treatment groups and their various applications in practice are explored. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: SOWK 201

PSYC 260

An overview of some of the important areas in psychology. Topics include the nature and history of psychology; research methods; the biological foundations of behavior; genes and evolution; sensation and perception; states of consciousness; learning and adaptation; and memory. Note: This course is a prerequisite for most psychology courses and is normally followed by PSYC 261.

PSYC 261

An overview of some of the important areas in psychology. Topics include thought; language; and intelligence; motivation and emotion; development over the lifespan; personality; psychological disorders and their treatments; stress; health; and coping; and behavior in a social context. Prerequisite: PSYC 260 Note: PSYC 260/261 is a prerequisite for many courses in the Department.

SOCI 260

Sociological perspectives and concepts used to analyse social behaviour. The nature of group behaviour and social interaction. Culture; social organization; the social personality; and deviance. Note: SOCI 260 is the prerequisite for most advanced courses.

Year 2 Course Descriptions

SOWK 301

This course expands on the work in SOWK 201 and 202. Further develops knowledge of Social Work interviewing; assessment and intervention techniques. Emphasis on working with individuals to facilitate change; beginning family assessment in diverse contexts; and intervention knowledge and skills with family groups. Prerequisite: SOWK 202

SOWK 304

This course focuses on working with communities. Students are exposed to contemporary theories and models of community organization practice as well as drawing on field experiences which students may have already had. The focus in the course is to integrate theory and field experiences as related to community organization practice; and discuss the challenges; strategies and benefits of working with communities. Prerequisites: SOWK 202 and 210

SOWK 306

Social Work Administration focuses on the practice skills required for ethical and sound social work practice in management settings. The theories that support the practice skills are investigated; and students are exposed to the expected roles and responsibilities of administrators in social service setttings. The course prepares students to assume administrative responsibilities and become aware of the current administrative challenges in the social services field. Prerequisites: SOWK 202; SOWK 207

SOWK 307

Introduces students to the macro level of social policy formulation and the impact policies have on social service delivery. Attention is paid to the linkage between ideologies and policy directions; and to the impact of globalization on Canadian social policy. Prerequisites: SOWK 207; SOWK 312

SOWK 308

As an extension of the first year SOWK 208/209; this second year field course will normally consist of 2 days per week in a field agency. Students will provide services to a selected client group under supervision by a field supervisor. Scheduled seminars will focus on integrating lecture material with field practice experience. Prerequisite or Corequisite: succesful completion of all first year SOWK courses and SOWK 301 or permission of the Department. Note: Not eligible for challenge and Advanced Standing.

SOWK 309

The final field placement course. You will have a variety of training experiences in a particular social service agency. Included are 15 hours of seminars that focus on the integration of classroom lecture material and field practice experience. Prerequisite: SOWK 308

SOWK 312

Current trends and issues in social work practice and how they relate to social problems. Students examine selected social problems relevant in Canadian society and are introduced to a structural anti-opressive social framework. An introduction to quantitative and qualitative forms of social work research. Pre-requisite: SOWK 207

SOWK 313

The purpose of the course is to examine; understand; and critique current theories; issues; practices; and the unique role of the social worker in health and mental health. The emphasis is on knowledge of various approaches to health and mental health and on the role of the social worker in assessment; referral; intervention and advocacy amidst the various approaches; and on the interdisciplinary context of health and mental health. Prerequisite: SOWK 202

SOCI 261

Examines the structure and functioning of Canadian society; including political; economic; cultural and value structures and processes. Prerequisite: SOCI 260