Social Work, Diploma

Program Information
Credential: 
Diploma
Duration: 

2 years

Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 
Program Cost Estimates

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dr. Nancy Brown
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 a minimum mark of 50% in ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2

OR

A minimum score of 250 on the Reading component, 250 on the Writing component and 5 on the WritePlacer Test.

Note: Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to the program admission requirements.

Non-academic Requirements

Once it has been determined that you have met the academic requirements 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 Social Work Practice I
  • SOWK 202 Social Work Practice II
  • SOWK 204 Ethics in Social Work Practice
  • SOWK 207 Introduction to Social Welfare
  • SOWK 209 Field Work I
  • SOWK 212 Preparation for Practice
  • SOWK 214 Reconciliation through Social Work
  • 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 Families
  • SOWK 304 Social Work Practice with Groups and Communities
  • SOWK 306 Leadership in Social Work
  • SOWK 307 Social Policy
  • SOWK 308 Field Work II
  • SOWK 309 Field Work III
  • SOWK 312 Current Trends and Issues Social Work
  • SOWK 315 Social Work Research
  • SOCI 261 Canadian Society
  • Option* (3 credits)
  • Option* (3 credits)

* One of your two 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.

Year 1 Course Descriptions

SOWK 201

Introduction to helping relationships including the use of communication and counselling skills for ethical and anti-oppressive social work practice. Corequisite: SOWK 204, SOWK 214

SOWK 202

Develop assessment and intervention strategies for working with individuals in social work practice. Examine change through the lens of developing a working alliance, and reflect on use of self, and effective use of skills. Prerequisite: SOWK 201

SOWK 204

Explore ethical principles, codes, and frameworks for decision making in social work practice. Reflect on the interaction of personal and professional values.

SOWK 207

Introduction to the history of social welfare and social services with a focus on Canada. Explores role of social work in colonization; explores populations involved with service delivery systems; reflects on personal views; explores marginalization, oppression, social justice, and human rights.

SOWK 209

Application of in-class learning to a fieldwork setting, including building professional relationships and ethical conduct. Prerequisite: SOWK 212 Prerequisite or Co-requisite: SOWK 202

SOWK 212

Focus on professional practice in service delivery settings. Pre or Corequisite: SOWK 201, SOWK 204, SOWK 214

SOWK 214

Introduces the impact of colonization on Indigenuos and non-Indigenous Canadians from a Social Work perspective. Focus is on reconcilliation in preparation for practice.

PSYC 260

Fundamental terminology, procedures, findings, and theories related to basic psychological processes. Topics may include the nature and history of psychology, research methods, biological foundations of behaviour, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, learning, memory, language and thought.

PSYC 261

Fundamental terminology, procedures, findings, and theories related to individual, social, and abnormal behaviour. Topics may include intelligence, problem solving, creativity, motivation and emotion, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and treatments, health, stress and coping, and social behaviour. Prerequisite: PSYC 260

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

Examine social work practice with diverse family forms across their lifespan. Expand upon strategies for interviewing, assessment, and intervention. Prerequisite: SOWK 202

SOWK 304

Examine theories and models of group work and community organization with contextual applications. Evaluate self as a group member, leader, and community organizer. Prerequsite: SOWK 202

SOWK 306

Examine effective leadership and management through a social work lens. Apply leadership and management theories to social services delivery and to programs and program evaluation. Prerequisite: SOWK 202, SOWK 207

SOWK 307

Examine the function of social policy in social work practice and service delivery, including development, influences, analysis of needs and gaps, and strategies for promoting change. Prerequisite: SOWK, 207, SOWK 214

SOWK 308

Demonstrate social work skills in supervised field setting while employing self-care and reflective practice. Prerequisite or Corequisite: successful completion of all first year SOWK courses and SOWK 301 or permission of the Department.

SOWK 309

Practice social work in supervised field work setting. Demonstrate professional knowledge, skills, and ethics, and the contribution to one's practice framework. Prerequisite: SOWK 308

SOWK 312

Explore current trends and issues in social work practice and how they relate to social issues. Examine selected trauma issues relevant in Canadian society using a structural anti-oppressive framework. Develop critical consciousness to support practice with clients in a variety of settings and contexts. Prerequisite: SOWK 307, SOWK 304, SOWK 315

SOCI 261

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