2 years

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.

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.

The RDC Social Work Diploma can be transferred to a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree with the University of Calgary or MacEwan University.

The University of Calgary BSW can be completed on RDC’s through the Community Based Learning Circles program. This option allows students to live, learn, and work in central Alberta. 

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. A personal questionaire and details concerning three required reference letters.
2. Documentation of 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. The volunteer hours should be completed with one organization.  Your main function must involve contact with people, and one reference letter needs to be completed by the employment or volunteer supervisor. For further information see the volunteer information on the departmental webpage.
3. Information regarding an interview with a Social Work faculty member; this interview is required as part of admission.  

Please complete and submit the personal questionnaire, reference letters and documentation of 100 volunteer/work experience hours to the Office of the Registrar.   

If the Office receives this information by February 15, you will be contacted for an interview.

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.

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

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.