Social Work Diploma

Credential

Diploma

Duration

2 years

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 RDP is to graduate ethical and compassionate social workers committed to anti-oppressive practice and social justice.

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 by helping to increase their access to resources, services and opportunities as individuals or within their communities. Students will learn to identify gaps and challenges in those systems, and ways in which they can be addressed.

Objectives of the program are:

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.
To prepare students to continue their education in a Bachelor of Social Work program.

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.

Visit RDP’s Course Catalogue/Timetable to read detailed course descriptions.

Transfer Features

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

Program Cost Estimates

Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements:

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

ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2
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, a package of materials will be available to you online which includes:

Details for a personal essay.
Documentation of a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer work OR 3 months full-time 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 the population the organization serves, and one reference letter needs to be completed by the employment or volunteer supervisor. For further information, view this program's Application Volunteer Requirements.
Details concerning three required reference letters (one of which must come from the supervisor of the volunteer work or employment context noted above).
Information regarding an interview with a Social Work faculty member; this interview is required as part of admission.

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

Scheduling of interviews for all completed application packages received by February 14th will begin February 17th. Completed applications will continue to be accepted after February 14th until all seats are filled.

For more information on the Application Process, click here.

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 or 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.

Related Careers

Social Worker
Upon completion of the Social Work Diploma Program, graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Alberta College of Social Workers.

Career and Life Skills

Communication
Ethical standards
Ethical practice
Cultural Empathy
Working with, and helping serve, diverse populations
Project Management/Organization
Interpersonal and Teamwork Skills
Leadership
Advocacy
Conflict Resolution

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