Social Work (BSW Program)
Dawn Hemingway, Associate Professor, and Chair
Gerard Bellefeuille, Associate Professor
Bruce Bidgood, Associate Professor
Heather Peters, Associate Professor
Glen Schmidt, Associate Professor
Si Chava Transken, Associate Professor
Gale Cyr, Assistant Professor
Joanna Pierce, Assistant Professor
Michele A. Sam, Assistant Professor
Dave Sangha, Assistant Professor
Eleanor Wint, Assistant Professor
Kwong Tang, Adjunct Professor
Website: http://www.unbc.ca/socialwork
The School of Social Work offers a schedule of studies leading to the degree of Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).
The Bachelor of Social Work at UNBC is designed to prepare students for beginning level generalised social work practice with individuals, families, groups and communities. The program's orientation places emphasis on Social Work in northern and remote areas, First Nations, women and the human services, and community practice and research. Analyses of class, gender and race relations are considered central to the Social Work program. As mandated by its accrediting body, the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE), and the relevant Social Work Codes of Ethics, Social Work at UNBC provides a professional program that advocates for justice and equality, and equips graduates with the intellectual, analytical, practical and professional skills needed to promote beneficial change.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Bachelor of Social Work program is limited and is based on academic qualifications and available space. Students will normally complete 60 credit hours of study and achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.67 (B-) (calculated on a student's most recent 60 credit hours of study) and meet other selection criteria prior to program entry. More information about these criteria can be found in the BSW Supplementary Application for Admission form.
The School of Social Work will permit up to three Social Work elective courses to be taken prior to formal admission to the BSW program. Successful completion of these courses does not guarantee admission into the program.
Under collaborative agreements between UNBC and the three northern community colleges (College of New Caledonia, Northern Lights College, and Northwest College) students who have completed social service worker training programs at those colleges are eligible to receive credit as determined under the agreement.
Students who have completed a social service worker training program at other colleges may be eligible for discretionary credit.
Students will be required to undergo a criminal records search prior to being admitted. Refer to ( Academic Regulation #18).
Undergraduate students are required to take 60 credit hours of Upper Division Social Work courses. The minimum requirement for a Bachelor of Social Work is 120 credit hours.
It will be expected that students applying to the School of Social Work with a Baccalaureate degree in a related discipline will normally have completed courses that are equivalent to the four BSW course pre-requisites:
Students admitted to the Bachelor of Social Work program are required to withdraw from the Bachelor of Social Work program if they register a second fail in Social Work Field Education ( SOCW 302-6 and/or SOCW 402-15).
Students outside one of the specializations are required to select 15 credit hours of Social Work electives.
The minimum requirement for a Bachelor of Social Work is 120 credit hours.
Field Placements
Every effort will be made to secure appropriate field placements for students in the School of Social Work. However, the location and type of placement are subject to availability.
Costs Associated with the School of Social Work
Costs associated with study in the School of Social Work are the responsibility of the individual student, including transportation costs and any expenses involved in academic studies, lab, and field placement. In some circumstances, students may complete field experiences at sites other than their campus of registration. Provision for all travel, accommodation, and living expenses associated with field education is the sole responsibility of the student.
Standards of Professional Conduct
All students are expected to abide by professional standards as set forth by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE) and the relevant Social Work Codes of Ethics. Violation of professional standards may result in suspension or dismissal from the program or
the educational institution.
Academic Performance
Students may repeat a Social Work course once. Students who fail a required Social Work course twice are required to withdraw from the program.
Qualification for Degree
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that his/her degree requirements are met. Graduation requirements are found in the Regulations and Policies section of this Calendar. To fulfill the requirements of graduation, the student must:
- attain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.33 ("C+") on courses for credit towards the Social Work degree.
- obtain a minimum passing grade of 2.00 ("C") in every Social Work course for credit towards the degree.
- complete all requirements for the BSW program within eight years of admission into the program or from the first Social Work course used for credit towards the degree.
Transfer Credit
All transfer credit for course work taken prior to admission to the BSW program will be evaluated, and applied at the time of initial registration in the program. After students have been admitted to the School of Social Work, course work taken in other institutions for transfer credit towards the degree requires a letter of permission prior to the registration in the course.
Program Requirements
Lower Division Requirement
100 and 200 Level
Upper Division Requirement
300 Level
400 Level
* Please see note on SOCW 421-3 in the course description listings in this calendar.
Elective Courses
Fifteen (15) credit hours of Social Work electives. The elective courses are numbered in the 400 ranges, but may be taken by students enrolled in their third or fourth year of studies.
Elective Requirement
Electives at any level in any subject sufficient to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours.
BSW: Child Welfare Specialization
The Child Welfare Specialization is designed to provide a program of studies that prepares students for practice in child welfare, while also satisfying the general practice criteria required for BSW accreditation and for designation as a Registered Social Worker (RSW).
Students must meet all prerequisites for entry into the BSW program at UNBC and be accepted into the school. The fourth year practicum takes place in a government child welfare service (BC Ministry for Children and Families, or a fully delegated First Nations child welfare agency or an approved government agency in another province). Completion of the specialization is noted on the student's graduating transcript.
The Child Welfare Specialization is designed to provide a social work degree that prepares students for social work practice in all child and family serving agencies. In addition, the program is designed to meet the BC Ministry for Children and Families entry level expectations for child protection positions.
Program Requirement
*or equivalent
Elective Courses
One Social Work Elective.
BSW: First Nations Specialization
The First Nations Specialization is designed to provide a program of studies that prepares students for practice with First Nations people, while also satisfying the general practice criteria required for BSW accreditation and for designation as a Registered Social Worker (RSW).
Students must meet all prerequisites for entry into the BSW program at UNBC and be accepted into the school. The fourth year practicum takes place with a First Nations organization.
Completion of the specialization is noted on the student's transcript.
Program Requirement
Elective Courses
Any three upper division social work electives. Aboriginal Child and Youth Mental Health Certificate
The Aboriginal Child and Youth Mental Health Certificate program is open to Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Child & Youth Care Graduates. Those with a Master of Social Work or related Masters-level degree are also eligible to apply. The Certificate is designed for students who see to practice in the area of Aboriginal child and youth mental health with a focus on working in northern and remote communities. In particular, this Certificate will provide the education and skills necessary to work with children and youth who are experiencing significant mental health issues or are at high risk. The certificate consists of 18 credit hours of 500-level course work. Admission into the Certificate program is limited. Students must establish their course of student with approval from the Chair of the School of Social Work.
Students are required to undergo a criminal records search prior to being admitted. (Refer to Academic Regulation #19)
Standards of Professional Conduct
All students are expected to abide by professional standards as set forth by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE) and the relevant Social Work Codes of Ethics. Violation of professional standards may result in suspension or dismissal from the program or the educational institution.
Qualification for Certificate
To fulfill the requirements of graduation, the student must:
- attain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.33 (C+) on courses for credit towards the Certificate
- complete all course requirements for the Certificate
Certificate Requirements
|
|
Aboriginal Peoples in Canada: Past/Present/Future | |
|
Reflections on Practice: Child/Youth Mental Health | |
|
Social Work/Counselling Skills with Children/Youth | |
|
Mental Illness and Addictions Among Children/Youth | |
|
Crisis Work With Children/Youth: Restoring Balance | |
|
Community-based Prevention: Creating Balance |
Child Welfare Certificate
The Child Welfare Certificate program is open only to Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Child & Youth Care graduates. The Certificate is designed to prepare students for child protection practice with the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Primary focus is on students learning and practicing specialized skills for child welfare practiced in the northern and rural regions of British Columbia. However, certificate graduates will be well prepared to work in all agencies and locations that provide child welfare service. The Certificate consists of 30 credit hours. Admission into the Certificate program is limited. Students must establish their course of study with approval from the Chair of the Social Work Program.
Students will be required to undergo a criminal records search prior to being admitted. Refer to Academic Regulation #19.
A maximum of 6 credit hours may be transferred from courses taken in the UNBC Bachelor of Social Work Program, or from other recognized institutions into the Certificate program.
Standards of Professional Conduct
All students are expected to abide by professional standards as set forth by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE) and the relevant Social Work Codes of Ethics. Violation of professional standards may result in suspension or dismissal from the program or the education institution.
Qualification for a Certificate
- To fulfill the requirements of graduation, the student must: attain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.33 (C+) on courses for credit towards the Certificate
- complete all course requirements for the Certificate
Certificate Requirements
|
|
Northern and Remote Social Work | |
|
Child Welfare Practice
| |
|
Current Issues on Child Welfare Practice
| |
|
Social Work/Law and the Justice System
| |
|
Directed Readings
| SOCW 497-3
| Reflection on Practice
|
|
