Social Work and Human Services

Bachelor of Social Work degree

The UFV Bachelor of Social Work program prepares social workers for professional practice, reflecting principles of social justice, equality, and respect for diversity. The BSW program is fully accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (2012-2020). BSW graduates meet UFV institutional learning outcomes and are eligible to apply for registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers (RSW).

In response to Truth and Reconciliation recommendations, the school’s goals include respect for Aboriginal self-determination and a commitment to working in partnership with local First Nations communities.

Social work education is a critical process that respects diverse sources and forms of knowledge while encouraging dissent. UFV Social Work faculty are committed to scholarship, including debate on social work and social welfare, with particular attention to how social problems come to be defined and addressed. Program content addresses the structural barriers that prevent people from reaching their full potential. With a commitment to lifelong learning and a critical analysis of oppression, graduates will have the knowledge, skills, and professional social work values necessary to work collaboratively with individuals, families, groups, and communities in diverse and cross-cultural environments. The program contributes to the knowledge base of social work through partnerships with professional and local communities.

All individuals, families, groups, and communities are entitled to be treated with respect, justice, and without discrimination. Faculty seek to provide equitable educational opportunities and participation of those groups experiencing systemic oppression. Valuing our community base, we seek to promote social change.

Graduates will be prepared to work with individuals, families, groups, and communities in a variety of settings, funded by both government and non-government sources, including, but not limited to: child welfare, programs and services for women, immigration and cross-cultural services, family and community services, health care, mental health, corrections, addictions, services for the elderly, unemployment and income security programs, Aboriginal settings, and services and programs for people with disabilities and special needs.

Entrance requirements for students entering in Winter or Summer 2017

Entry into the program is at the third-year level.

1. Applicants must have 60 general university-level qualifying Arts and Science credits by May 1 of the year of application.
   • Pending available space, applicants who do not have 60 credits by May 1 may be considered as ‘conditional admits’ to the program if the credits are completed by August 31.
   • Students who are conditionally admitted and who have not completed the 60 credits by the end of the late summer semester will have to re-apply for the next intake.
2. Students must have an overall GPA of 2.67 for courses applicable to the BSW.
3. These 60 credits must consist of the following:
   • six credits of SOWK 110 and SOWK 210; and
   • 54 credits of university-level credits (at least 42 credits of qualifying Arts and Science electives).
4. The 54 university-level credits must include at least 42 credits of qualifying Arts and Science electives (see Note 1), which must include the following:
   • three credits in English composition (i.e. CMNS 155 or ENGL 105);
   • three credits of English literature (i.e. ENGL 108-170);
   • three credits of Human Development (i.e. SOWK 225 or PSYC 250); and
   • three credits of Introductory Statistics (i.e. STAT 104 or PSYC 110).

   Recommended:

   • three credits of Sociology of Families (i.e. SOC 331 or SOWK 283) (see Note 2).
   • one of SOC 331 or SOWK 283 is a prerequisite for SOWK 483. SOWK 483 is a requirement of the BSW Child Welfare Specialization and is an elective in the BSW Generalist option.
     

Students who have completed a UFV Community Support Worker certificate or UFV Social Services diploma program may be eligible to receive a six credit block for the completed certificate and a 12 credit block for the completed diploma. Students who have completed practica within these programs may receive extra points on their application. These 12 credits otherwise can come from any university-level UFV course or UFV assigned transfer credit (100-level or higher).

Note 1: A current list of qualifying Arts and Science courses is available at ufv.ca/swhs/application-information--forms/ .

Note 2: Credit is provided for only one of SOWK 225 or PSYC 250 and one of SOWK 283 or SOC 331.

5. Applicants must have 400 hours of recent (see Note), supervised work in human services, either paid or voluntary, which may include hours in practica.

Note: The experience must be within three years of application. It is recommended that students be engaged in volunteer or paid supervised work in human services at the time of application.

6. Readiness for and interest in social work/personal suitability.
7. All applicants must be aware of, willing, and able to uphold the Social Work Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

Note: Please see the Field Placement/Practica regulations and details section below.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider Qualifying Studies.

Entrance requirements for students entering in Fall 2017

1. Applicants must have 60 general university-level credits by May 1 of the year of application.
2. Students must have an overall GPA of 2.67 for the 60 credits applied towards their BSW application. Students with a GPA lower than 2.67 will not be considered for admission.
3. These 60 credits must consist of the following:
• six credits of SOWK 110 and SOWK 210
• three credits in English composition: CMNS 155 or ENGL 105
• three credits of English literature: ENGL 108-170
• three credits of human development: SOWK 225 (see Note 1) or PSYC 250
• three credits of introductory statistics: STAT 104, STAT 106, or PSYC 110
• 42 additional Arts and Science credits (see Note 2)
4. Applicants must complete a minimum of 400 hours of paid or volunteer experience in the human services field supervised by a paraprofessional or professional. This can include hours in practica.
5. Program and personal suitability as determined through a personal interview.

   Note: Interviews will not be required for students applying to enter in Fall 2017.

6. All applicants must be aware of, willing, and able to uphold the Social Work Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

Students who have completed the Community Support Worker certificate or Social Services diploma at UFV can apply specific course credits toward the 60 credits required for the BSW application.

Note 1: SOWK 225 and SOWK 283 may not be included as qualifying Arts and Science electives.

Note 2: A current list of Arts and Science courses is available at ufv.ca/swhs/application-information--forms/ in the BSW Program Planning section.

Note 3: SOWK 483 is a requirement of the BSW Child Welfare specialization and is an elective in the BSW Generalist option. SOC 331 or SOWK 283 is a prerequisite for SOWK 483.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider Qualifying Studies.

When to apply

Application deadline is January 31. Admission to the BSW program is in the Fall semester. All completed applications submitted by January 31 will be reviewed. See specific intake application process for more information.

How to apply

Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/admissions/apply.

All additional documents must be completed and submitted to OReg by January 31. These documents are available at ufv.ca/swhs.

Additional documents required for a complete application:

• Completed UFV online application.
• Official, sealed transcripts (or interim transcripts) from all previous post-secondary institutions showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements.
• SWHS Additional Application Information Form detailing work/volunteer experience and education (available at ufv.ca/swhs/application-information--forms/).
• A personal statement (typed, double-spaced, between 800 to 1,000 words in length) to assess your professional suitability for social work.
• Two letters of reference from social workers or paraprofessionals who have supervised the applicant in human service work, practicum, or volunteer experience.

Basis for admission decision

Admission to the BSW is on a competitive basis. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Complete applications will be evaluated in the following areas:

1. Academic GPA.
2. Interview; details are included in the BSW Application Package.

   Note: As part of the application process, candidates will be interviewed to confirm their potential to practice within the Social Work Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice This is an expectation of all Bachelor of Social Work students enrolled in accredited schools of social work.

3. Work and/or volunteer experience in the human services field.
4. Letters of reference.
5. Personal statement.
6. Educational Equity.

   Note: As per SWHS Educational Equity Policy, the School of Social Work and Human Services has a commitment to increase the number of social work graduates from diverse populations

Criminal record check

Under the Criminal Records Review Act, students in a professional post-secondary program with a practicum component involving work with children and/or vulnerable adults must undergo a criminal records check. This is a requirement before students can participate in any practicum placements. Once admitted to the program, it is the student's responsibility to apply for a Criminal Record Review through the Ministry of Justice. Information on this process is provided by the School of Social Work & Human Services.

Fees and additional costs

Upon admission to the BSW program, students will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required upon registration (see the Fees and Other Costs section). This money will be applied toward your tuition fees. Final payment of all course fees is due at the end of the second week of classes.

Academic regulations

In completing the BSW program, students are required to have:

• a minimum of 60 credits of Social Work (SOWK) courses and a minimum of 60 credits of general university-level credits (42 credits of which are Arts and Science electives).
• a minimum of 30 upper-level Social Work credits completed at UFV.
• a minimum BSW program GPA of 2.67 to register for the field placement and graduation.
• a C (2.0) or better in each HSER and SOWK course to continue in the program, including the field placement.

HSER and SOWK courses that are over 10 years old will not be considered for credit towards the BSW program.

Acceptance into the program does not guarantee a field placement.

A criminal record check clearance letter issued through the Ministry of Justice is required prior to registering for the field placement.

The BSW program is a full time academic program that is completed over two years. Students who are not able to complete the program over the two years must notify the school.

Taking HSER and SOWK courses through Qualifying Studies does not guarantee eligibility for admission to the BSW program.

Undergraduate continuance

Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or above) must maintain an undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 to remain enrolled in Good Academic Standing at UFV. Students in Good Academic Standing will have no registration limits placed on them. Failure to meet the minimum CGPA requirement will result in restrictions on registration and may eventually lead to academic suspension from undergraduate studies at UFV. Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation are limited to registering in 10 credits. For further details, see the Academic standing and undergraduate continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV’s Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).

Field placement/Practicum regulations and details

All students are required to complete two field placements in the BSW program. Acceptance into the BSW program does not guarantee the student a field placement. In accordance with the Criminal Records Review Act, completion of a BC Criminal Record Check is required before students can register for the field placement. This is the responsibility of the student.

Students who are on Academic Warning or Academic Probation or subject to academic or non-academic student conduct proceedings will not ordinarily be permitted to register in the field placement.

To register for the field placement, the following criteria and requirements must be met:

• Completion of prerequisites with a grade of C or better as per Academic regulations
• Registration in co-requisites
• Submission of the BSW Field Application Request form
• Submission of a resume and cover letter in the required format
• Interview with the Field Education Coordinator
• Completion of the Practice Guideline Acknowledgment Form
• Criminal record check clearance letter issued by the Ministry of Justice
• BSW program GPA of 2.67
• Students must be available weekdays, during regular office hours:
  • SOWK 330 is three days a week for a total of 21 hours per week
  • SOWK 430 is four days a week for a total of 28 hours per week

  Note: The School is not ordinarily able to facilitate evening or weekend placements. Students need to plan accordingly.

Any decisions about offering students the opportunity to challenge the third year field placement
(SOWK 330) will be at the sole discretion of the School of Social Work & Human Services.

Students cannot challenge SOWK 330 with the same experience used to challenge a diploma-level field placement. The fourth year field placement SOWK 430 is not open to challenge.

Graduation

It is the student's responsibility to apply for graduation by April 1 and ensure that all program requirements are met by April 30. See ufv.ca/admissions/graduation for more information.

Graduation requirements:

1. 60 credits of 100- and 200-level courses:
   • 6 credits of SOWK 110 and 210
   • 54 credits of University-level credits (at least 42 credits must be Arts and Science electives)
   
2. 60 credits of 300- and 400-level courses:
   • 6 credits of 300- and 400-level Arts and Science electives
   • 54 credits of 300- and 400-level SOWK courses
   

SOWK 430 should be taken in the final semester of the program.

Program outline

(Subject to change as per CASWE Accreditation Standards.)

Third year

Semester V (Fall)

Semester VI (Winter)

Fourth year

Semester VII (Fall)

Semester VIII (Winter)

Electives

BSW students are required to complete a total of six SOWK electives (see below) and two upper-level Arts and Science electives.

SOWK Group A electives

Students must complete a minimum of two SOWK Group A electives:

SOWK Group B electives

Students must complete four SOWK Group B electives unless they choose to complete all three Group A electives, in which case they are required to complete three Group B electives:

Child Welfare specialization

For program information on the Bachelor of Social Work - Child Welfare specialization, please see this section.

Certificate in Extended Studies in Social Work: Child Welfare specialization

Students who have completed the Bachelor of Social Work degree may be eligible to complete the requirements for the Child Welfare specialization. Please see this section for more details.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.