Social Work and Human Services

Bachelor of Social Work degree

UFV's Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program prepares students for professional social work practice grounded in principles of social justice, inclusion, equity, and respect for diversity. The BSW program is accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (2023-2031). BSW graduates are equipped to write the licensure exam required for registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers (RSW).

In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, the School of Social Work and Human Services’ goals include respecting the self-determination of Indigenous peoples and a commitment to working in partnership with Indigenous communities. We are also committed to ensuring social work students are educated on the history of colonization and the intergenerational impacts of residential schools. 

Social work education is an analytical process that respects diverse sources and forms of knowledge while encouraging critical self-reflection. Program content examines the intersecting forms of oppression that impact marginalized populations as well as the essential interpersonal skills required for social work practice. Graduates possess the knowledge, skills, and professional social work values necessary to work collaboratively with individuals, families, groups, and communities in a range of practice areas. These include, but are not limited to, addictions and recovery, child and family welfare, corrections, health care, immigration and settlement, sexual and gender diversity, mental health, women’s empowerment, and services for people with disabilities.

Entrance requirements

1. 60 general university-level credits by May 1 of the year of application, including the following:
• Six credits from SOWK 110 and SOWK 210.
• Three credits in English composition: CMNS 125 or ENGL 105.
• Three credits of English literature: ENGL 108–170.
• Three credits of human development: SOWK 225 or PSYC 250.
• Three credits of courses with Indigenous or First Nations content (chosen from the approved list available on the BSW application page) or an equivalent transferable course from another institution.
• 42 General elective credits (up to 12 can be Discretionary elective credits). A current list of accepted General and Discretionary elective courses is available at ufv.ca/swhs/how-to-apply in the BSW additional documents section. Applicants should pay special attention to what counts as a General elective and what counts as a Discretionary elective in the BSW application.
2. Cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 2.67 based on the 60 credits applied towards their BSW application.
3. A minimum of 200 hours of paid or volunteer experience in the field of human services supervised by social workers or other professionals. This may include hours completed as part of UFV HSER practicum courses.
4. Professional readiness and suitability, determined by answering a series of questions that assess applicants’ interest, prior experience, commitment to social work values and ethics, and the importance of social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
5. Two letters of reference on forms provided by the School of Social Work and Human Services. One letter must be from someone who taught the applicant in a course they completed and can speak directly to the applicant's recent academic experience and potential. The second letter must be from a recent supervisor of the applicant in the field of social work or human services who can speak directly to the applicant’s skills and abilities.
6. All applicants must be aware of, willing, and able to uphold the Social Work Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. All communications with the School of Social Work and Human Services are considered in the admissions process and should follow both the Social Work Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice and UFV’s Safe Student Learning Community policy (204).

Note: A meeting with the applicant may be required if information is unclear or missing from the submitted application package. 

When to apply

Applications are accepted for entrance to the Fall semester only. The application deadline is January 31. Only completed applications will be reviewed. See Specific intake application process for more information.

How to apply

Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.

Additional documents required for a complete application:

• Completed UFV online application. Even if the applicant is a current UFV student, the BSW program requires a new UFV application.
• Official transcripts (or interim transcripts) from all post-secondary institutions attended (excluding UFV) showing final grades. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details.
• BSW Application Package. This form includes the applicant's work/volunteer experience, educational equity statement, and personal statement: ufv.ca/swhs/application-information--forms/.
• Two reference forms as described in the entrance requirements.

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 based on the following components as described in the entrance requirements:

1. Academic GPA.
2. Work and/or volunteer experience in the field of human services.
3. Reference forms.
4. Personal statement.
5. Educational equity statement (optional).

All complete applications received by January 31 will be reviewed. Complete application packages are assessed using a point rating system. Up to 40 points are awarded for academic performance (GPA), up to 25 points are awarded for related volunteer, practica, and/or work experience, up to 25 points are awarded for the applicant’s written personal statement, including an assessment of writing ability, and up to 10 points are awarded for two reference forms submitted by the referees.

Program duration

The BSW program is designed as a full-time academic program to be completed over two years. However, the School recognizes that some students choose to take the program on a part-time basis. All students must create a program plan with Academic Advising and notify the School’s Field Education team for practicum planning purposes whether they are taking the program full-time or part-time.

Program outline

Note 1: A current list of accepted General elective courses is available at ufv.ca/swhs/how-to-apply in the BSW additional documents section.

Note 2: SOWK 394, SOWK 412, SOWK 483, SOWK 491, and one of SOWK 496 or SOWK 497 are requirements of the BSW Child Welfare specialization.

Practicum regulations

Accreditation standards require students to complete two field placements in the BSW program. Students who are on Academic Warning or Academic Probation or subject to academic or non-academic student conduct proceedings will not be permitted to register in the field placement.

Before being placed in a practicum, the School of Social Work and Human Services requires confirmation that students can work with children and vulnerable adults. The School is registered with the Criminal Records Review Program’s online, applicant-based criminal record check service. Upon admission to the BSW program, students will be provided with information required to request a criminal record check through the BC Government's Criminal Records Review Program. Each student is required to pay for and complete this process. The link, access code, and directions will be provided.

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

• Completion of prerequisites/co-requisites with a grade of C or better
• Registration in co-requisites
• Submission of the BSW Field Request Form
• Submission of a résumé and cover letter in the required format
• Interview with the Field Education Coordinator
• Criminal record check clearance letter issued by the Criminal Records Review Program
• BSW program GPA of 2.67

To complete their practicum, students must be available weekdays during regular office hours. For SOWK 330, this is typically three days a week for a total of 21 hours per week (315 hours), and for SOWK 430, this is typically four days a week for a total of 28 hours per week (420 hours).

The School is not ordinarily able to facilitate evening or weekend placements, but recognizes that some placements require evening and weekend work. Student schedules and availability need to be discussed with the Field Education Coordinator during the field interview process.

Students need to be aware that practicum placements in specific areas, including health care, have limited availability.

Certain placement sites may require the submission of an up-to-date immunization record and other documentation. It is the responsibility of students to provide these records and to obtain any required boosters or additional immunizations. Agencies may not provide placements to students who do not submit proof of immunization records and other required documentation.

Some placement sites, such as the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and Health Authorities, will only consider SOWK 430 students who are in the final semester of the BSW program. Health Authority placements require the completion of an extensive orientation process, and any costs associated with these Health Authority requirements are the responsibility of the student.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) for SOWK 330

Eligible students admitted to the BSW may apply for PLAR credit for the third-year placement (SOWK 330) only. Students will complete and submit a PLAR request to the Field Education Assistant. Students cannot request PLAR for SOWK 330 using the experience acquired or obtained through PLAR of a diploma-level placement in a related program. Decisions to approve PLAR for SOWK 330 are at the sole discretion of the School of Social Work and Human Services. Contact the Field Education Assistant for details regarding this process.

Program requirements

The BSW program requires completion of:

• Program GPA (PGPA) of 2.67 or better on courses that apply to the BSW.
• 60 credits of 100- and 200-level courses as specified in the entrance requirements.
• 60 credits of 300- and 400-level courses:
  • 6 credits of General electives.
  • 54 credits of SOWK courses, 30 of which must be completed at UFV.

Upper-level SOWK courses that were completed more than 10 years ago will not be considered for credit toward the BSW program.

Undergraduate continuance

Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or higher) 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).

Program continuance

Students in the Bachelor of Social Work degree must maintain a program GPA of 2.67 while enrolled in the program.

Graduation requirements

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all program requirements are met. This should be done by regular consultation with an Academic Advisor. To be eligible to graduate, students must achieve a minimum CGPA of 2.00 and a minimum BSW program GPA of 2.67.

Students must apply for graduation in the first month of their final semester. Visit the Graduation webpage for more information. The final deadline for students who wish to attend the June Convocation ceremony is April 1 of each year, with all program requirements completed by April 30.

Child Welfare specialization

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

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.