Make a difference in the lives of others with a rewarding career in social work. Social workers help individuals, families, groups, and communities develop the skills and resources they need to enhance quality of life. In this program you will learn skills in behavioural sciences and humanities and gain an understanding of social work theory used in generalist social work practice. You can have a positive impact on the lives of others as a social worker.
Medicine Hat College’s two-year diploma program combines knowledge of the humanities and behavioural sciences, an understanding of social work theory and philosophy, and the development of practical skills in classroom and fieldwork settings. The program is designed to meet the knowledge, skills and practice competencies as defined by the Alberta College of Social Work.Post-diploma you have the option of applying to the Bachelor of Social Work program through the University of Calgary (delivered/hosted by Medicine Hat College), or other Bachelor of Social Work programs. Medicine Hat College has a transfer agreement in place with the University of Calgary. Other institutions will assess applicants on a course by course basis. You may also apply your social work diploma as credit towards a Bachelor of Professional Arts (Human Services) from Athabasca University.
Medicine Hat College’s Social Work program offers advantages that include small class sizes, excellent practicum placement options, and faculty who are committed to student success. The program requires your personal commitment, an open mind, and a willingness to question your own values and beliefs. The program is taught from a broad and inclusive perspective. You will be given a foundation of knowledge, skills, values and attitudes necessary to enter into social work practice. There is a strong emphasis on maintaining ethical practices and an understanding of personal and professional values and professionalism. There is also a focus on diversity, anti-oppressive practice, and social justice.
Most classes are designed to provide you with the theoretical understanding of various concepts and skills necessary to work with individuals, families, groups and communities. The practicum experiences are where you bring your knowledge and skills together, formulating your identity as a social worker. You will develop critical thinking skills, interpersonal communication skills, and group work skills. As a social worker, you may provide assessment, counselling, and referral services to individuals and their families. You may also work with clients and families to overcome emotional, behavioural, social and financial difficulties.
Graduates of the program will find employment opportunities with:
For all routes, you must first apply to Medicine Hat College indicating your interest in the Social Work Diploma program. You will then receive an application package specific to the Social Work program that outlines details of the pre-program requirements. Please note that the information that you provide on the personal profile, and that provided by references, will be considered during admission screening to ensure you meet basic standards and have reasonable chance for success in the program and in the profession.
High School
Mature Student
This route is applicable if you do not meet the minimum requirements for admission but possess other post-secondary and/or work experiences that create potential for success in the program. You must have a 60% or higher in ELA 30-1 (or equivalent) or a university level English.
Transfer Route
If you have previously attended a recognized college or university, you must be accepted on the basis of your college or university level coursework. You must have 60% or higher in ELA 30-1 (or equivalent) or a university level English course.
Academic Transition Plan (ATP)
If you do not possess all of the admission requirements, the Academic Transition Plan (ATP) may provide conditional acceptance to this program, provided space is available. ATP is individualized to meet your needs.
First YearFall ANTH 213 Contemporary Aboriginal Issues in Canada IDST 100 Introductory Communications for Helping Professionals PSYC 205 Principles of Psychology SLWK 100 Introduction to Social WorkSLWK 102 Social Problems and Policies
Winter PSYC 351 Developmental Psychology SLWK 101 Social Work Theories & Process SLWK 103 Social Work with Individuals SLWK 105 Social Work with GroupsElective
Spring*Junior EnglishElective Second YearFallPSYC 357 Human Development SLWK 206 Social Work Research and Leadership in Human ServicesSLWK 208 Social Work with FamiliesSLWK 212 Social Work Practicum I SLWK 219 International Social Work+
Winter SLWK 209 Social Work with Communities SLWK 211 Social Work with Mental Illness, Trauma, and Addictions SLWK 213 Social Work Practicum IIElective
Spring SLWK 220 International Social Work Practicum+
** Students are required to complete two practicum courses. SLWK 288 or 297 may be replaced by SLWK 290 - International Social Work Practicum (see course description) when offered.
You may choose to take classes in a different configuration or at a slower pace. Any changes to the above configuration, however, should be discussed with the Program Coordinator or Academic Advisor.
Electives* In addition to the specified core courses, you must also complete three additional university transfer courses during the two years of study. Some of these may be taken during Spring semester. Recommended courses include:
ACCT 211 Intermediate Accounting I, ACCT 213 Intermediate Accounting II, ACCT 321 Introduction to Financial Accounting, ACCT 323 Introduction to Managerial AccountingAMAT 217 Math for Engineers I, AMAT 219 Math for Engineers II ANTH 201 Introduction to Primatology and Human Evolution, ANTH 203 Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology, ANTH 215 Ecological and Cultural Issues in Indigenous Communities: Canadian and International Perspectives, ANTH 379 Urban AnthropologyARKY 205 Ancient Peoples and Places, ARKY 381 Indians of North America * Any ARDR, AREL, ARHI, ARFA, ARPH, ARVC ASTR 201 The Modern Universe BCEM 200 Introduction to Biochemistry Any BIOL courseCHEM 201 General Chemistry I, CHEM 203 General Chemistry II, CHEM 250 Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 250 Organic Chemistry I CPSC 203 Introduction to Computers, CPSC 231 Introduction to Computer Science I, CPSC 233 Introduction to Computer Science II DRAM 200 Introduction to Acting I, DRAM 201 Introduction to Acting II, DRAM 222 Fundamentals of Stage Production, DRAM 223 Fundamentals of Stage Production, DRAM 240 Introduction to Drama I, DRAM 241 Introduction to Drama II, DRAM 360 Developmental Drama I, DRAM 361 Developmental Drama II ECON 201 Principles of Microeconomics, ECON 203 Principles of Macroeconomics EDTS 233 Introduction to Teaching, EDTS 321 Education Psychology for Teaching, EDTS 325 Tools for Teaching and Learning in the Digital Classroom, EDTS 341 Interpersonal Communication in the School * ENGG 205 Engineering Mechanics I, ENGG 233 Computing for Engineers I, ENGG 349 Engineering Mechanics II Any UT ENGL courseFREN 200 Beginner's French I, FREN 202 Beginner's French II, FREN 219 First Year University: French I, FREN 221 First Year University: French II Any GEOG courseGNST 300 Gender Studies Any HIST courseLING 201 Introduction to Linguistics I, LING 203 Introduction to Linguistics II Any UT MATH courseNURS 485 Any KNES coursePHIL 201 Problems of Philosophy, PHIL 249 Ethics, PHIL 275, PHIL 279, PHIL 313 Bioethics PHSL 370 Introduction to Human Physiology I, PHSL 371 Introduction to Human Physiology II PHYS 241 Physics I, PHYS 243 Physics II POLI 201 introduction to Government and Politics, POLI 223 Conflict and Unity: Canadian Issues, POLI 313 Political Ideologies PSYC 345 Social Psychology, PSYC 368 Perception, PSYC 383 Personality, PSYC 385 Introduction to Abnormal Psychology RELI 205 The Nature of Religion SGMA 395 Any SOCI course (except SOCI 371 Sociology of Families)SPAN 201 University Transfer: Beginners' Spanish I, SPAN 203 University Transfer: Beginners' Spanish II STAT 213 Introduction to Statistics I, STAT 217 Introduction to Statistics II, STAT 251 Introduction to Applied Statistics, STAT 333 Statistics for the Life Sciences ZOOL 375 An Introduction to Invertebrate Zoology, ZOOL 377 The Vertebrates
It is recommended that the university transfer courses are completed before you go into your second practicum.
*Please note in order to take these courses students will require permission from that department's program coordinator.
In order to ensure the protection of clients, you are required to provide up-to-date child welfare and criminal record checks, at your expense, prior to entry into practicum placements. You are also responsible for providing copies of the Alberta Children's Services Intervention Record Check and Police Information Check to practicum supervisors prior to starting placements You are obligated to inform the Program Coordinator immediately of any changes in the status of your criminal record.
Should the program coordinator judge, in consultation with faculty, that there is evidence that your are professionally unsuitable or a risk to clients, the coordinator may prohibit you from attending or completing a practicum.
International PracticumDifferent opportunities may arise for you to participate in an international practicum. Social Work students from Medicine Hat College may be invited to participate in international practicum placements with other institutions or Medicine Hat College Social Work program may offer this opportunity by itself. In both situations yo must go through an application process and suitability for participation will be evaluated on a case by case basis. You will be expected to complete all prerequisite requirements before departure.
University of CalgaryPhone: 403-220-2011 or 403-220-5430Email: socialwk@ucalgary.ca
Degrees offered in the areas of:
Bachelor of Social Work, through the various routes:
If you complete the MHC Social Work Diploma you are given block transfer credit towards the University of Calgary BSW degree program.
The University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work admits students into the third year of a four year degree program. If you are in the university transfer route (Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge divisions) you must complete high school English (ELA 30-1 or equivalent), 20 university transferable general Arts and Sciences courses which includes SOWK 201 (or equivalent such as Medicine Hat College SLWK 100) in order to be considered for admission.
If you are in the Learning Circles Route you must have completed high school English (ELA 30-1 or equivalent) and 18 university transferable general arts and sciences courses in order to be considered for admissions.
We encourage you to consult with a Medicine Hat College Academic Advisor, a University of Calgary Academic Advisor, and the University of Calgary calendar regarding admissions requirements and course selections. It is important that you make correct course choices as part of your Bachelor’s degree.
NOTE: If you are interested in applying to the Faculty of Social Work, you must complete two application forms for admission – one on-line application form for admission to the University of Calgary; and a second application form for the Faculty of Social Work which can be found on the Faculty of Social Work website: http://fsw.ucalgary.ca/
Diploma
In addition to the courses required for graduation your progress in the program will be reviewed each semester by the program faculty. Should you be found to be in academic difficulty or should your professional suitability be of concern, you may be referred for remedial assistance or, in extreme cases, asked to withdraw from the program.
The Code of Ethics of the Alberta College of Social Workers will be used as a measure of professional behaviour and suitability.
Medicine Hat College distributes over $300,000 in scholarships and bursaries each year. Applying online is easy!
Click Here
There are several options to assist you in funding your education at MHC. Find out what option is best for you.
MHC has a walk in clinic on the Medicine Hat campus? More...
The Students' Association has a pub and grill? More...
Maps Phone Directory News & Events
Copyright © 2010 Medicine Hat College Privacy Policy Feedback Sitemap