BSW.SWRK - Social Work - BSW Honours
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Academic Level
Credential
Description
The challenging field of social work provides essential supports to communities by helping its individuals, groups, and families meet their basic human needs, and by creating the conditions necessary for social change. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Trent University prepares graduates with the knowledge and skills for meaningful professional practice in a wide range of social work contexts. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum grounded in social justice, human rights, and cultural humility, students develop a strong foundation of clinical knowledge, critical thinking skills, and social responsibility. In the general years (years 1 and 2), students explore a range of contemporary themes connected to social work from across disciplines. Students admitted to the professional years (years 3 and 4) focus almost exclusively on social work theory and practice, including 700 hours of supervised placement.
INFORMATION & ADDITIONAL NOTES
The Honours Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program consists of 20.0 credits, with at least 11.5 SWRK credits.
Any student can declare a major in Social Work in the general years (years 1 and 2). 1000- and 2000-level SWRK courses are open to all students.
Students must apply to enter year 3 of the Social Work program; the first of two professional years. To be eligible to apply, students must meet the academic requirements below. A limited number of students are admitted to the Peterborough Symons Campus and to the Durham GTA Campus. Since admission to the professional years is not guaranteed, students should consider fulfilling the requirements for an alternate major when selecting courses in years 1 and 2.
Students will be charged an application fee to apply for admission to the professional years.
Students are admitted on a full-time basis to the professional years of the Social Work program and must normally complete the program requirements over two consecutive years.
Admission Requirements – Years 1 and 2
High School: A secondary school diploma, including six Ontario 4U or 4M credits (or equivalent), is required for admission. These credits must include English (ENG4U) with a minimum 60%. Candidates must possess a minimum overall average of 70%.
Post-secondary: Students with college or university transfer credits will be evaluated on an individual basis and should contact the Admissions Office for more information. Students with transfer credits should see an academic advisor for assistance in planning their course of study.
Applying to the Professional Years (Years 3 and 4)
Minimum Academic Requirements:
To be considered for admission to year 3 (the professional years), by May 15 of the application year, students must have met the following requirements:
successful completion of the following 10.0 credits with a minimum cumulative average of 70%:
2.0 SWRK credits consisting of SWRK 1000H, 1001H, 2001H, and 2004H
6.0 credits in Humanities and/or Social Sciences and/or Psychology, at least 3.0 credits of which must be at the 2000 level or beyond
2.0 credits in addition to the above
a minimum grade of 70% in each of SWRK 1000H, 1001H, 2001H, and 2004H
Non-Academic Requirement:
Students submit a supplemental application. For details, see the BSW Professional Years Admissions Package.
Notes:
For students with more than 10.0 university credits, the best 8.0 credits that meet the requirements of the general years (6.0 credits in Humanities and/or Social Sciences and/or Psychology, and 2.0 additional credits) plus the 2.0 required SWRK credits, will be used in the calculation of the average.
Transfer credits may be counted toward the minimum 10.0 credits required for admission to the professional years. If transfer credit has been assigned for SWRK 1000H, 1001H, 2001H, and/or 2004H, the minimum grade requirement is met with a “Pass” grade in the course(s).
If transfer credit has been assigned for SWRK 3000Y (1.0 credit), students may count this credit toward the minimum 10.0 credits required for admission to the professional years.
Students who have been assigned transfer credit for SWRK 3000Y must complete a series of five non-credit professional development workshops to bridge to placement in year 4 of the Bachelor of Social Work program. Please see the Social Work Student Handbook for further details.