Social Work, Diploma

• Admission
• Curriculum

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General Information

The Social Work Diploma is a two-year program combining social work, humanities, and behavioural sciences knowledge and skills. The program prepares students for social work practice with individuals, families, groups and communities. Graduates are employed in a broad range of government (public), non-profit and private agencies. Social Work diploma graduates are eligible to apply to become Registered Social Workers in Alberta.

The learning outcomes for the Social Work Diploma reflect the values, knowledge, and skills required for professional practice. These include:

1. Foundational Knowledge: understand the historical, philosophical, ethical, and theoretical perspectives of social work practice.
2. Practice: skills to engage, assess, advocate, and intervene at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels in an inclusive manner.
3. Critical Thinking/Analysis: understand and articulate the multiple causes and impacts of social issues.
4. Academic Skills: organize written materials and oral presentations to communicate effectively for academic and professional purposes.
5. Personal & Social Responsibility: engage in reflective practice through active involvement with diverse communities and contemporary social issues.

Academic Performance Requirements

In matters of progression and continuance, there are instances when institutional processes do not fully address concerns related to student continuance in a program.

This applies in the following circumstances:

1. Violations of a professional code of ethics and/or standards of practice (i.e. Canadian Association of Social Work Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Ethical Practice, and the Alberta College of Social Work Standards of Practice). A committee established by the program will assess violations of relevant codes and standards and whether the student will be required to withdraw from the program based on the seriousness of the violation.

2. Students who are unsuccessful after two registrations in the same core course (as defined by the program) will be required to withdraw from the program. This includes, but is not limited to, the following examples of unsuccessful registration:

• Students who do not achieve the minimum required grade (as defined by the program) in one or both registrations;
• Students who earn a grade of “F” in one or both registrations; and
• Students who withdraw from the course with a “W” in one or both registrations.

3. Students denied a practicum placement by an external stakeholder because of an assessed detrimental impact on the client, client group, or community being served and who are unable to meet clinical or field course requirements on this basis will be required to withdraw from the program.

An appeal process is available; see the Social Work Diploma Student Handbook.

Practicum Requirements

All students are selected for practicum on the basis of academic performance, professional suitability and availability of practicum sites. A student may be prohibited from attending or completing a practicum if there is evidence to suggest that the student’s physical and/or psychological health may be detrimental to client care. To be placed in practica, students must have completed all required prerequisites and record checks, training and/or certifications.

Police Information Check

Provincial legislation requires that new employees and volunteers (including students) in publicly-funded agencies require a Police Information Check (PIC) that includes a Vulnerable Sector Check. Private agencies may have the same requirements. Social work requires that all students complete the required PIC and an Intervention Record Check (IRC). Agencies may require students to provide a copy of these checks prior to starting the practicum. Students may be required to obtain more than one Police Information Check and Child Intervention Record Check during their studies. Related costs are the responsibility of the student. It is each practicum agency’s decision to accept or reject a student for placement based on the results of police information or other background checks. Since both completion of course requirements and eventual employment in a field of study may be dependent upon the results of such checks, students who have concerns should discuss the matter with the practicum field director or the academic director in order to make appropriate plans for practicum and/or prior to applying for admission.

Additional Requirements for Social Work Practicum

The following may be required for social work practicum placements. Please check with the social work field director or the coordinator, practicum and advising for additional information.

Immunization

Proof of up-to-date immunization (including rubella) status may be required and is the responsibility of the student. All associated costs are the responsibility of the student. Required immunizations may vary based on the placement.

Mask Fit Testing

As a prerequisite for acute care clinical practice, all students must be fitted for N95 masks in accordance with Alberta Health Services policy. Mask fit-testing is valid for two years or less if you have weight gain or loss greater than 4.5 kilograms, or following a nasal fracture or facial scarring. Evidence of mask fit testing is to be provided to the coordinator of advising and practicum, as well as the designated practicum site. All costs associated with this service are the responsibility of the student.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification

Increasingly, acute care settings and community agencies are requesting that social work practicum students be CPR certified. Students must provide annual proof of current CPR Certification for Healthcare Providers. Evidence of certification is to be provided to the coordinator of advising and practicum. All associated costs are the responsibility of the student.

General Admission Requirements

All students must meet the general admission requirements for Mount Royal University programs, as indicated in the Admission  section of this calendar.

Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements indicated in the Admission  section of this calendar, applicants must also satisfy the following criteria:

Academic Course Requirements

The following specific courses (or equivalencies) with the specified minimum grades are required for admission into the Social Work Diploma program:

• English Language Arts 30-1-65%
• Social Studies 30-1 or Social Studies 30-2 or Aboriginal Studies 30 - 60%

Although Conditional Admission may be granted in advance of receipt of final and official transcripts, confirmation of the achievement of specified minimum grades will take place after all final and official transcripts have been received by the University. Applicants who do not meet these minimum grade requirements will be denied admission.

Indigenous Student Admission

Each year 15% of the seats in the Social Work Diploma program will be reserved for Indigenous applicants through an Indigenous admission target. To be considered for admission under the Indigenous admission target, the applicant must:

1. self-identify as an Indigenous applicant on the Application for Admission
2. meet the definition of an Indigenous Applicant
3. meet the minimum admission requirements as indicated in the general admission requirements for Mount Royal University, as well as any program-level admission requirements

Designated seats for this special consideration target will be filled by Indigenous applicants on a competitive basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply during Early Admission. Any unfilled designated seats will be released on June 15 to students applying under the general admission requirements.