The Bachelor of Social Work program seeks to attract a diverse and intellectually engaged body of students who are committed to social justice and service to their communities and society. We are seeking students who exhibit the following personal characteristics:
- Courage and empathy;
- Inclusivity and social justice;
- Collaboration and leadership;
- Communication and organizational skills;
- Commitment, care, and concern;
- Flexibility, openness, and curiosity;
- Maturity and confidence;
- Critical thinking skills;
- Ethical and responsible practice.
Social workers work with diverse individuals, families, and groups. They pay attention to what people say and do. They are interested in the world around them and strive to improve social conditions for all peoples. Students in the Bachelor of Social Work Program are expected to adhere to Code of Ethics of the Canadian Association of Social Work Education (CASWE) and the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, both in the academic environment and field settings.
During the Professional Years (Years 3 and 4), students will acquire the knowledge, values, and skills to become effective generalist social work practitioners. The word “generalist” in the context of social work means that students will acquire a comprehensive set of knowledge, values, and skills that are transferable across a range of fields of practice and a range of social work roles. Students will also gain strong critical thinking skills, leadership abilities, and enhanced values related to social justice and social responsibility. The program provides students with many opportunities to expand their experiences, apply their knowledge in real-world situations, and to prepare for success in a social work career. Students will learn how to provide essential supports to vulnerable people through an interdisciplinary curriculum grounded in social justice, human rights and cultural awareness. This includes hands-on experience through a minimum of 700 hours of supervised field education. Students will graduate with an Honours Bachelor of Social Work degree.