Bachelor of Social Work – Four Year Program
Program Description
Most of the students who come to Booth College Social Work Program come out of a desire to help others and make a meaningful impact on their world. The social work program lays the groundwork of knowledge, values, skills, and ethics needed for professional social work practice.
Booth College social work majors are prepared within a Christian liberal Arts context for entry-level positions upon graduation at the generalist practice level, for registration with the professional association, and for life long learning. The program prepares students for employment in social work, social service, and human service settings. Students acquire foundational skills through the curriculum and field education components of the program. Students develop strong clinical, problem solving, and critical thinking skills that are transferable to any setting. Graduates are able to respond to the dynamics and consequences of social and economic injustice. Most importantly, social work education at Booth prepares students for life.
The program is built on a strong liberal arts foundation Students complete 51 credit hours of liberal arts courses. Typically this is done in the first two years at the College. Students are introduced to social work through the Introduction to Social Work course during the first year of studies. Students begin to develop foundational communication and assessment skills through the Introduction to Clinical Practice course in the second year, as well as knowledge of human behaviour taken in the second year.
The third and fourth year of the program students focus on social work classes and the development of professional skills through the field education component of the program. Students complete over 700 hours in social service settings where they practice social work under the supervision of a qualified social worker.
Social work education is characterized by an appreciation for human and cultural diversity, a theme that is woven through all social work classes. During the final field education integrative seminar, students compile and present their portfolios which provide the students an opportunity to examine the knowledge base, skills, and values acquired throughout their studies.
Students may complete all four years of their studies at Booth College or may transfer to Booth from another educational institution. Transfer students require a grade of C for transfer of liberal arts courses and a grade of C+ for transfer of social work courses. Social work courses taken from another social work program may be transferable to the program and assessed through the department of social work.
Booth College has arrangements with Steinbach, Providence and Vanguard Colleges. Students complete part of their studies at these institutions and then transfer to Booth for completion of their degree. All social work courses are taken through Booth College.
Adult students are returning to College in larger numbers. About forty to fifty percent of students enrolled in education programs today are adults who have life and work experience. Students are assigned an advisor upon enrollment to the College who works with them in developing a plan of study that accommodates personal, family, and work responsibilities. Courses are offered in formats that accommodate full or part time studies.