Social Work
The main objective of the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is to provide graduates with a generic practice framework so that they are prepared to deliver services to various client constituencies at a level of competence suitable for beginning practice.
The Social Work Programme at St. Thomas places major emphasis on understanding the structural roots of social problems in Canadian society. The cause of much of the suffering and inequality in society is seen to be rooted in our social and economic order, and not in the individual, the family, or the subculture. All interventions are seen within the context of this understanding and, although much of social work practice is concerned with the immediate needs of individuals, the resolution of social problems is seen as necessarily involving interventions in our major social institutions.
Post-Degree BSW
The post-degree BSW is designed for university graduates whose undergraduate programmes include a substantial liberal arts component, and who are familiar with, and committed to, a career in social work. Limited in enrolment, the post-degree BSW is an intensive, 60-credit hour, 15-month programme. It builds on your previous undergraduate education and leads to the professional BSW credential.
The post-degree BSW is limited in enrolment to 45 students. Admission is highly competitive and possession of minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Candidates are assessed on the basis of academic pre p a ration and professional suitability.
The Post-Degree programme is designed to provide students with 60 credit hours in social work courses over a period of four semesters. The following is a description of the programme design and courses to be taken in each semester. Prior to acceptance, applicants will have completed an empirical research methods course which provides familiarity with a broad range of qualitative and quantitative research methods as well as research ethics. This course will be reviewed by the admission committee.
Fall Semester I
SW-5013. Group Work Theory and Design
SW-5023. The Profession of Social Work in Context
SW-5036. Theory for Practice I
SW-5113. Generalist Social Work Practice Skills
SW-5213. Fundamentals of Community Organizing
Winter Semester II (Jan.-March)
SW-5046. Theory for Practice II
SW-5123. Social Work Practice in Diverse Contexts
SW-5223. Organizing for Action with Diverse Groups
SW-5313. Social Policy in the Canadian Context
Spring Semester III
SW-5059. Field Instruction 1 (late March- late June)
SW-5063. Social Work Field Integration Seminar
SW-5013. Group Work Theory and Design
Fall Semester IV
SW-5323. Social Policy - Current Issues and Global Contexts
SW-5073. Social Work Field Integration Seminar II
SW-5083. Field Instruction II
Two elective courses
Mi’kmaq/Maliseet Bachelor of Social Work Programme
The Mi’kmaq/Maliseet Bachelor of Social Work programme is jointly offered by Dalhousie University and St. Thomas University, within a flexible and culturally relevant framework. The programme consists of 60 credit hours of Social Work courses to be completed over a three-year period. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours of liberal arts courses as a prerequisite to admission. Courses in this programme are offered in Sackville, New Brunswick (S).
The courses taught by St. Thomas University Department of Social Work faculty are:
SCWK-2013. Introduction to Social Welfare
SCWK-5012. Field Instruction III
SCWK-5043. Skills for Social Work Practice
SCWK-5046. Theory Social Work Practice II
SCWK-5113. Generalist Social Work Practice Skills
SCWK-6513. Social Work, Organizations and Native People
SCWK-6813. Native Child Welfare
SCWK-6863. Social Work and Addictions