Admissions Requirements

Department of Community Development and Social Work

Overview

The admission requirements for the professional years (years 3 and 4) of the Honours Bachelor of Social Work program require that students have completed two years of university study with a minimum of 60 credits or have received course recognition from a previous post-secondary institution. Students are required to make application to the Office of the Registrar at Algoma University before March 1. Students transferring from other programs will be assessed individually by the Office of the Registrar and will be subject to the same admission procedures.

Direct from High School
Students who apply directly from high school to the Bachelor of Social Work program are not guaranteed admission to the professional years and will be required to apply to the professional years. Students applying directly from high school to the BSW Program (not the professional years) will be required to have a minimum grade of 70% from 6 U/M courses.

Algoma University Social Work Program Students
Algoma University students applying to the professional years are required to possess a minimum cumulative average of 70 percent on a minimum of 60 credits.

University Transfers
Students transferring from another university may apply to the professional years after completing 60 credits or two years of study. Students transferring from other programs will be assessed individually by the Office of the Registrar and will be subject to the same admission procedures and standards. Students will be required to have a minimum average of 70 percent. In some cases, students will be required to complete core courses required in the first two years of the BSW program.

University Graduates
Students who have completed a recognized university degree with a minimum of 70 percent may apply to the Bachelor of Social Work program. Students will be required to complete a minimum of 63 credits to complete the requirements of the professional years. In some cases, students will be required to complete core courses required in the first two years of the BSW program before being allowed admission.

College Graduates
Students who have completed a recognized college diploma may receive course recognition towards the Bachelor of Social Work program depending on their GPA and diploma program of study. Students with a college diploma in any discipline are encouraged to apply and will have their transfer credits individually assessed. Students graduating with Social Service Worker or Child and Youth Worker diplomas from Sault College or Northern College will receive the following transfer credits:

Honours Bachelor of Social Work Admissions Requirements for College Graduates
Diploma Type Diploma Average Credits Recognized Credits Required to Complete Degree Time to completion (full-time studies)
2-year
Social Service
Worker Diploma		 Minimum overall average of A- 45 credits 75 2.5 years
(5 semesters)

 

 Minimum overall average of B-,B,B+ 30 credits 90 3 years
(6 semesters)

 

 Minimum overall average of C+ 15 credits 105 3.5 years
(7 semesters)
3-year
Child and Youth
Worker Diploma		 Minimum overall average of A- 45 credits 75 2.5 years
(5 semesters)

 

 Minimum overall average of B-,B,B+ 36 credits 84 2.5 - 3 years
(5-6 semesters)

 

 Minimum overall average of C+ 30 credits 90 3 years
(6 semesters)

 

*Note that entry into the HBSW program for diploma graduates does not guarantee entry to the professional years (3&4) of the HBSW program. Admission to Year 3 is a competitive process based on academic grades, volunteer and work experience, and a short essay. For details regarding admission to the professional years, please see the Applications Procedures page.

The Office of the Registrar reserves the right to transfer core credits to the BSW which may require a specific grade minima for credit transfer from individual courses completed within the diploma program.

In all cases, students will require a minimum grade of 70 percent in SWLF 1006/1007, 2106/2107.

For more information on the BSW at Algoma University, contact socialwork@algomau.ca.