Community Social Work

Career Potential

Graduates are eligible to apply to become a registered social worker. Current provincial legislation makes it mandatory for individuals with a social work education who work within the scope of social work practice to be Registered Social Workers (RSWs).

Graduates work with individuals, families, groups, and communities in a variety of agencies including: Indigenous agencies, addictions, court and probation services, disability services, emergency shelters, provincial and federal departments, residential treatment centres, schools and senior services.

Credentials

Diploma

Graduates are eligible for provisional RSW registration with the Alberta College of Social Workers.

Admission Requirements

Grade 12 or equivalent with:

• English 30-1 at 60% and English 30-2 at 70%
  
• NOTE: Those who do not meet admission requirements above are encouraged to look into Open Studies

In addition to these academic requirements, the following documentation must be provided: 

• Three academic/professional letters of reference (within the last 5 years)
• Criminal Record Check 
• Child and Welfare Intervention Check
• Signed Student Agreement declaring free from substance abuse

Transferability

Transfer agreements are currently in place with:

• University of Calgary (BSW)
• Athabasca University (BPA)
• MacEwan University (BSW)

*Students are encouraged to speak to a student advisor about specific transferability.

Program Start/End Dates 
Year 1 Cold Lake & Lac La Biche Campuses - August 26, 2021 to May 27, 2022 (Fall and Winter Term)
Year 2 Lac La Biche Campus - August 26, 2021 to May 27, 2022 (Fall and Winter Term)

Locations
Cold Lake Campus
Lac La Biche Campus

Please note:
We are now accepting applications for the Fall 2021 intake at our Lac La Biche campus, which offers the program each year. This differs from our Cold Lake campus, which offers the program every two years. We will be accepting applications to our Cold Lake campus beginning October 1, 2020 for the Fall 2021 offering.

Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50

Year 1

Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 16, 2021

Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 17, 2021

Total tuition & mandatory fees for year:  $4,816.34

Part-time Fees
Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $145. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $145.

Year 2

Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 16, 2021

Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 17, 2021

Total tuition & mandatory fees for year: $5,016.34

Part-time Fees
Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $145. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $145.

Visit  Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

International Student Fees
Application Fee $160.00

Year 1

Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 16, 2021

Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 17, 2021

Total tuition & mandatory fees for year: $13,358.14

International Student Fees

Year 2

Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 16, 2021

Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 17, 2021

Total tuition & mandatory fees for year:  $13,585.14

Guaranteed yearly tuition for 2021-22 -Year 2 of program started 2020-21 not including mandatory fees:  $12,687.20

Visit  Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

Tuition Deposit (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs and international only)
Domestic Students - $100
International Students - $500

Need help funding your education? Check out our  funding options.

Other purchases may be necessary in order for students to complete their courses/program.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most Portage College programs will be delivered online. students will need regular access to a computer with a webcam and an internet connection. High speed broadband access is highly recommended for the optimal learning experience.

For technical requirements, visit our Moodle page.

Click here to view Other Fees for Service

• NORTH AMERICAN ABORIGINALS

  Course ID: ANTH250

  Name: NORTH AMERICAN ABORIGINALS

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course provides an introduction to the study of the history, cultures, and present concerns of Aboriginal peoples in North America from an anthropological perspective, with a focus on First Nations in Canada. Traditional lifeways and contemporary issues will be discussed through the examination of different culture areas across the continent. PREREQUISITE: 100 level Anthropology

• INTRODUCTORY COMPOSITION

  Course ID: ENGL102

  Name: INTRODUCTORY COMPOSITION

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course helps students to develop the academic writing skills they use throughout their university studies. Students learn to identify good writing, and develop needed research, analytical, and organizational skills. Starting with building good sentences and paragraphs, the research essay is the most important genre in this course. By analyzing, summarizing, synthesizing, and critiquing a variety of texts, students learn how to develop their own analyses and arguments with appropriate and correctly documented primary and secondary sources. Readings by or about indigenous and minority peoples form no less than 50% of the readings in this course. A review of grammar and sentence structure is a key component of this course. Students are advised to choose a research topic in line with their career goals. Prerequisite 60% in ELA 30-1

• ELECTIVE

  Course ID: ELEC100

  Name: ELECTIVE

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  ELEC100

• DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

  Course ID: PSYC202

  Name: DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course explores the development of the person through the stages of infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and death. Each stage of human development will be studied from a physical, cognitive, and psychosocial perspective. The course will include developmental influences related to family systems and culture. Prerequisites: PSYC104

• INTRODUCTORY PSYCHOLOGY

  Course ID: PSYC104

  Name: INTRODUCTORY PSYCHOLOGY

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course is a prerequisite to other psychology courses at Portage College. This Introductory psychology course is intended to inspire an interest in, and an appreciation for, the field of psychology.  Topics in this course include the history of psychological science, psychological research methods, the structure and function of the brain and nervous system, learning, sensation, perception, memory, consciousness, thought and language. Prerequisites: 60% in ELA 30-1

   

• INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

  Course ID: SOCI101

  Name: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course is designed to introduce students to the discipline of Sociology and current sociological trends and issues. The course provides an overview of sociological concepts, perspectives, processes and institutions in a Canadian context.

• PRACTICUM 1

  Course ID: SOCW110

  Name: PRACTICUM 1

  Hours: 150

  Credits: 2

  The field work in year one is designed to provide students with an opportunity to observe and practice social work activities as well as gain an awareness of community resources. The social work skills that they will develop include beginning interviewing skills, group project skills as well as being able to integrate theory with practice in their practicum. Prerequisites: SOCW 131 and SOCW 133

• INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK

  Course ID: SOCW131

  Name: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course is designed to provide an overview of the philosophy, purpose and objectives of social work. Attention will be given to societal attitudes and values; client expectations and needs; social work ethics; intervention process; social work roles, and areas of practice in variety of areas that includes various populations. The history of social work, current social work issues and the social work process are all explored. Students are expected to develop a foundational understanding of the social work profession from micro to macro perspectives. Prerequisites: 60% in ENG 30-1 or 70% in ENG 30-2

• SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

  Course ID: SOCW132

  Name: SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course introduces the integration of social work values and concepts with practical skills. Emphasis is given to initial contact, understanding human behavior and life situations, recording and case disposition. Working in a bureaucracy and coping strategies are also discussed. Prerequisite – SOCW 131

• SOCIAL WORK INTERVIEWING

  Course ID: SOCW133

  Name: SOCIAL WORK INTERVIEWING

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course will challenge students to explore their motivation to enter the field of social work. Students will develop integral social work interviewing skills that are essential for effective and ethical social work practice. They will utilize the social work interview process within the context of a generalist approach. A complementary set of communication skills needed for each phase of the interview process will be examined with some emphasis on diversity, aboriginal belief systems and the needs of various client groups. Prerequisites: 60% in ENG 30-1 or 70% in ENG 30-2

• ELECTIVE

  Course ID: ELEC200

  Name: ELECTIVE

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  ELEC200

• ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

  Course ID: PSYC285

  Name: ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course provides an overview of a variety of abnormal behaviours that are psychologically oriented. The characteristics and observable symptoms of psychological disorders are studied including various theoretical orientations, treatment methods, cultural, age and gender differences, and various factors related to the incidence of mental disorders. The learning in this course adds to the knowledge students acquired in Introductory Psychology and, for CSW students, Developmental Psychology. Prerequisites: PSYC 104 and PSYC 202, or PSYC 105

• PRACTICUM

  Course ID: SOCW210

  Name: PRACTICUM

  Hours: 450

  Credits: 6

  The fieldwork in Year two is designed to provide students with an opportunity to engage in social work activities under supervision, and to practice skills as front line beginning professionals. The social work skills that are developed include planning, as well as generalist social work intervention skills. Students are expected to integrate social work theory to practice in their practicum. Prerequisite – SOCW 110, SOCW 133

• GROUP WORK

  Course ID: SOCW215

  Name: GROUP WORK

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  The course provides the student with the opportunity to learn the stages of group work practice, discuss and practice group techniques and processes, and develop “hands on” skills in the community. Prerequisite – SOCW 132, SOCW 133

• SOCIAL POLICY

  Course ID: SOCW217

  Name: SOCIAL POLICY

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course is designed to help social work students to understand the strategies by which Canadian social policy is determined and how this process impacts social work practice. Students also study the history of social welfare policy and how it is influenced by the economic and political environment; how present day social trends are influenced by social policy, historical and present day Aboriginal issues and how social workers can influence the process. Prerequisites: SOCW 218 and SOCW 132

• RURAL AND NORTHERN PRACTICE

  Course ID: SOCW218

  Name: RURAL AND NORTHERN PRACTICE

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course presents the characteristic features of rural, northern and remote communities in Canada and the implications of these settings for social work practice and their impact on generalist social work practice. Case studies of communities in Northern Canada are also explored. Prerequisites: SOCW 131 and SOCW 132

• COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

  Course ID: SOCW219

  Name: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course is designed to introduce the student to the basic theories, principles, concepts, techniques, processes and issues involved in community development. There will also be the opportunity to develop "hands on" skills as well as proposal development skills. Prerequisites: SOCW 215 and SOCW 232

• FAMILY DYNAMICS

  Course ID: SOCW231

  Name: FAMILY DYNAMICS

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course continues the integration of social work knowledge and concepts related to family dynamics with Social Work practice skills. Emphasis will be given to the nature, structure and diversity of family units, the history of the family, and current trends. What constitutes a healthy family is discussed, and the issues in working with families from other cultures are explored. Prerequisites: SOCW 215

• SELECTED ISSUES IN SOCIAL WORK

  Course ID: SOCW232

  Name: SELECTED ISSUES IN SOCIAL WORK

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course is a survey of current theory and practices, skills and attitudes related to specific areas of social work practice. These areas are interrelated but each possesses a distinctive social work knowledge base. Prerequisite: SOCW 131 and SOCW 132

• ADDICTIONS

  Course ID: SOCW235

  Name: ADDICTIONS

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course is designed to give students a basic understanding of addictions and to assist them to recognize the symptoms of addictive behaviour. They will also learn about different addictive substances. Students are given ideas as to how to respond as professionals to the addicted clients they will work with on a day to day basis. Students learn about the services available through Alberta Health — Addictions and other agencies in Alberta. Prerequisites: SOCW 133

• SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH METHODS & ETHICS

  Course ID: SOCW238

  Name: SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH METHODS & ETHICS

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This is an introductory course that examines the basics of research including terminology, the nature of knowledge, critical thinking, research design, data collection, and analysis. These areas will be taught in relation to social work interventions and the skills needed to utilize research in practice of the profession. A portion of this course will be spent discussing research ethics and the practice of social work. Prerequisites: SOCW 215 and SOCW 218