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.

Locations
Cold Lake Campus
Lac La Biche Campus 

Please note:
Intake is offered yearly at our Lac La Biche campus. This differs from our Cold Lake campus, which offers the program every two years. 

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.

Click here to view Other Fees for Service

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• PRACTICUM 1

  Course ID: SOCW110/111

  Name: PRACTICUM 1

  Hours: 450

  Credits: 6

  The fieldwork 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. Students will transfer skills and knowledge learned in the classroom to practical settings.

  All practicum hours (450 hrs) are to be completed consecutively in one academic year to gain credit for the practicum courses (SOCW 110/111). SOCW 110 is 2 credits and 150 hours and SOCW 111 is 4 credits and 300 hours.

  Pre/Corequisite SOCW 131, SOCW 133

• SOCIAL POLICY

  Course ID: SOCW217

  Name: SOCIAL POLICY

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course is designed to help social work students gain fundamental knowledge of the social welfare policies that shape and guide generalist social work practice. The history of social policies and how they are influenced by economic and political environments are explored. A critical lens is applied to examine the impact of social policies on marginalized populations.

  Pre/Corequisite SOCW 132

• SOCIAL WORK INTERVIEWING

  Course ID: SOCW133

  Name: SOCIAL WORK INTERVIEWING

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  Students will develop 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. Complementary communication skills needed for each phase of the interview process will be examined. Diversity and the needs of various client groups will be explored.

  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 documentation, with a special emphasis placed on generalist social work practice. Core social work values are explored.

  Prerequisite – SOCW 131

• 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

• 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. Various psychoactive drugs will be discussed. Students will learn about models of prevention and intervention for working with clients living with addictions.

  Prerequisites: SOCW 133

• 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

• ELECTIVE

  Course ID: ELEC200

  Name: ELECTIVE

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  ELEC200

• FAMILY DYNAMICS

  Course ID: SOCW231

  Name: FAMILY DYNAMICS

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course integrates social work knowledge and theories related to family dynamics with social work practice. Emphasis is placed on the nature, structure, and diversity of family units, the history of the family, and current trends. Other topics include family functioning and the impacts of systems on families.

  Prerequisites: SOCW 215

• 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

• 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 with particular emphasis on various issues impacting Canadian society. Prerequisites: 60% in ELA 30-1

• PRACTICUM

  Course ID: SOCW210/211

  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.

  All practicum hours (450 hrs) are to be completed consecutively in one academic year to gain credit for the practicum courses (SOCW 210/211). SOCW 210 is 2 credits and 150 hours and SOCW 211 is 4 credits and 300 hours.

  Pre/Corequisite: Completion of 1st Year CSW, SOCW 215, SOCW 218, SOCW 232 and SOCW 235,
  within the same academic year.

• 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. The implications of these settings and their impact on generalist social work practice are explored.

  Prerequisites: SOCW 131 and SOCW 132

• SELECTED ISSUES IN SOCIAL WORK

  Course ID: SOCW232

  Name: SELECTED ISSUES IN SOCIAL WORK

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course is a survey of the history, theory, practices, skills, and attitudes related to specific areas of social work practice. Learners will become familiar with human service agencies, their mandates, and their roles. Students will also have the opportunity to extend their knowledge in specific areas pertaining to social work practice.

  Prerequisite: SOCW 131 and SOCW 132

• 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 utilizing research in the practice of the social work profession. Research ethics will also be discussed.

  Prerequisites: SOCW 215 and SOCW 218