Due to COVID-19, all Fall 2020 courses in Community Social Work (CSW) will be delivered online, but we are working to incorporate some safe interaction on campus.
Rest-assured we will be following all guidelines set out by Alberta Health Services.
You can make a difference!
Click here to see the 2021 Welcome from your Community Social Work Instructors!
The Community Social Work program at Portage College provides you with practical training and experience to assist individuals, families, and various groups to navigate their way through situations in life.
"Portage College gave me one of the best experiences of my life. I thought I was too old to go back to school but I was accepted for who I was. Social work is a calling. Thanks to Portage College, I am working at my dream job. I love to see people succeed!"
Trevor Letondre was in his forties when he decided to enrol in Community Social Work. There were challenges he admits. One of them was being in the same class as his son's friends. Trevor persevered and with support from his instructors and his family he graduated with a diploma and a whole lot of pride and is now working with at-risk youth.
Find your calling in the two-year Community Social Work Diploma program.
Links
Moodle Technical Requirements
Lac La Biche Application Package
Cold Lake Application Package
Practicum
Practicum faculty supervisors meet with students individually and match them with a practicum placement. Students complete 450 practicum hours per year at various organizations including: addiction treatment centres, disability centres, probation and correctional centres, schools, women's shelters and youth centres.
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:
In addition to these academic requirements, the following documentation must be provided:
Transferability
Transfer agreements are currently in place with:
*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 2020 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 14, 2020
| Tuition | $1976.20 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $68.48 |
| Recreation Fee | $0.00 |
| Course Package & Materials | $25.00 |
| Total | $2,186.38 |
Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 18, 2020
| Tuition | $1976.20 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $68.48 |
| Recreation Fee | $0.00 |
| Course Package & Materials | $25 |
| Total | $2,186.38 |
Total tuition & mandatory fees for year: $4,372.76
Year 2
Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 14, 2020
| Tuition | $1976.20 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $68.48 |
| Recreation Fee | $0.00 |
| Course Package & Materials | $25.00 |
| Assist Training | $200.00 |
| Total | $2,386.38 |
Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 18, 2020
| Tuition | $1976.20 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $68.48 |
| Recreation Fee | $0.00 |
| Course Package & Materials | 25.00 |
| Total | $2,186.38 |
Total tuition & mandatory fees for year: $4,572.76
Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies
International Student Fees
Application Fee $160.00
Year 1
Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 14, 2020
| Tuition | $5928.60 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $68.48 |
| Recreation Fee | $0.00 |
| Course Package & Materials | $25.00 |
| Total | $6,138.78 |
Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 18, 2020
| Tuition | $5928.60 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $68.48 |
| Recreation Fee | $0.00 |
| Course Package & Materials | $25.00 |
| Total | $6,138.78 |
Total tuition & mandatory fees for year: $12,277.56
International Student Fees
Year 2
Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 14, 2020
| Tuition | $5928.60 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $68.48 |
| Recreation Fee | 0.00 |
| Course Package & Materials | $25.00 |
| Assist Training | 200.00 |
| Total | $6,338.78 |
Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 18, 2020
| Tuition | $5928.60 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $68.48 |
| Recreation Fee | $0.00 |
| Course Package & Materials | $25.00 |
| Total | $6,138.78 |
Total tuition & mandatory fees for year: $12,477.56
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
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.
2020 - 2021
Audit Fee - 50% of Course Fee
Document re-issuance Fee - such as, student ID, meal card, certificates etc. (Non-refundable)
Fee is per document - $10
GED Exam Fee (refundable if writing is cancelled)
Writing Fee - $200
Re-write Fee - $190
Invigilation Fee (Non-refundable)
Administration Fee - $25
Invigilation Fee per hour - $25
Prior Learning Assessment Fee (Non refundable)
Cost recovery, minimum $250/course
Supplemental/Deferred Exams (Non-refundable) - $25
Transcript Evaluation Fee - not applicable to dual credit high schools (non-refundable)
External Advanced Credit - $50
Transcript Fee - $10
Tuition Deposit (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs and international only)
Domestic Students - $100
International Students - $500
Paramedicine - $1500
We aim to make applying to Portage College as easy as possible. We know that choosing the right college is a big decision and we are here to help.
Applying to Portage CollegeIf you would like to receive more information about our programs, fill in this simple request form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Information Request Form