Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

BSW students working collaboratively in a face-to-face meeting

Share our commitment. Bring justice to life.

What is your vision of social justice? Where do you see yourself making a difference? The School of Social Work offers a program of studies leading to the degree of Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) that is fully accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education.

Graduates are employed in a wide range of government and voluntary organizations such as family and children's services, hospitals, women's services, corrections and Indigenous social services.

Our program emphasizes structural, feminist, Indigenous and anti-oppressive analyses. In addition to the comprehensive standard BSW program, we also offer child welfare, Indigenous, and Indigenous child welfare specializations. Learn more about these options under BSW specializations and requirements.

Learn where you live.

You may choose to complete the program requirements through distance education, with a mandatory five-day session held on-campus at UVic as part of the SOCW 312 program requirement. Distance education courses provide students residing in Canada an opportunity to create a flexible, full- or part-time program of studies. Please note that distance education courses are not facilitated internationally.

Alternatively, you may choose to complete the BSW program requirements through an on-campus/blended delivery model that combines face-to-face on-campus instruction and online learning activities. Please note that some required courses are offered through distance education delivery only, so on-campus/blended learning students are required to complete some distance education courses in order to complete the program.

You can find more information about these options under delivery method.

Experiential learning.

Field education will require you to apply what you have learned in your course work to practice situations. Field education is intended to build upon practice and previous experience, and to provide opportunities to strengthen skills, knowledge, and understanding of current values and attitudes. Where feasible, you may complete field placements in your own community. Occasionally, the availability of approved practicum placements may be limited and relocation may be required.

There are two practicum placements within the BSW degree program. However, if you have completed a minimum of two years paid or unpaid social justice experience (approximately 4000 hours) within the previous five years, you may apply to complete a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) in place of the third year practicum placement. Learn more about practicum and PLA in the practicum information for current students.

Ready to apply?

BSW applications are available online in November each year and completed applications must be received by January 31. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application is complete and received by the deadline. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Read more about admission requirements and the application process in admission information.