School of Social Work
(Faculty of Public Affairs)
509 Dunton Tower
613-520-5601
http://carleton.ca/ssw
This section presents the requirements for programs in:
Graduation Requirements
In addition to the program requirements listed below, students must satisfy the University regulations including the process of Academic Performance Evaluation (see the Academic Regulations of the University section of this Calendar).
Students should consult with the School when planning their programs and selecting courses.
Community College Applicants
Articulation agreements between the School of Social Work at Carleton University and several community colleges have been negotiated to facilitate the application of their graduates in their human or social service worker programs to Carleton's Bachelor of Social Work. Agreements have been established with Algonquin College, Sir Sanford Fleming College and St. Lawrence College (Cornwall and Kingston). Contact the School for more details.
Academic Performance Evaluation for Social Work
Students in the Bachelor of Social Work program are assessed by the standard process of Academic Performance Evaluation with the following exception:
Good Standing in the BSW requires that:
- If the number of credits included in the Overall CGPA is at most 15.0, the Overall CGPA must be at least 6.00 and the Major CGPA must be at least 6.00.
- If the number of credits included in the Overall CGPA is at least 15.5, the Overall CGPA must be at least 6.00 and the Major CGPA must be at least 6.50.
Program Requirements
Bachelor of Social Work
BSW (20.0 credits)
A. Credits Included in the Major CGPA (10.5 credits) | ||
1. 4.5 credits in: | 4.5 | |
SOWK 1000 [1.0] | Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare | |
SOWK 2000 [1.0] | Structural Analysis and Social Work | |
SOWK 2100 [0.5] | The Political Economy of Social Welfare | |
SOWK 3100 [0.5] | Social Administration and Policy | |
SOWK 3200 [0.5] | Social Work Practice in Communities and Organizations | |
SOWK 3201 [0.5] | Social Work Practice: Individuals, Families and Groups | |
SOWK 4200 [0.5] | Honours Integrative Seminar | |
2. 1.0 credit in: | 1.0 | |
SOWK 2501 [0.5] | Introduction to Research Methods in Social Work | |
SOWK 2502 [0.5] | Introduction to Statistical Analysis for Social Workers (or approved substitute) | |
3. 2.0 credits in: | 2.0 | |
SOWK 3600 [2.0] | Practicum I (Fall and Winter) | |
SOWK 3601 [2.0] | Practicum I (Winter Term) | |
4. 2.0 credits from: | 2.0 | |
SOWK 4600 [2.0] | Practicum II | |
Practicum IIA and Practicum IIB | ||
5. 1.0 credit in: | 1.0 | |
SOWK 4908 [1.0] | Honours Essay | |
or two half-credit (0.5 credit) courses from SOWK at the 4000-level or higher | ||
B. Credits Not Included in the Major CGPA (9.5 credits) | ||
6. 1.0 credit in PSYC | 1.0 | |
7. 1.0 credit in SOCI | 1.0 | |
8. 6.0 credits not in SOWK | 6.0 | |
9. 1.5 credits in free electives | 1.5 | |
Total Credits | 20.0 |
Work Experience and Credit for Practicum I (SOWK 3600, SOWK 3601)
On admission to the BSW program, students who have four or more years of human service may apply to the BSW Field Co-ordinator for waiver of the requirement for SOWK 3600 or SOWK 3601. If successful, they will be granted 1.0 elective credit in Social Work and will be required to take 1.0 additional elective credit in Social Work in lieu of SOWK 3600 or SOWK 3601. Applications must be received by September 1 of each year.
Social Work (SOWK) Courses
School of Social Work
Faculty of Public Affairs
Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare
Social work practice, principles and knowledge base, current social problems and related fields of practice. Analysis of the relationship between social welfare and Canadian society, and the interrelationship among social work practice, societal change, social problems and social programs.
Structural Analysis and Social Work
Establishes framework for the utilization of social science theory in social work practice. Contributions from psychology, social, political and economic theory in contexts of race, gender and class.
Lecture three hours a week.
Drugs in Society: Theory, Policy and Practice
An examination of the extent and nature of alcohol and other drug use, theoretical explanations of drug dependence, history of drug policy development and current federal and provincial drug strategies. Strategies for social work practice are outlined.
Lecture three hours a week.
Human Sexuality
Psychosocial and political issues surrounding human sexuality. The influence of culture; the range of individual differences in sexual and reproductive attitudes, values and behaviour; concerns of various sexually oppressed groups; sexual values and norms and social policy affecting sexual behaviour; implications for social work practice.
Lecture three hours a week.
The Political Economy of Social Welfare
History and theories of welfare. Contemporary issues such as the nature of the labour market, the family, the voluntary sector, and the state as the institutions through which welfare is provided in contemporary society.
Lecture three hours a week.
Working with Children and Youth
Preventative and protective social work intervention with children and youth. Problems of child neglect, abuse and violence in the context of family, organizational mandate and social political contexts. Programs and services for children and youth.
Lecture three hours a week.
Introduction to Research Methods in Social Work
Research methods used in social work. Topics include research paradigms, introduction to quantitative and qualitative analysis and how they relate to social work research; how to conduct a research project.
Prerequisite(s): SOWK 1000; or SOWK 3000 (which may be taken concurrently); or permission of the School of Social Work.
Introduction to Statistical Analysis for Social Workers
Fundamentals of statistical analysis. Topics include descriptive and inferential statistics and their use in social work research. Statistical tests, including Chi-Square, t-tests, correlations and simple linear regressions.
Prerequisite(s): SOWK 1000; or SOWK 3000 (which may be taken concurrently); or permission of the School of Social Work.
Foundations of Structural Analysis, Social Welfare and Social Work
Social work, social welfare policy and social services in Canada. Interactions between personal and social problems, political and state organization, households, and the economy.
Prerequisite(s): Third-year Honours standing upon admission to the BSW and permission of the School of Social Work.
Lecture three hours a week.
Special Topics in Social Work
Theory, policy or direct practice that is not ordinarily treated in the regular course program. Choice of topics varies from year to year and is announced well in advance.
Lecture three hours a week.
Social Administration and Policy
Administration, management, social research and planning. Theory and practice of the welfare state and social policy; structure and management of major social programs; social administration as a form of social work practice.
Lecture three hours a week.
Group Processes in Social Psychology
In-depth coverage of one or more sub-areas of social psychology introduced in PSYC 2100. Topics may include interaction in the dyad, coalition formation in larger groups, history and theory of small group research, North America, West-European and East-European models of groups behaviour, and training groups in industry.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 2100 or permission of the School of Social Work.
Lecture three hours a week.
Special Topics in Social Work
Theory, policy or direct practice that is not ordinarily treated in the regular course program. Choice of topics varies from year to year and is announced in advance of registration.
Lecture three hours a week.
Social Work Practice in Communities and Organizations
Major theories and practices pertaining to work in communities and human service organizations. Society's contribution to client problems and the impact of agency structures on services. Social change theories and methods for social work practitioners.
Lecture three hours a week.
Social Work Practice: Individuals, Families and Groups
Development of practice competency in work with individuals, families and groups. Integration of interpersonal and analytic skills in learning effective strategies within a structural framework. Influence of class, race and gender in shaping personal and social well-being.
Lecture three hours a week.
Practice Skills in Social Work
Practice of specific analytical and intervention skills needed for structural Social Work.
Prerequisite(s): SOWK 1000; or SOWK 3000 (which may be taken concurrently); or permission of the School of Social Work.
Lecture three hours a week.
Community Development and Social Change in an International Context
Introduction to theories, models and methods of community organizing as a strategy for social change in an international context.
Lecture three hours a week.
Human Rights Practice in Civil Society
Examines the advocacy role and capacity of organizations in civil society to increase popular participation in promoting and protecting human rights; includes transnational and national non-governmental organizations, grassroots movements, community organizations, and virtual or Internet-based organizations.
Lecture three hours a week.
Qualitative Research Methods in Social Work
Introduction to qualitative research. How to gather data that exists in terms of lived experience thickly embedded in the historical, interactional, emotional and relational worlds of everyday life. Draws on strategies from feminist research, participatory and social action research, phenomenological research and makes application to social work practice.
Lecture three hours a week.
Practicum I (Fall and Winter)
Focus on integrating theory and practice in a community setting supervised by a field supervisor. Monthly seminar included. Graded as Sat/Uns.
364 hours of field work over two terms.
Practicum I (Winter Term)
Focus on integrating theory and practice in a community setting supervised by a field supervisor, regular seminars included. Graded as Sat/Unsat.
364 hours of field work over one term.
Law of the Family
Legal framework surrounding the family and family relationships in Canadian society. Topics include marriage and cohabitation, matrimonial support, custody and access, and dissolution of marriage. State interventions through law; law and change in family structures; equality issues; dispute resolution processes.
Poverty and Social Welfare Policy
An examination of poverty and the distribution of income and wealth in Canada and in comparison with other countries; theories of poverty; Canadian social policies and their impact on poverty.
Lecture three hours a week.
Aboriginal Peoples and Social Policy
Social welfare issues from an Aboriginal perspective (Canadian, international), including child welfare, racism, justice, violence against women and children, substance abuse. Policy issues within a historical and contemporary social, political and economic context. Implications of self-determination for Aboriginal social policy and programs.
Lecture three hours a week.
Practice and Policy in Immigration
Canadian immigration policies and practices. The historical context of immigration policies; direct practice with immigrants and refugees; settlement and integration issues; immigrants and refugee women; intergenerational family relations; resources and community organizing.
Lecture three hours a week.
Management of Non-Profit Organizations
Introduction to theories, models and methods of managing non-profit organizations; role, nature and values of the non-profit sector in a market society; practical knowledge of management in different types of non-profit organizations (e.g. cooperatives, voluntary associations, public advocacy and community service organizations).
Lecture three hours a week.
Honours Integrative Seminar
Designed to help students to arrive at a synthesis of theory and practice, and to develop skills of critical self-evaluation.
Lecture three hours a week.
Social Work Practice from an Aboriginal Perspective
Cultural identity of the original peoples of Canada, their traditional values, cultural-based behaviour and the effects on them of changing times and relations. Emphasis on culture-specific skills and approaches. Role of the political, legal, and constitutional status of Canadian aboriginal peoples.
Lecture three hours a week.
Social Work and Aging
Social perspectives on aging with focus on models of practice that contribute to the independence of elderly people. Social programs and policies, such as social insurance, social services, housing, public health and health care. Social, psychological and political issues related to independence in later life.
Lecture three hours a week.
Feminist Counseling
Examines theory, practice and literature. Commonalities arising from sexism, racism, class oppression, heterosexism, disability, ageism, etc.
Special Topics in Social Work
Theory, policy or direct practice that is not ordinarily treated in the regular course program. Choice of topics varies from year to year and is announced in advance of registration.
Lecture three hours a week.
Special Topics in Social Work
Theory, policy or direct practice that is not ordinarily treated in the regular course program. Choice of topics varies from year to year and is announced in advance of registration.
Lecture three hours a week.
Special Topics in Social Work
Theory, policy or direct practice that is not ordinarily treated in the regular course program. Choice of topics varies from year to year and is announced in advance of registration.
Lecture three hours a week.
Special Topics in Social Work
Theory, policy or direct practice that is not ordinarily treated in the regular course program. Choice of topics varies from year to year and is announced in advance of registration.
Lecture three hours a week.
Special Topics in Social Work
Theory, policy or direct practice that is not ordinarily treated in the regular course program. Choice of topics varies from year to year and is announced in advance of registration.
Lecture three hours a week.
Social Work: Persons with Disabilities
Social work roles in regards to persons with disabilities. Structural analysis of policies and practices pertaining to such persons: cultural, historical, medical, social, political and economic. The disability rights perspective as it opposes the medical model and "ableist" ideals.
Prerequisite(s): third-year Honours standing, SOWK 1000; or SOWK 3000 (which may be taken concurrently); or permission of the School of Social Work.
Lecture three hours a week.
Practicum II
Development, application, testing and integration of knowledge, theory and skills in practice with individuals, families, groups and communities, in research or in social administration and policy. Graded Sat/Uns.
Prerequisite(s): third-year Honours standing in the BSW program; SOWK 2100, SOWK 3100, SOWK 3200, SOWK 3201, SOWK 3600 or SOWK 3601, and permission of the School of Social Work. Student must also be in good academic standing.
364 hours of fieldwork and bi-weekly seminars.
Practicum IIA
Development, application, testing and integration of knowledge, theory and skills in practice with individuals, families, groups and communities, in research or social administration and policy. Graded Sat/Uns.
Prerequisite(s): Honours standing in the BSW program, SOWK 2100, SOWK 3100, SOWK 3200, SOWK 3201, SOWK 3600 or SOWK 3601, and permission of the School of Social Work. Student must also be in good academic standing.
182 hours of fieldwork and bi-weekly seminars.
Practicum IIB
Development, application, testing and integration of knowledge, theory and skills in practice with individuals, families, groups and communities, in research or social administration and policy. Graded Sat/Uns.
Prerequisite(s): Honours standing in the BSW program. SOWK 2100, SOWK 3100, SOWK 3200, SOWK 3201; SOWK 3600 or SOWK 3601; SOWK 4601; and permission of the School of Social Work. Student must also be in good academic standing.
182 hours of fieldwork and bi-weekly seminars.
Special topic in Criminal Justice and Social Policy
Selected topic in criminal justice and social policy. Topics announced in advance. Part of the Summer School in Criminal Justice and Social Policy and offered by the Department of Law.
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year Honours standing or permission of the School of Social Work.
Special topic in Criminal Justice and Social Policy
Selected topic in criminal justice and social policy. Topics announced in advance. Part of the Summer School in Criminal Justice and Social Policy and offered by the Department of Sociology.
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year Honours standing or permission of the School of Social Work.
Special topic in Criminal Justice and Social Policy
Selected topic in criminal justice and social policy. Topics announced in advance. Part of the Summer School in Criminal Justice and Social Policy and offered by the School of Social Work.
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year Honours standing or permission of the School of Social Work.
Independent Study
A reading or research course for students who wish to investigate a particular topic of interest. Students may take a maximum of 1.0 credit of independent study in their total program.
Independent Study
A reading or research course for students who wish to investigate a particular topic of interest. Students may take a maximum of 1.0 credit of independent study in their total program.
Honours Essay
Research essay undertaken under the supervision of a faculty adviser. The project may take the form of an experiment, a case study, historical research, or such other work as meets with the adviser's approval. Faculty regulations apply.
Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca
Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca