Social Work

Admission Requirements Tuition and Fees Program Structure

Our two-year Social Work Diploma program prepares you for a career as a social work practitioner. Alberta Advanced Education and Technology has approved this program and it is accredited with the Alberta College of Social Workers.

The Social Work program qualifies you for entry into human, health and social service related sectors. Areas of employment include:

  • Addictions
  • Child and Family Services (Child Welfare)
  • Child Care
  • Community Development
  • Corrections
  • Counselling
  • Elderly
  • First Nation and Metis Child Services
  • First Nations
  • Foster Care
  • Group Homes
  • Homeless Shelters
  • Income Security
  • Mental Health
  • School Liaison
  • Women Emergency Centres 

Applications are open for Fall 2023 intake. 

Application deadline is May 1st, 2023. Please note, interviews will be on-going from January 2023.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for the program, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum of 50% in English 30-1.

You will also be asked to:

  • Complete a pre-entry interview with the Chair of Human Services.
  • Provide a character reference from an employer, Band or Metis agency or leadership, elder, teacher, government official, or equivalent.
  • Submit a Child Welfare and Police Information Check dated no earlier than July 1.
  • Complete a program applicant information package.

    Mature student requirements

    Mature students (21-years-old or older) must:

    • Have been out of high school for at least three consecutive years
    • Have completed English 30-1 with a minimum of 50%

    Applicants of Indigenous Ancestry

    Three positions per year are available in the Social Work Diploma program for qualified Canadian Indigenous applicants. If qualified Canadian Indigenous applicants are not admitted by May 30, we may fill the positions with students of non-Indigenous ancestry.

    English language proficiency

    Our instructors teach primarily in English. You can qualify for English Language Proficiency if you have completed three or more years of full-time education in English, including your Grade 12 year at a Canadian school or an approved school outside of Canada.

    You can meet proficiency requirements with accepted scores from these tests:

    • TOEFL: iBT – minimum score of 86 with no score below 21
    • IELTS - minimum score of 6.5 with no score below 5.0
    • CAEL - minimum score of 70
    • MELAB - minimum score of 85
    • Duolingo - minimum score of 115
    • PTE (academic) - minimum score of 58

Tuition and fees

Full Time Fees 2023-2024

Please note the 2023-2024 fees are pending sign off from the Government of Alberta as per the Tuition Fee Regulation.

 Full Time Fees  Fall Winter
Tuition $2,521.00 $2,521.00
Campus Rec Fee $70.00 $70.00
Health and Dental Fee  *$126.00 *$126.00
Student Association Building Fee $17.92 $17.92
Student Association Fee $112.00 $112.00
Technology Fee $95.00 $95.00
Total Fees $420.92 $420.92
Total Tuition & Fees ***$2,970.92  ***$2,970.92
Total Cost Per Year   $5,949.84
 International Full Time Fees 2023-2024

Please note the 2023-2024 fees are pending sign off from the Government of Alberta as per the Tuition Fee Regulation.

 Full Time Fees  Fall Winter
Tuition $7,563.00 $7,563.00
Campus Rec Fee $70.00 $70.00
Health and Dental Fee  *$126.00 *$126.00
Student Association Building Fee $17.92 $17.92
Student Association Fee $112.00 $112.00
Technology Fee $95.00 $95.00
Total Fees $420.92 $420.92
Total Tuition & Fees ***$7,983.92 ***$7,983.92
Total Cost Per Year   $15,967.84
Full Time Fees 2024-2025

Please note the 2024-2025 fees are pending sign off from the Government of Alberta as per the Tuition Fee Regulation.

 Full Time Fees  Fall Winter
Tuition $2,576.00 $2,576.00
Campus Rec Fee $75.00 $75.00
Health and Dental Fee  *$126.00 *$126.00
Student Association Building Fee $17.92 $17.92
Student Association Fee $112.00 $112.00
Technology Fee $100.00 $100.00
Total Fees $430.92 $430.92
Total Tuition & Fees ***$2,863.92  ***$2,863.92
Total Cost Per Year   $5,727.84
 International Full Time Fees 2024-2025

Please note the 2024-2025 fees are pending sign off from the Government of Alberta as per the Tuition Fee Regulation.

 International Students Fees  Fall Winter
Tuition  $7,728.00 $7,728.00
Campus Rec Fee  $75.00 $75.00
Health & Dental Fee *$126.00 *$126.00
Student Association Building Fee $17.92 $17.92
Student Association Fee $112.00 $112.00
Technology Fee $100.00 $100.00
Total Fees $430.92 $430.92
Total Tuition & Fees

***$8,158.92

***$8,158.92

Total Cost Per Year  

$16,317.84

Please note, these estimates are based on 100% enrollment for all semesters and do not include mandatory laboratory fees. Laboratory fees can range from $33- $129 for 2023-2024 and $34-$132 for 2024-2025.

* Students will be charged a medical/dental benefit fee unless they opt out by demonstrating alternative coverage - deadlines can be found at StudentCare website
** These programs have a mandatory Spring semester if students intend to graduate on time.
*** Tuition is due 10 business days before the start of each semester.

For more information view the Keyano College Credit Calendar

Program structure

Current students, please use your Program Registration Guide when registering for courses.

Year 1: Term 1 (September - December) 
COURSE COURSE TITLE CREDITS
Year 1: Term I (September - December)   15
ENGL 104 Introduction to Critical Analysis or 3 credits approved English 3
PSYCH 104 Basic Psychological Processes or 3 credits approved Psychology 
SOWK 110  Introduction to Human Services and Basic Counselling
SOWK 130  Addictions and Mental Health 
SOWK 201 Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work 
Year 1: Term II (January - April) 
COURSE COURSE TITLE CREDITS
Year 1: Term II (January - April)    15 
ENGL 125  Aboriginal Writings
PSYCH 105  Individual and Social Behaviour or 3 credits approved Psychology 
SOWK 120  Rural and Northern Practice 
SOWK 125  Social Work Practice from an Anti-Oppressive Perspective 
SOWK 220  Practice with Families 
Year 1: Term III (May - June)
COURSE COURSE TITLE CREDITS
Year 1: Term III (May - June)   
SOWK 155    Practicum I 3
Year 2: Term I (September - December)
COURSE COURSE TITLE CREDITS
Year 2: Term I (September - December)   15 
PSYCH 223   Developmental Psychology or 3 credits approved Psychology
SOCY 100  Introductory to Sociology or 3 credits approved Sociology 
SOWK 210  Social Policy 
SOWK 225  Social Work in Organizations 
SOWK 230  Community Development 
Year 2: Diploma Term II (January - April) 
COURSE COURSE TITLE CREDITS
Year 2: Term II (January - April)    15 
NATST 201  A Canadian Indigenous Perspective to Helping or 3 credits approved Native Studies
POLSC 101  Introduction to Government and Politics or 3 credits approved Political Science 
SOWK 235  Social Work with Groups  
SOWK 255  Practicum II