Cape Breton University’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is designed to pr
Cape Breton University’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is designed to prepare the next generation of social workers with practice-ready skills to address social and systemic inequities. In response to pressing socio-economic crises and healthcare challenges, the BSW program uses a trauma-informed lens which emphasizes bio-psycho-social determinants of health, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and decolonization of social work practice, generational dimensions of poverty and addiction and culturally safe practices and care.
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) curriculum is relevant to practice across Nova Scotia and beyond wherever rural, Indigenous and de-industrialize communities are found and intersect.
An accelerated 16-month program pre-accredited through the Canadian Association of Social Work Education (CASWE), the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program adheres to the core learning objectives of CAWSE while maintaining the commitments to an inclusive and supportive learning environment that enables ongoing self-reflection and the integration of theory, research and practice through hands-on learning experiences. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program offers opportunities for intra-professional collaboration and aims to thoughtfully prepare practice ready social workers for the profession. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is delivered full-time, on campus with the exception of two field practicums.
Completion of an undergraduate degree is required for admission into the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program.
Academic Program Regulations for Bachelor of Social Work
The structure of this degree program will require the completion of 60 credits over four terms.
Completion of an undergraduate degree is required for admission into the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program.
Term 1 Fall (15 credits)
SWRK-4201 – Foundations of Social Work (3 credits)
SWRK-4203 – Social Policy and Social Welfare in Canada (3 credits)
SWRK-4204 – Human Behaviour in Social Environments I (3 credits)
SWRK-4205 – Decolonizing Social Work: A Two-Eyed Seeing Perspective (3 credits)
SWRK-4206 – Diversity & Oppression (3 credits)
Term 2 Winter (15 credits)
SWRK-4207 – Generalist Social Work Practice I (3 credits)
SWRK-4208 – Child Welfare Policy and Strengths-Based Approaches to Child Welfare (3 credits)
SWRK-4209 – Human Behaviour in Social Environments II (3 credits)
SWRK-4890 – Field Practicum I -250 hours (6 credits)
Term 3 Spring (15 credits)
SWRK-4211 – Generalist Social Work Practice II (3 credits)
SWRK-4213 – Social Justice & Advocacy (3 credits)
SWRK-4214 – Community Engaged Research (3 credits)
SWRK-4215 – Organizations & Community Practice (3 credits)
CHOOSE ONE ELECTIVE (3 credits)
SWRK-4505 – Indigenous People’s Psychology: Holistic Health and Healing (3 credits)
SWRK-4504 – Applied Mental Health Support (3 credits)
SWRK-4533 – Issues in Children’s Rights (3 credits)
Term 4 Fall (15 credits)
SWRK-4899 – Field Practicum II- 450 hours (9 cred