1. Welcome to Carleton and your Bachelor of Social Work degree program
  2. Your Degree Program
  3. More Program Information
  4. Courses Required for First Year
  5. Contact Information

Welcome to Carleton and your Bachelor of Social Work degree program

First Year Course Selection Guide. Please read this degree guide prior to registering.

Your Degree Program

The Bachelor of Social Work is an Honours (4-year) degree that requires completion of the following 20.0 credits:

Core Social Work courses [10.5 credits]

  • Includes 4.0 credits of supervised field practice in a community setting.

Non-Social Work courses [9.5 credits]

  • 2.0 credits in any combination of the following subjects: Anthropology (ANTH), Criminology and Criminal Justice (CRCJ), Economics (ECON), History (HIST), Human Rights (HUMR), Indigenous Studies (INDG), Law (LAWS), Public Affairs and Policy Management (PAPM), Political Science (PSCI), Psychology (PSYC), Sociology (SOCI), or Women’s and Gender Studies (WGST).
  • 6.0 credits not in Social Work
  • 1.5 credits in Free Electives (which may include Social Work elective courses and/or SOWK 4908 [1.0 cr.] – the Honours Essay).

The degree is typically completed over 4 years of study with 5.0 credits taken per year.

If you have completed studies prior to your admission to Carleton, please consult your admission documents to find out which courses you have been granted credit for. Typically, in the School of Social Work, students are not given advanced standing for core courses.

More Program Information

For program information please visit the School of Social Work’s website and read through the Bachelor of Social Work Program Hub as well as the BSW Essential Requirements. These are important documents for you to read and understand thoroughly. In addition, students can learn more about their degree requirements by reviewing these sections:  program requirementslearning how to read and understand your auditcourse sequencing and course load, your CGPAs

Students should attend the mandatory Academic Orientation session in early September as this is an invaluable opportunity to begin to familiarize yourselves with faculty, staff, and the Social Work program. The faculty and administrative staff at the School of Social Work are approachable and helpful and continuously work at creating an open and pleasant environment. We look forward to meeting you!

Courses Required for First Year

Fall Term (2.5 Credits):

SOWK 1001 [0.5 cr.] Introduction to Social Welfare

Elective in related program

Elective in related program

Elective not in Social Work

Elective not in Social Work

Winter Term (2.5 Credits):

SOWK 1002 [0.5 cr.] Introduction to Social Work

Elective in related program

Elective in related program

Elective not in Social Work

Elective not in Social Work

Please Note: All students at Carleton University are required to maintain minimum CGPAs overall and within their major to remain eligible to continue. Please review the Academic Continuation Evaluation requirements for the Bachelor of Social Work or check with the undergraduate administrator prior to the beginning of your program.

Contact Information

Gabrielle Crete
Undergraduate Administrator
School of Social Work
509 Dunton Tower
1125 Colonel By Dr.
Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6
P: 613-520-2600, ext. 5602
gabrielle.crete@carleton.ca