Social Work 

Social work is a profession and academic discipline focused on helping individuals, families, groups, and communities improve their well-being by addressing social problems and advocating for social justice. It involves a dual focus on individual circumstances and their surrounding environmental factors, promoting social change through direct services, counseling, therapy, and community organizing. Core principles include human rights, social justice, and empowerment. There are several social work post-secondary options for students in Saskatchewan. 

Graduates from social work programs find careers in areas including addictions and family counselling, mental health and addictions, child welfare, social policy research and analysis, healthcare, criminal justice, community development, newcomer support, education, activism, advocacy and empowerment.

Social Work Program Information:

University of Regina

• Offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program.

• Accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education.

• Includes classroom learning and field placements.

• Available in Regina, Saskatoon, and through regional colleges.

• Students must first complete Pre-Social Work courses before applying.

• Careers include counselling, child welfare, mental health, advocacy, and more.

• University of Regina Social Work

North West College

• Offers the Bachelor of Social work program in partnership with the University of Regina.

• Next intake is Fall 2026.

• Locations: Battlefords and Meadow Lake.

• Admission is first qualified, first admitted.

• North West College Social Work

• Also offers the BSW program in partnership with the University of Regina.

• Includes Pre-Social Work (Year 1) and BSW (Years 2–4).

• Practicums are required in Years 3 and 4.

• Northlands College Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program offered through the University of Saskatchewan/University of Regina

• The BSW is a non-direct entry program, meaning students must complete pre-social work courses before applying to the full program. It is offered in partnership with the University of Regina, and students typically begin their studies at the University of Saskatchewan before transferring.

• Pre-Social Work Requirements:

  • 30 credit hours of university-level courses

  • Must include specific courses such as Indigenous studies, sociology, psychology, and English

  • Minimum GPA required for admission

• Social Work Core Courses (once admitted):

  • Social work theory and practice

  • Human behavior and the social environment

  • Social policy

  • Research methods

  • Field education (practicum placements)

• Delivery Locations

• Saskatoon (University of Saskatchewan campus)

• Prince Albert

• Northern and rural outreach options may be available

Medicine Hat College Social Work Diploma 

• The Social Work Diploma is a two-year program designed to prepare students for a career in social work by combining:

  • • Humanities and behavioral sciences

    • Social work theory and philosophy

    • Practical skills through classroom learning and fieldwork

• The program emphasizes:

  • • Ethical practice

    • Diversity and inclusion

    • Anti-oppressive approaches

    • Social justice

• Students are encouraged to reflect on their values and beliefs, fostering personal growth alongside professional development.

Those who earn an MHC Social Work diploma would first need to be registered/accredited through the ACSW (Alberta College of Social Workers) and then apply to the SASW for accreditation. After you receive your diploma from Medicine Hat College, you are eligible to apply to register with the ACSW - after application, you are then provisionally registered and must complete 1000 supervised practice hours to obtain official registration (at this point, you would be eligible to register in Saskatchewan).