Academic Calendar

Social Work Diploma

Categories of Admission 

Applicants may be admitted to one of the following:

Regular Admission 

To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar

Applicants must be 19 years of age or older by December 31 of the year they enter the program, and must have a minimum overall average of 65 percent, with no course grade lower than 50 percent, in the following high school courses:

  1. ELA 30-1
  2. Social Studies 30-1
  3. Three Group A, B, C or D courses

Notes:

  • Applicants are strongly encouraged to present a broad range of subjects in order to benefit from the breadth of learning and to increase flexibility of future program and course choices.
  • A maximum of two Group B subjects may be presented; they must be from different disciplines.
  • A maximum of one Group D subject may be presented. Group D subjects used for admission must be 5-credit or any credit combination of at least 5 credits (e.g., two 3-credit subjects).

Applicants with nine to 23 post-secondary level credits must also present a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with 24 or more post-secondary level credits will be considered under Previous Post-Secondary Work.

Mature Admission 

To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar

Applicants must be 20 years of age or older and have been out of full-time high school at least one year by the beginning of the intake term. Applicants must have a minimum overall average of 65 percent, with no course grade lower than 50 percent, in the following high school courses:

  1. ELA 30-1
  2. Social Studies 30-1

Applicants with nine to 23 post-secondary level credits must also present a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with 24 or more post-secondary level credits will be considered under Previous Post-Secondary Work.

Previous Post-Secondary Work 

To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar

Admission in this category does not imply or guarantee the transfer of any coursework and/or credential unless a block transfer agreement (internal or external) is in effect and published in the calendar by the Office of the University Registrar. In addition, transfer of coursework does not imply or guarantee that an applicant will be admitted.

Applicants must have successfully completed the following from a recognized institution:

  • A minimum of 24 post-secondary credits with a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Additional Admission Criteria

All applicants must meet the following:

1. English Language Proficiency

To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar

Applicable to All Admission Categories

All applicants must meet an acceptable level of English language proficiency. We will require official documents such as high school or post-secondary transcripts or proof of successful completion of standardized language evaluation. Full details are available in MacEwan University’s academic calendar or online at MacEwan.ca/ELP.

2. Other Admission Criteria

To be evaluated through the Program

Applicable to All Admission Categories

Applicants are required to submit the following to be assessed by faculty from the Social Work program:

1. Essay and Resume

2. Evidence of a minimum 70 hours of human or social service volunteer/work experience within the last two years

3. Professional Volunteer/Work Reference

Applicants offered admission are required to submit the following:

  • A clear Police Information Check (or equivalent from another policing agency) that includes a Vulnerable Sector Search. The Police Information Check must be submitted by the published document deadline and have been issued within three months of the start of the program intake term.
  • An Alberta Intervention Record Check (or equivalent from another province/territory). The Intervention Record Check must be submitted by the published document deadline.

Equity Admission

The School of Social Work at MacEwan University is committed to principles of equity and diversity. The School supports equitable representation of groups underrepresented in the social work profession and has reserved up to 15 per cent of admission spaces as equity admission spaces for applicants who self-identify as Indigenous. MacEwan University defines Indigenous as First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in Canada.

In order to be considered for admission under the Equity Admission criteria, candidates must still meet the minimum admission criteria for the program.