Three inner city social work students work together at a desk in a library.
  • icon house

    Faculty

    • Faculty of Social Work

  • icon award

    Degree

    • Bachelor of Social Work

  • icon graduate

    Expected duration

    • 4+ years

  • icon pathway

    Program options

    • Flexible schedule

  • 1943

    Year the Faculty of Social Work was founded

  • 2

    Extension campuses

  • $55,000

    Value of entrance scholarships, bursaries and financial aid

  • 100

    Agencies that provide fieldwork experience

BSW program changes

The new BSW program curriculum commences in Fall 2024. Please refer to the new curriculum page for the latest updates on program revisions.

Program details

The Inner City Social Work BSW Access Program at the William Norrie Centre is for mature students (21 and older) who have inner city or similar social service experience who have traditionally faced systemic barriers common to inner city life experience such as poverty, racism, school failure and marginalization.

Expected duration: 4 to 9 years

  • Full time: 4 years
  • Part time: up to 9 years

Students are required to complete 123 credit hours of study.

Students admitted to the  Inner City Social Work Program are accepted directly into a four-year Bachelor of Social Work program and do not require prior university study.

All students are required to complete, within the first 60 credit hours of their programs:

  • a minimum of one three-credit hour course with significant content in written English and
  • a minimum of one three-credit hour course with significant content in mathematics. 

Classes are small. Those who start the program the same year usually stay together for most classes throughout the four years. Students take the same courses that are offered on the main campus, but in a different order and with additional supports and preparation. In Year 3 and 4, students take some classes on the Fort Garry campus. 

A schedule that accommodates parenting responsibilities

Since many of our students are single parents, our calendar mirrors the public school schedule. Classes begin at 9:30 a.m. and end by 3:30 p.m. Our holidays follow the public school schedule too, with the exception classes run until the end of July.

Sample course offerings

  • SWRK 1200 Introduction to Canadian Social Welfare
  • SWRK 1220 Social Justice, Diversity and Human Rights
  • SWRK 1240 Social Work and Professional Identity
  • SWRK 1250 Human Behaviour, Family and Community WellBeing: Theory and Practice
  • SWRK 2000 Anti-Racist Social Work Practice
  • SWRK 2010 Indigenization and Decolonization in Social Work
  • SWRK 2020 Community Development and Social Work
  • SWRK 2040 Social Welfare Policy: Analysis and Advocacy
  • SWRK 3160 Feminist Perspectives in Social Work practice and Social Welfare Policy
  • SWRK 3180 Social Work Practice with Immigrants and Refugees
  • SWRK 3200 Social Work Practice with 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities
  • SWRK 4254 Substance Use, Mental Health, and Social Work

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar.

A large room filled with students visiting various booths during Field Info Day.

Field placements

Students learn firsthand how to provide professional practice through a social service delivery system. Students may be placed in a variety of agencies including schools, probation offices, child and family services, hospitals and ethnically sensitive services.

Academic, social and financial support

We provide academic and social support for students admitted to the program, along with assisting students in arranging funding for their studies.

About field education

Admission requirements

The Inner City Social Work Program is a direct entry program, which means you do not need to have any university experience to apply. You may be eligible for the Inner City Social Work Program if you:

  • Applicants are at least 21 years old at the application deadline  
  • Applicants fall below the low income cut off bracket (LICO)    
  • Applicants are a resident of the City of Winnipeg   
  • Applicants have 27 credit hours or less of university level course work  
  • Applicants demonstrate suitability for the social work profession based on the assessment of an autobiography, references, a face-to-face interview and interactive in-service that indicate:  
    • Inner city experience   
    • Volunteer or lived experience  
    • Community involvement  
    • Suitability for the social work profession  
  • Preferences will be given to: Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Status, Non-Status, Inuit, Métis), persons with accessibility needs, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, immigrants and refugees to Canada, and persons who because of their race or colour, are a racialized minority in Canada.  
  • All applicants whose primary language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English through one of the options listed at the Admissions office.
  • Results for most language tests, including TOEFL, IELTS and CanTEST, expire two years from the test date. Test scores must be valid at the start of classes.  
  • Participate in a reading and writing comprehension test. (This assessment consists of vocabulary and reading comprehension sections of CAAT-C through the Assessment Centre at the YWCA).   

How to apply

Follow these instructions to begin your application for the Inner City Social Work Program.

Apply now

Includes the Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geological Sciences and Physical Geography programs.

Includes Bachelor of Health Sciences and Bachelor of Health Studies programs.

Includes Bachelor of Science degrees in Agribusiness, Agriculture, Agroecology, Food Science and Human Nutritional Sciences.

Direct entry students are current high school students or people who have already graduated from high school but who have completed fewer than 24 credit hours of post-secondary level study.

Advanced entry students are those who have already completed 24 or more credit hours of post-secondary level study.

Annual application deadlines - Canadian citizens & permanent residents

Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October August 1
Winter (January) Direct entry Early May December 1
Summer (May) Direct entry Early September April 1

Annual application deadlines - International applicants

Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October May 1
Winter (January) Direct entry Early May October 1
Summer (May) Direct entry Early September February 1

Start or continue your application 

Bachelor of Fine Art application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 1

Diploma in Fine Art application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application for the BFA and diploma programs

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 1

Admission to the winter term is on a space available basis only.

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

To apply to the Inner City Social Work program, attend an information session at the William Norrie Centre. You will receive an application form at the information session. All information sessions are held in Room 126, William Norrie Centre.

Room 126 William Norrie Centre
485 Selkirk Ave.
Winnipeg, MB R2W 2M6 Canada
204-668-8160
Fax: 204-663-8857

All applicants need approval from the Faculty of Social Work – Inner City Selection Coordinator, Carla Kirkpatrick who can be reached at carla.kirkpatrick@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-7364.

Admission requirements (PDF)

Annual application deadlines

Term Application deadline
Summer (May, part-time) February 1, 2024
Fall (September) March 1, 2024 

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October

January 15

Advanced entry Early November January 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November February 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 1

Admission to the winter term is on a space available basis only.

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1 (International)
May 1 (Domestic)
Advanced entry Early November March 1 (International)
May 1 (Domestic)

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Program Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Bachelor of Environmental Design (BEnvD) Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1
Environmental Design Architecture Master Preparation Option (ED AMP) Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November January 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November February 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November August 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May December 1
Summer (May/July) Advanced entry Early November June 1

Students who wish to enrol in Summer courses that start in May should apply by April 1.

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

The Internationally-Educated Engineers Qualifications (IEEQ) program has been temporarily suspended until 2025
For further information or questions, please contact Engineering at eng.info@umanitoba.ca.

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry *Suspended *Suspended

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early November August 1
Winter (January) Early May November 1
Summer (May) Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Annual direct entry application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early October March 1
Winter (January) Early May October 1
Summer (May) Early September February 1

Annual advanced entry application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September)

Domestic: Early November

International: Early November

Domestic: July 1

International: March 1

Winter (January)

Domestic: Early May

International: Early March

Domestic: October 1

International: July 1

Summer (May)*

Domestic: Early November

International: Early July

Domestic: March 1

International: November 1

*Summer 2024 application deadline for domestic and international applicants: March 1, 2024

 

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November June 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November January 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Summer (May) Advanced entry – Track A Early November April 1
Advanced entry – Track B Early April August 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Late August October 1

Start or continue your application 

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Winnipeg annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry

Domestic: Early November

International: Early November

Domestic: April 1

International: February 1

Winter (January)

Advanced entry

Domestic: Early May

International: Early February

Domestic: August 1

International: June 1

Summer (May) Advanced entry

Domestic: Early September

International: Early July 

Domestic: December 1 Extended to December 15

International: October 1 Extended to December 15

 

The Pas and Thompson (UM/University College of the North) annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November

Domestic: April 1

International: February 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your application

Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1

Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy: Degree Completion Program annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May September 1
Summer (May) Advanced entry Early November January 15

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 1

Admission to the Winter term is on a space available basis only.

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadline

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November April 1

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November May 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May October 1

Admission to the Winter term is available on a space available basis only.

Start or continue your application

Annual direct entry application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early October March 1
Winter (January) Early May October 1
Summer (May) Early September February 1

Annual advanced entry application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September)

Domestic: Early November

International: Early November

Domestic: June 1

International: March 1

Winter (January)

Domestic: Early May

International: Early March

Domestic: October 1

International: July 1

Summer (May)*

Domestic: Early November

International: Early July

Domestic: February 1

International: November 1

*Summer 2024 application deadline for domestic and international applicants: February 1, 2024

 

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Type of applicant Type of entry Term Applications open Application deadline
First year applicants Advanced entry Fall (September) Early September December 1
Upper year applicants Advanced entry Fall (September) Early November June 30

Start or continue your application 

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November August 1
Winter (January) Advanced entry Early May December 1
Summer (May) Advanced entry Early November June 15

Applicants are encouraged to apply early and check their course availability prior to applying.

Applicants applying to the Summer term are recommended to apply a minimum of one month prior to the start of their classes. Summer session offers a number of different start dates based on course offerings.

Start or continue your application

 Annual direct entry application deadlines 

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early October March 1
Winter (January) Early May October 1
Summer (May) Early September February 1

Annual advanced entry application deadlines 

 

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September)

Domestic: Early November

International: Early November 

Domestic: June 1

International: March 1

Winter (January)

Domestic: Early May

International: Early March

Domestic: October 1

International: July 1

Summer (May)*

Domestic: Early September

International: Early July

Domestic: February 1

International: November 1

*Summer 2024 application deadline for domestic and international applicants: February 1, 2024

 

Start or continue your application

Annual application deadlines

Term Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Early November June 1
Winter (January) Early May October 1
Summer (May) Early November February 1

Start or continue your application

The BPRN program has been placed on a temporary suspension starting for the Fall 2019 intake.

Access students

Annual application deadline
Term Application deadline
Fall (September) March 1

Application form for Access students (PDF)

External students

Annual application deadline
Term Type of entry Application opens Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 1

Start or continue your external student application

Annual application deadlines

Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Advanced entry Early November March 15

Start or continue your application

Learn more

Three social work students look at books in the library.

Explore other BSW delivery options

The Bachelor of Social Work program is offered at multiple locations and through multiple delivery methods to address the need for social workers from diverse backgrounds and educations.

Whether you are just graduating high school, live outside of Winnipeg or are having difficulty accessing post-secondary education, we have a delivery option that will help you achieve a Bachelor of Social Work degree.

Contact us

Admission and application inquiries

Mailing address
Undergraduate Admissions
424 UMSU University Centre
University of Manitoba
66 Chancellors Circle
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

Office location
Room 424 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)

Submit a question
Phone: 204-474-8808
Toll-free: 1-800-224-7713 ext 8808

Program inquiries

Inner City Social Work Program
William Norrie Centre
485 Selkirk Ave.
Winnipeg, MB R2W 2M6 Canada

Email: icswp@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-8160
Fax: 204-663-8857