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Social Work – Fort Garry campus (BSW)

The Bachelor of Social Work program is a professional program designed to prepare generalists who are knowledgeable of social work theories who can demonstrate skills related to practice, research, and social policy analysis.

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Students walking past the Tier building on the University of Manitoba Fort Garry campus.
  • icon house

    Faculty

    • Faculty of Social Work

  • icon award

    Degree

    • Bachelor of Social Work

  • icon graduate

    Expected duration

    • 2+ years

  • icon pathway

    Program options

    • Flexible schedule

Social action. Social justice. Social change.

Four 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.  

Our commitment to educational equity

Every effort is made to ensure that people from marginalized groups have access to social work training. Our Educational Equity Initiative aims to correct the conditions of disadvantage in professional education experienced by First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples in Canada, persons with disabilities, immigrants and refugees to Canada, 2SLGBTQ people and persons who are members of racialized groups in Canada.

Our mission

The Faculty of Social Work prepares students for ethical, competent, critically reflective, innovative, antioppressive, accountable and effective social work practice at all levels.

 

Our vision

The Faculty of Social Work is working to create and contribute to a world where there are no great inequalities of wealth or income, where economic and political power is more evenly distributed, where human need is the central value of distribution of society’s resources, where diversity of culture is celebrated, where people have greater control over their own lives and where all persons are afforded maximum opportunity to enrich their physical, spiritual, psychological and intellectual well-being.

Fully accredited

Our Bachelor of Social Work program is the only accredited social work program in Manitoba. This means our program is recognized across Canada making it easier for students to take their education beyond Manitoba.

Elanor Welton standing inside the Northern Social Work Program library.
A diverse group of students sit at a table together in a library studying.
A social work student works at a computer with a supervisor.
Four Indigenous students sit and stand together talking outdoors at a picnic table.
Two students sit at a table working together.

  • 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 BSW program curriculum is currently undergoing revisions. Please refer to the new curriculum page for the latest updates on program revisions.

Program details

The Bachelor of Social Work Program at the Fort Garry Campus offers a three-year, two-year (concentrated) or part-time plan for social work students.

Expected duration: 2 to 9 years

  • Concentrated: 2 years (plus 48 credit hours of qualifying study)
  • Full time: 3 years (plus qualifying year)
  • Part time: up to 9 years

Students are required to complete 123 credit hours of study.

The Bachelor of Social Work program gives students the tools to help families, individuals and communities with social issues such as poverty, unemployment, domestic violence and mental health. Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Work program go on to work in a number of areas including community development, disability services, corrections and child welfare.

The faculty offers an Interfaculty Option in Aging for students interested in working with seniors.

New BSW Curriculum 2023 Courses

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.

About field education

Admission requirements

The following are minimum requirement for entry into the Fort Garry Bachelor of Social Work program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

The Bachelor of Social Work is an advanced entry program, which means that you must complete at least 30 credit hours of university-level study with a minimum adjusted grade point average of 2.5 before you can be considered for admission. 

If you do not meet the requirements for advanced entry into Social Work or have completed 24 or more credit hours but less than the required 30 credit hours for admission, you may be eligible for admission to the Faculty of Arts or another program. If you have not attended university before, you can apply for a program with direct entry, such as University 1.

How to apply

Domestic student application fee: $100
International student application fee: $120

Applications to the University of Manitoba are completed online. To begin your application, select the Start or continue your application button. The online application includes several parts, and you may be required to submit transcripts, proof of English Language proficiency, and other documents.

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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.

What are direct entry and advanced entry?

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.

Annual application deadlines
Term Type of entry Application deadline
Summer (May, part-time) Direct entry Please contact the Inner City Social Work program to determine the next available session and any applicable deadline dates.
Fall (September) Direct entry Please contact the Inner City Social Work program to determine the next available session and any applicable deadline dates.

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*
*(Extended until February 15, 2023)
Advanced entry Early November January 15*
*(Extended until February 15, 2023)

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 May 1
(Extended until June 1, 2023 - Domestic applicants only)
Advanced entry Early November May 1
(Extended until June 1, 2023 - Domestic applicants only)

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*
*(Extended until February 15, 2023)

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

Annual application deadlines
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 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) Early November July 1
Winter (January) Early May October 1
Summer (May) 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 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 Early November April 1

Winter (January)

 Advanced entry Early May August 1
Summer (May) Advanced entry Early September December 15*

* The deadline for submission of applications for Summer 2023 intake for the Bachelor of Nursing program (Winnipeg) has been extended until December 15, 2022.

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 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 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* (Extended until June 1, 2023)

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) Early November June 1
Winter (January) Early May October 1
Summer (May) Early November February 1

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 application deadlines
Term Type of entry Applications open Application deadline
Fall (September) Direct entry Early October March 1
Advanced entry Early November June 1
Winter (January) Direct or advanced entry Early May October 1
Summer (May) Direct entry Early September February 1
Advanced entry Early November February 1

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

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.

Keep exploring

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

Faculty of Social Work
Room 521 Tier Building
173 Dafoe Rd. W
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)  
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

social_work@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-7050
Fax: 204-474-7594