
-
1943
Year the Faculty of Social Work was founded
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2
Extension campuses
-
$55,000
Value of entrance scholarships, bursaries and financial aid
-
100
Agencies that provide fieldwork experience
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 1310: Introduction to Social Welfare Policy Analysis
- SWRK 2050: Community and Organizational Theory
- SWRK 2070: Small Group Dynamics
- SWRK 2080: Interpersonal Communication Skills
- SWRK 2090: Human Behaviour and Social Work Practice
- SWRK 2110: Emergence of the Canadian Welfare State
- SWRK 2130: Comparative Social Welfare Systems
- SWRK 3100: Systematic Inquiry in Social Work
- SWRK 3130: Contemporary Canadian Social Welfare
- SWRK 4210: Feminist Perspectives on Social Work Practice
- SWRK 4220: Aboriginal People and Social Work Practice
For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar.

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.
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:
- are 21 years of age or older by the start of studies
- are a resident of Winnipeg
- have inner-city or similar experience
- need academic supports in order to pursue a university degree
- are low-income
- have been three years addiction-free (drug, alcohol, gambling, etc.) with a sponsor or other addiction support network
- demonstrate suitability for the social work profession
How to apply
Follow these instructions to begin your application for the Inner City Social Work Program.
Learn more
Contact us
Admission and application inquiries
Mailing address
Attn: Undergraduate Admissions
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)
admissions@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-8808
Toll-free: 1-800-224-7713 ext. 8808
Fax: 204-474-7554
Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Program inquiries
Inner City Social Work Program
William Norrie Centre
485 Selkirk Ave.
Winnipeg, MB R2W 2M6 Canada
Email: icswp@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-668-8160
Fax: 204-663-8857