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Bachelors in Social Work Programs in Canada: Top 12

Canadian social work is regulated province by province, and the Bachelor of Social Work is the qualifying degree — which makes it one of the few undergraduate degrees here that leads directly to a regulated profession. The twelve below include an Indigenous social work degree, a post-diploma route, a French-language programme and two entries that are not social work at all.

How this list is ordered: Ordered by each university's QS World University Rankings position where it has one, then by research citations recorded by OpenAlex; one programme per university, and universities with neither measure are left out.

Full time or part time
Full time23 45%Full or part time28 55%

Same 51 records.

When these programmes start
Fall22 54%Spring18 44%September1 2%

Counted from the intake stated on 23 of 51 records. A programme listing more than one intake is counted under each.

1 Bachelor Social Work

Toronto Metropolitan University

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration4 years
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations1,554,646

Social work at Toronto Metropolitan University, a large urban university in downtown Toronto with an established school.

Placements in a large city reach an unusually wide range of agencies, from child welfare to housing and mental health.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Community Outreach Coordinator
  • Nonprofit Organization Director
  • Researcher in Social Services

Full programme details →

2 Bachelor Women and Gender Studies

University of Lethbridge

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration4 years
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations816,904

This is a women and gender studies degree at the University of Lethbridge, not a social work qualification.

It is a social science degree examining gender, power and social structure, and useful preparation for practice — but it is not accredited social work education and does not lead to registration.

Full programme details →

3 Associate of Arts – Social Work

College of the Rockies

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration4 years
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations484,868

An Associate of Arts in social work at College of the Rockies, in British Columbia — a transfer credential rather than a professional degree.

It is designed to carry into the first years of a Bachelor of Social Work elsewhere, which in British Columbia's transfer system works well.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Community Service Manager
  • Substance Abuse Counselor

Full programme details →

4 Bachelor of Social Work

University of Northern British Columbia

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • StartsSeptember start date
  • Research citations371,156

A named Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Northern British Columbia, where rural and remote practice and work with First Nations communities define the professional context.

No length is recorded. Placements there are arranged across long distances, often in small community settings.

Entry requirements, as the university states them

  • Students are also expected to comply with the standards articulated in the CASWE Code of Ethics throughout their program of training in Social Work at UNBC.

Full programme details →

5 Bachelor of Social Work

Thompson Rivers University

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration4 years
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations91,788

A Bachelor of Social Work at Thompson Rivers University, in the British Columbia interior, running four years.

This university is known for flexible teaching across its courses, although social work placements require attendance in an agency.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Community Service Manager
  • Substance Abuse Counselor

Full programme details →

6 Bachelor of Social Work (Post—Diploma)

Mount Royal University

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration4 years
  • StartsFall
  • Research citations85,934

A post-diploma Bachelor of Social Work at Mount Royal University — the title states it. It is built for graduates of a college social service worker diploma.

That makes it the efficient route for someone already working in the field, turning an existing credential and practice experience into a degree.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Social Worker in government agencies
  • Community Development Officer
  • Child Protection Specialist
  • Program Coordinator in non-profit organizations

Full programme details →

7 Bachelor of Social Work

MacEwan University

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration4 years
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations72,475

A Bachelor of Social Work at MacEwan University, in Edmonton, an institution focused on undergraduate teaching.

Many Canadian social work courses admit students into the professional years after one or two years of general study, rather than from school.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Community Service Manager
  • Nonprofit Organization Director

Full programme details →

8 Bachelor Social Work

Yukon College

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration4 years
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations27,663

Social work at Yukon University, serving communities across the territory, where remoteness and work with First Nations shape practice.

Programmes in the territories are sometimes delivered in partnership with a southern university, which affects which institution awards the degree.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Community Service Manager
  • Substance Abuse Counselor
  • Non-Profit Organization Roles

Full programme details →

9 Bachelor Social Work

Redeemer College

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration4 years
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations9,350

Social work at Redeemer University, a small Christian institution in Ontario, running four years.

The institutional ethos shapes campus life rather than the professional curriculum. In Canada the BSW is the qualifying degree for registration with a provincial regulator.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Community Service Manager

Full programme details →

10 Bachelor's degree in Social Work

St. Anne University

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration4 ans
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations7,909

A social work degree at Université Sainte-Anne, recorded with its length in French, which indicates a French-language course.

French-language social work education outside Quebec is relatively rare, and bilingual social workers are in demand across several provinces.

Also named for this programme

  • Conseiller en santé mentale
  • Coordinateur de programmes communautaires
  • Chargé de projets sociaux
  • Consultant en politiques sociales

Full programme details →

11 Bachelor Indigenous Social Work

First Nations University of Canada

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration4 years
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations6,689

A degree in Indigenous social work at First Nations University of Canada — a distinct field rather than a specialism inside a conventional degree.

It is built around Indigenous knowledge, community governance and healing practice alongside the professional curriculum, and leads into child and family services, health, justice and community development.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Community Development Officer
  • Mental Health Practitioner

Full programme details →

12 Bachelor Social Work

Canadian Mennonite University

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration4 years
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations2,535

Social work at Canadian Mennonite University, a small faith-based university in Winnipeg, running four years.

Small institutions often have strong community and non-profit placement networks built on long relationships. In Canada the BSW is the degree that leads to provincial registration.

Full programme details →

Social work in Canada: common questions

Can I practise as a social worker with a bachelor's degree?

Yes — in Canada the BSW from an accredited programme is normally the qualifying degree for registration with a provincial regulator, which is what entitles you to the protected title. A master's is required for clinical practice in some provinces and for senior roles, but it is not the basic entry qualification.

How do I check accreditation?

Through the national accrediting body's own published list, for the specific programme rather than the university. It is not recorded here, and because provincial registration depends on it, accreditation matters more at bachelor's level in Canada than in most countries.

What is a post-diploma BSW?

A route built for graduates of a college social service worker diploma, converting that credential and its practice experience into a degree in less than the full four years. One entry here is explicitly that. For someone already working in the field it is the efficient route into the profession.

Am I admitted to social work in first year?

Often not. Many Canadian programmes use a two-stage model: one or two years of general study, then competitive admission into the professional years based on grades, a written statement and relevant experience. Ask each university which model it uses, because it determines when you actually have a place in social work.

What is Indigenous social work?

A distinct field rather than a specialisation, developed in response to the history of residential schools and child welfare apprehension, and built around Indigenous knowledge, community governance and healing practice alongside the professional curriculum. One entry here is a degree in it. Ask every programme what Indigenous content it includes.

Social Work lists elsewhere

Other subjects in Canada

Browse every Social Work programme in Canada →