Social Work Diploma
About the Social Work Diploma
The mission of the Social Work Diploma Program at RDP is to graduate ethical and compassionate social workers committed to anti-oppressive practice and social justice.
The focus of social work is on the interactions between people and their social environment. The program examines how to help people meet the demands of daily life by helping to increase their access to resources, services and opportunities as individuals or within their communities. In this program, you will learn to identify gaps and challenges in those systems and ways in which they can be addressed.
This diploma program can be completed on a full or part-time basis.
NEW: In Fall 2024, we are also introducing an online cohort in addition to the on-campus cohort that will include the same courses and the same time commitment.
In both cohorts, students will have scheduled times for classes. Application requirements and the application process are the same for each stream. Program planning will take place with students during the registration process.
Please note: Field placements are not generally online for either cohort and will occur in an appropriate program-related setting.
All first-year students (both online & on-campus) will be required to be on-campus in Red Deer in late August for approximately 1 week to begin SOWK 214 and participate in orientation activities.
Work-integrated Learning
In both years of the Social Work Diploma program, you will have opportunities to participate in field work experiences. These hands-on learning experiences will help you turn theory into practice, preparing you for a rewarding career in social work.
Increasingly, social work practice in many social services agencies requires workers to work extended hours of operation. Many agencies now provide a variety of programs associated with their services that operate on evenings or weekends. Students need to be prepared to work during non-traditional business hours if placed in these agencies.
Further Study
The RDP Social Work Diploma can be transferred to a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree with the University of Calgary or Mount Royal University. Students can also continue their education at RDP by transferring into the Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies. To learn more contact the Student Connect Centre.
While students may enter the Social Work Diploma program without English 30 or ELA 30-1, those intending to transfer to a university program are advised to complete English 30 or ELA 30-1 before entering the program. This will enable you to take university transferable English courses in your first year. Students who enter the program without English 30 or ELA 30-1 may take English 30 (or equivalent) upon admission to Social Work but may not complete the Diploma within four terms. English 30 or ELA 30-1 is not credited toward Diploma requirements.
Related Careers
Social Worker
Upon completion of the Social Work Diploma Program, graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Alberta College of Social Workers.
Meet the Faculty
At Red Deer Polytechnic we are proud of our faculty members and staff who are experts in their disciplines and subject areas.
Domestic Intakes
Fall 2025 (On-campus) - Waitlisted
- Application window:
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- Registration start date:
- Fee payment deadline:
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Fall 2025 (Online) - Open
- Application window:
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- Registration start date:
- Fee payment deadline:
- First day of classes:
International Intakes
Fall 2025 - Waitlisted
- Application window:
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- Registration start date:
- Fee payment deadline:
- First day of classes:
NOTES:
- International students have to pay their tuition deposit to receive their letters of acceptance
- Important dates may change
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for specific programs will often refer to Alberta Grade 12 course groups. Visit the Admission Requirements page for detailed group descriptions.
International Students: If you are an international student or have completed your high school education outside of Alberta, please refer to our International Course Equivalencies page for information on how your coursework may align with our admission requirements.
Eligibility for admission to the Social Work Diploma program at Red Deer Polytechnic requires applicants to meet minimum academic requirements. Qualified applicants who meet all minimum requirements will be offered admission on a first-come, first-served basis.
Academic Requirements
ELA 30-1 (or ENGL 0301 or equivalent) or
ELA 30-2 (or ENGL 0300 or equivalent)
AND:
Social Studies 30-1 (or SOST 0301 or equivalent), or
Social Studies 30-2 (or equivalent), or
Aboriginal Studies 30 (or equivalent)
OR:
Completion of College Board Placement (Accuplacer) testing with a minimum score of 250 on the Reading component, 250 on the Writing component and 5 on the WritePlacer Test.
Additional Requirements
Preparation Module
Completion of a program specific education module is required before you can be fully admitted to the program. Details will be provided to applicants after their application to the program.
Technology
Students are required to have either a MAC or a PC that meets the following specifications:
Apple minimum requirement
- 1.6 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, 128 Gb storage solid state, 4 Gb memory
- Web camera (built-in or as peripheral)
- Microphone
Windows minimum requirement
- 2.6 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, 128 Gb storage, 4 Gb memory and Windows 10 operating system
- Web camera (built-in or as peripheral)
- Microphone
Software
- Browser
- Microsoft Word*
* Microsoft Word is used for several purposes. Students can either purchase and install the Microsoft Word application, or access Office 365 which is provided as part of the RDP student account.
Additional Non-Academic Requirements
Practicum Requirements
While not an admission requirement for the program, applicants are advised that they will be required to provide a Police Information Check or Vulnerable Sector Check to most agencies where they will be placed for practicum experiences. The existence of a criminal record may prevent practicum placement, program completion, and/or professional licensure and therefore affect future employment prospects.
Note: Depending on the placement you may also be required to provide a Child Intervention Record Check.
It is the decision of each agency or institution to accept or reject a student for placement or observation experience based on the results of the criminal record check. Students should be prepared for approximately $50 to $75 in extra expenses to acquire these documents.
Both years of the program include field placement courses. These will occur in a workplace setting related to the field of practice, allowing students to integrate classroom knowledge into practice throughout the program. Program faculty will strive to consider preferred locations and preferences when assigning field placements for field placement courses; however, due to field placement availability, students may be required to travel to locations outside of their preferences.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants who declare English as a first language are exempt from ELP requirements. Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) for admission to credit programs by providing official documentation to the Office of the Registrar at international.admissions@rdpolytech.ca or by regular mail, after an online application has been submitted. All ELP tests must have been obtained within two years of the date their program starts. ELP requirements are in addition to the other admission requirements noted above.
Study Permits
Students with Study Permits that are admitted to a program that has a practicum or clinical placement in childcare, primary/secondary school teaching or health service field occupations must complete their Medical Authorization as required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada one month prior to the start of classes.
Prior Learning and Transfer
Students presenting courses from other recognized post-secondary institutions may be granted transfer credit towards the Social Work Diploma, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning and Transfer Credit page to learn more.
Information for Indigenous Learners
The Social Work Diploma program recognizes the need to facilitate access to post-secondary education for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners. To increase participation of Indigenous Peoples the program has designated four (4) seats for qualified applicants who are First Nations, Metis, or Inuit. After June 1 for the Fall term and October 1 for the Winter term unallocated seats will be released to qualified applicants on the waitlist if one exists for the program.
Indigenous applicants must meet the admission requirements for the program as outlined in the Academic Calendar and qualify for a designated seat by:
- Self-identifying as an Indigenous applicant on the Application for Admission.
- Providing proof of Indigenous ancestry
Proof of Indigenous ancestry (one of the following):
- Certified copy of a Status or Treaty card, Metis membership card, Nunavut Trust Certificate card, roll number or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities.
- Proof that an ancestor’s name has been entered in the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, band list of an individual band, or the Inuit roll.
- Written confirmation of Indigenous ancestry from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.
- Statutory Declaration by an applicant attesting to Aboriginal ancestry with supporting documentation.
Other forms of proof may also be considered at the discretion of the Registrar.
Program Cost
These costs are an estimate of tuition based on the recommended course load per year, additional fees apply.
These costs are an estimate of tuition based on the recommended course load per year, additional fees apply.
Financial Aid Options
Student life can be very expensive, and few individuals have enough money to pay up-front for their post-secondary education.
Program Content
All students in this program will take most of the same courses. You will select two electives each year and participate in work-integrated learning opportunities in both years.
Please note: we are in the process of uploading new course outlines for the upcoming year. For now, please reference the course number and names below:
- 1201 SOWK Social Work Practice I
- 1202 SOWK Social Work Practice II
- 1204 SOWK Ethics in Social Work Practice
- 1207 SOWK Introduction to Social Welfare
- 1209 SOWK Field Work I
- 1212 SOWK Preparation for Practice
- 1214 SOWK Reconciliation through Social Work Practice
- 1260 SOCI Introductory Sociology
- 1001 PSYC Principles of Psychology I
- 1002 PSYC Principles of Psychology II
- 2301 SOWK Social Work Practice with Families
- 2304 SOWK Social Work Practice with Groups and Communities
- 2306 SOWK Leadership in Social Work
- 2307 SOWK Social Policy
- 2308 SOWK Field Work II
- 2309 SOWK Field Work III
- 2312 SOWK Current Trends and Issues in Social Work
- 2315 SOWK Social Work Research
- 1261 SOCI Canadian Society
Program Courses
Graduation Requirements
You must pass all course requirements and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
Continuing and Professional Education
Further your career by advancing your existing skills through flexible courses, micro-credentials and programs.