Program Description Algoma University’s four-year Bachelor of Social Work degree is a unique professional program, different from other university programs found across the province. Algoma University’s Bachelor of Social Work program prepares students for generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and societies. Given Algoma University’s location in Northern Ontario in Sault Ste. Marie, and our special mission to cultivate cross-cultural learning between aboriginal communities and other communities, our social work program has a specific focus on multi-cultural social work in and with northern, rural, remote, Indigenous, and Franco-Ontarian communities. Graduates of our program will be prepared to practice anti-oppressive social work at the entry level with diverse populations in a Canadian context.
Our program is designed to help fulfill the need for social workers in Northern Ontario. In recent years, the demand for social workers in Canada has risen substantially, and is even greater in Northern Ontario communities. Employment prospects for social workers are even stronger for those who are interested in working in rural areas and for those who possess the cultural skills to work with First Nations’ communities. Our social work program was developed in consultation with various local employers in Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins, who have cited a growing need for employees.
In their fourth year of the social work program, students will participate in a field placement. Students will perform a social work role at an organization for a total of 700 hours. The field placement allows students the opportunity to put their lessons into practice, and to enhance and refine their social work skills.
