Social work (Bachelor of Social Work)

UBC – Vancouver, BC

·       The objective of this program is to address the issues (regarding discrimination & abuse of power) within age, race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, class & much more.

·       Providing the necessary skills (from the knowledge, values & ethics learnt)

Date: January 15^th

Requirements:

·       A bachelor’s degree or an Arts, Science or Education course that can be transferred (minimum of 60 credits)

·       GPA of at least 2.67 (68%)

·       Taken all of the necessary courses with a minimum grade of a “B” (SOWK 200, SOWK 201, ASTU 100, etc.)

·       Minimum of 100 hours of relevant employment or volunteer hours

·       Criminal record check (CRRA)

2 years (full-time) or 3 years (part-time)

$5,506.80

·       Integrative seminars

·       Electives

·       Courses: theory, policy, research (60 credits)

·       2 field practicums (728 hours)

A social worker in…

·       Child protection

·       Mental health/ health

·       Community development

·       Educational settings

·       Student leadership conferences

·       Student governments

·       Volunteering (student services)

·       Community service learning

·       Pottery club

With this program there will be many career options after graduation as a social worker. I will be gaining tons of experience, possible references & potential job offers and learning the necessary skills to succeed working as a Social Worker when working in the two field practicums. By the time I graduate, I will be ready to work in the field; however, if I feel not ready, I can continue my schooling and apply for graduate programs for a master’s degree and/ or PhD for Social Work.

This program takes place at the UBC Vancouver campus, which is a long commute, especially since I will be commuting by Transit; so there will be plenty of time loss rather than focusing on school work & extra-curricular because it will be around a four hour commute to school and back. This program also takes place after a bachelor’s degree meaning this program will be an additional two years committed in school (& possibly more if I apply for graduate programs).

Youth Justice (Diploma)

Douglas College – Coquitlam, BC

·       The program focuses on child & youth counselling, criminology & youth justice

·       Gaining experience to help improve youth’s lives in the justice system and/or community (through practicum placements)

Date: November 1^st

Requirements:

·       Minimum of 19 years old (age requirement)

·       Completion of 60 hours paid or volunteer experience

·       Criminal record search (CRS)

·       General admission requirements (BC secondary school graduation & English proficiency requirement)

Selection process: Participation in a formal selection process

2 years – Four semesters (Full-time)

$680

·       2 practicum placements (1^st & 4^th semester)

·       Community & family services

·       Community-based youth programs

·       Aboriginal youth services

·       Student leadership groups

·       Peer Programs (Ex: Cultural connections)

·       DSU club – Student union

·       Volunteer teams

Can transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree in…

·       Applied Criminology

·       Child & Youth Care

·       Social Work

One of the biggest pros of this program is the fact that the campus is incredibly close from home so I can be more focused in school and manage a job & extra-curricular activity. This program is more affordable than a program at a university and also shorter compared (2 years vs. 4 years); however, if I decide to further my studies, I can transfer my degree to a university. This program will include two practicum placements which will allow for growth and learning of skills that comes with this career.

The con that can be also considered a pro is that I would have to wait a year to apply because I would have to be a minimum of 19 years old (as of November 1st); however, that can also be considered as a pro because that would allow for a gap year.

Clothing, Textiles & Material Culture (BSc – Human Ecology)

University of Alberta – Edmonton, Alberta (North Campus)

·       The program focuses on how textiles & clothing are being designed, produced, distributed & used

·       Examining sustainability & fair labor practices in the (fashion & textile) industry

Date: October 1^st

Requirements:

·       Required courses (English 12, Math 12, a Science 12, Socials 12, a language 12)

·       Grade 11 final marks: Minimum 60%+

·       Grade 12 first semester marks: Minimum 50%+

·       Grade 12 final marks: Minimum 50%+

4 years

$15,760.80

·       Hands-on/ theoretical courses

·       Practicum Placement (200-hour)

·       Fashion designer

·       Sustainable interior designer

·       Human ecologist

·       School of public health students’ association (SPHSA) – Student run organization for academic and social support for students

·       Recreational drop-ins (Aquatics, fitness, climbing, etc.)

The pros of this program are that since it’s in Alberta, I will be living independently and with that comes with more responsibility and so I will learn more about me and grow my intra and interpersonal skills in that time being. This program will offer many career options after grad and increase the success rate of getting a career in a creative field, especially because I will be learning from the experience in a practicum.

The cons of this program are that since it is a university of 4 years, I will be getting a lot of debt; the approximate cost is $15,760.80 and that does not include the travel to and back home for breaks or food.

1.      What advice would you give to students applying this program?

2.      In your opinion, what is the best thing about this program?

3.      What is the best part when teaching this program?

1.      What did you initially major in?

2.      How did you find out about this program?

3.      What stood out to you when choosing to apply?

4.      What was a highlight from the field practicums?

1.      What is the biggest challenge that students in the program will face?

2.      Why did you decide to work at UBC and in this program specifically?

3.      What is something that you would change about this program if had been given the opportunity?