Social Work Diploma
About the Social Work Diploma
The mission of the RDP Social Work Diploma Program is to graduate ethical and compassionate social workers committed to anti-oppressive practice and social justice.
You’ll build the confidence to connect with clients and communities and apply what you’ve learned in hands-on settings that mirror the complex social challenges social workers face every day.
With field placements in both years, you’ll turn classroom theory into meaningful action, preparing for a career that’s all about helping people help themselves.
This program can be completed on a full or part-time basis, online or in person. Both cohorts have scheduled times for classes.
Note: Field placements are not generally online 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 late August for approximately 1 week to begin SOWK 214 and participate in orientation activities.
Work-integrated Learning
Both years of the Social Work Diploma program have opportunities to participate in field work experiences.
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 at 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.
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
Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Alberta College of Social Workers.
Social Workers may work in spaces like;
- Health services and public health
- Police and victim services
- Cross-cultural and immigration agencies
- Employee assistance programs
- Family, child, and social service agencies
- Hospitals and long-term care facilities
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 2026 (On-campus) - Open
- Application window:
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- Registration start date:
- Fee payment deadline:
- First day of classes:
Fall 2026 (Online) - Open
- Application window:
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- Registration start date:
- Fee payment deadline:
- First day of classes:
International Intakes
Fall 2026 - Open
- Application window:
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- Registration start date:
- Fee payment deadline:
- First day of classes:
Note
- International students must pay their tuition deposit to receive their letters of acceptance
- This program requires students to obtain a Co-op Work permit
- 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.
If you are an international student or have completed your high school education outside of Alberta, 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
Students applying to Social Work must have:
- 50% in ELA 30-1 OR 65% in ELA 30-2
- OR Accuplacer Test with a minimum score of 250 on the Reading component, 250 on the Writing component, and 5 on the WritePlacer Essay.
AND
- 50% in Social Studies 30-1 OR 50% in Aboriginal Studies 30 OR 65% in Social Studies 30-2
Note: Equivalent courses are accepted to meet admission requirements. Academic Upgrading course equivalents are available at RDP.
Additional Requirements
On-campus Requirement
All first-year students, in both the online & in-person cohorts, will be required to be on campus in late August for approximately 1 week to begin SOWK 214 and participate in orientation activities.
More information will be provided closer to the program start date.
Technology
Students are required to have either a MAC or a PC that meets the following minimum requirements.
Apple Laptop
- 1.6 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, 128 GB solid-state storage, 4 GB memory
- Web camera (built-in or plug-in)
- Microphone
Windows Laptop
- 2.6 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, 128 GB storage, 4 GB memory and Windows 10 operating system
- Web camera (built-in or plug-in)
- Microphone
Software
- Microsoft Word
- Students can either purchase and install Microsoft Word or access Office 365 provided with an RDP student account.
Practicum Requirements
While not an admission requirement for the program, applicants are advised that they will be required to provide a Police Information, Child Intervention Record and/or Vulnerable Sector Checks to most agencies 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.
Each agency or institution decides 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. Program faculty will 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 whose first language is not English must provide one of the following:
- Three years of full-time education in English in a regular high school or post-secondary credit program:
- completed within Canada, including the grade 12 year; or
- completed in an English-speaking country; or
- completed at a recognized school or institution with English as the primary language of instruction.
- A 'Medium of Instruction' letter may be requested.
- Enrollment in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses or programs does not qualify for this purpose.
- English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2 or equivalent with a minimum grade of 60%
- One of RDP’s approved ELP requirements (including ELP tests or pathway programs) and a Language Arts course at a grade 12 level (equivalent or higher)
- ILAC University Pathway Program (Level 3.2 or 3.3) with a minimum grade of 70%.
- Robertson College Intensive Academic English course Level 5 (IAE5) with a minimum grade of 70%.
- Completion of an approved English Proficiency Test
- CAEL: 60 with at least 55 on each band score
- Duolingo English Test: 115-125
- IELTS Academic – International English Language Testing System: 6.5 with at least 5.5 on each band score
- MET: 61 with at least 58 on each band score
- PTE: 59 with at least 56 on each band score
- Oxford ELLT: 7 Overall
- TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language: 83 iBT or 557 PBT
Study Permits
Students with Study Permits who are admitted to a program that has a practicum or clinical placement in childcare, primary/secondary school teaching or health service field must complete their Medical Authorization as required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada one month before 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.
Indigenous Learners
Application Fee and Tuition Deposit Waivers
Red Deer Polytechnic recognizes the need to facilitate access to post-secondary education for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners.
To increase participation of Indigenous Peoples, RDP will waive the application fee and remove the tuition deposit requirement for qualified applicants who are First Nations, Métis, or Inuit.
Designated Seats
The Social Work Diploma program has designated six (6) seats for qualified applicants who are First Nations, Métis, or Inuit. After June 1 for the Fall term, October 1 for the Winter term, and February 1 for the Spring term (if applicable), unallocated seats will be released to 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 the Waivers or 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, Métis 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, the 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
Program Content
All students in this program will take most of the same courses, including two electives each year and participate in work-integrated learning opportunities in both years.
- One of your two electives must include one of PSYC 2653, PSYC 2655 or PSYC 2657
- You must also complete two English or Communication courses within the program
Program Courses
- 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
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.