On-campus/distance education combined program
On-campus/distance education combined program
Mode of delivery
What our students say
Further information
Contact
On-campus/distance education combined program
Core courses comprising the 3rd year of both the Standard BSW and Specializations BSW will be offered on-campus in the September and January terms. However, there is no guarantee that all 3rd-year courses will be available in-person. Some courses may be offered online or in a blended format, depending on the semester and available resources. Students should be prepared to navigate a mix of on-campus and online learning environments, depending on the course schedule and availability. Specific information about the delivery format for 3rd-year courses will be provided during the course registration period.
All courses comprising the 4th year of both the Standard BSW and Specializations BSW (including required courses and social work electives) are offered exclusively through distance education. While the program is primarily designed for 4th-year courses to be completed online, a 4th-year social work course may occasionally be offered on-campus if resources permit. Distance education courses are available during the September, January, and May terms. General electives, if required, can still be taken on-campus.
The structure of the program may evolve based on the availability of resources and changing educational needs, which may impact the delivery format of some courses.
Former students have indicated that distance education courses provide flexibility for managing work, family, and other commitments during their 4th year, including field education placement. Students are encouraged to connect with peers during their 3rd year, whether on-campus or online, to build a mutually supportive learning community.
Note: Students may attend full or part-time. If attending part-time, students need to be aware that 3rd year on-campus courses are offered only once per academic cycle (September to April). Alternatively, students may elect to take courses by distance education if space is available.
Mode of delivery
On-campus courses are offered during weekday hours in September and January semesters. On-campus courses are not offered in May semester. Some of our on-campus courses follow a learning model in which face-to-face instruction is enhanced by online learning activities. The average class size is 38 students.
Distance education BSW courses are offered in September, January and May semesters, with set start and end dates, and specific participation and assignment deadlines. For each course, you are given access to a Brightspace course site. Brightspace (by Desire2Learn) is the new learning management system adopted in 2020. Instructors can post lecture notes, facilitate class discussions and small group exercises, create quizzes and provide links to learning resources. Online participation is a required component of each course. Instructors are available for group or one-on-one consultation via email or web-conference, or by telephone as required.
To help you determine whether distance education is a good fit for you, here are some important considerations:
- You will require regular and reliable access to a computer and the Internet
- You will be required to spend 8-12 hours per week on each course
- All online Social Work courses follow the regular UVic semester schedule with set start and end dates, and specific participation and assignment deadlines
- You need to be comfortable communicating online in a group environment, via both written discussions and live web conference sessions
What our students say
What some of our on-campus students have said:
"I have enjoyed the sense of community the School of Social Work fosters through mentorship, instruction and inspiration. I have felt that everyone around me has wanted me to succeed, which has in turn enriched my learning experience."
What some of our distance education students have said:
“For me, the two biggest surprises about online learning have been that I don't feel alone in cyberland, but rather feel connected to folks across the country and inspired and challenged by them (the depth of this connection varies depending on the group, but is there nonetheless). Secondly, I love the peer learning aspect of our online learning together—overall group discussions have been a very positive experience.”
“The depth of support I received from people I had never met completely amazed me.”
Further information
Check out our faculty, instructors and staff
The School of Social Work has a unique student mentorship program.
Information on tuition and costs
Contact
For more information about applying to the program, contact:
SOCW Admissions (BSW)
Phone: 250-721-8036
Email: swadmit@uvic.ca