Diploma in Social Work

at MacEwan University Canada

Build on your current education and experience. Open the door to new opportunities. Whether you hold a psychiatric nursing diploma or are a practicing registered psychiatric nurse, this degree enhances your knowledge and skills in clinical practice, leadership, management, education and research.

The Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing (BPN) is learner-centred, innovative and accessible. If you have a passion for psychiatric/mental health nursing and a commitment to success, this program is for you. We prepare you to become a strong leader, promote excellence in professional nursing practice and contribute to optimal wellness of individuals, families, groups, and communities.

The Bachelor of Music focuses on the study of jazz and contemporary popular music, responds to the current demands of the industry and combines a high degree of professionalism along with the academic rigour required for further education at the graduate level. The opportunity to study with internationally renowned professionals while following a challenging academic curriculum will give you the skills, insights, competency and credentials to pursue a career as a performer, creator and leader in the evolving music industry.

All Bachelor of Music students share a common curriculum in the first year that focuses on individual study (voice, piano, guitar, bass, drums, winds, brass or violin), performance ensemble, theory (jazz and traditional), aural skills, and musicology. After successful completion of the first year, students pursue a major route (specialized program of study).

The General major follows a prescribed program of study in addition to the common core courses students take in their first year. Students choose from music options and non-music electives to customize their program. 

Students can remain undeclared or declare a minor:

• Undeclared
• Music Career Management
• Music Education
• Music Technology and Production1

The Correctional Services diploma prepares graduates to work in a variety of positions in corrections and criminal justice fields including community agencies, correctional institutions, residential settings, restorative justice and related human service careers. Graduates work with adults and youth in conflict with the law, or who are at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system. The program provides theoretical knowledge, skill development and practical experience for the entry-level corrections and criminal justice professional.

The Correctional Services program stresses the dual yet inseparable function of the criminal justice system: protection of the public and providing assistance to offenders to become law abiding citizens. Students acquire essential skills and knowledge about the criminal justice system as well as professional practice information and expertise.

The first year provides a number of foundation courses concentrating on self-awareness, criminological theory and knowledge of the criminal justice system. Introduction to field placement provides an opportunity for students to acquire practice competencies including professionalism, crisis intervention, security procedures and suicide prevention.

The second year concentrates on skill development such as counselling strategies, case management, risk/needs assessment, documentation and working with special offender populations. Field placement provides students with the practical, first-hand experience in the field of corrections and criminal justice with the expectation that students apply the knowledge and skills discussed in the classroom.

Early childhood educators care for our youngest citizens and foster their growing sense of identity and well-being through play-based learning. They are essential.
As a Bachelor of Early Childhood Curriculum student, you learn about the unique curriculum needs for early childhood learning, with a focus on equity, social justice and advocacy. You work closely with children in early childcare settings at MacEwan and in the community. Through field placements and a fourth-year internship, you connect theory to professional practice.

The first two years of the degree meet the certification requirements for Child Development Supervisor (Level 3) Certification through Alberta Children’s Services. You have the option to exit the program with a diploma after you complete the first two years of course work.

The Bachelor of Social Work program provides 3rd and 4th year undergraduate degree studies and will be of interest to Alberta Social Work diploma graduates and other students who have completed 60 university level Arts and Science credits. The School of Social Work offers transformative, collaborative and supportive education to prepare students for leadership roles in meeting the social justice mandate of the profession of social work. As professionals in a country that upholds respect for diversity, and in keeping with democratic rights and freedoms, social workers respect the distinct systems of beliefs and lifestyles of individuals, families, groups, communities and nations without prejudice (United Nations Centre for Human Rights, 1992). Specifically, social workers do not tolerate discrimination based on age, abilities, ethnic background, gender, language, marital status, national ancestry, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation or socio-economic status (CASW Code of Ethics, 2005).

Unique to this degree is the focus on sustainability — how social, environmental and economic issues interrelate, and how we fit into the larger community. Students have the opportunity to focus their studies around a number of themes, including working with children and families, working with Indigenous people, health and mental health, and community social work practice. Students learn from faculty who are engaged in research, blended learning and all areas of social work practice.

The legal major of the Office Assistant program provides the skills you need to work as a legal assistant in today’s competitive market.

You train on a variety of software packages to prepare for a challenging career in the legal field. As a graduate of the program, you become adept with technology, understand procedures in a law office, have a basic knowledge of law, and are able to work in time-sensitive situations.

The program of study for the legal major consists solely of core courses; you do not take electives or options. The core courses must be completed in the order presented in the program of study; that is, term one courses are taken only in the first term, and so on.

The legal major provides core office skills and legal-specific courses for entry-level legal assistants that include legal transcription, basic legal theory and legal office procedures. The legal assistant in today’s competitive market must be adept with technology, understand procedures in a law office, have a basic knowledge of law and be able to work within time limits.

Many children, youth and their families experience trauma, often through abuse, neglect, or a significant loss. They may also have stressors such as mental health, education, poverty, communication or family conflict. Child and youth care practitioners work relationally with individuals and families to help them gain new insights, supports and strategies to navigate the complexities of their lives and an ever-changing world.

The child and youth care program provides students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to work effectively with children, youth and families in a wide range of practice settings. Specialized child and youth care courses and courses in disciplines such as the humanities and social sciences prepare students to become well-rounded child and youth care professionals.

In years one and two, foundational courses with a personal-growth focus prepare students to form helping relationships with youth and families through effective communication and an understanding of adolescent and lifespan development, family dynamics and activity programming. Child and youth care methods, communication and counselling, and family support and intervention courses prepare students for entry-level positions in the field. Field placements provide the opportunity to apply coursework to practice settings. Students may choose the diploma exit option at the end of year two.

Years three and four prepare students for advanced practice in intensive programs with children, youth and families with multiple, complex challenges through courses on abuse and neglect, substance abuse, law and social services, and advanced methodology in individual, group and family practice. Research, statistics, advanced field placement and arts and science courses complete degree level education and prepare students for more complex positions and graduate programs in child and youth care.

Human resource (HR) management professionals add value to their organizations by creating solutions to complex issues, such as succession planning, staffing strategies and adjusting to workplace change.

Designed by leading practitioners in the field, this program gives students both the skills and strategic insights necessary for successful human resources management practice. Students learn about general management theories, organizational behaviour, labour and employee relations, employee training and development, compensation, staffing, workplace health and safety, employment law and change management. The program combines case study analysis with exposure to actual human resources projects and challenges.

MacEwan University has made another move to prepare their Human Resources Management graduates for success in their careers. MacEwan University’s Human Resources Management program is now accredited with the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of Alberta (CPHR). Visit the CPHR Alberta Designation page (https://www.cphrab.ca/become-a-CPHR) which outlines the process required to achieve the designation, and includes information on how to apply to waive the National Knowledge Exam (NKE).

Consistent with the philosophy of Dr. J.W. Grant MacEwan, MacEwan University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program holds the values of respect, compassion, leadership, scholarship and accountability. The BScN program is designed to prepare graduates who are committed to excellence in professional practice and who contribute to the health and well-being of individuals, families, communities and society. Throughout the program students acquire knowledge, skills and attributes to ready themselves for safe, compassionate, evidence-informed, competent and ethical nursing practice.

MacEwan University’s BScN program is a rigorous, four-year program designed to introduce, expand and sequentially integrate knowledge, concepts and theories. Our approach to learning promotes the retention and application of in-depth knowledge and diverse skills. The program is delivered through contextual and experiential learning in classroom, laboratory and practice settings. Theoretical knowledge is attained from the disciplines of nursing, arts, sciences and humanities. Knowledge and competencies for nursing research, education and leadership roles are encompassed within the program. BScN graduates are eligible to write the NCLEX – RN.

Since the Library and Information Technology program started more than 40 years ago, the proliferation of information has led to a dramatic increase in the use of technology to organize, control and provide access to information resources.

Information personnel require excellent interpersonal and communication skills coupled with the ability to deal accurately with detail. They are versatile and can quickly adapt to a rapidly changing work environment.

Students in the Library and Information Technology program develop the expertise needed to organize, retrieve and manage information. Graduates are equipped with the skills necessary to work in any setting that handles information management, not just traditional libraries.

This program exposes students to practical aspects of the profession, including cataloguing, reference, circulation, research techniques, information systems design, records management, and services to various types of library patrons. Using a wide array of electronic and print resources, students become familiar with the broad scope of information organization and retrieval. Students will also develop strong professional skills and competencies to work effectively within an organizational structure and in a customer service role. They will examine the central purpose of libraries in society, and consider ways that social responsibility, ethical behaviour, and social justice are important philosophical foundations for the library profession.

In combination with Arts & Science courses taken, students potentially may receive 60 credits towards a Bachelor of Arts degree.