Admissions Criteria for the Bachelor of Social Work

CMU Requirements

SWRK-1000

Exploring Social Work Practice

This course is an introduction to the profession of social work. It will examine the history and theoretical evolution of social work practice through a critical lens.
Current CMU students: Register through Populi
Future students: apply here.
*This course will be offered in Winter 2025 for students hoping to apply for the Fall 2025 start date.

27 credit hours of university level studies with a C+ average
- A minimum grade of C in each course presented
- The first 27 credit hours must include the following:
  - SWRK-1000 Exploring Social Work Practice with a minimum grade of C+ recommended.
  - PSYC-1010 Introduction to Psychology – Foundations
  - PSYC-1020 Introduction to Psychology II – Individuals and Interaction
  - INDS-1050 Indigenous Peoples of Canada or HIST-2040 History of Indigenous Peoples of Canada
Reflection Essay (500-750 words)
- In your reflection essay, please respond to the following questions:
  - Why do you want to be a social worker?
  - What does social justice mean to you?
  - What does oppression mean to you?
  - Briefly describe a social issue that illustrates your thinking around these questions.
Two References: One Academic, One Professional
- Your academic reference must be from a current or former post-secondary instructor. Your professional reference should be a supervisor from a past or present volunteer, practicum, or employment position.
- All referrees must be qualified to comment on your capacity or suitability and potential to engage in undergraduate social work education. We will not accept references from family members, personal friends, or instructors in the Social Work program at CMU.

For a September start date, 21 credit hours must be completed by April 30 and final transcript submitted by May 30. The required 27 credit hours, including all required courses, must be completed by August 1 and final transcript submitted by August 15.

Applying from another post-secondary school

For students applying for into social work from another institution, transfer credit is available. For students applying from a Manitoba post-secondary institution, the following courses will meet the psychology and indigenous studies requirement:

Institution	Introductory Psychology	Indigenous Studies	Exploring Social Work
U of M	PSYC 1200 or PSYC 1211 and 1221	INDG 1200, INDG 1220 or INDG 1240	Must take before the end of the first year in the program (Fall 2024 only)
U of W	PSYC-1000	IS-1016 or IS-1017	Must take before the end of the first year in the program (Fall 2024 only)
Brandon U	82.160 and 82.161	68.151 or 68.152	Must take before the end of the first year in the program (Fall 2024 only)
Providence UC	222.11 and 222.12	241.11 or 241.21	Must take before the end of the first year in the program (Fall 2024 only)
Steinbach BC	SS 201 and SS 202	None	Must take before the end of the first year in the program (Fall 2024 only)
Booth UC	PSY 120 and 121	None	SWK 110

Recommended Courses

The following are examples of recommended courses to be taken within the first 27 credit hours (in addition to the required courses for admission listed above):

INTD-1000 Ways of Knowing 1 (required for internal applicants; for external candidates, this course must be completed in their first semester of the social work program)
PCTS-1110 Introduction to Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies
ENVS/GEOG 1030 Introduction to Environmental Studies
3 credit hours in Humanities or Sciences

One of:

BIOL 1010 The Evolutionary and Ecological Revolution
BIOL/GEOG/IDS 2010 Introduction to Global Health

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Bachelor of Social Work