Increasing demand from employers for graduates of certificate, diploma and degree programs in the field of social work is leading to an increase in the number of students who will be admitted to programs at Thompson Rivers University this fall.

The TRU School of Social Work and Human Service normally admits about 105 new students each year, but has decided to increase admission by almost 25 per cent this fall, creating space for 130 or more new students in three different program options.

The increase will meet both on-going demand by students for admission to programs at TRU and provincial employment demand for social workers and human service workers.

The Bachelor of Social Work degree will accept as many as 15 more students, for a total of up to 70 new students this fall, while the two-year Human Service Diploma will add five spaces, creating first year space for 35 students. The one-year Community & School Support Certificate program will also add four student spaces, for a total of 28 students.

As a comprehensive university, TRU ladders programs to allow students the option to complete two or more credentials as part of their university education. Certificate graduates can ladder into the second year of the Human Service diploma, and these graduates can apply for admission to the Bachelor of Social Work degree, giving BSW graduates the advantage of multiple credentials with significant workplace experience.

Grant Larson, Dean of the School at TRU, initiated the increase in seats with department faculty following a recent meeting with all B.C. schools of social work, where the Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD) indicated a strong need for more BSW educated social workers for child welfare work. Current graduation rates from BC post-secondary programs do not come close to meeting the annual hiring needs of MCFD.

Graduates of all TRU social work and human service programs are doing extremely well in finding employment in social service agencies, and are particularly successful with opportunities in health and mental health service, child welfare, Aboriginal services and non-profit community organizations serving those in need.

The TRU School of Social Work and Human Service has also just submitted its proposal for a Master in Social Work degree program in response to the tremendous demand for master’s level social workers in the province. The focus of this proposed degree is on leadership in community-based practice.

Contact:
Grant Larson, Dean, TRU School of Social Work and Human Service,(p) 250.828.5187