BA
Honours Major Minor
Social Work
Program Intro

What does it mean to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly when helping people?

To care for the needs and well-being of others is a high calling. How can Christians shape the social policies, services and resources in ways that respect all people as made in God's image? To see the dignity and worth of all people? The Social Work program at Redeemer looks at how individuals interact with different social systems, actively studying social justice, anti-oppressive practice and cultural pluralism as ways to seek justice and transformation in communities.

Social Work is a Bachelor of Arts degree. It is offered as an honours major and as a minor.

Quick Links

Right from the start, small class sizes and dedicated faculty mean more opportunities to practice, research and apply what you've learned as you seek to develop and communicate an understanding of our place in the social world and our responsibility to social transformation.

First-year classes are an introduction to the patterns and connections in human society, social relationships and the complex problems that can occur. Study the purpose and levels of social work practice and process, fields of practice and social policy context.

Social Work The Core

The Core Curriculum is a set of 10 courses that every student takes. The courses are woven through every major and get you to think deeply and broadly about what you’re studying. Think about it this way…

  • Social workers provide better care when they understand the diverse stories and histories of their clients.
  • Program managers have a greater impact when they understand how policies are made.
  • Support workers have a deeper sense of compassion when they ground themselves in a biblical understanding of caring for their neighbours.

See how the Core fits into your degree

Defining

Learning
Experiences

In the Classroom

To promote different perspectives and conversations in the classroom, panel discussions and listening to a variety of experts and researchers are integral parts of the classroom experience. Courses like Social Work Practice with Communities, Social Welfare Policy and Process and [Child Welfare](#course=APS-448 encourage students to develop their capacity for critical Christian reflection and response to issues impacting society.

Beyond the Classroom

Regular opportunities are offered to visit correctional institutes and indigenous centres, while opportunities to participate in disaster relief, inner-city missions and volunteer trips give students the opportunity to put that they're learning to practice and have real personal experience to draw on.

Explore the benefits of Experiential Learning
After Redeemer

Alumni of Redeemer’s social work program are making a positive impact in our society and in our communities.

Rachel Brouwer '09

is seeing lives transformed through justice and the transforming power of the gospel in her work at International Justice Mission.

Rhonda Elgersma '01

is the ministry partner program coordinator with World Renew where she focuses on missions work in Mexico and with churches in Ontario.

Redeemer’s Social Work program provides you with the knowledge and relevant skills to set you on the path to a profitable career.
Alumni can go on to careers as...
  • Mental health counsellors
  • Crisis counsellors
  • Shelter/group home workers
  • Program coordinators
  • Social workers
  • Autism therapists
  • Rehabilitation specialists
  • Foster care workers
Alumni can do further studies to earn...
  • Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
  • Registered Social Worker (RSW)
  • Master of Social Work (MSW)
  • MA in Public Administration
  • MA in Social Policy
  • MA in Urban Planning
  • MSW in Gerontology
Want to know more about Redeemer’s Social Work program?
Get in Touch
Contact us using the form below and we’ll get back to you shortly.
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Social Work
Stories
After nearly 10 years of research, Dr. Morgan Braganza has developed a framework to help navigate differences and diversity that recognizes the...
Recent grad Feben Alemayehu's story is a testament to God's transformative love, and she is living out her calling in freedom.
Ninette Hidalgo is a third-year student studying social work. After finding her way to Redeemer unexpectedly, she has since learned that God can be...
Partnership with Dordt University creates a new pathway for students to advance in the social work profession.
Dr. Aaron Smith, assistant professor of social work and director of field education, talks about the principles that guide him in his work at...
Dr. Morgan Braganza is an assistant professor in applied social sciences.
Dr. Jim Vanderwoerd, professor of social work and chair of the department of applied social sciences, reflects on the tension that exists for...
Dr. Timothy Epp's research sheds light on the divide between sacred and secular music by exploring the spiritual content in mainstream music.
New study finds independent Christian campuses may provide greater safety from sexual violence than their public counterparts.
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Schedule a personalized tour of our Ancaster, Ontario campus and a one-on-one meeting with an Admissions Counsellor. Daily visits are offered regularly throughout the week to accommodate your schedule.
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Campus Visit Days
Our scheduled visits are pre-planned days that are specially catered to the different interests of each student. Tour campus and connect with staff, faculty and current students to help discover your place within our one-of-a-kind community.
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Tour the Campus
Can’t make it to campus? Explore parts of Redeemer’s 70-acre campus through a series of short videos and get a glimpse of what it has to offer—wherever and whenever works best for you.
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