Program at a glance
Credential
Associate Degree
Area of Study
Arts & Humanities
Study options
Full-time
Part-time
Work experience
Co-op / internship
Open to International
Yes
Length
2 years
At a glance image

Do you want to make a difference?
Start in September, January or May
Social workers are interested in social change and passionate about social justice. If you have a desire to help people in times of need or crisis, a career in social work may be the right path for you!

What you'll learn
Camosun College offers a two-year associate degree designed to help you pursue a career in social work. Your associate degree will include a a range of integrated courses, including sociology, psychology, women's studies, Indigenous studies, social policy and English.
As an associate degree student, you will have access to excellent academic advice; you'll have a definite learning path, but with room to explore along the way.
Work experience option
Associate Degree programs include either a Co-op or Internship option.
Students will gain practical work experience, which may be paid or unpaid, through either a four-month internship or two co-op work terms, available after at least eight courses of academic study.
A great start to your social work degree
This program provides all the courses necessary to meet the academic portion of the admission requirements needed to apply to the Bachelor of Social Work degree program at the University of Victoria. There are other requirements needed to meet admission. Please see UVic’s website. This AD can also lead to a full block transfer to Royal Roads University's Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication program.Other social work degree programs may also accept this course work. Students should connect directly with other institutions for details.
Once you have completed a social work bachelor degree at a university, you'll be eligible for employment in a wide variety of settings including schools, family and child services, community care, correctional services, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, general and psychiatric hospitals, and charity and religious organizations, just to name a few.
What's an Associate Degree?
An associate degree is a two-year academic program made up of 20 university-level courses. It is a stand-alone provincial credential you can list on your resume, as well as a good option to consider if you plan to continue your education to complete a university degree.
The Associate Degree program provides some flexibility with course choices and scheduling, you can study full-time or part-time, and potentially year round.
Camosun's academic advisors are available to help you understand how to choose the right courses to meet your educational goals. With this assistance, you will be able to make informed choices to ensure the courses you select will be usable for the specific university program you'd like to pursue.
What you'll learn
Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in myCamosun.

Program outline
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.
What to expect
Located at our Lansdowne campus, the Associate of Arts Degree in Pre-Social Work is a 20-course, two-year program that is also offered part-time for those who need flexibility. You'll have a definite learning path, but with room to explore along the way. During your program, you can choose to take an optional internship or co-op work term.
This program contains a blend of arts and science courses to support the concept of a broad education.
Year 1
In your first year, you'll take courses in English, sociology, psychology as well as arts and science electives.
Year 2
In your second year, you'll dig deeper into the study of social work. You'll also take additional arts and science elective courses to support your core studies.
Optional Co-op or Internship
After you have completed at least eight courses, you can choose to complement your associate degree with a work term.
Tuition and fees
Estimated tuition fees
Effective from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023
Pre-Social Work, Associate of Arts Degree
$7,316* (domestic)
$31,080** (international)
Pre-Social Work, Associate of Arts Degree, Internship designation
$8,103* (domestic)
$32,680** (international)
Pre-Social Work, Associate of Arts Degree, Co-op designation
$8,767* (domestic)
$34,280** (international)
*Figures are approximate. Tuition estimates are for the entire program. Tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.
**International tuition estimates are for the entire program.
Financial assistance
You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.
Curriculum & courses
Admission requirements
Ready to get started? Get your application in for the September, January or May intake.
When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the following admission requirements.
Tip: Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher
One of:
- C+ in English 12
- C in English 12 Camosun Alternative
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.
Missing admission requirements?
Take an assessment or upgrade with us.
Our teaching staff
Camosun College is fiercely proud of the excellent quality of its instruction. Our teaching staff are experienced, inspiring and supportive of our students’ individual journeys.
Faculty/staff profile

Peter Ove
Chair, Social Sciences
Faculty/staff profile

Jacqueline Quinless
Instructor, Sociology & Pre-Social Work

Learn more
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.
Contact information
Peter Ove, Social Sciences Chair
We want to hear from you!
Campus location
Camosun College Lansdowne
School of Arts & Science
3100 Foul Bay Rd
Victoria BC V8P 5J2
P 230
Location link
International Admissions
International students please contact International Admissions