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How to become a social worker in BC

Registered Social Worker (RSW) · British Columbia

Help people and families through hard times: housing, safety, health. You need a social work degree and registration with the college.

How long
4 years (direct BSW) or 2 years post-degree (after 60 university credits)
Cost
Not published
5 schools
Who licenses it
BCCSW
🏫Where you can take this: 5 schools
🐾Thompson Rivers University🏛️University of British Columbia🏛️University of the Fraser Valley🌲University of Northern British Columbia🏛️University of Victoria

THE ROUTE

The route at a glance

STEP 1

University General Studies & Community Volunteer Experience

Complete foundational university coursework and documented human services experience

STEP 2

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Degree Program

Graduate with an accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree

STEP 3

Supervised Field Education Practicum (700 Hours)

Complete 700 hours of supervised social work field education

STEP 4

BCCSW Regulatory Application & Background Screening

Submit application for registration with the BC College of Social Workers

JOB

Registered Social Worker (RSW) Professional Practice

Practice as a licensed Registered Social Worker (RSW)

This is the overview. For the courses to take, the entry rules, the exams and the schools, open the full route.

See the full route, step by step →

THE JOB

What the job is like

Pay and outlook from WorkBC.

Pay
$26.18 – $52.00 / hr$36.81 median
Job outlook
3,860 forecasted job openings (2025–2035) · 2025–2035
Where the work is
Mainland/Southwest, Vancouver Island/Coast, Thompson-Okanagan
What a day looks like

Work takes place in acute care hospitals, psychiatric inpatient facilities, emergency department social work teams, and palliative care suites, as well as ministry of children and family development (mcfd) regional offices, child and youth mental health clinics.

Watch out for

Be mindful of high emotional stress and risk of vicarious trauma requiring structured clinical supervision and self-care boundaries and follow all required safety procedures.

Where it can lead

Complete an MSW and specialized supervised clinical hours to diagnose mental disorders and deliver private psychotherapy.

Supervise child protection social work teams, manage complex legal litigation, and mentor newly hired social workers.

Source: WorkBC career profile, NOC 41300

JOBS

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WorkBC job board

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