University Diploma - Social Work

Academic Requirements

To be considered for admission to the University Diploma in Social Work program, you must meet the academic requirements listed under the categories of admission and ensure you meet additional admission criteria.

You must meet the following requirements to apply for Fall 2025 intake:

• This program is competitive.
• To be eligible for admission into a competitive program, you need to have a higher minimum overall average than that listed in the Categories of Admission.
• The competitive average may change as applications are received, depending on the grades achieved by your peers applying for the same term.

Competitive Criteria

Courses used in the calculation of your admission average or admission grade point average (AGPA) must be completed by the course completion deadline for competitive programs.

Categories of Admission

Applicants may be admitted to one of the following:

• Regular Admission:

  Applicants must be 18 years of age or older by December 31st of the year they enter the program, and must have a minimum overall average of 65 percent, with no course grade lower than 50 percent, in the following high school courses:

  1. ELA 30-1
  2. Social Studies 30-1
  3. Three Group A, B, C or D courses

  Applicants with nine to 23 post-secondary level credits must also present a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

 

• Mature Admission:

  Applicants must be 20 years of age or older and have been out of full-time high school at least one year by the beginning of the intake term. They must have a minimum overall average of 65 percent, with no course grade lower than 50 percent, in the following high school courses:

  1. ELA 30-1
  2. Social Studies 30-1

 

• Previous Post-Secondary:

  Applicants must have successfully completed a minimum of 24 post-secondary credits with a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Additional Admission Criteria

All applicants must meet the following:

• Police Information Check: A clear Police Information Check that includes a Vulnerable Sector Search must be submitted by the published document deadline.
• Alberta Intervention Record Check: This must also be submitted by the published document deadline.

Transcripts may be required to be evaluated by WES in some cases. For any clarification and support, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

The English Language Proficiency requirement is designed to ensure that you have the best opportunity for success in your university studies. To apply to undergraduate programs, you must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency (ELP) prior to admission, regardless of citizenship or country of origin.

Your primary language is defined as the language in which you are most proficient. It is your language of instruction in the last three years of formal study as well as the language you use at home for daily written and oral communication.

If your primary language is English, you meet the ELP requirement. All other applicants must demonstrate fulfillment of ELP by presenting the appropriate requirements for their program and admission intake.

MacEwan University reserves the right to use discretion to determine an applicant’s language proficiency.

Accepted English Language Tests

• Duolingo English Test (DET) - Minimum overall band score of 115.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Minimum overall score of 6.5, with no band lower than 5.5.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Minimum overall score of 86, with no section lower than 21.
• Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) - Minimum overall score of 70, with no band lower than 60.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) - Minimum overall score of 59, with no band lower than 56.
• Cambridge English: Advanced/Proficiency - Minimum overall score of 180, with no skill lower than 165.
• Test in Practical English Proficiency (EIKEN) - Score of Grade 1.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.