A new agreement between Lambton College and King's University College in London will save social work students a year of study.
School of Health, Community Services and Creative Design Associate Dean Silvana Macdonald said the new agreement will give students the opportunity to pursue a degree.
"What it means for our students is they really will be able to build on the foundational skill sets that they've received from our diploma program and enter directly into the third year of a degree program and receive a Bachelor of Social Work upon completion of an additional two years at King's College."
Prior to this new agreement, students were required to enroll in a full year of full courses before applying to the bachelor program.
"Right now we're at the point where students want to get in and out quickly. They want to get out into the job market and the field of social work is a very demanding one and there are lots of opportunities for graduates at both the diploma level, but even more so if they have a Bachelor of Social Work, and for students who want to further their education even more, it could potentially lead them to complete a Masters of Social Work."
Students wishing to be considered for enrollment at King's in September must apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre no later than March 1, 2020.
They also have to complete additional courses over the summer to be admitted.
"Lambton College students will receive 7.5 course credits upon admission to the Bachelor of Social Work at King's College. So, students still do need to take 2.5 courses during the summer to be directly admitted into the third year, but for many students in some of the focus groups we've had here, that didn't seem to be a real barrier or an obstacle."
More information can be found here.
A similar agreement is being offered to Fanshawe College students.