The mission of the Social Work Diploma Program at Red Deer Polytechnic is to graduate ethical and compassionate social workers committed to anti-oppressive practice and social justice.

Social workers are trained to 'help people help themselves'. The focus of social work is on the interactions between people and their social environment. The program examines how to help people meet the demands of daily life. It looks at how social work seeks to improve people's problem-solving and coping skills, and links them with systems that offer resources, services, and opportunities.

Objectives of the program are:

• To provide a two-year diploma program in Social Work that prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for jobs in beginning social work positions. • To prepare students to continue their education in a Bachelor of Social Work program.