What our grads do
We offer professional programs aimed at improving the health and social well being of children, families and communities.
We prepare our students for life
Our programs focus on the health and social well-being of children, families and communities. We are responsive to community needs and prepare our students for professional studies aimed at improving society.
Career examples
You'll find our graduates in a wide range of careers like:- community health leaders and health industry managers
- public sector and non-profit professionals
- Indigenous leaders and educators
- family and youth support practitioners
- international development facilitators
- post-secondary instructors
- health care professionals
- nurses and nurse practitioners
- social workers
- social justice advocates
- clinical and technical health informaticians
Visit Co-op and Career Services for examples of the competencies you'll develop and the types of careers each program could lead you to.
Improving society
Our students are driven by a desire to improve society. You'll find a common thread of caring and community contribution woven through our programs. Read some career stories from our students and graduates.
Our Indigenous programs are recognized for their relevance to Indigenous people and their communities and informed by a deep respect for Indigenous knowledge and traditions.
Gain hands-on experience while you learn
Our graduates have transferrable skills inside and outside their field or practice. Experiential learning like cooperative education and practicum will give you hands-on experience in your field before you graduate. You'll have the opportunity to put theory into practice and get a sense of the real-world responsibilities you'll face after graduation. It's the perfect chance to find the perfect niche within your field.
Find out more
Learn more about the programs waiting for you and have some of your frequently asked questions answered.
Apply your knowledge in:
Community
Our distance programs make it possible to affect change in your community while you learn.
Effecting change in downtown Victoria
Our students and faculty are helping to improve people's lives in downtown Victoria. The School of Social Work is augmenting its presence downtown with a new Downtown Learning Centre in the York Hotel. It provides space for continued learning (credit and non-credit courses), research and community outreach.
In the downtown core you'll also find UVic nursing students proviing foot care to Victoria's homeless and marginalized populations. The Feet First project has greatly improved the physical, mental and emotional health of people living on the street.
In the community
Laurie Harding (Social Work) is currently working for the Duncan Public Health Services Authority as a contracted facilitator of their Indigenous Cultural Competency online training program. She's also contracted to facilitate for Caring for First Nations Children Society for their Aboriginal Social Work delegation training program.
Laurie is the first graduate of the Duncan, BC, pilot program. Started in January 2005, the part-time Social Work program offered one course per term. Each week Social Work faculty would commute to Duncan to teach a group of students from the Cowichan Tribes.
Harding, an employee with the Lalum'utul Smun'eem Child and Family Services at the time, says, "Being a visitor and a non-Aboriginal person, this degree has been vitally important in helping me to develop a more complete and balanced world view."
Also working in the community is Carolyn Peacock (Social Work), the Director of Yellowhead Tribal Services Agency, a First Nation Child and Family Service organization. She's helping to provide child intervention services to four First Nations of the Yellowhead Tribal Council in central Alberta.
Government
Public service is an important priority in Victoria and HSD researchers in the School of Public Administration are actively involved in advising on government policy processes. Learn more about careers in Public Admin.
HSD initiated BC's first program to train nurse practitioners, who provide advanced primary health care services at a time when there are thousands of unfilled nursing positions in BC and millions of Canadians without a family doctor.
We also offer Canada's only program in health informatics, where health professionals develop systems that support the expansion of electronic medical records, modernizing the way our health care system is delivered.
Graduate school
The University of Victoria offers you the opportunity to pursue your graduate studies working side-by-side with some of the best minds in the world.
We offer a number of graduate programs to help launch new careers or enhance the knowledge and skills of those already working. You'll learn from internationally-recognized researchers and have the resources to actively pursue your own ideas and position yourself for a future of great promise.
Learn more about graduate studies and support for graduate students.
