School of Social Work

St. Patrick's Building 469
Telephone: 788-5601
Fax: 788-7496

The School

Director of the School: Allan Moscovitch

Supervisor of Graduate Studies:Edith Moore

The School of Social Work, accredited by the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work, offers a graduate program leading to the degree of Master of Social Work. The program will normally be completed in twelve months of full-time study. Part-time study is also offered and will normally be completed in three to four years.

Master of Social Work

The Master of Social Work program is based on an analytical and critical approach to social work practice, and to knowledge related to practice. The program examines the structural context of personal and social problems, and of social work practice. The structural context refers to the interaction between individuals and the social, political, and economic aspects of society. The program focuses on the development of forms of practice predicated on this notion, seeking to intervene to change the nature of the interaction between people and their structural contexts.

The orientation of the School explicitly includes approaches to social development and social change which involves working directly with individuals, groups, and communities. This includes a strong emphasis on sensitivity to the individual, and on the development of new and innovative strategies for working with individuals in the context of their
everyday lives. The School also stresses community analysis and an awareness and knowledge of the social policies that affect the lives of all people in our society. Analysis of class, gender, and race is considered central to the curriculum.

The School of Social Work is committed to educational equity. The society in which we live and of which social work is a constituent part is composed of groups of people distinguished by their differential access to power - economic, political, and social. The School affirms the principle that all these groups should have the opportunity to learn in a supportive environment. Educational equity is consistent with a continuing commitment to meeting high standards of academic and practice competence.

The central purpose of the graduate program is to provide the opportunity for those already active in the broad field of social work to build on their knowledge and experience. Students will be able to use the program to deepen their understanding of both methods and context of practice, to build new knowledge, and to apply this new knowledge in a practical way. The program requirements are designed to be as flexible as possible. Research will be required of every student. Otherwise, the course of study for each student will depend on individual study plans that build on previous academic and practice experience. Graduates may expect to use their experience in the School as the basis for continuing to expand their personal knowledge in a society undergoing rapid change.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the master's program will normally have received an accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree with high honours standing, and have had several years of social work or related experience. Candidates in the final year of a Bachelor of Social Work program may be considered if they have substantial social work or related experience. Experienced applicants who hold undergraduate or graduate applied social science degrees from a university or technical institute outside North America may apply. The School will review the equivalence of such degrees to a Bachelor of Social Work.

Persons with a Bachelor of Arts degree and human service experience are directed to apply to the Bachelor of Social Work program. If accepted in the Bachelor of Social Work program, candidates may receive advanced standing to allow them to complete the Bachelor of Social Work degree in two years. Please refer to the Undergraduate Calendar for further information.

Admission to the School is on a selective basis and is guided by our objectives with respect to educational equity. Persons who typically are denied equal access to power - economic, political, and social - are encouraged to apply. This includes, but is not limited to, persons of aboriginal and racial, cultural, and/or ethnic minority origin, persons with disabilities, lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons, and persons disadvantaged by their gender or economic condition.

Applicants must have completed one credit in research methods in their undergraduate program. Upon admission, applicants who have completed graduate work in a related discipline may be considered for advanced standing according to the Transfer of Credit requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Work experience may not be substituted for research or other academic requirements including the field practicum.

Candidates are advised to apply by October 15 for admission in September of the following year.

Part-Time Studies

The School offers part-time studies to qualified candidates who, due to a range of circumstances, cannot participate in a program of full-time study. The requirements for part-time studies are identical to the regular program except that part-time students are limited to a maximum of one credit of course work per term.

Students registered on a part-time basis must maintain continuous registration for a minimum of two terms per year until all course requirements are completed. Students choosing the thesis option must maintain continuous registration in accordance with the regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. The number of part-time students admitted in any given year may vary.

Part-time students must register in the Educational Planning and Integration Seminar (52.536) plus the equivalent of one-half credit of course work in their first fall term.

Change of Status

Students may change from part-time status to full-time, or from full-time to part-time, with the permission of the Supervisor of Graduate Studies and the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Students wishing to take a leave of absence should consult the regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Individual study plans must be amended to reflect changes in status.

Program Requirements

Candidates for the Master of Social Work degree must complete six full credits of course work or the equivalent.

Students are expected to select a substantive area which will be addressed in a program of study which balances and links foundation knowledge for social work and applied knowledge in social work. In order to graduate, a student must demonstrate both conceptual and practice skills.

All students must complete a one credit course in Research Methods for Social Work (52.545), a one credit Educational Planning and Integration seminar (52.535), and two credits of course work which are taken by registering in 52.550. One-half credit may be taken outside the School. Students choosing to take one-half credit outside the School will complete one and one-half credits of course work by registering in a combination of 52.553 - 52.558. Part-time students may also complete this requirement by registering in 52.559.

The remaining two credits will be taken by choosing one of a field practicum (52.560), a community practice project (52.565), or a thesis (52.599).

Requirements for students completing the two year Master of Social Work program will be established on an individual basis. Completion of a field practicum and either a thesis or an Independent Enquiry Project (52.590) will continue to be required.

Study Plans

Each student's program will be set out in detail in a study plan. During the first two to three weeks of the fall term, the Educational Planning and Integration Seminars (see 52.535) will be devoted exclusively to assisting students in the development of these plans. Initial study plans must be approved by the student's faculty advisor by the last date for course changes for fall term courses. The study plan constitutes an agreement between the student and the School and must contain reference to all academic and practicum work to be undertaken. It will provide a reference point to ensure that a student's program includes all of the elements required for graduation set out under program requirements above. The initial study plan and any subsequent changes must be approved by the Supervisor of Graduate Studies.

Academic Standing

The School operates within the evaluation and grading system of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.

Graduate Courses*

The School of Social Work strives to integrate an analysis of race, class and gender, heterosexism, ableism, and ageism in its course offerings through a continuous process of curriculum review and development.

• Social Work 52.535T2
  Educational Planning and Integration Seminar
  All students will be assigned to group seminars. The seminar will be used initially for development of learning objectives, selection of study options and articulation of individual study plans. The seminar will also provide ongoing opportunity for presentation and discussion of issues related to social work practice that arise out of each student's work, as well as identification of new learning objectives. Proposals for changes in individual study plans must be addressed within the seminar as part of the approval process.
• Social Work 52.536, 52.537F1,W1
  Educational Planning and Integration Seminar
  Same description as 52.535
• Social Work 52.545F2
  Research and Evaluation in Social Work
  Research and evaluation are political, theoretical, and philosophical as well as technical activities. This course examines the debates between differing research paradigms, their approaches to knowledge, their contributions to evaluation of social work practice, and their potential linkages. It will enable students to understand the inquiry process and to understand different ways of creating and understanding knowledge. Students will be expected to develop a research proposal related to their choice of a thesis, field practicum, or community project.
• Social Work 52.546W1
  Research and Evaluation in Social Work
  This course is the first half of 52.545.
• Social Work 52.547F1
  Research and Evaluation in Social Work
  This course is the second half of 52.545.
  Prerequisite: Social Work 52.546.
• Social Work 52.550T4
  Studies in Social Work
  Course work in the School of Social Work is comprised of a variety of educational offerings and includes practice seminars, directed studies, workshops, independent study, and community projects as well as lecture courses. Except for lecture courses, these are referred to as study units and weighted according to actual or estimated contact hours between instructor and student. One credit equals twelve units of study. Students will select a combination of study units and lecture courses over two terms equalling twenty-four units. (See below for a general description of the alternative ways in which study units are organized). Study units selected for completion of this requirement must be included in the student's approved plan of study.
• Social Work 52.553, 554F2,W2
  Same description as 52.550 at twelve units of course work per term. The fall term will not be available to part-time students in the first year of registration.
• Social Work 52.555, 52.556, 52.557, 52.558F1,W1,S1
  Same description as 52.550 at six units of course work per term.
• Social Work 52.559T1
  Same description as 52.550 at six units over two terms. Not available to full-time students.
• Social Work 52.560W4,S4
  Field Practicum
  The Field Practicum facilitates the integration of academic and practical aspects of social work education. The practicum is designed to be a form of guided learning, providing students with an opportunity to apply, test, and develop theory and practice skills in the practical, everyday realities of social work. Students are expected to build on, and to go beyond, their present knowledge and skills. It may be in a familiar area of practice or it may be entirely new to the student. It is intended that there shall be a wide range of options available, so that students may design a practicum to meet their needs. A field seminar may be included.
• Field Practicum 52.561F2,W2,S2
  Same description as 52.560. Students must register for this course in two consecutive terms. May not be initiated in the first fall term of registration.
• Field Practicum 52.563F1,W1,S1
  Same description as 52.560. Students must register for this course in four consecutive terms.
• Social Work 52.565T4
  Community Practice Project
  The Community Practice Project combines classroom instruction, social research, and community work practice. It requires the combination of the practice skills of a social work practicum and the research skills of a thesis. It is based both in the classroom and in the community. The broad purpose will be to develop and implement a community based project that addresses issues of social justice for those disadvantaged by social inequalities. This option will be offered subject to sufficient registration.
• Social Work 52.570, 52.571, 52.572, 52.573F1,W1,S1
  Special Topics in Social Work
  The School will offer lecture courses on substantive topics related to social work and social welfare. Topics will vary each year depending on the interests of faculty and students. Students from outside the School of Social Work may register with permission of the School.
• Social Work 52.590F2,W2,S2
  Independent Enquiry Project
  This course is available only for those students registered in the previous two-year program.
  (See 1993-94 Graduate Calendar for description).
• Social Work 52.592F4,W4,S4
  Thesis
  This course is available only for students completing a thesis under the previous two-year program.
• Social Work 52.599F4,W4,S4
  Thesis
  Students selecting this option should familiarize themselves with the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research handbook for thesis and dissertations.

Study Units

Social Work Practice Seminars (6 units)
Applied knowledge for social work practice will be addressed in small group seminars utilizing "Enquiry and Action Learning" methods. This method uses examples drawn from the experience of social work practitioners and relies on self-guided study individually, and as a group, under the direction of a faculty tutor. The seminar provides for building on the experience of individuals in the group, as well as mutual learning and shared experience. The substantive area of practice will vary depending on student interest. The emphasis is on practice methodologies rather than accumulating information.

Directed Studies-Group (3-12 units)
Exploration of selected theoretical perspectives relevant for social work practice. Arranged for small groups of students who are interested in a similar substantive area.

Directed Studies-Individual (3-12 units)
Exploration of selected theoretical perspectives relevant for social work practice. This option is for individual students whose interests coincide with, and who wish to work under the direct supervision of, a member of faculty or visiting scholar. (Subject to availability of faculty).

Special Seminars in Social Work (6 units)
Students may participate in a fourth year Bachelor of Social Work course. Supplementary reading and/or work will be required for credit at the graduate level. Supplementary requirements must be approved by the course instructor and the Supervisor of Graduate Studies.

Workshop on Selected Topics in Social Work Practice (1-6 units)
Participation in approved workshops offered by the School or in the community may be possible from time to time. Unit weight will depend on number of contact hours and requirements for evaluation.

Independent Study (3-12 units)
Individually arranged studies. This option must be based on a written proposal and approved by the Supervisor of Graduate Studies. Proposals must include learning objectives, practice objectives where relevant, method, time of completion, and criteria and method for evaluation. Course weight up to a maximum of twelve units will vary according to estimated time for completion.

Community Practice (3-6 units)
Short term community projects supervised by faculty may be undertaken based on a written proposal and approved by the Supervisor of Graduate Studies. Proposals must include learning objectives, practice objectives, time of completion, and criteria and method for evaluation. (Subject to availability of faculty).