M.S.W. - Social Work

About the Program

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 itself. The structural context refers to the interaction between individuals and the social, political, and economic dimensions of society. The program focuses on the development of social work practices that change the interactions between people and structural contexts.

The curriculum is organized into two concentrations:

  1. Social Practices, which includes direct intervention with individuals, families, small groups, and communities; and
  2. Social Welfare, which examines the political, economic, and social context within which social policy is made.

Academic Regulations

  • See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
  • Candidates for the M.S.W. degree must complete all course work (or the equivalent) counted towards the degree with a grade of B- or higher. The School of Social Work does not permit the C+ option.
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Admission Requirements

The School of Social Work provides two points of entry into the Master of Social Work program.

  • Applications are accepted to the first year of a two year M.S.W. program from candidates who hold an Honours bachelor's degree, or the equivalent, with at least high honours standing (normally B+ or higher in honours subject; B- or higher overall) in a discipline other than social work.
  • Applications are accepted to the one year M.S.W. program from candidates who hold an accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree with honours standing (normally B+ or higher in honours subject; B- or higher overall)
  • Applications are accepted to the one year M.S.W. program from candidates who are in the final year of a Bachelor of Social Work program, and who have maintained a B+ or higher in social work and B- or higher overall. Applicants with social work experience who hold undergraduate or graduate applied social science degrees from a university or other degree granting institution are directed to apply to the two year M.S.W. program. The School will review the equivalence of such degrees to a Bachelor of Social Work.
  • Work experience in social work or a related field is considered as one of several selection criteria for both M.S.W. Year I and M.S.W. Year II.
  • Persons who have a Bachelor of Arts degree and human service experience may also wish to apply to the Bachelor of Social Work program. Please refer to the Undergraduate Calendar for further information.
  • Applicants must have completed 1.0 credit in research methods in their undergraduate program. The School of Social Work will not normally grant advanced standing for course work completed prior to entry into the M.S.W. program. Students accepted into M.S.W. Year I will be expected to complete 5.0 credits of course work in Year I and 6.0 credits of course work in Year II. Students accepted into M.S.W. Year II will be expected to complete 6.0 credits of course work. Work experience may not be substituted for research or other academic requirements, including the practicum.
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Program Requirements

Students with an Honours undergraduate degree other than a B.S.W. or the equivalent who are admitted into the two-year M.S.W. program must complete Year I and Year II.

Students with a B.S.W. or equivalent who are admitted into the one-year M.S.W. program must complete Year II.

Year I of the M.S.W. consists of the following 5.0 credits:

  • SOWK 5308 [0.5 credit]
  • SOWK 5408 [0.5 credit]
  • SOWK 5608 [0.5 credit]
  • SOWK 5501 [0.5 credit]
  • SOWK 5502 [0.5 credit]
  • SOWK 5606 [2.0 credits]
  • 0.5 credit to be taken from graduate-level course offerings in the School.

Year II of the M.S.W. consists of the following 6.0 credits:

  • SOWK 5306 or SOWK 5307
  • SOWK 5405
  • And one of the following two options:
    • Thesis/Course Work Option
        • SOWK 5909 [2.0 credits] Thesis
        • 2.0 credits of course work
    • Practicum/Course Work Option:
      • SOWK 5607 [2.0 credits] Practicum
      • 2.0 credits of course work
      For all course options listed above, a minimum of 1.0 credit must be taken from graduate-level course offerings, in the School of Social Work, a maximum of 1.0 credit may be taken outside the School of Social Work, and a maximum of 0.5 credit may be taken at the 4000-level.

All students in SOWK 5903, SOWK 5909, SOWK 5606, SOWK 5607 must maintain continuous registration until completion of the course in accordance with the General Regulations as stated in this calendar.

Part-Time Studies
  • The School offers part-time studies to a limited number of qualified candidates who cannot participate in a program of full-time study. The requirements for part-time studies are identical to those of the regular program, except that part-time students are limited to a maximum of 1.0 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.
  • In their first fall term, part-time students in the M.S.W. Year I must register in SOWK 5501 or SOWK 5502 and one of SOWK 5308, SOWK 5408, or SOWK 5608. Part-time students in the M.S.W. year II register in SOWK 5306 or SOWK 5307 plus an additional 0.5 credit of course work in their first fall term.
Change of Status
  • Students contemplating changing their full-time or part-time status should consult the General Regulations section of this Calendar.

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