Master of Social Work (MSW)

The program information below was valid for the fall 2017 term (September 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

Students are responsible for reviewing the general information and regulations section of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

Program information

  • Admit term(s) 
    • Fall
  • Delivery mode 
    • Online
  • Length of program 
    • Full-time: one year
    • Part-time: two year
  • Program type 
    • Master's
    • Professional
  • Registration option(s) 
    • Full-time
    • Part-time
  • Study option(s) 

Admission requirements

  • Minimum requirements 
    • Minimum 75% average in the final two years of study (equivalent to last 20 half-credit courses).
    • Completion of a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from an accredited Social Work program. If an applicant’s BSW degree is from a country other than Canada, the applicant is required to show proof that their degree is recognized as being equivalent to a Canadian Bachelor of Social Work Degree.
    • Successful completion of one full-course equivalent in Research Methodology and Statistics; that is, a half course in Research Methodology and a half course in Statistics, or one full course which includes both. There is no specific minimum mark requirement.
  • Application materials 
    • Résumé
    • Supplementary information form
    • Transcript(s)
  • References 
    • Number of references:  3
    • Type of references: 

      2 must be professional and the third may be academic or professional.
  • English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Degree requirements

    Coursework option:

  • Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)
  • Courses 
    • Required courses
      • SWK 600R Diversity and Health (week-long, on-campus Summer Institute block course, in August at the beginning of the program)
      • SWK 601R Health Policy (week-long, on-campus Summer Institute block course, in July or August (TBD) at the end of the program)
      • SWK 602R Social Work Practice in Health
      • SWK 603R Critical Exploration of Supervision and Leadership Roles for Social Worker
      • SWK 604R Evaluation of Health and Human Service Programs
      • SWK 605R Knowledge Mobilization and Evidence-Based Practice
    • Elective courses
      • SWK 608R Health Issues and Ethics
      • SWK 609R Social Work Practice in Mental Health
      • SWK 672R International Experience
      • SWK 690R Special Topics
    • Students are required to take 2 elective courses one of which must be either SWK 608R or SWK 609R.
    • Students must complete all credits at a minimum 75% overall average including the compulsory and elective credits required in order to graduate from the program.
  • Link(s) to courses
  • Academic Integrity Workshop
  • Master's Seminar Presentation
    • The Master's Seminar Presentation (or Capstone) is graded credit/no-credit.
  • Master's Seminar
    • The Master’s Seminar (or Integration Seminar) is graded credit/no-credit, students must obtain a passing credit.
  • Graduate Studies Practicum
    • The program includes a field education experience component of at least 462 hours (minimum of two 7-hour days per week) of supervised practice in an approved agency (normally other than the student’s place of employment).
    • The Practicum is graded credit/no-credit, students must obtain a passing credit.
School of Social Work website
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