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Master of Social Work (MSW) - course-based

The Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Canadian Association of Social Work Education.

The objective of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program is to prepare students for advanced professional practice in social work.ÌýThe course-based program is appropriate for students who intend to provide direct service in the field.ÌýThe program is available for both BSW graduates and graduates from other disciplines.

Specializations:

• Clinical Social Work Practice (CSWP)
• International and Community Development (ICD)
• Leadership in the Human Services (LHS)Ìý

Program Delivery

The MSW courses are offered through a blended delivery model, which includes both face-to-face and online learning. The face-to-face components of the blended model may be offered in specific locations either in block format or on evenings and /or weekends. The face-to-face components of the program are offered in Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge.

Combined degree program: Master of Social Work/Master of Business Administration (MSW/MBA)

Applications to this program are currently suspended.

Students are responsible for meeting the admission requirements as established by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Social Work requires the following:

a) A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree* or a four-year bachelor’s degree from another discipline. The undergraduate degree must be conferred prior to the start of the MSW program and must be from an accredited post-secondary institution.

*The Faculty of Social Work recognizes BSW degrees accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE), the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and international credentials deemed equivalent to a Canadian BSW degree by the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW).

b) A minimum GPA of 3.00 (on the Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà four-point system). This is based on the last two-years of the undergraduate degree consisting of a minimum of 60 units.

c) The equivalent of two years of full-time paid work or a minimum of 3000 hours of paid and/or volunteer work in the human services field.

d) A program proposal outlining the applicant's educational goals and career expectations.

e) For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in English, a minimum TOEFL score of 97 (Internet-based test); or IELTS score of 7.0; or MELAB score of 83; or Tier III of the International Foundations Program () with a minimum grade of "B" on Academic Writing & Grammar III, "B" on Reading Comprehension & Proficiency III, and "B" on Listening Comprehension & Oral Fluency III.

f) Two references, one academic and one professional. Applicants unable to provide an academic reference are advised to submit a second professional reference and provide rationale in the application.

For those applying to the MSW through the MSW Laddering Pathway (upon completion of two specific Graduate Certificates), the academic reference must come from an instructor who taught the applicant in one of the Graduate Certificates.

For application deadlines, see the Future Students webpage at ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/explore-programs/social-work-master-social-work-course-based.

Advanced credit is not normally granted for the Master of Social Work degree.

For students with a bachelor's degree in a discipline other than social work.

Nine foundation courses (27 units), as follows:Ìý

• Social Work 621
• Social Work 625
• Social Work 627
• Social Work 629
• Social Work 632
• Social Work 637
• Social Work 641
• Social Work 645
• Social Work 633 (426 hours)

Foundation courses must be completed before students advance to Specialization specific courses and Advanced Practicum (Social Work 660 and 662).

For students who have a BSW or completed foundation courses.

A total of 36 units of coursework, as follows:

a) 12 units of Advanced Social Work Practice courses;

b) 12 units of Specialization courses (topics may vary from year to year and by location);

c) 12 unitsÌýof Field Practicum, Integrative Seminar, Research Applications and Exit Requirement (FIRE).

a) Advanced Social Work Practice Courses:

• Social Work 600
• Social Work 602
• Social Work 604
• Social Work 606

b) Specialization Course Requirements:

Clinical Social Work Practice (CSWP) SpecializationÌý

• Social Work 610Ìý
• Social Work 612
• Social Work 614Ìý
• Social Work 616

The four courses in each CSWP Specialization Topic area address a particular subject within the broader field of Clinical Social Work Practice. Students must complete all four courses in the selected topic area.

International and Community Development (ICD) Specialization

• Social Work 620
• Social Work 622Ìý
• Social Work 624Ìý
• Social Work 626

The four courses in each ICD Specialization Topic area address a particular subject within the broader field of International and Community Development. Students must complete all four courses in the selected topic area.

Leadership in the Human Services Specialization

• Social Work 640Ìý
• Social Work 642
• Social Work 644
• Social Work 646

The four courses in each Leadership in the Human Services Specialization Topic area address a particular subject within the broader field of Leadership in Human Services. Students must complete all four courses in the selected topic area.

The four courses within each Specialization are offered in a prescribed sequence and deviation from the curriculum plan is not normally allowed.

Please note that not all Specialization Topic areas are offered every year. Students should consult the timetables and program curriculum plans located on the web for sequence and availability of Specialization topics:Ìý.

c) Field Practicum, Integrative Seminar, Research Applications and Exit Requirement (FIRE):

• Social Work 660
• Social Work 662

NOTE: The MSW Laddering Pathway is intended for BSW graduates. It consists of a three-stage laddering structure. Students who choose this pathway must apply to and complete the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Social Work Practice (12 units) and apply to and complete one of the Specialization Certificates (12 units)Ìýin either order, as well as upon acceptance to the MSW, complete FIRE (12 units). Expected completion time is 36 months by BSW degree holders.

See Graduate Certificates in Social Work section of this Calendar for more information.

Participation in StudentÌýOrientation sessions held prior to the start of the program is mandatory for students.

Credit for undergraduate courses will not be awarded.

Expected completion time varies based on theÌýprogram location and specialization selected by the student at the timeÌýof application.

• MSW with specialization in Clinical Social Work Practice, Calgary: 12 months for BSW graduates; 24 months for students with a non-BSW degree.
• MSW with specialization in Clinical Social Work Practice, Edmonton: 24 months for BSW graduates; 36 months for students with a non-BSW degree.
• MSW with specialization in Clinical Social Work Practice, Lethbridge: 24 months for BSW graduates.
• MSW with specialization in International and Community Development: 24 months for BSW graduates; 36 months for students with a non-BSW degree.
• MSW with specialization in Leadership in the Human Services: 24 months for BSW graduates; 36 months for students with a non-BSW degree.

Maximum completion time for all students is six years.

Students are assigned a faculty advisor/specialization coordinator upon entry into the program. A change of advisor can occur at any time during the student’s enrolment in the program.

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see Awards and Financial Assistance for Graduate Students, the Graduate Awards Database , and consult with the Student Services Office in the Faculty of Social Work.

All students in the Faculty of Social Work are expected to be proficient in and have access to email, Internet searching, and word processing computer programs. Video-conferencing, web-based tools, discussion boards, and chat rooms may be used in addition to or in lieu of class time.