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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. The course-based program is appropriate for students who intend to provide direct service in the field. This full-time 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)

Program Delivery

With the exception of the Calgary-based MSW CSWP program and Calgary-based Foundation courses, which are delivered in-person in Calgary, the MSW program in all three specializations is offered by distance (online) learning with in-person residencies.

Students are required to attend the residency attached to their program, which may be in Calgary or Edmonton. Please consult the website for specific program delivery information.

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

Applications to this program are currently suspended.

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements for Admission, the Faculty of Social Work requires:

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 a recognized post-secondary institution.

*The Faculty of Social Work recognizes BSW and BISW 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 ����ɫ�� 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 social work perspectives and educational goals.

e) For applicants required to present proof of proficiency in English, a minimum TOEFL score of 97 (Internet-based test); IELTS score of 7.0; a CAEL score of 70 (70 in writing and speaking; 60 in reading and listening); or a PTE with a minimum score of 68 (Academic version). This requirement can also be met by completing the with a minimum grade of “A-“in academic writing and oral communication courses and “B+” in other courses.

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.

MSW applicants are allowed to apply to only one program location and one specialization. Once admitted, students are not permitted to switch specializations and/or topics within their chosen specialization. Requests to defer an offer of admission are not normally considered.

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: 

• 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 (450 hours)

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

For students with 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 units of Field Practicum, Integrative Seminar, Research Applications and Exit Requirement (FIRE).

a) Advanced Social Work Practice (ASWP) Courses:

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

b) Specialization Course Requirements:

Clinical Social Work Practice (CSWP) Specialization

• Social Work 610
• Social Work 612
• Social Work 614
• 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 622
• Social Work 624
• 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 (LHS) Specialization

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

The four courses in each LHS 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.

Note: The four courses in ASWP and in 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: .

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

• Social Work 660
• Social Work 662

Participation in Student Orientation 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 the program location, specialization and delivery model selected by the student at the time of 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, Online: 24 months for BSW graduates; 36 months for students with a non-BSW degree.
• 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.

As established by the Faculty of Graduate Studies (see Time Limits) maximum completion time is six years for a course-based MSW.

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.

A computer is required for all programs in the Faculty of Social Work.  Further information will be sent out to newly-admitted students in the summer term prior to the commencement of their studies.