Supervisors
Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.
Program overview
The Master of Social Work (MSW) is a nationally-accredited program that prepares students for advanced professional practice in social work. The thesis-based route is designed for students who intend to pursue doctoral studies and/or anticipate a career requiring advanced program evaluation and research skills.
The Faculty of Social Work offers MSW programs in Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge.
In Calgary, students are admitted annually and choose one of three Specializations (listed below). Students holding a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree are admitted directly into a two-year Specialization program. Students with an undergraduate degree in another discipline are admitted into a three-year program and complete a Foundation year followed by their Specialization year.
In Edmonton, students are admitted in odd-numbered years (i.e., 2021, 2023) to the Clinical Social Work Practice Specialization. Students holding a BSW degree complete the Specialization program in three years. Students with an undergraduate degree in another discipline complete the Foundation courses followed by the Specialization courses, requiring a total of four years of study.
In Lethbridge, the Faculty of Social Work offers the Clinical Social Work Practice Specialization to students with a BSW. Admission occurs in odd-numbered years (i.e., 2021, 2023). Students complete the program in three years.
Completing this program
-
Courses: Students take four courses in advanced social practice, four specialization courses, and two thesis research courses.
-
Thesis: Students in the thesis route conduct original research and prepare a thesis which is evaluated on the written content and is orally defended before an examination committee.
-
Research Proposal: Calgary students should complete all coursework prior to having their proposal approved by their supervisor.
Edmonton and Lethbridge students have their proposal approved by their supervisor in the summer following their admission to the Specialization program.
Specializations
- Clinical Social Work Practice
- International and Community Development
- Leadership in the Human Services
Outcomes
Hospitals/community health centers, mental health clinics, schools, non-profit/advocacy groups, government, social service/child welfare/family service agencies, correctional facilities, social housing, family courts, employee assistance programs, private counselling, school boards, consultation.
A master’s degree in social work is a preferred pre-requisite for a PhD.
Thesis-based program
Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.
Courses
Foundation: Nine courses; Specalization: Ten courses. MSW students with a non-social work bachelor's degree must complete Foundation courses prior to Specialization courses
Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar
Classroom delivery
Time commitment
Two to three years full-time (Calgary); three to four years (Edmonton); three years (Lethbridge); four years maximum
Supervisor
A supervisor is required, but is not required prior to the start of the program
Fees and funding
See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.
-
Accepting InquiriesSocial work; Critical Disability Studies; Immigration, refugee and displacement studies; Social work & Bedouin Arabs; The scholarship of teaching and -
Accepting InquiriesCanadian Federal Indian Education Policy, Immigration and Resettlement Policy, Critical Social Work Practice in Mental Health
-
Accepting InquiriesSocial and critical gerontology; Intersectionality; Life course; (Im)migration and transmigration; Oral history and storytelling -
UnavailableInternational Social Work, Refugees and immigrants, African social work issues, compassion fatigue, community practice International indigenous issues -
Accepting InquiriesOutcomes of Caregiving for Older Adults, Aging-in-place and Long-term Care in Later Life, Aging in Poverty and Wealth Inequality in Later Life, Perceived Discrimination in Older Adults, Psychosocial Risk Factors for Dementia, Cross-national/Cultural Comparative Study, Population-based Secondary Data Analyses -
Accepting InquiriesTranslating social work values into practice
-
Accepting InquiriesImmigration, Diversity and Inclusion, Youth crime prevention, Social entrepreneurship -
Accepting InquiriesGroup Work -
Accepting InquiriesSocial Work Education, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Health/Mental Health
-
Seeking StudentsMental health and Disability,, Workplace safety and well being, Family Violence, Resettlement issues for immigrants and refugees
Admission requirements
GPA
A minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.
Minimum education
A Bachelor of Social Work, or a four-year bachelor’s degree in another discipline.
Work samples
None
Work experience
Applicants must have the equivalent of two years of full-time paid or volunteer work (or the equivalent of 3000 hours) in the human services field.
Documents
- A study plan outlining the applicant's educational goals and career expectations. (If applying to the Calgary program, the study plan must indicate the applicant’s intended area of Specialization: Clinical Social Work Practice or International and Community Development)
- An additional statement providing a rationale for selecting the thesis route and a preliminary research proposal
- A resume
Reference letters
Two; one professional and one academic
Test scores
None
English language proficiency
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt) score of 97.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 68, or higher (Academic version).
- Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 (no less than 70 on reading and writing sections).
- Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of A- in writing courses.
Deadlines
For admission on May 1:
- Canadians and permanent residents: Nov. 1 application deadline (Spring 2020)
- International students: Nov. 1 application deadline (Spring 2020)
If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements
Learn more about this program
Faculty of Social Work
Professional Faculties, Room 3256
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, ABT2N 1N4
403.220.5942
Contact the Graduate Program Administrator
Visit the Faculty of Social Work website
Related programs
Highlights of the Social Work program
Social Work researchers find cultural gaps in mental health services
David Este and Christa Sato work to reduce the stigma of mental illness in Asian men
Helping our society transition to a lower carbon future
Mishka Lysack focuses on helping Canadians make the shift to a lower carbon future
Preventing domestic violence before it occurs
Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence seeks to reduce and prevent domestic violence
Curious about the University of Calgary?
Located in the nation's most enterprising city, we are a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude.