social work masters programs online canada

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Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Addictions

The  Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Addictions  prepares health professionals to practice in today's person, family and community-centred Mental Health and Addictions System (MHAS).  Students in the program will develop the knowledge, attitude and skills to help those with mental health, substance use and addictions to achieve optimal health and well-being.

The School of Social Work offers both the Bachelor’s of Social Work (BSW) and Master’s of Social Work (MSW) degrees through online distance delivery. Studying by distance offers students an opportunity to study in their home community with the ability to continue to work and participate in family and community life. Our programs are CASWE accredited and nationally recognized. 

It is important to note that these programs are open only to residents of Canada (citizens or permanent residents) who are currently living in Canada.

The BSW and MSW programs by distance offer a rich and highly interactive learning environment. Students in our programs live in communities across Canada, bringing a diversity of perspective and experience to the online classes. You will be required to actively engage in course content online through a variety of course tools, including discussion boards, chat, and other interactive media. The BSW and MSW program courses are offered through Brightspace, an Internet-based learning management system. Learn more about Brightspace  at the School of Social Work.

The School of Social Work assists students and faculty in the online environment. If you have questions regarding distance delivery of either the BSW or MSW programs, please contact  [email protected] .

Contact us:

[email protected] 1-866-776-0227 902-494-2703

School of Social Work Dalhousie University Suite 3201-1459 LeMarchant Street PO Box 15000 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4R2 1.902.494.3760

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School of Social Work Suite 3201, 1459 LeMarchant Street PO BOX 15000, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4R2 1.902.494.3760

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

The School of Social Work is accredited by the Canadian Association of Social Work Education (CASWE) . Our graduate programs (MSWF, MSWA, MSWI) nurture accountable and critically engaged social work education, research and practice in the advancement of decolonization, anti-racism, Indigenous resurgence, feminism, 2SLGBTQ+ liberation struggles, disability justice and other social justice struggles.

We offer three distinct Master of Social Work programs:

The MSW Advanced program  is available to applicants who currently hold a BSW degree from an accredited Canadian program, or equivalent.

The Master of Social Work Indigenous Specialization , for social workers working in Indigenous social work settings, is available to applicants who currently hold a BSW degree from an accredited Canadian program, or equivalent.

The MSW Foundation program  includes a qualifying foundation year of studies followed by entry into the MSW Advanced program or MSW Indigenous Specialization (with permission).

Inquiries regarding the MSW programs should be addressed to:

MSW Program Assistant 250-472-5622 [email protected]  

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Master of Social Work

Expand your career opportunities with a health specialization master of social work.

The School of Social Work is proud to offer Canada’s first health-focused Master of Social Work (MSW) program. The MSW program is housed at Renison, and is part of the Faculty of Health at the University of Waterloo. The MSW will build on your Bachelor of Social work degree and prepare you for leadership in health-related practice areas including clinical, community, health promotion and advocacy, program evaluation, policy, and research settings.

Waterloo’s online MSW degree will advance your understanding of, and practice skills needed to be responsive to, the social and structural determinants of health in relation to individual, community, and global well-being. You will also develop an advanced understanding of social work’s unique commitment in interprofessional health settings to address structural sources of injustice and inequity as they relate to health and health services access.

The MSW is delivered primarily online, allowing you to continue to participate in family and community life while pursuing a graduate degree in social work. The MSW program offers a rich and highly interactive learning environment where you will gain knowledge and skills in advanced social work practice within a focus on health, research/scholarship, professional leadership, and social work supervision.

On-campus attendance is mandatory on ONE occasion for a 5-day (Monday to Friday inclusive) block course offered as an intensive Summer Institute in August at the start of the program.  The 5 days will be preceded by preparatory learning activities and an assignment, and followed by activities that will wrap up the course learning. This on-campus experience will give you an important opportunity to meet face-to-face with your peers, faculty members and staff to build and strengthen teaching and learning relationships. The second Summer Institute occurs in August of the graduating year and is offered as a three-week long, intensive, online course with daily synchronous components in the second week. 

Renison's MSW program takes a holistic approach to social work

Why pursue an MSW at Waterloo?

• Canada's first health-focused MSW program
• Advance your understanding of, and practice skills needed to be responsive to, the social and structural determinants of health in relation to individual, community, and global well-being
• Gain knowledge and skills in advanced social work practice with a focus on health, research/scholarship, professional leadership, and social work supervision
• Get the best of both worlds - the flexibility of online learning with the personal connections made during the on-campus summer institute.

Program Options

Your MSW degree can be completed in one year (full-time; 3 terms) or in two years (part-time; 6 terms). Whether you pursue the full-time or part-time option, you will participate in:

• Six core courses. Two of these are offered as 'Summer Institute' intensive courses: the first is an on-campus, 5-day course in August at the beginning of the program. The 5 days will be preceded by preparatory learning activities and an assignment, and followed by activities that will wrap up the course learning.  The second Summer Institute is an on-line, 3-week course (with daily synchronous learning periods during the middle week) in August of the student's graduating year. The remaining four core courses are completed as 12 week online courses.
• Two online elective courses.
• 462 hour practicum (see Field Education )
• Field Integration Seminar (online) (see Field Education ) and Masters Seminar Presentation (Capstone)

Note: There is no research/thesis option. This is a course-based Master's program, and meets all University of Waterloo post-graduate degree requirements.

Full details:

• MSW Full-time Option
• MSW Part-time Option

Core Courses

• SWK 600R - Health, Equity Social Justice ( on-campus , 5-day, intensive Summer Institute course in August at the beginning of the program. The on-campus course will be preceded by preparatory learning activities and an assignment, and followed by activities that will wrap up the course learning.)
• SWK 601R - Health Policy
• SWK 602R - Social Work Practice in Health
• SWK 603R - Social Work Leadership in Health Care (on-line, 3-week-long Summer Institute course, with daily synchronous learning periods during the middle week, 1-21 August at the end of the program)
• SWK 606R - Advanced Social Work Research
• SWK 608R- Health Issues and Ethics

Elective Courses (2 only)

• SWK 609R - Clinical Practice in Mental Health Addictions*
• SWK 610R - Substance Abuse and Chemical Dependency* (not offered in 2023-2024)
• SWK 651R - Relational Practice with Families in Oncology 
• SWK 653R - Grief and Palliative Care in Social Work
• SWK 654R - Indigenous Health and Social Justice
• SWK 680R - Critical Topics in Social Work and Health

* Anti-requisites. You may take SWK 609R or SWK 610R. 

When will I take each course? For detailed program schedules:

• MSW Full-time program schedule
• MSW Part-time program schedul e

Field Placements

Field education (i.e. the practicum) is the key method of instruction and learning through which Social Work prepares you to become a practitioner, and is often considered the 'heart' of social work education. The practicum is intended to provide you with opportunities to integrate knowledge into your practice, and develop competence through a supervised social work experience related to your learning goals. Field education is comprised of two milestone requirements, the Practicum and the Integration Seminar.

The location of the placement is determined through consultation and agreement among you, the MSW Team Lead of the School of Social Work, and the practicum agency/organization. All placements must be located in Canada.

More details about MSW field education

Admissions Requirements

Full MSW admissions criteria

Are you a French Canadian Citizen?

Canadian citizens with qualifications from French-speaking universities in Canada are not required to submit an English Language Proficiency (ELP) certificate. However, we are an English speaking institution and as such you need to ensure that your English speaking/comprehension skills are at a level that you would succeed in our program.

Did you complete your BSW degree outside of Canada?

International applicants, and applicants educated outside of Canada, are eligible to apply to the MSW program.

Further details .

“I really liked the MSW’s focus on the social determinants of health. I am able to see policies through multiple lenses – we can structure policies around those social determinants and really make a positive impact on our community. I’ve learned how to mobilize resources from different sources to best support the people I am working with.” Msenwa Oliver Mweneake, MSW graduate

How to Apply

The application process for the MSW program includes two steps:

Please note:  During the admission process you may be called for an interview.

For full details on how to apply, please see the MSW How to Apply page .

Career Options

Your MSW degree will lay the foundation for leadership in a range of settings related to health, including:

• public health and health promotion programs
• primary care and long-term care
• health-related governmental agencies
• community-based health services
• health advocacy groups.

Practicing in this field involves working with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations on issues such as health disparities and inequities, health promotion and education, treatment and rehabilitation, building community partners and social support, and/or health reform promotion.

Further Education

Graduates from the MSW program often pursue a PhD in Social Work as well as Public Health, Health Systems, and Social Justice Education, among other doctoral degrees.

Common Questions

1. What are the tuition fees for the Master of Social Work Program?

• Please find information about the tuition fees (charged per term, not per course), on the:  Graduate Finance Fees web page
• (Search by: term - home/international - Online Professional Graduate Programs - Master of Social Work)

2. What funding is available for MSW students?

If you are accepted into the MSW program, you are not guaranteed funding. We encourage you to investigate the possibility of scholarships, bursaries, or other awards for which you may be eligible at your home institution/organization or the appropriate government office.

Funding opportunities

3. What is the deadline for applications?

• Applications open every fall for admission to the MSW program. Full details . 

For more, visit Frequently Asked Questions

Stay social. Stay connected.

Be sure to follow  @renisoncollege  to stay connected to our community.

Want to learn more about Renison's School of Social Work or the Masters of Social Work? 

Hi there! Im Keri, the Administration and Student Services Manager at the School of Social Work. I can help answer your questions about the Master of Social Work.

You can reach me through:

• Email: [email protected]
• Call: 519-884-4404 x28698

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Welcome to the Master of Social Work for Working Professionals

Welcome to the online master of social work for working professionals.

The mission of the Online Master of Social Work for Working Professionals is to promote social justice through quality professional education, advocacy, community partnerships, and the development and dissemination of knowledge through enquiry. Our goal is to provide students the opportunity to enjoy a fulfilling educational experience where they will embrace a leadership role in social work education and research becoming the social work leaders of tomorrow. 

Please note MSWwp Students are ineligible to receive a GA position as this is a professional weekend program and students are working professionals.

Information for International Students:

Applicants applying to the MSWwp Program will require proof of Canadian Citizenship or permanent residency as defined by the Immigration Act (Canada), or of eligibility for employment in Canada. 

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27 Universities offering Social Work Online/Distance Courses in Canada

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Are you looking for Social Work courses? Here you can find course providers offering full-time, part-time, online or distance learning options. Choose the right institution in Canada for you or alternatively, try using our course matcher tool to identify the best institution for your study criteria.

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University of Northern British Columbia

Search unbc, social work, master of social work (msw).

The Master of Social Work program is available on a full or part-time basis and may be completed through a thesis or a practicum route. The MSW builds on the BSW by offering students an integrated research, policy, practice concentration in one of the key thematic areas: social work in northern and remote areas, Indigenous Peoples, women and the human services, and community practice and research. The aim of the MSW is to provide students with advanced social work research, policy and practice skills. It is designed to enable students to pursue independent studies that will help them undertake a variety of responsibilities in management, policy formulation, program consultation, planning, advanced social work, clinical practice, and research within the human services.

Admission Requirements

Accreditation

The MSW program at UNBC is fully accredited and was granted the maximum eight-year re-accreditation by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE), in June 2018. CASWE is a voluntary, national, non-profit association of university faculties, schools or departments that offer professional education in social work at the undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate levels.

Entry Routes

There are two entry routes into the MSW at UNBC:

• MSW: Entry from a CASWE-accredited BSW leads into the Advanced Year of the MSW Program.
• MSW Foundation Year: Entry from a Bachelor degree in a related area and two years (24 months full-time equivalent) human service experience. Entry at this level begins with an MSW Foundation Year of studies.

Brochures and Handbook

• MSW Brochure 2023-2024
• MSW Student Handbook 2023-2024

Social Work (MSW)

Engage in personal and community change

Working holistically while recognizing and advancing human rights, you will have the opportunity to respond to those in need in order to promote social change and justice.

Build on your knowledge and experience in direct or indirect social work practice and social welfare analysis, reflecting the interests, resources, population, and social conditions of Northern Ontario.

Complete the program with a combination of coursework and a 450-hour placement or a thesis project. Benefit from an academically challenging environment, small class sizes, and wonderful opportunities to work closely with faculty members and peers.

Key Features

Career opportunities.

What do Social Workers do?

Work in schools, hospitals, mental health agencies, with children and youth, in addiction treatment, crisis intervention, and violence against women programs, and in the areas of community development, social policy, corrections, disability services, and gerontology.

Graduates can rest assured knowing there is a multitude of career options they can explore post-graduation. Many of these careers can be found in the public and private sector.

Nicole Falldien

I highly recommend the MSW program at Laurentian University! The unique and flexible course schedule not only allowed me to continue to work in the field, but also allowed me to live outside of the Sudbury, Ontario area. I believe that Laurentian’s program structure, involving rich and diverse courses through in-class experiences, provided me an advantage over other programs offered solely online. I was able to network and learn from my peers during critical discussions in a way not possible in online settings. The MSW program at Laurentian has strengthened my overall foundation and prepared me for advanced practice in Northern and rural communities.

Does this program interest you?

Take an in-depth look at program details, courses, and degree options!

Faculty Members

Adjunct Professors:

Steven Kusan, MSW, PhD. Private Practitioner. 

Suzanne Lemieux, PhD. Manager, Research, Evaluation, and Knowledge Exchange, SDHU. 

Robert Louis, MSW, PhD. Sessional, Laurentian University

Regular Sessional Instructors:

Bauer, Jane. MSW.

Beaudreau, Francine, M.S.W.

Campeau, France Anik, M.S.S.

Graziani, Sylvie, M.S.W.

Jago, Mary, M.S.W.

Jones, Louise, M.S.W.

Julien, Brigitte, M.S.S.

Lacelle, Suzanne, M.S.S.

Lamontagne, Claudette, M.S.S.

Larouche-Robinson, Brenda, M.S.W.

Lepage, Suzanne, MSW, RSW.

Louis, Robert, PhD

Mallet, Renée, M.S.S.

Manitowabi, Marcia, M.S.W

Marcoci, Gabriela, PhD.

Michaud, Annie, M.S.S.

Parnell, Alison, M.S.W.

Prévost, Colette, M.S.W.

St-Denis, Karine, PhD.

Sullivan, Christopher, M.S.W.

Van Houtte, Elizabeth, PhD.

Myriam Bals

Elizabeth Carlson-Manathara

Diana Coholic

Isabelle Côté

Marie-luce garceau.

Carol Kauppi

Leigh macewan, dominique mercure, stéphane richard, sylvie rivard.

Tanya Shute

Frantz Simeon

Sara Torres

Lea Tufford

Related programs.

The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. More

University of Manitoba

University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2

Social Work (MSW)

Students in the Master of Social Work program acquire the knowledge, skills and values to move beyond a generalist approach to social work into advanced innovative practice within a specialized area defined by population, issue, or type of practice that incorporates principles of respect for diversity, social inclusion and social justice.

Program details

Admission requirements.

• Faculty of Social Work • Faculty of Graduate Studies

• Master of Social Work

Expected duration

Earn your msw.

The MSW will help you develop the capacity to critically reflect on values, theory, research and existing practice approaches in a chosen area of specialization.

You will have the opportunity to master theories, research, policies and practices appropriate to advanced study, including the critical analysis of the social construction of theory and practices that may reflect injustices.

Design your own program

The MSW program offers you greater flexibility in designing a program that meets your learning objectives. You have the opportunity to meet degree requirements through a thesis or coursework option.

Unlearn biases

The MSW program will help you respond to the needs and characteristics of the various clienteles served by social workers that include ethnic, cultural, racial, sexual and gender diversity.

You will have the opportunity to develop a practice that critically reflects on “professional expert” power, white privilege, social workers' own social locations, the ways that societal oppression manifest in everyday practices, practice settings, policies, research and how these impact clients and social workers.

Challenge oppression

Develop the ability to understand, apply, and critique, social work values, ethics and practice in order to make professional judgments consistent with a commitment to promote equity and the elimination of oppressive social conditions.

Develop transferable analysis and practice skills that are aware of the origins and manifestations of social injustices and the multiple and intersecting bases of oppression, domination and exploitation.

Fully accredited

The MSW program structure includes both common core and specialized courses in compliance with the standards of our accreditation body, The Canadian Association for Social Work Education. The program structure ensures that students have knowledge and skills required to meet accreditation standards while continuing to allow for specialization.

The Master of Social Work degree is fully accredited and recognized internationally as both a professional and academic qualification.

Expected duration:  2-4 years

The MSW program provides two entry routes:

• Foundation level  for students who have completed a four-year undergraduate degree, but do not have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from an accredited program or its equivalent;
• Advanced level  for students with a BSW degree from an accredited program.

If you have a BSW then you go into year 2 advanced level and if you do not have a BSW you will have to take year 1 foundation level. 

Year 1 foundation level

Students who have completed a four-year undergraduate degree, but do not have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from an accredited program or its equivalent, will be offered admission into the first and foundation year of the MSW program. This first year will be 24 credit hours of foundation level courses and six credit hours of field work.

All courses and the field component of the foundation year must be completed before students register into the year two advanced level courses. In order to complete and receive the MSW degree, students admitted into the Foundation MSW program must complete both the year one foundation level and the year two advanced level courses of the MSW Program. The program requires at least one year to complete the foundation level courses and at least another 12-18 months of full-time study for the advanced level courses of the MSW Program. Once students are ready to progress into the Advanced Level of the MSW program, they choose either the course-based or thesis option.

Sample foundational level course offerings:

• SWRK 7002: Foundation in Social Work Practice and the Profession
• SWRK 4050: Contemporary Canadian Social Welfare
• SWRK 4220: Social Work and Aboriginal People
• SWRK 4200 Field Focus of Social Work Practice
• SWRK 6020: Social Work Practice Seminar Course
• SWRK 6050: Advanced Field Practice

For full course descriptions, please visit the  Academic Calendar .

Year 2 advanced level

Students with a BSW degree from an accredited program will be admitted directly into the second and advanced year of the MSW program. The program requires at least 12-18 months of full-time study (students who choose the thesis option may require more time depending on the nature of their research)

The second year and advanced level courses includes required and specialized courses. The program offers students flexibility in designing a program that meets their learning objectives. The credit hour requirement is 27 credit hours in the course-based option and 24 credit hours in the thesis option. All students must complete four required courses (12 credit hours), 9 credit hours of specialized courses from within Social Work, and an additional 3 credit hours of electives, which may be taken within Social Work or other departments.

Students may take the MSW program on a full-time or part-time basis. There is a four-year time limit to complete the MSW program on a full-time basis and up to a six-year time limit to complete the MSW program on a part-time basis.

Tuition and fees:  

Full-time students - Program fee assessed in term 1 and 2 of year 1, and then continuing fees in term 3 until the student completes the program.

Part-time students - Program fee assessed at 50% in year 1 and year 2 (terms 1 and 2, and 4 and 5), and then continuing fees in term 3 until the student completes the program.

For more information, please refer to  Graduate tuition and fees .

Students choose either the course-based option or the thesis option.

• Course-based option:  27 credit hours, which includes SWRK 7180: Advance Field Practice 450 hours of advanced field practice experience (0 credit hours) and SWRK 7190: Integrating Theory and Research in Advanced Field Practice (3 credit hours).
• Thesis option:  24 credit hours, including GRAD 7000 Master's Thesis (0 credit hours) in addition to the mandatory Master of Social Work courses.

Sample course offerings

• SWRK 7600: Critical Perspectives and Social Work (3 credit hours) 
• SWRK 7620: Paradigms, Methodologies and Methods for Social Work Research (3 credit hours) 
• SWRK 6010: Data Analysis for Social Work Research (3 credit hours) 
• SWRK 6070: Qualitative Research in Social Work (3 credit hours) 
• SWRK 7300: Clinical Evaluation of Social Work Interventions (3 credit hours) 
• SWRK 7440: Policy Analysis in Social Work Practice (3 credit hours) 
• SWRK 7630: Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (3 credit hours) 
• SWRK 7660: Social Work Perspectives on Practice with Networks, Neighbourhoods, and Communities (3 credit hours) 
• SWRK 7670: Community Mobilization: Application of Concepts in Social Work Practice with Groups, Networks, and Communities (3 credit hours) 
• SWRK 7690: Leadership, Strategic Program Planning, and Financial Management in Social Service Organizations (3 credit hours) 

This program is only available through in-person instruction. We do not offer graduate programs through distance delivery or online learning.

Our commitment to educational equity

Every effort is made to ensure that people from marginalized groups have access to the Master of Social Work program. Our Educational Equity Initiative aims to correct the conditions of disadvantage in professional education experienced by Indigenous peoples in Canada, persons with disabilities, immigrants and permanent residents to Canada, 2SLGBTQ+ people, refugees and persons who are members of racialized groups in Canada.

Flexible program options

• Full Time: take up to four years to complete the program
• Part Time: take up to six years to complete the program

Occasional student in Social Work

An occasional student is a student choosing to take graduate courses with no intention of proceeding towards an advanced degree at the University of Manitoba at the present time. Occasional student status is not advised for international students due to study permit limitations.

For more information on occasional student in the Faculty of Social Work, please contact Karen Singleton, Graduate Student Advisor, at [email protected] .

General information about occasional student status and the on-line application is available on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.

To qualify for admission to the Master of Social Work program, you must have a minimum of:

• A Bachelor of Social Work degree or other 4-year undergraduate degree (by June 30 of the application year) from an accredited university recognized by the University of Manitoba,
• With a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B) in the last 60 credit hours of university study.

If you have taken courses subsequent to the degree as a Special Student and/or Occasional Student and/or in a subsequent degree or a Pre-Master program, they will be calculated into the GPA as part of the last 60 credit hours.

Applicants who self-identify as members of one or more of the Educational Equity priority groups and who possess a GPA between 2.5 and 2.99 will be reviewed for special consideration. Applicants with adjusted GPAs below 2.5 will not be considered.

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Admission into the MSW programs are highly competitive.

In addition to the admission requirements described here, all applicants must meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies .

How to apply

The MSW program has only one application deadline per year, and applications are accepted for September entry only. Applications must be completed online and include several parts:

• $100 application fee (non-refundable)
• Unofficial copies of transcripts
• Two letters of recommendation (must be requested from within the application)
• Paid and volunteer work history (must be completed within application)
• Area of specialization statement (must be completed within application)
• Proof of English language proficiency , if required

Please read the  Faculty of Graduate Studies online application instructions  before beginning your application.

Application deadline

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Architecture reviews applications in March.

Applications open up to 18 months prior to start term.

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated.

Start or continue your application

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for City Planning reviews applications in March.

Winter applications are accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Design and Planning reviews applications in March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Interior Design reviews applications in March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Landscape Architecture reviews applications in March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Anthropology reviews applications in March/April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . Please contact the department for admission committee review timelines.

Applications open September 1 of year prior to start term.

Application deadlines

Applications open   up to 18 months prior  to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for History reviews applications in February.

Applications are reviewed on a  rolling basis .

Applications open July 1 of year prior to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a  Committee basis . The Committee for German and Slavic Studies reviews applications in February/March.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis .

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Management reviews applications in February / March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Physical Therapy reviews applications in April / May.

Applications open  August 1 of the year prior to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . Please contact the department for admission committee review timelines.

Program currently undergoing review, applications will not be opening at this time.

Select Preventive Dental Science in the Program drop-down on the application form.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Educational Administration, Foundations and Psychology reviews applications in March / April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Education reviews applications in February / March.

Applications are reviewed after the deadline, with decisions issued in March - April.

Currently not accepting applications to this program.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . Please contact the department for admission committee review timelines.

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated. Applications received by the March 1 deadline for a September start-date will receive first consideration for any available funding. Late applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis for any available funding, please contact the department for further information.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Human Rights reviews applications in January - March.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Law reviews applications in January - March.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Nursing (MN) reviews applications in April / May.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Nursing PhD reviews applications in February / March.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee reviews applications as per the timelines noted below each table.

Winter applications reviewed in October Summer applications reviewed in February Fall applications reviewed in June

Winter applications reviewed in June Summer applications reviewed in October Fall applications reviewed in February

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated. This includes having the support of a faculty supervisor before you apply.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Natural Resources Management reviews applications in March - June.

After the annual application deadline (see below), applications are reviewed on a committee basis by the Faculty of Social Work internal admissions committee. Once this process is complete, decisions are sent to all applicants in March / April. 

Applications open  July 1 of year prior to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Social Work reviews applications in March / April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Music reviews Fall term application in December / January, and Winter term applications in July.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Occupational Therapy reviews applications in May / June.

Master of Occupational Therapy regular program  applications open September 15 of the year prior to deadline .

Master of Occupational Therapy accelerated program  applications open October 1  of the year prior to deadline .

The name of your confirmed supervisor is required at the time of application. To identify a prospective thesis research supervisor on your application, please  contact Immunology Faculty members .

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Community Health Sciences reviews applications in March / April.

The name of your preferred supervisor is required at time of application.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . Students selected for in-person interview will be notified in February.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Physician Assistant Studies reviews applications in April.

Offers of admission will be released to successful applicants on May 20, 2022 from the University of Manitoba Master of Physician Assistant Studies, the same day as the University of Toronto BScPA Program and McMaster University Physician Assistant Education Program. The three institutions are pleased to provide applicants their offers on the same day to help with the decision-making process.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Pharmacology and Therapeutics reviews applications one month after the application deadline.

Applications for Pathology MSc are reviewed on a  rolling basis .

Applications for Pathologist Assistant are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Pathologist Assistant reviews applications in April / May. 

The Pathologist Assistant program only admits Canadian and US students every two years. The Fall 2023 intake has been suspended. The next intake is tentatively scheduled for Fall 2025.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Statistics reviews applications in March / April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Biological Sciences reviews applications one month after deadline.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Indigenous Studies reviews applications in February and June.

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated. For those who wish to be considered for scholarships, applications must be received by January 15 of the year in which you're seeking admission.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions Committee for Applied Human Nutrition reviews applications in February.

Les demandes d’admission sont évaluées par un comité . Le comité d’admission évalu les demandes durant les mois de Mars et Avril.  

Les demandes peut être surmise jusqu’à concurrence de 18 mois avant le début de premier trimestre.

Toute demande d’admission en ligne doit être déposée, avec documents à l’appui, au plus tard aux dates indiquées.

Soumettre ou continuer votre application

Financial aid and awards

Social Work students are eligible for faculty-specific as well as university-wide funding opportunities.

Learn about our social work researchers and find an advisor to help oversee your studies.

Tuition and fees

Learn about the tuition and fee requirements associated with graduate studies at UM.

Academic Calendar

Explore program requirements and detailed descriptions for required and elective courses throughout the MSW program.

Explore the Faculty of Social Work

We are working towards a world where there are no great inequalities of wealth or income, where economic and political power is more evenly distributed, where human need is the central value of distribution of society’s resources, where diversity of culture is celebrated, where people have greater control over their own lives and where all persons are afforded maximum opportunity to enrich their physical, spiritual, psychological and intellectual well-being.

• Faculty of Social Work student experience
• Faculty of Social Work community and partners
• Faculty of Social Work research
• Social work faculty and staff

Explore the Faculty of Graduate Studies

Discovery happens here. Join the graduate students and researchers who come here from every corner of the world. They are drawn to the University of Manitoba because it offers the opportunity to do transformational research.

• Funding, awards and financial aid
• Graduate student experience

Keep exploring

Discover more programs

With over 140 graduate programs across multiple faculties, schools and colleges, the University of Manitoba offers more learning, teaching and research opportunities than any other post-secondary institution in the province.

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
• Master of Social Work Based in Indigenous Knowledges (MSW)
• PhD in Social Work

Join the students and researchers who come here from every corner of the world.

What it's like to be a UM student

Be adventurous, challenge yourself and make a difference.

Opportunities for Indigenous students

Experience a world-class education in the heart of Canada.

Why international students study with us

We offer state of the art facilities with 140 years of history.

Our campuses

Admission and application inquiries.

Faculty of Graduate Studies Room 500 UMSU University Centre 65 Chancellors Circle University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus) Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

[email protected] Phone: 204-474-9377

Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Program inquiries

Faculty of Social Work Room 521 Tier Building 173 Dafoe Rd. W University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)   Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

[email protected] Phone:  204-474-7050 Fax:  204-474-7594

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Social Work (MSW)

The social work master’s degree from the University of Regina is accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE-ACFTS) . It is the only accredited Master of Social Work program in Saskatchewan.

U of R's social work master’s program underscores the relationships between many aspects of social work, including social research, direct social work practice, social policy development and social administration.

You build deeper understanding of social work through both opportunities for research and real-world practice.

As you get closer to graduation, Regina's Master of Social Work program flexes for your interests — letting you choose between completing a practicum or researching and writing a thesis:

Practicum (which is another word for internship) involves working in the field to demonstrate the integration of social work theory and practice. Completion options include a field practicum, a supervised practice experience, or a research practicum, which may include activities such as doing applied community-based research, program development and evaluation or policy analysis. Each practicum is a unique partnership between social workers in the field and faculty, built upon your learning goals.

Thesis topics vary widely based on your interests. The thesis is original research evaluated on the written content and orally defended before a thesis examination committee. With centralized institutional ethics approval in Saskatchewan, thesis research can have potential for impact in health systems.

No matter which program stream you choose for your Master of Social Work degree, you benefit from mentoring from faculty members. As an MSW student, you'll also have the opportunity to apply for a social work graduate teaching and research assistant positions. Many faculty members hold positions as research associates with our Social Work Research Centre [SWRC] and conduct research into child welfare, gerontology, immigration and settlement, harm reduction, 2SLGBTQ+ human rights, and other areas.

In addition, social work faculty members maintain close relationships with community-based, clinical, and policy organizations throughout Canada.

What is a Master of Social Work Degree?

A Master of Social Work degree gives you advanced knowledge of theory and practice methods in human service delivery, social policy analysis and social welfare research.

Quick Facts

Why study social work at the university of regina.

Simply put, the University of Regina's social work faculty dedicate themselves to your educational experience and professional success. They connect you with real-world social work opportunities to complete your practicum or thesis and broaden your career opportunities. Many of our Master of Social Work students register with the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers (SASW) after graduation and work in all areas of social work and human service.

Accreditation

The U of R's Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education and is the only accredited Master of Social Work program in Saskatchewan.

Practicum or thesis

Beyond your MSW courses, you get to choose between completing a thesis or a practicum. Both will give you the real-world experience you need to advance your social work knowledge, skills and career and have a positive impact in Saskatchewan communities and Canada at large.

Engaged professors

University of Regina's social work professors promote diversity, social justice and empowerment in our education, research and community involvement.

Close connections

U of R professors connect you to the research and organizations you need to complete your degree. You benefit from their close ties with volunteer agencies, government departments and national and international research groups — as well as the Faculty of Social Work’s own Social Work Research Centre [SWRC]).

Frequently Asked Questions

You must hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree.

Yes! Once you have been accepted as a fully-qualified graduate student with no conditions or holds on your admission, then you are eligible to apply for our scholarships, awards, or graduate teaching assistant positions.

Social Work Scholarships and Awards

• E.B. Elaine Meadows Memorial Bursary in Social Work
• John R. Kowalchuk Scholarship in Social Work
• The Faculty of Social Work Dr. Judy White Equity and Inclusion Award

Apply for these scholarships, and more, by visiting our Graduate Awards Portal (GAP), the U of R online graduate scholarship application system.

All Graduate Funding Opportunities

Visit our Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research website to learn about all graduate funding opportunities including:

• National Scholarships (including Tri Council funding)
• Awards to Study Abroad
• FGSR Funding/Special Awards
• Funding for Indigenous Students
• Funding for International Students
• Other Awards and Scholarships
• External Scholarship Opportunities
• External Student and Faculty Awards

Examples of past master of social work degree theses and practicum reports  include:

• Feminizing the Spectrum: Raising Awareness of Females with Autism Spectrum Disorder
• The Experiences of People with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder in Accessing Non-Psychiatric Health Care
• Building equitable, culturally safe & trauma-informed health care: mending a broken system
• Indigenous Adoptees' Experiences of Racism in Transracial Adoption in Saskatchewan
• Counselling in Child and Youth Mental Health
• Engaging Older Adults in Walk-in Counselling
• Providing for the Needs of Youth with Suicidal Behaviours in Governmental Care
• In the Words of Grandmothers: Stories from Indigenous Grandmothers about Their Experience Raising Their Grandchildren
• Reading Between the Lines: A Critical Examination of Social Work Education in Viêt Nam Through the Eyes of the Educators
• Phenomenological Exploration of Death Doulas in Saskatchewan
• Graduate Social Work Student Society
• Graduate Studies Committee Student Representative
• MSW Seminars
• Events organized by MSW Student Representatives
• Panel discussions and research training hosted by Social Work Research Centre [SWRC]

Social Work Master's Degree Concepts and Goals

U of R's social work master’s degree prepares you for wide-ranging social work practice with diverse populations.  Dive into topics like end-of-life, addiction and mental health and current Indigenous issues using qualitative and quantitative research methods. Explore the interrelationship between social work practice, social policy development and social administration.

The principles of Indigenization, sustainability and social justice inform each of the University of Regina's social work courses. This foundation of equity gives you the knowledge, skills and values required to confront inequalities and the ability to empower people to realize their full potential — no matter their past or current circumstances.

To integrate theory with practice, you'll have the option of completing a social work field practicum, research practicum or thesis. In addition, you will make strong connections within the profession with guidance from U of R's experienced professors.

You'll be prepared for advanced direct social work practice, such as providing clinical counselling in private, community and government agencies.

What Can You Do With a Social Work Master’s Degree?

Upon successfully completing your Master of Social Work degree, you will be prepared for the next step of your career. Our graduates have gone on to jobs such as these:

• Research and Consulting Services
• Program Evaluation
• Counselling
• Social Policy and Public Service
• Private Practice
• Human Service Administration
• Health Care

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