Master of Social Work
Prospective students, please click here.
Program Description
The MSW is a professional program that is designed for students who currently hold a BSW degree and wish to advance their theoretical understanding and practice skills with individuals, families and groups. Consequently, the curriculum is designed to build on the strong generalist foundation of the undergraduate program. The program broadens their understanding of social and personal problems through an examination of critical theories that detail the inequitable and harmful conditions which give rise to personal problems. Further, students deepen their understanding of intrapsychic and relational dynamics that are manifested in the lives of clients and in the clinical situation. The dynamic interplay between the individual and the social world is held central in understanding personal problems and intervention possibilities. A critical approach to clinical social work practice is fostered as students examine contemporary clinical theories and the empirical bodies of knowledge, which serve to inform practice. As well, the program provides students with an advanced understanding of research methodology as it pertains to evidence-based practice in clinical settings.
The MSW degree is offered by the College of Graduate studies in cooperation with the Faculty of Health Social Development, which actively encourages interprofessional learning, practice, and research as foundational principles. Accordingly, the MSW will also consist of elective courses from the interprofessional courses offered by the Faculty of Health and Social Development. Students will learn in an intimate student-centered environment that builds on their current professional achievements in the community. This program will advance best practice about the development, implementation, management, and sustainability of systems of community care.
Program Objectives
- To establish a distinct professional program of excellence that serves provincial, national and international students.
- To prepare students for advanced clinical social work practice.
- To significantly expand and deepen students’ knowledge of clinical social work practice.
- To integrate critical social work theory into clinical social work practice.
- To enhance clinical skills related to practice with individuals, families and groups.
- To develop research skills appropriate for research in clinical settings and to systematically integrate these findings to enhance effective practice.
- To advance students’ capacity to analyze personal problems from social and psychological perspectives.
- To advance students’ capacity for reflective ethical practice.
- To enhance critical awareness of the role of power, culture, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and ethnicity in clinical social work practice.
- To develop students’ leadership and supervisory knowledge and skills.
- To advance students’ capacity to understand interprofessional, community, and social policy perspectives as these impact clinical practice.
Program Requirements
Students admitted to the MSW program will take 33 credits.
Students have an option to complete a graduating paper/project (3 credits), a thesis (9 credits) or all courses. All students are required to complete a practicum of 450 hours (6 credits).
Students choosing the "Graduating Paper Option" are required to complete:
- HINT 501 Research and Evidence-Based Practice (3)
- SOCW 500 Foundations of Clinical Social Work Theory (3)
- SOCW 501 Foundations of Clinical Social Work Practice (3)
- SOCW 502 Clinical Social Work and Community Practice (3)
- SOCW 503 Clinical Practice and Social Policy (3)
- SOCW 504 Mental Health and Mental Illness (3)
- SOCW 505 Social Work Field Practice (6)
- SOCW 598 Graduating Paper (3)
- Plus two electives (6)
Students choosing the "Thesis Option" are required to complete:
- HINT 501 Research and Evidence-Based Practice (3)
- SOCW 500 Foundations of Clinical Social Work Theory (3)
- SOCW 501 Foundations of Clinical Social Work Practice (3)
- SOCW 504 Mental Health and Mental Illness (3)
- SOCW 505 Social Work Field Practice (6)
- One additional approved graduate level research course (3)
- SOCW 599 Thesis (9)
- One elective (3)
Students choosing the “Courses Only Option” are required to complete:
- HINT 501 Research and Evidence-Based Practice (3)
- SOCW 500 Foundations of Clinical Social Work Theory (3)
- SOCW 501 Foundations of Clinical Social Work Practice (3)
- SOCW 502 Clinical Social Work and Community Practice (3)
- SOCW 503 Clinical Practice and Social Policy (3)
- SOCW 504 Mental Health and Mental Illness (3)
- SOCW 505 Social Work Field Practice (6)
- Plus three electives (9)
Health - Interprofessional (HINT) Electives
Elective options within the Faculty of Health and Social Development include courses that encourage effective interprofessional collaboration and understanding among students of health and human service programs, and between the external community and the University. Please note that courses may not be offered each year. Check with the Faculty of Health and Social Development course schedule to determine specific courses offered in the current year.
- HINT 503 Psychosocial Oncology (3)
- HINT 506 Participatory Inquiry through Action Research (3)
- HINT 511 Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Health Research (3)
- HINT 512 Special Topics in Interprofessional Practice (3)
- HINT 521 Interprofessional Collaboration (3)
- HINT 522 Leadership in Human Service Organizations (3)
- HINT 523 Professional Ethics (3)
- HINT 524 Interprofessional Practice Issues in Healthy Aging (3)
- HINT 525 Disabilities Studies and Interprofessional Health Care (3)
- HINT 526 Global Health (3)
Social Work Electives
- SOCW 503 Clinical Practice and Social Policy (3)
- SOCW 520 Advanced Family Practice (3)
- SOCW 521 Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups (3)
- SOCW 522 Clinical Practice with Children and Adolescents (3)
- SOCW 531 Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive Clinical Practice (3)
- SOCW 540 Selected Topics in Social Work Practice (3)
- SOCW 541 Directed Studies in Social Work (3)
General Requirements
Criminal Record Checks
Prior to the start of classes, all admitted students must present a criminal record check completed by the Solicitor General of BC no more than three months prior to the start of term. Applicants and students who have a criminal record may have their offer of admission withdrawn or be required to withdraw from the program. Failure to submit the required documentation by the specified deadline may result in the withdrawal of an offer of admission.
Prior to participation in any community-based programming, all students must present either 1) a current criminal record check completed by the Solicitor General of BC no more than three months prior to the date of course initiation, or 2) a ‘Criminal Record Check Statutory Declaration’ confirming that no changes have occurred relative to the criminal record check on file with the Faculty.
Information regarding the applicaiton process for a criminal record check can be found here.
Last reviewed 
11/21/2011 11:35:23 AM
