Guide to Study MSW Course in Canada

The Masters of Social Work, or MSW, is an internationally-accredited course, including an advanced curriculum that prepares students to take up professional roles in social work. The MSW course in Canada is best-suited for those students who wish to extend direct service in the field of social work. 

This course also includes various specializations, which may differ based on the University applied for. The course duration may vary among universities, extending to one, two, or even three years, depending on specialization, entry route, etc. 

Some universities may even offer this course part-time or entirely online. Most universities’ curriculum also includes thesis work as part of the course. The course is designed to help students develop their capacity for critically analyzing values, research, theory, and practices of their respective areas of specialization. 

Over 15 Canadian universities offer the Masters of Social Work course. 

Top Universities Offering the Course Country-Wise 

The top MSW course in Canada universities include the following:

Eligibility for the Course 

In general, the MSW course in Canada eligibility requirements will include a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or its equivalent from a reputed university. In the case of a student with English as their second language, English proficiency may also be an MSW course in Canada requirement. 

This could be shown through a certificate proving that the student has attended their Bachelor’s from a university where the medium of instruction is primarily English. Applicants may also be required to pass examinations focused on English Language Proficiency (ELP). 

These include the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Training System (IELTS), the Pearson Test of English (PTE), the Canadian Academic English Language Test (CAEL), or the Academic Communication Certificate (ACC). The score or grade requirements may vary among universities. 

Specializations 

The specializations different Canadian universities offer for the social work courses in Canada may be different. They may at least have other names. Most MSW courses in Canada are divided into core and elective groups. Listed below are some of the top specializations a student can pursue –

• Community and International Development 
• Human Services Leadership Practices 
• Clinical Social Work Approach and Practice 
• Health and Social Care 
• Social and International Development 
• Child and Family 
• Mental Health and Addictions 
• Grief and Palliative Care Aspect of Social Work 
• Sexual Health and Counselling 
• Chemical Dependency and Substance Abuse 
• Interprofessional Psychological Oncology 
• Families in Oncology 

Average Fee Required for the Program 

The MSW course in Canada requirement for a fee will vary depending on the university. The table below lists the same for some of the top universities. 

Job Prospects 

Before taking an MSW course in Canada admission, consider the various areas in which you can build a career. The course is integral to many leadership positions within the industry. Working in this field requires interacting and collaborating with communities, families, individuals, and organizations on health disparities, inequities, education, and health promotion issues. 

Some of the top job prospects after completion of the MSW course in Canada include –

• Clinical social worker 
• Psychiatric social worker 
• Hospice or Hospital social worker 
• Addiction and substance abuse counselor 
• Justice and prison social worker 
• Gerontological social worker who works with the aged and elderly 
• Social justice advocates 
• Child welfare social worker 
• School or university social worker 

Study & Settle in Canada – Know where to start!

Expected Salary Remuneration 

Social work careers are among the most satisfying but also the most challenging out there. Given below are the average salary or remuneration packages for those working in this field of diverse job roles.