UofC

Master of Social Work (MSW) - thesis-based

Specializations:

• Clinical Social Work Practice (CSWP)
• International and Community Development (ICD)

The program is available for both BSW graduates and graduates from other disciplines. The thesis-based route may be appropriate for students who intend to proceed to doctoral studies and/or anticipate a career requiring advanced program evaluation or research skills. The program is available in Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge.

In Calgary, MSW thesis students are admitted annually and choose one of two Specializations: Clinical Social Work Practice or International and Community Development. BSW graduates are admitted directly into the two-year, full-time Clinical Social Work Practice (CSWP) and International and Community Development (ICD) specializations. Students without an undergraduate degree in social work are admitted to a three-year full-time CSWP and ICD programs.

In Edmonton, the Faculty of Social Work offers the Clinical Social Work Practice Specialization to MSW thesis students. Students with a BSW complete the Clinical Specialization program in three years. Students with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines complete the Foundation courses followed by the Clinical Specialization courses, requiring a total of five years of study. Admission occurs in odd-numbered years.

In Lethbridge, the Faculty of Social Work offers the Clinical Social Work Practice Specialization to MSW thesis students with a BSW. Students complete the program in three years. Admission occurs in odd-numbered years.

Program Delivery

In Edmonton, program delivery blends on-site and web-based formats. On-site courses are offered on Friday evenings and Saturdays, four times per term, and week-long intensives at the beginning of every fall term and some winter terms. Students may continue working while registered in the program but must ensure they are available for full-time, weekday practica when scheduled.

In Lethbridge, program delivery blends web-based and on-site formats, allowing students from across Canada to continue working while pursuing graduate education. Courses are scheduled on weekends, in week-long intensives and/or in online format.

Students are responsible for meeting the admission requirements as established by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements for Admission, the Faculty of Social Work requires the following:

a) In Calgary and Edmonton, a Bachelor of Social Work degree, or a four-year bachelor’s degree from another discipline. In Lethbridge, a Bachelor of Social Work degree.

b) A minimum GPA of 3.00 (on the University of Calgary four-point system). This is based on the last two-years of the undergraduate degree consisting of a minimum of 60 units (10 full-course equivalents).

c) The equivalent of two years of full-time paid or volunteer work in the human services field.

d) 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).

e) An additional statement providing a rationale for selecting the thesis route and a preliminary research proposal. Students considering applying to the thesis route are strongly encouraged to discuss this option with the Thesis Program Co-ordinator if applying to Calgary, the Associate Director, Academic if applying to Edmonton, or the MSW Coordinator if applying to Lethbridge, prior to completing the application process.

f) For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in English, a minimum TOEFL score of 580 (paper-based test) or 97 (Internet-based test); or IELTS score of 7.0; or MELAB score of 83; or Tier III of the International Foundations Program (werklund.ucalgary.ca/ifp) with a minimum grade of "B" on Academic Writing & Grammar III, "B" on Reading Comprehension & Proficiency III, and "B" on Listening Comprehension & Oral Fluency III.

g) Two reference letters.

Deadlines for submission of complete applications are available on the Future Students website: ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/explore-programs/social-work-master-social-work-thesis-based.

Request for advanced credit must be made as part of the application process. Credit will not be given for coursework taken as part of another completed degree/diploma or for courses taken to raise the grade point average for admission consideration. For all Faculty of Social Work graduate programs, advanced credit may be granted for not more than the equivalent of 9 units (1.5 full-course equivalents).

Advanced credit will not normally be granted for the Master of Social Work degree. Students who wish to explore the possibility of Advanced Credit should contact the Student Advisor in the program location to which they are applying (Calgary, Edmonton or Lethbridge).

For Students with a BSW:

Nine specialization courses (27 units or 4.5 full-course equivalents) and the MSW thesis. Courses include:

a) Five core courses (see specific courses listed by specialization, below).

b) Social Work 655: Thesis Research.

c) One option course (option course requirements and offerings vary by year, program and location).

d) Social Work 696 Advanced Practicum (525 hours; 6 units or 1.0 full-course equivalent)

e) Thesis

For students with a Bachelor degree in a discipline other than social work:

Nine foundation courses (27 units or 4.5 full-course equivalents), as follows. Foundation courses must be completed before students advance to specialization courses.

• 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 (426 hours)

Nine specialization courses (27 units or 4.5 full-course equivalents) and the MSW thesis.

Courses include:

a) Five core courses (see specific courses listed by Specialization, below).

b) Social Work 655: Thesis Research.

c) One option course (option course requirements and offerings vary by year, program and location).

d) Social Work 696: Advanced Practicum (525 hours; 6 units or 1.0 full-course equivalent).

Specialization Courses:

Clinical Social Work Practice Specialization (offered in Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge)

Required core courses: 

• Social Work 651 
• Social Work 653
• Social Work 657
• Social Work 659
• Social Work 697

International and Community Development Specialization (offered in Calgary only)

Required core and option courses:

• Social Work 671
• Social Work 673
• Social Work 675 OR SOWK 699.22
• Social Work 677
• Social Work 697
• Social Work 699.21

Please note that not all courses are offered every semester. Students should consult the timetables and program curriculum plans located on the web for sequence and availability of courses: fsw.ucalgary.ca.

Participation in Orientation Sessions held prior to the start of the Fall term is strongly recommended for incoming students.

Credit for undergraduate courses will not be awarded.

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

Expected completion time in Calgary is two 12-month years for a thesis-based MSW student with a BSW; three 12-month years for MSW student without a BSW.

Expected completion time in Edmonton is three 12-month years for a thesis-based MSW student with a BSW; five 12-month years for a thesis-based MSW student without a BSW.

MSW thesis students are initially assigned an interim supervisor. Before the end of April of the first year, each student must designate a faculty member as permanent supervisor.

Within the first two months of working together, MSW thesis students and their interim and/or permanent supervisors are required to complete and submit to Student Services in the Faculty of Social Work the signed Student-Supervisor Checklist. The Student-Supervisor Checklist becomes part of the student’s permanent record. If a change occurs in supervision, a new checklist must be completed, signed and submitted to Student Services within two months of the change.

MSW Thesis Examination

The final examination for the thesis-based MSW involves an oral defence of the thesis. The thesis examination is conducted by the student’s examining committee, which must be designated at least one month before the oral examination.

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations for Thesis Examinations, the program requires:

Composition of the Committee
The MSW examining committee includes the thesis supervisor, a faculty member from the Faculty of Social Work, an Internal Examiner, and a neutral chair. The Internal Examiner must be external to the Faculty of Social Work.

Calgary

Students should complete all coursework prior to having their proposal approved by their supervisor. Once coursework has been completed and the proposal approved, students can proceed with completing the Tri-Council's Course on Research Ethics (CORE) and apply for ethics certification. A copy of the proposal becomes part of the student’s record within the Faculty of Social Work.

Edmonton and Lethbridge

Normally, thesis-based MSW students in Edmonton and Lethbridge complete the Tri-Council's Course on Research Ethics (CORE) and apply for research ethics certification in the summer following their admission to the Clinical Specialization, after their thesis proposal has been approved by their supervisor. A copy of the proposal becomes part of the student’s record within the Faculty of Social Work.

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar, search the Graduate Awards Database, and consult with the Student Services Office in the Faculty of Social Work.

All students in the Faculty of Social Work are expected to be proficient in and have access to email, Internet searching, and word processing computer programs. Video-conferencing, web-based tools, discussion boards, and chat rooms may be used in addition to or in lieu of class time.

The Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Canadian Association of Social Work Education. Information on the Faculty of Social Work and its programs is available online at fsw.ucalgary.ca.