Yes, you can still apply to the MSW program. Those who have a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than social work apply to the 2-year MSW program. This means that those students complete a foundation year and practicum coursework (9 courses), and then proceed into their specialization year of the program (10 courses).
Yes, you can still apply to the Distance (Leadership in the Human Services Specialization) MSW program, however, you must first complete your foundation year on campus prior to taking the Distance specialization year classes.
We recognize BSW degrees from accredited schools across Canada and the United States. If you are applying for admission with a different undergraduate degree from another university, please contact the Faculty of Social Work so that we can best assess your preparation for admission to the University of Calgary.
Proficiency in the English Language is essential for the pursuit and successful completion of graduate programs at the University of Calgary. Prior to admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, an applicant whose primary language in not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways: 1) by writing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and obtaining a score of at least 550 (written); 2) by writing the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and obtaining a minimum score of 7.0; 3) by writing the Michigan English Language Battery test (MELAB) and obtaining a score of 83; 4) by successful completion of Level 3 of the English for Academic purposes (EAP) program. Please refer to the Faculty of Graduate Studies website for further information regarding these tests and programs: http://grad.ucalgary.ca/internationalrequirements
If English is not your official first language, then you must provide evidence of your English Language proficiency (as indicated above in the previous Question). Special exemptions can be made on a case-by-case basis by the Director of Graduate Student Affairs
Yes, you can still apply to the MSW program. However, you must include a Letter of Explanation accounting for your previous low GPA. Be aware that the MSW degree is a popular one, so applications are considered on a competitive basis.
Yes, this is advisable. We suggest that you take courses in areas that will help ground your social work practice such as courses in psychology, sociology, philosophy, women’s studies, communication, or public health. They can be undergraduate or graduate level courses. Make sure to check for necessary pre-requisites or other departmental conditions before you register. Please note that all such coursework completed in this fashion is considered “make up” work and cannot be used for advanced credit towards a graduate degree program. In addition, successful completion of “make up” coursework does not guarantee admission to a graduate program.
The purpose of writing an individual study plan in your application is to help faculty come to know you and your suitability for success in the program. Therefore, it is best to tell us why you want to pursue an MSW, how you are prepared to be successful in the program, and what areas of social work are of particular interest to you.
Yes, you may still apply to the MSW program even if you have not yet completed your undergraduate degree. Acceptance into the program in this circumstance would be conditional upon successful completion of the bachelor’s degree. However, all requirements for the undergraduate degree must be completed prior to the commencement of the MSW program itself.
No, students are required to submit an online application. For more information please refer to the MSW Applications page at:http://fsw.ucalgary.ca/Graduate/Admission
An appropriate letter of recommendation is one written by an individual who can provide an assessment of your background and capabilities with respect to the MSW program. Letters from friends, family members, colleagues, people who are currently registered in a graduate degree program, or general reference letters that are not written in support of your application to the particular graduate program are not acceptable.
The choice of a specialization should reflect your interests and aspirations for your career. The Clinical Social Work Specialization is for those who are interested in learning the variety of clinical skills needed for working therapeutically with individual clients, or client families or clients in a group format. The Leadership in Human Services Specialization is primarily for those who are interested in working in organizational and administrative positions. The International and Community Development Specialization is for those who aim to work in community and international contexts on the social problems that plague individuals, families, communities, and countries. If you aren’t sure about which specialization might fit best with your career aspirations, contact the Faculty of Social Work to discuss your options.
This choice should also reflect your future aspirations. We suggest the course-based route for those who are interested in working directly and face-to-face with people in need. The thesis-based route is intended for those who would prefer to conduct research and program evaluation in their careers.
The career settings and opportunities in Social Work are quite diverse. There are career positions for social workers in schools, in the prison system, in medical and primary health care centers, in counseling agencies, in children’s developmental programs, in homeless shelters, in child welfare, in transitional housing, in abuse programs, and elsewhere. There is even the potential to create your own position depending upon your area of interest, specialty, and background. Social Work is a profession that truly offers an amazing range of career options.
There are awards, scholarships, grants, studentships and assistantships available for graduate program students. Please refer to the Faculty of Graduate Studies website for further information on funding opportunities:http://grad.ucalgary.ca/awards
We highly recommend that students send all required documents including references, a study plan, resume, and transcripts together in a complete package. However, if your post-secondary institution is hesitant to send official transcripts to you directly, then the institution can send official transcripts directly to the Faculty.
You qualify for professional registration in Alberta once you have completed a social work degree or diploma. The Health Professions Act (HPA) requires anyone with a degree in social work, who is performing social work, to be registered with the ACSW. You can find an Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) Registration Application Package on the ACSW website at: http://www.acsw.ab.ca/become_a_registered_social_worker/registration_application_package
You would complete the application package and provide all the documents and fees required in order to receive your social work practice permit. Please see the ACSW web site, www.acsw.ab.ca, for additional information about ongoing registration requirements.
Unless you have previous training and knowledge in counseling, you would not be advised to work in a counselling position with an MSW degree in the Leadership in Human Services Specialization. A social worker should limit her or his practice to areas in which the social worker has gained competence through education, training or supervised experience. See the ACSW Standards of Practice for more information:
In Alberta, only social workers who have been approved for membership on the Clinical Specialty Registry may use the title "Clinical Social Worker", but this does not limit who may practice clinical social work. It is possible to apply for membership on the ACSW Clinical Specialty Registry with an MSW degree with a Leadership in the Human Services Specialization by demonstrating equivalence by a combination of degree programs and continuing education. This must include the equivalent of a graduate level clinical social work methods class. Separate from your MSW program, our Centre for Research and Professional Development offers a Clinical Social Work Foundations online course that is approved as the equivalent of that methods class. More information about the Clinical Registry application requirements can be obtained from the Alberta College of Social Workers.
If you will be engaged in research that involves human participants (i.e., interviews, focus groups, administering surveys) you must successfully complete the Tri-Council Policy Statement 2 Course on Research Ethics (CORE) and receive ethics approval from the University.
Once you have successfully completed the tutorial, prepare an ethics application using the form required by the University of Calgary Conjoint Faculties/Health Research Ethics Board (CFREB/CHREB).
The Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board (CFREB) covers researchers in Social Work. The ethics form and further information can be obtained from;http://www.ucalgary.ca/research/ethics/cfreb.
For those students whose study involves subjects recruited wholly or substantially through Alberta Health Services, you need to apply for ethics approval with the Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board CHREB. The application form and details can be obtained from: http://www.ucalgary.ca/research/ethics/chreb
There are two steps to the submission process. First, submit the completed ethics application to the Faculty of Social Work, SWERC committee for review. Email it to Darlene Murdoch at murdoch@ucalgary.ca and cc Dr. Christine Walsh, SWERC chair at cwalsh@ucalgary.ca. After it has been reviewed by a SWERC committee member you will be provided with feedback. Once you have made any required modifications you are then ready to submit it to the CFREB or CHREB.If you have any question as to whether or not your research requires ethics review or about the University review process, please contact an Ethics Resource Officer http://www.ucalgary.ca/research/contact.
