Master of Social Work

• Admission Requirements
• Program Requirements for the MSW Regular Track Program (Full-time)
• Program Requirements for the MSW Regular Track Program (Part-time online):
• Program Requirements for the MSW Advanced Standing Program (Full-time)
• Program Requirements for the MSW Advanced Standing Program (Part-time online)
• Program Requirements for the Combined MDiv/MSW Program
• Program Requirements for the MSW Advanced Standing Program (Indigenous field) (Full-time)
• Program Requirements for the MSW Advanced Standing Program (Indigenous field) (Part-time)
• Field Education
• Thesis Option

For the MSW Regular Track program and MSW-MDiv program, normally, a four year bachelor's degree, or equivalent, from a university or college of recognized standing is required. Applicants with a three year degree and significant relevant work experience will be considered. To be eligible for the advanced standing programs, applicants must hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree from an accredited program in a university of recognized standing.

Academic background must include at least four full social science courses and a half-credit course in research methodology.

For applicants who have already completed a bachelor's degree, at least a B (73-76 percent) standing in the final academic year is required. For students completing their final year of undergraduate study, the academic eligibility standard is the same but is determined on the basis of the last completed academic year.

Evidence of paid and/or voluntary experience in human service organizations, awareness of contemporary social issues and social work values, demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, and motivation for a career as a professional social worker is assessed on the basis of application material.

Although the Indigenous field of study is open to students of all cultural backgrounds, candidates for this field must also have some familiarity with the traditional holistic healing approach and/or have used it in their practice. This will be demonstrated through a personal statement, references and an admissions interview.

Additional courses required for admission to the MSW program that are completed after the requirements for the bachelor's degree have been met will be calculated into the final year GPA. To be considered for admission, the re-calculated GPA must be at least a B average.

Applicants who do not meet the above academic requirements and standards for admission may inquire about establishing academic eligibility. If applicants do not have a B standing in the final academic year, additional undergraduate coursework must be completed to raise the final year GPA to the minimum B requirement. Additional coursework must be completed in social sciences beyond the introductory level. Please contact the admissions coordinator for further details.

Exemptions

With the exception of field courses, course exemptions may be granted based on prior graduate level university courses up to a maximum of two half-credit core courses for the MSW Regular Track programs, and a maximum of one half-credit core courses for the Advanced Standing full-time and part-time programs. Additional requirements include:

• Consideration for exemptions is only given for similar graduate level courses completed within the last 5 years with a minimum final grade of B or higher.
• Consideration for exemptions is only given prior to admission to the program. Applicants must make the request  and submit all documentation with their application.
• Applicants must submit a full course syllabus for each course they would like considered with their application. Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a translated version.
• Initial recommendations regarding exemptions are made by the Associate Dean, MSW Programs and approved by the AVP/Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Substitutions

With the exception of field courses, course substitutions may be offered based on prior undergraduate level university courses up to a maximum of two courses for the MSW Regular Track programs. Additional requirements include:

• Substitution is only given for similar courses completed with a minimum final grade of B or higher. Courses may include undergraduate level courses or may include graduate level courses taken more than 5 years ago.
• Students must provide a course syllabus for each course they would like considered for a substitution. Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a translated version.
• Initial recommendations regarding substitutions are made by the Associate Dean, MSW Programs and approved by the AVP/Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Exemptions and Substitutions for MSW Field Courses

Exemptions and/or substitutions for field placement hours/courses may be considered for students who can demonstrate successful completion of an MSW field course from a social work program accredited by Canadian Association of Social Work Education (CASWE).

The process for requesting a field exemption/substitution includes the following requirements: submitting a transcript that indicates successful completion of the MSW field course, submission of all placement evaluations, and confirmation of hours from the assigned MSW field instructor and/or field coordinator.

Exemptions and/or substitutions for field placement hours/courses completed within any other graduate program, or undergraduate program (including undergraduate programs accredited by CASWE) cannot be considered. Exemptions and/or substitutions that cannot be considered include: prior service, professional experience, volunteer experience, and hours completed within qualifying years of accredited programs. 

This MSW program consists of five terms taken over two academic years (fall, winter and spring terms in the first year and fall and winter terms in the second year). Students normally begin and complete the program with their cohort and must be registered in consecutive terms until completion of the degree. Within the two years, non-thesis students ordinarily will take a minimum of 15 courses and a minimum of 950 practice hours of field education in two different settings.  Thesis students ordinarily will take a minimum of 12 courses and complete a minimum of 850 practice hours within the duration and setting required of the MSW field education program.

Requirements of the field education course include attendance in preparatory workshops, field mentorship orientation, and field related activities facilitated by the MSW field education office. Students also complete the requirements of SK599 - Field Education Orientation during the first term of their foundational placement. Students cannot complete requirements for SK599 - Field Education Orientation before the foundational field education course starts or after it ends.

Students admitted to the full-time on-campus program normally are expected to complete the program as full-time students taking on-campus courses. Students are permitted to change their registration status from full-time to part-time if their circumstances change, however, students completing a field placement more than two days per week must remain registered as a full-time student. On-Campus part-time students are restricted to two courses per term or two courses plus placement where placement is only 2 days per week.

MSW Regular Track Program

Foundational Year 

Students are required to take the 5 foundational integrative courses prior to their foundational field education course (SK541 - Foundational Field Education):

SK501 - Approaches to Community Organizing and Group Practices
SK504 - Research 1
SK507 - Social Justice and Transformative Social Work Practices
SK522 - Social Work Practice with Individuals
SK545 - Introduction to Ethical Thought and Reflexive Practice

Students are also required to complete the following courses:

SK536 - Integrating Theory and Practice (taken with SK541 - Foundational Field Education)
SK599 - Field Education Orientation
SK665 - Relational Accountability: Transforming Social Work with Indigenous Peoples
And one of SK641 - Critical Social Policy and Activism or SK681 - The Political and Organizational Contexts of Social Work Practice_ 

One foundational elective (normally selected from these offerings):

SK509 - Social Work Practice with Groups
SK552 - Social Work Practice with Families
SK592 - Transnational Social Work Practice

Students are required to take SK541 - Foundational Field Education.

Advanced Study Year

Students are required to take:  

SK615 - Research 2
SK649 - Advanced Field Education, starting in September and ending in April

Choose 1 of the following:
SK651 - Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals
SK690 - Inequality, Poverty and Income Support

Plus 2 advanced electives**

**The advanced electives can be chosen from the foundational or advanced elective courses. 

Thesis option students are exempt from three courses: the foundational elective and two advanced electives, and 100 hours from the Advanced Field Education course.

The International Social Work Program (ISWP) leads to the Type 2 Graduate Diploma in International Social Work. This program combines courses and a research paper with an advanced international placement. Students interested in ISWP apply during the first term of their MSW program. A total of six courses are required for successful completion of the program, taken during terms 3, 4 and 5.

SK630° - International Placement Orientation: Introduction to the Culture, History and Traditions of Your Host Country is taken in spring term. 
SK596 - International Social Work Research is also taken in spring term as an equivalent to SK615 - Research 2.
SK622 - Personal and Professional Identity: Reflexivity and Growth in International Context is taken over two terms (fall and winter) instead of SK621 - Reflexive Practices or SK508 - Reflexive Group and Community Practice.

During fall term, students complete an international placement and must take SK650* - Advanced International Field Education instead of SK649 - Advanced Field Education. During the international placement, students also complete SK597°.
In the winter term, students will take SK592 - Transnational Social Work Practice as their foundational elective. 

The curricular requirements and course content are similar to those in the Regular Track full-time program. The difference is that students complete degree requirements over 8 academic terms.  Students normally begin and complete the program with their cohort and must be registered in consecutive terms until completion of the degree. Students complete a minimum of 15 courses, a program milestone, and a minimum of 950 practice hours within an approved setting and duration required of the MSW field education program.

Students complete a maximum of two courses, or 1.0 credits, as scheduled in each of the eight terms. An exception may be made if students are still required to register in field placement, SK600 - Field Education. 

Students are expected to complete the program under the format to which they were admitted. The online program was approved as part-time only and it is not possible to complete the program on a full-time basis. Under extenuating or exceptional circumstances, students may petition to move to full-time, on-campus status. Note should be taken that the remaining program requirements may not fit well into the full-time class schedule and students should inquire about their specific situation prior to petitioning.

Students in the part-time program have the flexibility to attend placement at a minimum rate of 16 hours/week over a two-day period, 21 hours/week (3 days/week), 28 hours (4 days/week), and 35 hours/week (5 days/week). Students propose placement agencies that can accommodate their preferred placement schedule and provide the required field supervision. Requirements of the field education course include completion of SK598 - Field Preparation Seminar, attendance in preparatory workshops, field mentorship orientation, and field related activities facilitated by the MSW field education office. Students also complete SK599 - Field Education Orientation in the first term of their placement. 

Students complete both SK598 - Field Preparation Seminar and SK599 - Field Education Orientation during the term identified for their program's sequence at the time of admission. SK598 - Field Preparation Seminar must be completed before the field education course can commence.

Students enroll in SK599 - Field Education Orientation in the first term of their placement and the course has to coincide with the start of the placement. Students cannot complete SK599 - Field Education Orientation before the field education course starts or after it ends. 

Students are required to take the 5 foundational integrative courses prior to their field education course (SK600 - Field Education): 

SK501 - Approaches to Community Organizing and Group Practices
SK504 - Research 1
SK507 - Social Justice and Transformative Social Work Practices
SK522 - Social Work Practice with Individuals
SK545 - Introduction to Ethical Thought and Reflexive Practice

Students are required to complete each of the following courses:

SK536 - Integrating Theory and Practice, which is taken with SK600 - Field Education
SK598 - Field Preparation Seminar
SK599 - Field Education Orientation
SK600 - Field Education
SK665 - Relational Accountability: Transforming Social Work with Indigenous Peoples
One of SK641 - Critical Social Policy and Activism or SK681 - The Political and Organizational Contexts of Social Work Practice

Foundational Elective:
One of SK509 - Social Work Practice with Groups or SK552 - Social Work Practice with Families

Advanced Study Year

SK615 - Research 2
SK621 - Reflexive Practices
One of SK651 - Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals or SK690 - Inequality, Poverty and Income Support
2 advanced electives

Required Courses

SK504 - Research 1
SK599 - Field Education Orientation
SK615 - Research 2 
SK665 - Relational Accountability: Transforming Social Work with Indigenous Peoples
SK649 - Advanced Field Education

Choose 1 of the following: (depending on micro/macro nature of placement)
SK508 - Reflexive Group and Community Practice 
SK621 - Reflexive Practices

Choose 1 of the following:
SK651 - Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals
SK690 - Inequality, Poverty and Income Support

Plus 4 advanced electives**

**The advanced electives can be chosen from the foundational or advanced elective courses.

Required Courses 

The MDiv - MSW program is offered jointly by Martin Luther University College (Luther) and the Faculty of Social Work. It integrates the curricula of both degrees into four years of study. This program is particularly valuable for those who are interested in positions of leadership in the social services of the church and the community at large.

Such positions would include special ministries in a hospital, prison, leisure or counselling centre setting, placements in social work agencies that work closely with the church, and occupations in groups that are involved in broad-based programs of leadership development and community renewal. Because the completion of the joint program results in the receipt of both the MDiv and the MSW degrees, persons graduating from the joint program are also qualified to apply for other positions within the fields of social work and church ministry.

The combined MDiv - MSW program normally involves two years of registration in Luther and two years of registration in the Faculty of Social Work. Students pay fees and are only eligible for scholarships, bursaries and awards applicable to the program in which they are registered.

There are a limited number of positions in the joint MDiv - MSW program. Normally no more than six students are admitted to the program in any particular year. Therefore, it is desirable to apply for admission to this joint program at the earliest possible date.

At the beginning of each academic year, students in the combined degree programs must meet with both the MSW Coordinator and the dean of Luther to plan their course schedule for the coming year.

For further information, refer to Program Requirements-The MDiv - MSW Program or write to the dean of Luther or the admissions coordinator in the Faculty of Social Work.

Students register and complete their eight courses and 29 weeks of practicum in three academic terms (fall, winter and spring terms, September to June).

Courses

SK507 - Social Justice and Transformative Social Work Practices
SK628 - Cultural Camp
SK635 - Indigenous Knowledges and Theory
SK644 - Indigenous Kinship Structures and Social Work Practice
SK645 - Indigenous Research Methods
SK646 - Wholistic Healing Practices
SK647 - Elders' Teaching and Indigenous Identity
SK648 - Elders' Teaching and Self-Reflection 

Course Schedule

Term 1	SK628 - Cultural Camp SK644 - Indigenous Kinship Structures and Social Work Practice SK645 - Indigenous Research Methods SK646 - Wholistic Healing Practices
Term 2	SK507 - Social Justice and Transformative Social Work Practices SK647 - Elders' Teaching and Indigenous Identity SK649 - Advanced Field Education
Term 3	SK635 - Indigenous Knowledges and Theory SK648 - Elders' Teaching and Self-Reflection SK649 - Advanced Field Education

The curricular requirements and course content are identical to those in the Indigenous field full-time MSW program. Students who complete the MSW degree requirements on a part-time basis register and complete their eight courses and 29 weeks of practicum in six academic terms (fall, winter, and spring terms, September to June, in two consecutive years).

Course Schedule

Term 1	SK628 - Cultural Camp SK647 - Elders' Teaching and Indigenous Identity
Term 2	SK646 - Wholistic Healing Practices SK649 - Advanced Field Education
Term 3	SK635 - Indigenous Knowledges and Theory SK649 - Advanced Field Education
Term 4	SK507 - Social Justice and Transformative Social Work Practices SK644 - Indigenous Kinship Structures and Social Work Practice
Term 5	SK645 - Indigenous Research Methods
Term 6	SK648 - Elders' Teaching and Self-Reflection

Students completing the full-time MSW Regular Track on-campus program complete two field courses: a foundational course (450 placement hours) and an advanced field education course (500 hours). 

Students in the online part-time MSW Regular Track program complete one field course (950 hours). Students in the advanced standing full-time on-campus or part-time online program complete an Advanced placement only.

Foundational placements for full-time on-campus students take place over the winter and spring academic terms. All advanced placements for full-time on-campus students begin in the fall and are completed in two or three academic terms.

From time to time, the Field Education Office may offer additional placement timeframes.

Students completing a thesis in the MSW Regular Track full-time program are exempt from some placement hours during their advanced placement (see Program Requirements), although they may choose to complete the full placement. Students in the advanced standing full-time program completing a thesis are exempt from their advanced placement although they may choose to complete a full placement.

Most field education settings have requirements for vulnerable sector police record checks. Other settings may require immunization or other medical tests, advanced levels of police screening, training, etc. Agency requirements must be met prior to commencing the placement. Any cost associated with placement is the responsibility of the student.

Students completing the full-time MSW Regular Track on-campus program may pursue the International Social Work Program which offers a Diploma in International Social Work, and includes five courses as well as an advanced international field placement of 720 hours (see Program Requirements for details).

Further information can be found on the field education pages of the FSW website. 

The thesis option is open to all on-campus students except those in the Indigenous field of study; however, enrolment in the thesis option is contingent upon the student finding a faculty member who is willing to act as his/her thesis advisor. The Associate Dean may assist students in identifying potential thesis advisors. On-campus Regular Track program and advanced standing students must register in the thesis option by mid-way through their first term (see Program Requirements for course and practicum exemptions for the thesis option).

Guidelines for the preparation and submission of master's theses, as well as information regarding the oral examination of theses, are found under General Regulations in the Graduate Calendar.