Master of Social Work in Canada is a 1 to 3-year course that opens doors in several areas.
Students with a non-social work, Bachelor's degree, can also apply to some Canadian Universities for the MSW Program.
For example, the University of Calgary offers such courses, the criteria however is that students need to get enrolled in the 36-month program.
After completing this course, students can get jobs in areas such as-
- Hospitals/community health centres
- Mental health clinics, schools
- Non-profit/advocacy groups
- Government
- Social service/child welfare/family service agencies
- Correctional facilities
- Social housing
- Family courts
- Employee assistance programs
- Private counselling
- School boards
- Consulting.
Because of this broad scope, the Masters in Social Work program is in huge demand worldwide.
Why study Master of Social Work in Canada?
- The hourly pay rate for professionals with MSW degrees in Canada is between CAD 20 and CAD 50 per hour.
- Leading universities like the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of British Columbia offer this program.
- GRE Scores are waived off by many Canadian Universities for this program.
- The permanent residency prospect is pretty great for MSW Students.
Top Universities for Master of Social Work Canada
Top Universities to study Masters in Social Work in Canada for international students according to QS Ranking 2021:
|
Global Ranking |
University |
|
16 |
University of Toronto |
|
32 |
University of British Columbia |
|
43 |
McGill University |
|
=118 |
University of Montreal |
|
=132 |
Western University |
|
165 |
Queen’s University at Kingston |
|
=175 |
University of Alberta |
|
=187 |
York University |
|
=212 |
University of Waterloo |
|
215 |
University of Calgary |
|
Talk to an ExpertMSW in Canada Fees
The cost of studying for a Master of Social Work in Canada ranges from CAD 12,000 to CAD 40,000 and beyond for international students.
|
University |
Annual tuition fees in CAD |
|
University of British Columbia |
CAD 27,043.40 for international students CAD 5,197,50 for domestic students |
|
University of Manitoba |
18285.6 for international students |
|
University of Waterloo |
CAD 34,374 for international students |
|
Lakehead University |
CAD 23,790.3 |
|
Memorial University of Newfoundland |
CAD 15,600 |
|
University of Windsor |
CAD 23,703 |
|
University of Ottawa |
CAD 27,089 |
|
Ryerson University |
CAD 24,809.91 |
MSW Admission Process and Requirements
How can I apply for MSW in Canada?
To apply for the Master of social work program in Canada, you need these documents-
- Official certificates of bachelor's level including transcript, character and provisional certificate.
- Intermediate-level documents, including character, provisional and transcripts.
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- 2-3 Letters of Recommendation, depending upon the University
- Passport
- Application fees
- Valid English Proficiency test results
- GRE Scores (Not always mandatory)
- Work experience, if asked
- Additional essays and interviews
University-Specific MSW Requirements
University of British Columbia
- Course Name: Master of Social Work- Advanced (MSW)
- Course Duration: 2 years
- Cut-off English Test Scores:
- TOEFL: Overall 93, Minimum 22 in reading and listening and 21 in writing and speaking.
- IELTS: Overall 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each band
- Academic Requirements: A minimum average of 76% or B+ grade in Bachelor in Social Work.
- GRE Scores are not required.
University of Waterloo
- Course Name: Master of Social Work
- Course Duration: 1 year
- Cut-off English Test Scores:
- TOEFL: Overall 95, Minimum 25 in writing and speaking
- IELTS: Overall 7.0, minimum 6.5 in speaking and writing
- PTE: Overall 63, minimum 65 in speaking and writing
- Academic Requirements: Applicants must complete a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) with a minimum of 75% in the final 2 years of study.
University of Manitoba
- Course Name: Master of Social Work (MSW) for
- Course Duration: 1-3 years
- Cut-off English Test Scores:
- TOEFL: Overall 86, Minimum 20 in each section.
- IELTS: Overall 6.5
- PTE: Overall 61
- Academic Requirements: Applicants need to complete a Bachelor's degree in social work or other related degrees with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 credit hours
- Application fees: CAD 100
University of Toronto
- Course Name: Master of Social Work (Specialisations: Children and Their Families, Gerontology, Health and Mental Health, Human Services Management and Leadership, Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency, Social Justice and Diversity)
- Course Duration: 2-3 years
- Cut-off English Test Scores:
- TOEFL: Overall 93, Minimum 22 in writing and speaking
- IELTS: Overall 7.0, minimum 6.5 in speaking and writing
- Academic Requirements: Applicants need to complete BSW with a minimum of a B grade in the final year of study.
University of Calgary
- Course Name: Master of Social Work (Specialisations: Clinical Social Work Practice, Leadership in the Human Services, International and Community Development)
- Course Duration: 1-3 years
- Cut-off English Test Scores:
- TOEFL: Overall 97
- IELTS: Overall 7.0
- PTE: Overall 68
- Academic Requirements: Applicants must complete BSW with a minimum of 3.0 GPA in the last 2 years of study.
- Applicants must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in the human services field.
Dalhousie University
- Course Name: Master of Social Work
- Course Duration: 2-3 years
- Cut-off English Test Scores:
- IELTS: Overall 7.0
- Academic Requirements: A Social work degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Applicants with 2 years of full-time experience are preferred.
Lakehead University
- Course Name: Master of Social Work (Specialisations: Gerontology, gender and women’s Studies)
- Course Duration: 2 years
- Cut-off English Test Scores:
- IELTS: Overall 7.0
- PTE: Overall 68
- Academic Requirements: Applicants need to complete a 4 year Bachelor's degree in social work with a minimum of B grade.
MSW Scholarships
|
University |
Scholarship |
Value |
|
University of Alberta |
Regional Excellence Scholarship |
Up to CAD 5,000 based on admission average |
|
International Excellence Scholarship |
Up to CAD 5,000 based on admission average |
|
|
Gold Standard Scholarship |
The top 5% of students in each faculty of the university receive up to CAD 6,000 |
|
|
International Leader Scholarship |
Up to CAD 10,000 |
|
|
University of British Columbia |
International Major Entrance Scholarship |
Students need to demonstrate exceptionally well in academics. |
|
Outstanding International Student Award |
Students need to demonstrate brilliant academic achievement and strong extracurricular involvement. |
|
|
University of Montreal |
UseM Exemption Scholarship |
CAD 9787.95 per year. |
|
McMaster University |
Provost Entrance Scholarship |
CAD 7.500 |
|
Athletic Financial Awards |
CAD 4,500 |
|
|
McMaster Chinese Alumni Peter George International Entrance Scholarship |
CAD 3,000 |
|
|
Ontario Graduate Scholarships |
CAD 10,000-20,000 |
|
|
Richard Fuller Memorial Scholarship for Science |
Cad 10,000- 20,000 |
|
|
University of Toronto |
University of Toronto Scholars Program |
CAD 7,500 |
|
President’s Scholars of Excellence Program |
CAD 10,000 |
|
|
The University of Toronto International Scholars Award |
CAD 80,000-1,80,000 for 4 years |
|
|
Kata Scholars Program |
Varies |
Statement of Purpose (SOP) for Social Work
|
Scope of a Master of Social Work Degree in Canada
Masters of Social Work professionals are often employed in middle-level positions in governmental and non-governmental organisations in Canada and internationally.
They may work in direct practice policy analysis and development or community development.
- Public health and health promotion programs
- Primary care and long-term care
- Hospitals
- Human service organisations and healthcare
- Health-related governmental agencies
- Community-based health services
- Health advocacy groups.
Social work jobs and salaries in Canada-
|
Job Title |
Range |
Average |
|
Social Worker (MSW) |
C$44k - C$86k |
C$62,343 |
|
Executive Director |
C$65k - C$146k |
C$94,945 |
|
Mental Health Counsellor |
C$42k - C$79k |
C$57,221 |
|
Program Manager, Non-Profit Organisation |
C$48k - C$94k (Estimated *) |
C$61,472 |
|
Program Director, Non-Profit |
C$50k - C$89k (Estimated *) |
C$66,282 |
|
School Social Worker |
C$40k - C$89k (Estimated *) |
C$60,360 |
|
Policy Analyst |
C$47k - C$75k (Estimated *) |
C$60,782 |
|
Program Coordinator, Non-Profit Organisation |
C$36k - C$62k (Estimated *) |
C$47,029 |
|
Medical Social Worker |
C$51k - C$94k (Estimated *) |
C$69,586 |
|
Clinical Director |
C$70k - C$117k (Estimated *) |
C$92,723 |
|
Executive Director, Non-Profit Organisation |
C$59k - C$124k (Estimated *) |
C$84,475 |
|
Social Work Supervisor |
C$49k - C$87k (Estimated *) |
C$66,333 |
