Social Work and Human Services

Master of Social Work degree

The Master of Social Work degree is a five-semester, two-year program comprised of 30 credits, including a 450-hour practicum.

The program’s core courses and electives are designed to develop a broad professional competency base at the graduate level. Core courses provide a comprehensive perspective on supervision and leadership, the integration of anti-oppressive and cross-cultural practice in social work, social policy, and advanced assessment techniques.

Based on interests and career path, students will select their focus in Health, Children and Families, or Mental Health, and complete a major paper/project in their area of interest.

The full program will typically take two years to complete, with a maximum of five years allowed.

Entrance requirements

Option 1: BSW graduates

Note: The next MSW cohort will begin in September 2020. The program is offered every two years.

1. Bachelor of Social Work degree from an accredited institution with a B (75-79%) or better average.
2. Two years employment (3,600 hours) in social services, social work, or a closely related field.
3. Demonstrated personal suitability.
4. Interview with faculty.
5. Statement of intent and interest.
6. Three letters of professional reference, including one from an academic source, indicating suitability for advanced study of social work.
7. Applicants must meet the Degree/diploma level English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see the English language proficiency requirement section of the calendar.

Option 2: Non-BSW graduates

Note: The next Non-BSW MSW cohort will begin in September 2019 (one year full-time program). Applications deadline is January 31, 2019. For inquiries, email mswinfo@ufv.ca.

Upon admission to the MSW program, students will be required to take undergraduate courses as outlined in the Program outline section below to fulfill the qualifying requirements of the program.

1. Graduation from a recognized institution with a degree in an allied program (CYC, criminal justice, psychology, sociology, education) with a B (75-79%) or better average.
2. Two years employment (3,600 hours) in social services or a closely related field.
3. Demonstrated personal suitability, including an understanding of the purposes and nature of social work.
4. Interview with faculty.
5. Letter of intent/interest.
6. Three letters of reference from professionals in the field indicating suitability for advanced study and social work practice.
7. Applicants must meet the Degree/diploma level English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see the English language proficiency requirement section of the calendar.

When to apply

To be considered for Fall semester entrance (September), completed applications must be received by January 31 of the year of application. Applications received later will be considered as space permits.

How to apply

Your application must include the following items, otherwise it will be deemed incomplete, and not considered for admission. Visit ufv.ca/swhs to find the forms you need.

1. UFV application for MSW Graduate Studies (including the $75 processing fee).
2. Official sealed transcripts for all previous post-secondary credit, including courses in-progress. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see Official Transcript Guidelines for details.
3. Detailed personal resume organized chronologically, starting with most recent, including position title, name of immediate supervisor, start and end dates, and whether the experience was full or part-time. Please include research experience, publication lists, related interests, skills, etc.
4. Work hours summary sheet, clearly listing and totaling the number of hours worked in all relevant human/social service related positions (paid and volunteer). This will determine applicant eligibility under the required 3,600 hours of related work experience.

Note: Applications with less than 3,600 hours will be considered if all other criteria are met and there is room in the program.

5. Three professional letters of reference with at least one from an academic source, addressing your most recent academic experience and potential, and at least one from a supervisor, addressing the demonstrated skills and abilities in your most recent related work experience. These letters must be on the official reference forms for the MSW available at ufv.ca/swhs.
6. Declaration of Concentration Form indicating your preferred elective concentration.
7. Educational Equity form (optional).
8. A personal statement (to be assessed and rated), typed and double spaced, 2,000-2,500 words in length, clearly addressing the following (no more than 500 words under any one section heading):

BSW applicants:

• What experiences have motivated you to continue your social work education?
• Describe at least two recent professional experiences that demonstrate your capacity for innovative and independent thinking.
• Describe your most substantial accomplishment within your professional practice, particularly as it relates to your ability to uphold the Social Work Code of Ethics.
• Select a social issue of personal importance, explain why the issue is important to you, and discuss how you believe a Social Worker should facilitate change to address or resolve the issue.

Non-BSW applicants:

• What is your motivation to pursue a Master of Social Work at this point in your career?
• Describe at least two recent professional experiences that demonstrate your understanding of the purpose and nature of social work.
• Describe your most substantial accomplishment within your professional experience(s), particularly as it relates to your ability to uphold the Social Work Code of Ethics.
• Select a social issue of personal importance, explain why the issue is important to you, and discuss how you believe a Social Worker should facilitate change to address or resolve the issue.

Applicants will be advised of an admission decision and provided with registration information. A deposit is required prior to registration (see Fees and additional costs section below) and will be applied toward tuition fees.

Criminal record check

Under the Criminal Records Review Act, students in a professional post-secondary program with a practicum component involving work with children and/or vulnerable adults must undergo a criminal records check. This is a requirement before students can participate in any practicum placements. Once admitted to the program, it is the student's responsibility to apply for a Criminal Record Review through the Ministry of Justice. Information on this process is provided by the School of Social Work & Human Services.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section. There will be additional costs for textbooks, and there may be associated travel and living expenses.

Dates and location

The MSW program is designed to meet the diverse learning needs of students. Using a mixed delivery model that combines online, flexible evening and weekend classes, the program allows greater accessibility to students with work and family commitments. The practicum is two days per week over two semesters.

Program requirements and continuance in program

To maintain status as an MSW student and to continue in the program, students must maintain an overall minimum 3.00 GPA. Credit towards the degree will not be available for any course in which the grade is less than a B-. Practica must be completed with satisfactory evaluations. The major paper/project must receive a Pass.

Residency

UFV Graduate Studies policy requires that at least 75% of program courses be taken at UFV. The practicum and major paper/project must be completed through UFV, and it is anticipated that most students will take all their courses through UFV. However, a maximum of two courses (25%) may be taken at another university for transfer credit in the UFV MSW program. This would require advance approval of the Director of the School of Social Work and Human Services and the Associate Vice-President of Graduate Studies and Research upon admission.

Graduation

Candidates who qualify to receive a UFV graduate degree must submit a Request for Graduation form to the UFV Office of the Registrar by April 1.

Note: Students should also be familiar with the General Regulations for Graduate Studies.

Maximum length of time to complete program

Non-BSW graduates admitted to the program are expected to finish their qualifying courses within two years. All students must complete their entire MSW coursework within five years.

Transfer credit

Any applicant who meets the MSW entrance requirements may have a formal evaluation of courses from other institutions/programs considered for transfer credit.

Program outline

The MSW program consists of two streams, BSW graduates and non-BSW graduates.

BSW graduates

Upon admission to the MSW program, students will take SOWK 700-level courses listed below.

MSW required courses

Non-BSW graduates

Upon admission to the MSW program, students will be required to take the following undergraduate courses in the School of Social Work and Human Services, to fulfill the qualifying requirements of the program.

Note 1: This practicum is open to prior learning assessment and may be challenged by students with significant experience in the field. While this course shares some elements with SOWK 430 in the undergraduate program, it is a separate section for qualifying/foundation year MSW students.

Note 2: Students who have not completed a research course equivalent to SOWK 404 in their undergraduate preparation will be required to take an additional 3-credit research course, such as SOWK 404 or equivalent.

After successfully completing their prescribed undergraduate programming, students in the non-BSW stream may continue on to the 700-level courses listed above. Non-BSW entry-level students are expected to complete their qualifying courses within two years. All students must complete their entire MSW coursework within five years.

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