Choose your specialization and topic:
Each year we offer different specialization topics. These are the choices available to BSW degree holders.
Every effort will be made to accommodate your preferred topic. However, as space is limited, you may be offered another topic and/or residency.
We only offer topics with Edmonton residencies in odd-numbered years for BSW degree holders - our next offering is for Spring 2025.
Spring 2025 Choices
Clinical Social Work Practice Specialization
Learn how to lead and master therapeutic/transformative conversations with clients and other professionals across a wide range of clinical and social problems. You'll also learn how to help persons move from maintaining the status quo toward preferred ways of living and working.
Program residencies:
Calgary — offered mostly online with two, in-person residencies at our Calgary campus.
This specialization focuses on a more holistic approach to mental health. You'll learn theory while developing your skills and better informing your practice working with a variety of groups and communities that could include: Indigenous communities, the settlement sector, the LGBTQ2S+ community, the disability community, those affected by disaster, and more. The courses will also inform social workers involved in community and policy development.
Program residencies:
Edmonton — offered mostly online with two, in-person residencies at our Edmonton campus.
Expand your developing clinical framework to provide evidence-based and anti-oppressive mental health services for infants, children, adolescents and their families. This is done through experiential learning that mirrors real-world clinical practice.
Program residencies:
Calgary — offered mostly online with two, in-person residencies at our Calgary campus.
Learn to recognize the impacts of trauma in various contexts and provide appropriate social work interventions and supports. You'll also discuss vicarious traumatization and secondary traumatic stress, and take part in activities in self-awareness and self-care.
Program residencies:
Edmonton — offered mostly online with two, in-person residencies at our Edmonton campus.
International & Community Development Specialization
Using a social work lens you'll examine and engage with policies, practices and ethical approaches to working with diverse populations in global and local contexts. You'll analyze the social forces, structures, systems and international institutions that give rise to different models of social development. You'll explore and build skills to apply alternative intervention strategies and methods.
You'll also learn to work in a variety of settings including government and non-governmental agencies, and international humanitarian and relief organizations. Each step of the way you'll be challenged to imagine new ways to support global development.
Program residencies:
Calgary — offered mostly online with two, in-person residencies at our Calgary campus.
Spring 2026 Future Choices
Clinical Social Work Practice Specialization
Learn the foundations for advanced clinical social work practice with youth and adults affected by significant mental disorders and/or addiction. Taught by leaders in the field, you will critically examine legislation, policies, mental health strategies and philosophies of care (e.g., trauma-informed, patient-centred and Indigenous approaches) and frameworks of mental health and illness (i.e., neurobiological and social determinants).
Program residencies:
Calgary — offered mostly online with two, in-person residencies at our Calgary campus.
Trauma-informed care provides a critical lens for clinical social work. Most people have had traumatic experiences, so recognizing the impact of trauma is central to professional practice. You'll learn to recognize the impacts of trauma in various contexts and provide appropriate social work interventions and supports.
Program residencies:
Calgary — offered mostly online with two, in-person residencies at our Calgary campus.
International & Community Development Specialization
Using a social work lens you'll examine and engage with policies, practices and ethical approaches to working with diverse populations in global and local contexts. You'll analyze the social forces, structures, systems and international institutions that give rise to different models of social development. You'll explore and build skills to apply alternative intervention strategies and methods.
You'll also learn to work in a variety of settings including government and non-governmental agencies, and international humanitarian and relief organizations. Each step of the way you'll be challenged to imagine new ways to support global development.
Program residencies:
Calgary — offered mostly online with two, in-person residencies at our Calgary campus.
Residency Locations:
While every effort is made to accommodate your preferred topic and residency location space if limited. If your application to the MSW program is successful, but your chosen location or specialization is full, you may be offered another topic and/or residency location.
Our Calgary campus is housed in McKimmie Tower, UCalgary's first net-zero carbon building.
Our Edmonton campus is conveniently located in UAlberta's downtown campus (Enterprise Square) on Jasper Avenue in the heart of downtown.
We only offer topics with Edmonton residencies in odd-numbered years for BSW degree holders - our next offering is for Spring 2025.
Thesis or Course-Based MSW?
The course-based MSW program is designed to enhance the practical knowledge of social workers. Courses mirror real-life situations. The goal of this program is to graduate independent professionals to the social work profession.
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The thesis-based MSW program is designed for students who intend to pursue doctoral studies and/or anticipate a career requiring advanced program evaluation and research skills.
Course-based
Consists of 12 courses (36 units), including a minimum of 500 hours of field practicum (equivalent to 2 courses):
- 4 courses of Advanced Social Work Practice (12 units),
- 4 Specialization courses (topics vary from year to year) (12 units), and
- 4 courses of Field Education, Integrative Seminar, Research Applications and Exit Requirement (12 units).
The four specialization courses focus on the area you've chosen. Courses build your knowledge sequentially, so you need to follow the curriculum plan.
Thesis-based
Consists of 10 courses (30 units) followed by thesis research and oral examination.
- 4 courses of Advanced Social Work Practice (12 units),
- 4 Specialization courses (topics vary from year to year) (12 units), and
- 2 Thesis research courses (6 units).
The four specialization courses focus on the area you've chosen. Courses build your knowledge sequentially, so you need to follow the curriculum plan.
Thesis students may complete a field practicum (SOWK 660), but, this isn't a requirement. Thinking of completing a practicum? You must consult with the MSW Thesis Coordinator after you're admitted.