The MSW designed for busy professionals
The fact that the MSW is offered online is amazing, especially for people who are moms and leaders like me.
Jerilyn Dressler, MSW'15
CEO, Trellis
1. Start your journey
Your pathway to a Master of Social Work will depend on your previous undergraduate degree. If you have a degree in another subject you'll begin with a year of foundational social work study.
2. Pick a specialization
When you apply, you'll choose your specialization. Our innovative program has two unique specializations: Clinical Social Work Practice and International Community Development. Each specialization offers a variety of topics, providing an opportunity to dive deeply into an area you're passionate about.
Master of Social Work (24 months): For students with a Bachelor of Social Work degree.
- >> Watch a recorded info session
- >> See the slides
Foundation Master of Social Work (36 months): For students with an undergraduate degree in another subject. You'll begin your MSW with a year of foundational social work study.
- >> Watch a recorded info session
- >> View the slides
International Community Development: This unique specialization teaches community development skills that you can use in Canada or overseas.
- >> See specialization topics for MSW students (those with a BSW)
- >> See specialization topics for Foundation MSW students (those with a non-social work degree)
Clinical Social Work Practice: Our innovative clinical social work practice specialization allows you to focus on an area of most interest to you and your practice. Different topics are available annually.
- >> See specialization topics for MSW students (those with a BSW)
- >> See specialization topics for Foundation MSW students (those with a non-social work degree)
Course or thesis-based MSW? Do you want to pursue a PhD or a research focused career? You might be interested in a thesis-based program.
3. Our Program
How you'll learn, what you'll learn, when you'll learn, and how much it will cost!
Online: You'll study mostly online, with a mix of real time classes at set times and learning you can do on your own.
Mandatory Residencies: While the program is online, you'll also be required to attend a residency each year of your program at our Calgary or Edmonton campus dependent on your program.
Year-Round Courses: You'll start in May and take courses year-round, including the summer.
Practicum: While your courses are mostly online, your degree includes experiential learning - that is usually done in-person, in your home community. Foundation students are required to complete two practicums.
Cost calculator
Fees are calculated on a per-course basis.
Here's an estimation of the costs for each degree path.
- >> Cost estimate MSW (students with a BSW)
- >> Cost estimate Foundation MSW (students with a non-social work degree)
- UCalgary offers >> self-service payment plans for all students. Your tuition and general fees can now be paid in installments over the term, rather than being due all at once on the term fee deadline.
Apply by Nov. 1
If you're interested in applying to the program this year you don't have much time. Your application requires two references, and they must submit their online reference form by Nov. 8.
Your two references need to be:
- A person who can speak to your academic performance and ability (e.g., graduate program supervisor, professor, practicum instructor), and
- A professional/work reference (must have directly supervised you).
Equity, Racial Justice, Diversity, Inclusion & Decolonization
We acknowledge the inequities experienced by visible minorities (racialized persons); Indigenous people; persons with disabilities, which may encompass physical, mobility, perceptual, illness related, mental health, developmental disabilities; people who self-identify as two spirit, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, transgender or queer; as well as people who have experienced other barriers to their education (e.g. socioeconomic, caregiving, religious, cultural).
Check the Admission Requirements before applying Learn more
Watch an info session recording
Most questions regarding our MSW program, and your application are answered during these recorded Zoom sessions.