Master of Social Work (MSW) Course-based, Specialization in Clinical Social Work Practice (CSWP)
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Simple Requirements
In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Social Work requires completion of the following courses:
Students with a bachelor's degree in a discipline other than social work
The foundational practicum course* requires students to complete a minimum of 450 placement hours in the Winter semester of their first year. Practicum hours are typically completed in-person, during regular business hours and close to the student’s home community, anywhere in Canada.
Foundation courses must be completed before students advance to Specialization specific courses and Advanced Practicum (course and course).
Students with a BSW or completed foundation courses
A total of 36 units of coursework, as follows:
a) 12 units of Advanced Social Work Practice courses;
b) 12 units of Specialization courses (topics and residency locations may vary from year to year);
Within the CSWP specialization there are several topic areas. Each consists of 12 units (four courses) which address a particular subject within the broader field of Clinical Social Work Practice. Students must complete all 12 units in the selected topic area.
c) 12 units of Advanced Practicum (course - 6 units) and Integrative Seminar (course - 6 units).
Students must be available to complete 500 hours of practicum (course). This represents a significant time commitment. Students must ensure that they are aware of field requirements, and available for field placements as scheduled, in order to complete their practicum within the appropriate term.
Practicum hours are typically completed in-person, during regular business hours and close to the student’s home community anywhere in Canada.
A student who fails or withdraws from a practicum course (course or course) will fail or be required to withdraw from the co-requisite courses (course or course). In addition, the student may be required to withdraw from the program.
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Note: The four courses in ASWP and in each specialization topic are offered in a prescribed sequence and deviation from the curriculum plan is not normally allowed.
Please note that not all specialization topics are offered every year. Students should consult the timetables and program curriculum plans located on the web for sequence and availability of Specialization topics: https://socialwork.ucalgary.ca/.
Transfer to a Thesis-based MSW
Students who wish to transfer to the thesis-based MSW must submit their transfer request to Student Services by January 31 prior to the thesis research courses and/or advanced practicum. Students who transfer must comply with the requirements of the respective program. The program transfer must be approved by both the Faculty of Social Work and Faculty of Graduate Studies.
*Course-based MSW students with a non-BSW degree who receive credit by special assessment (CSA) for the Foundational Field Practicum (course) are not eligible to transfer to the thesis-based MSW.
Advanced Credit
Advanced Credit is not normally granted for the Master of Social Work degree.
Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade)
The Master of Social Work course-based program will allow students to pursue the Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade) in one graduate course offered by the faculty, with the exception of course, course and course.
Students may choose the CG grade for a course taken extra to load.
The use of the CG grade will not affect students' eligibility for internal awards.
Concurrent Program Enrolment
Students in this program may not concurrently pursue a certificate, diploma or the final step of a laddered pathway Master's degree as outlined in section G.D.1.3 Concurrent Program Enrolment.
Credit for Undergraduate Courses
Credit for undergraduate courses will not be awarded.
Time Limit
Expected completion time is two years for BSW graduates and three years for students with a non-BSW degree.
As established by the Faculty of Graduate Studies (see Time Limits), maximum completion time is six years for a course-based MSW.
Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see Awards and Financial Assistance for Graduate Students, the Graduate Awards Database, and consult with the Student Services Office in the Faculty of Social Work.