Master of Social Work (MSW) Thesis-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 students in the thesis-based MSW are not eligible for credit by special assessment.
Foundation courses must be completed before students advance to specialization-specific courses and the two research courses (course and course).
Students with a BSW or completed foundation courses
A total of 30 units of coursework. The coursework consists of:
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 four courses in the selected topic area.
c) 6 units of research courses.
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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: socialwork.ucalgary.ca.
All four ASWP courses and all four specialization courses are prerequisites to course and course (research courses).
Students may elect to complete course Advanced Practicum, but it is not a mandatory component of the thesis-based degree. Students who wish to complete course must have completed all the ASWP, specialization and research courses and must declare their intention to pursue a Practicum in writing to the Director of Field Education by March 1st of their final year of coursework (6-8 months prior to the expected start of the Practicum). The Integrative Seminar (course) is for course-based MSW students only.
Transfer to a Course-based MSW
Normally students who begin the MSW thesis program and subsequently request to transfer to the course-based MSW program may be able to do so, provided the request is made prior to beginning the thesis research courses and at least 8 months prior to the start of the Advanced Practicum. The Associate Dean Graduate Programs, in consultation with the PhD/MSW Thesis Coordinator, may allow the transfer from the thesis-based to the course-based MSW after completion of one or both research courses. Students who are granted a program change must comply with the program requirements of the respective program. Program transfer must be requested and approved by both the Faculty of Social Work and the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
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 thesis-based program will allow students to pursue the Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade) in graduate courses offered by the faculty, with the exception of course, 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 three years for BSW graduates and four years for students with a non-BSW degree.
As established by the Faculty of Graduate Studies (see Time Limits), the maximum completion time is four years for a thesis-based MSW (for both BSW degree holders and non-BSW degree holders).
Supervisory Assignments
For incoming MSW thesis students, the PhD/MSW Thesis Coordinator will act as the interim supervisor. By December 1 of the first year, each student must designate a faculty member as permanent supervisor. MSW thesis students will work with their supervisors to determine if a co-supervisor and/or supervisory thesis committee is preferred. This decision should be made prior to start of course. The arrangement must be approved by the Graduate Program Director.
Within the first two months of working together, MSW thesis students and their interim and/or permanent supervisors are required to complete and submit to Student Services in the Faculty of Social Work the signed Student-Supervisor checklist and the Intellectual Property checklist. These become part of the student's permanent record. If a change occurs in supervision, a new Student-Supervisor checklist must be completed, signed and submitted to Student Services within two months of the change.
Research Proposal Requirements
Students must have proposal approved by their supervisor and/or committee (if appropriate). A copy of the proposal becomes part of the student’s record with the Faculty of Social Work. Once the proposal has been approved, students can proceed with applying for ethics certification.
Required Examinations
MSW Thesis Examination
The final examination for the thesis-based MSW involves an oral defence of the thesis. The thesis examination is conducted by the student’s examining committee, which must be declared at least six weeks before the oral examination.
In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations for Thesis Examinations, the program requires the following MSW examining committee composition:
thesis supervisor, and, if applicable, co-supervisor/supervisory thesis committee,
a faculty member from the Faculty of Social Work, and
an Internal Examiner (external to the Faculty of Social Work).
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.