Social Work

The School of Social Work at King’s University College, affiliated with Western University, offers two Direct Practice Master of Social Work (MSW) streams on a full-time basis: (1) 1-Year Advanced Standing MSW program and (2) 2-Year Foundational MSW program. Students are admitted each September. Both programs are on-site, in-person and course-based with an advanced practicum (450+ hours in each year of the program). Our practicum placements with experienced supervisors in child and family services, health and social service organizations, schools, mental health and justice settings, prepare graduates for advanced success in leadership roles and professional practice in specialized areas of interest with individuals, families, groups and communities.

Social work is both an academic discipline and profession concerned with the enhancement of wellbeing and fostering change, while promoting equity and social justice. Social workers offer direct practice, from assessment and counselling to advocacy and system navigation, across diverse contexts, such as small local counselling agencies, hospitals, and shelters. This means students are educated to assess and respond to the impacts of oppression, marginalization and injustice on individuals, families, and communities. Course content reflects the need for knowledge and skills in critical reflection, ethics, application of theory, evaluation, advocacy, leadership, and community development to inform the range of tasks that social workers are expected to engage in as part of direct practice.

The School of Social Work team include award-winning faculty with expertise in diverse areas of social work practice, such as social inequity, mental health, trauma, and structural and clinical social work practice, alongside exceptional support staff and student facilities, all within a beautiful college campus at King’s.

Program Length

• 1-Year Advanced Standing: 3 Terms
• 2-Year Foundational: 6 Terms

Program Design

• Full-time study
• Course-based

Funding Information

• Western Financial Assistance

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fee schedules (per term) are posted on the Office of the Registrar's website at http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/fee_schedules.html

Use this helpful tool, although designed to reflect costs associated with in person programs, to estimate how much money you will need to pay for your tuition, fees, and other expenses for a 12-month (three term) academic year.

Admission Requirements

1-Year Advanced Standing (3 terms):

• Completion of an accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Degree.
• Completion of a course in Research Methods at the university level, including instruction in both qualitative and quantitative methods. There is no specific minimum grade requirement.
• Minimum “B” standing (70% average) or equivalent in the final two years of study.
• Verification of completion of academic requirements must be available by August 31.
• Minimum of one year or equivalent (1,000 hours) paid and/or volunteer experience in the social services (Please see 1-Year MSW Admissions Guide on the School of Social Work’s website for further details: Master of Social Work - King's University College).
• Completed online situational test known as the Casper Test.

• Completion of a 4-year degree (20 full courses or equivalent) from a recognized university or college.
• Completion of a course in Research Methods at the university level, including instruction in both qualitative and quantitative methods. There is no specific minimum grade requirement.
• Minimum “B” standing (70% average) or equivalent in the final two years of study.
• Verification of completion of academic requirements must be available by August 31.
• Minimum of one year or equivalent (1,000 hours) paid and/or volunteer experience in the helping professions (Please see 2-Year MSW Admissions Guide on the School of Social Work’s website for further details: Master of Social Work - King's University College).
• Completed Casper Test.

Additional Requirements

• International students and applicants who obtained the Bachelor of Social Work degree from a country other than Canada must provide confirmation from the Canadian Association of Social Work that their degree has been assessed as equivalent.
• Recommended that international students and applicants who obtained a Bachelor degree from a country other than Canada have their degree assessed for equivalency to a 4-year degree in Canada.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language:

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum acceptable score is 250 for the standard electronic version and a minimum score of 5/6 on the Test of Written English, 600 for the paper and pencil version and a minimum score of 5/6 on the Test of Written English, or 100 for the internet version with no score less than 23 on each of the 4 skill categories. [Western's TOEFL ID is 0984].
• The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS Academic). Minimum acceptable score is 7 out of 9 overall and on each subcomponent.
• The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL Assessment). Minimum acceptable score is 60.
• The Duolingo English Test. Minimum overall score of 115.

Application Deadline

• Applications open on October 15 and are due on January 15
• Acceptance notifications begin in early March