Study Masters in Social Work in Canada: Top Universities, Fees, Ranking, Eligibility, Admission Process, Scholarships, Placements

Masters in Social Work in Canada (MSW) is a 1-2 year program for those interested in gaining an advanced understanding of the field of social work. It is an academic discipline that integrates theories from a wide range of fields, including medicine, economics, sociology, politics, philosophy, etc.

The key components of the program include coursework, field placement training, and research opportunities that allow students to acquire comprehensive knowledge about theoretical frameworks and empirical concepts in social work.

Table of Contents

• Top Universities for Masters in Social Work in Canada
• Eligibility Criteria for Masters in Social Work in Canada
  • University-Specific Admission Requirements
• Cost for Studying Masters in Social Work in Canada
  • Pre-Arrival Costs
  • Tuition Fees
  • Cost of Living in Canada
• Why Pursue Masters in Social Work in Canada?
• Masters in Social Work in Canada with Scholarships
• Masters in Social Work in Canada with Placements

Top Universities for Masters in Social Work in Canada

Canada boasts world-renowned universities offering masters programs in social work. Tabulated below are the best universities for masters in social work in Canada, along with their QS Rankings 2022.

Eligibility Criteria for Masters in Social Work in Canada

The eligibility criteria for master's degree in social work in Canada differs from one institution to another. However, we have compiled a list of the eligibility requirements that is common across Canadian universities for master’s programs in social work:

• Students must hold a bachelor’s degree in social work or a 4-year bachelor’s degree in any other field. 
• Applicants must meet the institute-specific GPA requirements for the undergraduate degree.
• Few universities require candidates to have at least two years of work experience (full-time paid/volunteer work) in the area of human services.
• Overseas students need to prove that they are proficient in the English language. Therefore, they must provide ELP test results of TOEFL or IELTS.

University-Specific Admission Requirements

Let us take a look at the university-specific requirements for admission into social work masters programs in Canada:

Cost for Studying Masters in Social Work in Canada

The overall cost of pursuing masters in social work in Canada includes pre-arrival expenses, tuition fees, and living expenses. Here is a brief explanation of each of these costs.

Pre-Arrival Costs

Overseas students need to incur certain one-time costs before commencing their studies in Canada. Tabulated below are the various types of pre-arrival expenses:

Tuition Fees

International students must refer to the table below to get an overview of the tuition fees charged by top Canadian universities for masters in social work in Canada:

Cost of Living in Canada

Other than paying for the tuition fees, international students must have sufficient funds in order to stay in Canada for the duration of their studies. The average cost of living in Canada for overseas students comes up to CAD 10,000. Tabulated below are the estimated costs of different living expenses in Canada: 

Why Pursue Masters in Social Work in Canada?

Canada offers immense opportunities for students looking to build a career in the social work field. As per the Canadian government, students who work as social workers typically earn between 19.20 CAD/ hour and 46.15 CAD/ hour. They are hired in different sectors of the economy,  like welfare organizations, hospitals, social service agencies, school boards, correctional facilities, and the private sector.

Moreover, due to the shortage of social workers in the country, there is a high demand for this occupation. In Canadian cities and provinces like Alberta, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Ontario, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, the demand for social workers is currently skyrocketing.

Masters in Social Work in Canada with Scholarships

Several scholarships and bursaries are available for students planning to pursue master's degrees in social work in Canada. Here we have discussed some of the most prominent MSW scholarships in Canada:

• Joan Cummings Memorial Award
• Lawrence T.Hancock Scholarship
• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Joan Cummings Memorial Award

This award is given by Dalhousie University to students with disabilities who have been admitted to the bachelor’s or master’s degree program in social work. Applicants are required to provide evidence of disability by submitting supporting documents.

Lawrence T. Hancock Scholarship

Lawrence T. Hancock Scholarship is annually awarded by Dalhousie University to students who are enrolled in the MSW program and have exceptional academic records. Further, they must demonstrate qualities of leadership and service in order to be considered for the scholarship.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program provides financial support to meritorious students. Candidates are evaluated on three main parameters: academic excellence, leadership, and research potential. Under this program, students are awarded 50,000 CAD per year for a period of three years.

Masters in Social Work in Canada with Placements

As reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is expected that the overall employment of social workers across the globe will grow by 15% from 2016 to 2026. This indicates a faster job growth in comparison to most other occupations. Moreover, the demand for healthcare and social services has driven the growth in the employment of social workers. Shown below are the major job profiles and salaries available in this field:

After completing masters in social work in Canada, students can also build their career through several opportunities like youth workers, advice workers, volunteers, policy analysts, probation officers, etc. Moreover, students can promote the quality of life by focusing on building policies against social injustice, poverty, harassment, unemployment, abuse, and violation of human rights.