Social workers are an absolute necessity in a world characterised by conflict, mental breakdowns, near incapacitation due to old age, illiteracy, inequality, and poverty, to mention a few. Social workers are individuals that have been professionally trained to provide humanitarian and other essential services to the needy. If you intend to acquire further professional training via an MSW degree, then one Country you should not hesitate to select is Canada, a highly developed and multicultural setting that will provide you with a globally respected degree certificate and offer you endless career prospects after your education.
Read More: Study in Canada
MSW program highlights vary across Canadian universities. For instance, the University of British Columbia offers two MSW courses:
The first highlights of these two courses are presented below.
|
Program |
Master of Social Work (MSW) |
|
Course
|
Advanced One-Year track MSW |
|
Duration of the Courses
|
12 months |
|
Eligibility |
students applying to the Advanced One-Year Track of the program must hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree from an institution accredited by the Canadian Associate for Social Work Education (CASWE) or the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). Individuals without such a degree cannot be admitted into the Advanced One-Year M.S.W. Applicants must have:
|
|
Entrance Exams |
For applicants from a university at which English is not the primary language of instruction: A minimum overall score of 100 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) with no individual section score lower than 22, beyond the College of Graduate Studies required minimum overall score of 90; or A minimum overall score of 7 on the ACADEMIC IELTS with no individual section score lower than 6.5, beyond the College of Graduate Studies required minimum overall score of 6.5; or A minimum final score of 90 with a minimum of 3+ in the speaking test on MELAB, beyond the College of Graduate Studies required minimum overall score of 85. |
|
Tuition Fees |
CAD9,375.03 per term; CAD28,125.10 per year |
|
Jobs |
|
|
Average Salary |
|
Any Indian (or student from elsewhere) with a good bachelor's degree who desires an internationally acclaimed and career-enhancing degree can study MSW in Canada. If you are not from a native English country, then you will also need to obtain the required grades in English language proficiency tests. Some institutions may also ask for entrance exams like GRE and others.
In Canada, MSW courses are not uniform but vary from one institution to another. Here are some systems available in the "Advanced Standing" MSW Program of the University of Toronto, Canada's leading tertiary institution:
|
College Name |
QS World Rankings |
City |
|
University of Toronto |
26 |
Toronto |
|
McGill University |
27 |
Montreal |
|
University of British Columbia |
46 |
Vancouver |
|
University of Guelph |
581-590 |
Guelph |
|
Carleton University |
601-650 |
Ottawa |
|
McMaster University |
140 |
Hamilton |
|
University of Waterloo |
149 |
Waterloo |
|
Western University |
170 |
London |
|
University of Ottawa |
230 |
Ottawa |
|
University of Calgary |
235 |
Calgary |
|
York University |
494 |
Toronto |
|
University of Manitoba |
601-650 |
Winnipeg |
|
Dalhousie University |
272 |
Halifax |
Like other areas such as eligibility criteria and entrance exams, the cost of studying MSW can vary according to your university of choice. This is mainly because of differences in tuition and other fees and student as well as additional costs such as on-campus accommodation, among others.
Costs can also be influenced by the level of financial assistance or funding available to students at each university.
|
University Name |
Course |
Duration |
Tuition Fees in INR |
|
University of Toronto |
MSW- Advanced Standing (full time) |
3 years [maximum] |
INR3000171.56 [$38,690] |
|
McGill University |
MSW Thesis [full time] |
3 years [maximum] |
INR 742664.59 per term [$9,577.35] |
|
University of British Columbia |
MSc Advanced [full time] |
1 year |
INR2180928.54 [$28,125.10] |
|
Western University |
MSc Advanced Standing [full time] |
3 terms |
INR958110.10 [$12,355.72] |
|
University of Ottawa |
Master's in Social Work [full time] |
4 years [maximum] |
INR738295.77 per term [$9,521.01] |
|
York University |
MSW Advanced Standing |
3 terms |
INR486655.90per term [$6,275.88] |
|
University of Manitoba |
MSW Advanced Level |
4 years [maximum] |
INR472645.27per term [$6,095.20] |
|
Dalhousie University |
Master of Social Work |
2 years |
INR1843698.09 [$23,776.20] |
As noted above, costs incurred by students tend to differ from one university or college to another. Moreover, prices also depend on the characteristics of the city hosting the institution. Usually, the more significant and more urbanized your host city, the more likely a higher cost of living.
Below is some cost of living estimates for a typical international student at Western University:
|
Kind of Expenses
|
Amount in CAD |
|
|
Living in Residence |
Living off-Campus |
|
|
Residence & Meal Plan (8 months) |
$14,240 to $16,860 |
$0 |
|
Off-Campus Rent (8 months, although you may have a 12-month lease) |
$0 |
$4,800 to $10,400 |
|
Food (without Meal Plan) |
$0 |
$2,800 to $4,800 |
|
Utilities |
$0 |
$400 |
|
Internet |
$395 |
$120 to $560 |
|
Phone |
$400 to $640 |
$400 to $640 |
|
Personal Items |
$800 |
$800 |
|
Local Transportation (bus pass included in tuition and fees) |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Clothing |
$800 to $2,000 |
$800 to $2,000 |
|
Entertainment |
$800 |
$800 |
|
Laundry |
$200 |
$200 |
|
Books & Supplies |
$1,500 to $3,000 |
$1,500 to $3,000 |
|
Total Cost (first academic year) |
$18,585 to $24,185 |
$12,260 to $23,600 |
Here are the eligibility criteria for the MSW program at Western University, London:
Completion of an accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree.
The completion of a 4-year Bachelor's Degree.
Depending on the university, exams can be in the form of entrance exams (such as GRE) and English proficiency exams (such as IELTS) for applicants from non-native English countries.
The exams required for admission into Western University, London are tabulated below:
|
Exam Name |
Minimum and Score |
|
The 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 |
|
|
The minimum acceptable score is 7 out of 9 overall and on each subcomponent. |
|
|
MELAB |
The minimum acceptable score is 80 on each section and an overall score of 85 |
|
CAEL Assessment |
The minimum acceptable score is 60. |
|
Minimum overall score of 115. |
A large number of scholarships are available for both international and domestic MSW students in Canada. Here are a few of them:
|
Scholarship Name |
Description |
Eligibility |
Amount in CAD |
|
Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work Scholarships/Bursaries [University of Toronto] |
The awards are available to registered students listed below under the following categories: Community-Based Practice Direct Practice (Individual/Families/Groups)
|
the applicant must be a full-time student enrolled in either the MSW or PhD programs |
$1000-4000. |
|
FIFSW Tuition Fee Bursaries [University of Toronto] |
To be awarded to MSW students enrolled full-time in either the first or second year of the Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency specialization, who demonstrate financial need. |
Applicants must be already accepted into the MSW Program at the time of application and must maintain full-time registration status throughout the academic year. Bursaries are open to eligible Canadian Citizens and international students |
maximum of $5,000 each. |
|
Grace Hannah Chellam Scholarship [University of Toronto]
|
Awarded annually, based on financial need, to an MSW or PhD student with a special interest or specialization in the area of international social work |
Applicants must meet OSOTF [Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund] requirements Awards are restricted to applicants who meet the provincial government’s funding guidelines concerning financial need and Ontario residency (attending University in Ontario) |
approximately $1,800 |
|
Kings School of Social Work Academic Award in the Social Work Program [Western University] |
Each year, King's provides awards in each academic discipline in which a degree is offered at King’s |
|
$200 |
|
Mary Lou Karley Award for Excellence in Social Work Practice [Western University] |
This award was was created through generous gifts from family members, friends and colleagues in memory of Mary Lou Karley, Coordinator of Field Instruction in the School of Social Work from 1999-2009, so as to perpetuate her commitment to excellence in social work practice. |
Awarded annually to a graduating MSW student chosen by the School, who has demonstrated qualities of leadership and commitment which promise future professional excellence |
$500 |
|
Michèle Kérisit Scholarship [University of Ottawa] |
In honour of Michèle Kérisit who led a full and inspiring life, one devoted to helping women through her research on immigrant and refugee women, women survivors of armed conflict, Francophone women in Ontario, and senior women |
The applicant must: 1. be a female student with the status of permanent resident (or has submitted an application for permanent residency), international student (with a study permit), refugee (protected status) or Canadian citizen for less than 10 years; 2. be registered in an undergraduate or graduate program at the School of Social Work of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa; 3. demonstrate financial need, as determined by the Financial Aid and Awards Service of the University of Ottawa; and 4. have at least one dependent child. |
$3,000 minimum |
|
John Flynn Memorial Scholarship |
This scholarship was created in memory of John Flynn (MSW). John Vincent Flynn, born in Ottawa, on June 9, 1984, had a deep love of life and showed genuine affection and generosity towards people. Unfortunately, his life was suddenly cut short by a heart attack in Berlin on February 16, 2019 |
The applicant must: 1. be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, a person with the protected/refugee status or an international student; 2. be registered as a full-time student in the Honours with Specialization in Social Work program at the School of Social Work of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Ottawa; 3. demonstrate community involvement; and 4. demonstrate financial need, as determined by the Financial Aid and Awards Service of the University of Ottawa |
$1,000 |
Even with the ravaging global pandemic, Canada has been experiencing a massive boom in the creation of new jobs so much so that in March 2022, the unemployment rate fell to its lowest level since 1976. This is obviously good news for MSW (and other) graduates looking for work.
The following are some MSW job opportunities in Canada.
|
Job Profile |
Average Salary |
|
Community Support Worker |
CAD43,957 |
|
Mental Health Worker |
CAD51,321 |
|
Social Worker |
CAD63,417 |
|
Geriatric Social Worker |
CAD47,500 |
|
Community Organizer |
CAD45,495 |
|
Child, Family, & School Social Worker |
CAD54,859 |
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker [LCSW] |
CAD70,000 |
|
Addiction Counselor |
CAD46,097 |
|
Community Health Worker |
CAD55,000 |
|
Family Support Worker |
CAD47,883 |
Quick Read: Canada Student Visa
Like every other master's degree, an MSW can significantly boost your income earning potential in addition to widening your job opportunities, especially if the degree is obtained from a world-class institution such as those found in Canada. From its friendly immigration policy to a low unemployment rate, among others, Canada is a fantastic destination not only for an MSW program but for virtually every other university program, which is why the country is highly recommended by AECC. In addition to recommending, AECC will also help make the often lengthy and tiresome process of being admitted into a Canadian university or college fairly easy for you. All you need to do is contact the company today, and all your application worries will become history.
To study master's in Social Work in Canada, students should have:
To study MSW in Canada, costs around CAD 12,000 to 28,000 for international students.
The study period for the master's in Social Work is around 1 to 2 years.
Yes. Students can pursue a master's in Social Work without having studied Bachelor's in Social Work. Therefore a bachelor's degree in any specialisation is enough to apply for a master's in Social Work.
AECC is one of the world's leading educational consultancies with versatile expert professionals who are ready to help you with any queries you may have. Contact us so we can be of assistance to you in your journey of fulfilling your dream.
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