Social Work SOWK
Contact Info
Location | Professional Faculties Building, Room 3270 |
Faculty number | (403) 220-6945 |
Fax | (403) 282-7269 |
E-mail address | |
Web page URL |
1. Degrees and Specializations Offered
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Master of Social Work (MSW), course-based (full-time and part-time) and thesis-based The Faculty of Social Work and the Haskayne School of Business offer a combined program leading to the Master of Social Work/Master of Business Administration (MSW/MBA) degree. The Faculty of Social Work also offers a Post-Master's Diploma in Advanced Studies in Social Work. The objective of the MSW program is to prepare students for advanced professional practice in social work. In addition to selecting either a course-based or a thesis-based program, MSW students choose one of two specializations: Clinical Practice or Leadership in the Human Services (LEAD). Thesis-based and course-based MSW students in both specializations also have the option of concentrating their studies in International Social Work, Children and Family Services, or Gerontology. The thesis route to the MSW is appropriate for students who intend to proceed to doctoral studies and/or who anticipate a career requiring advanced program evaluation or research skills. The MSW course-based program with a Leadership in the Human Services (LEAD) specialization is also offered as an off-campus program. Outside Tuition (OTP) fees are applied to the off-campus program. Please consult the Faculty of Social Work website: http://fsw.ucalgary.ca/. One course is offered on campus for one week in July in both the first and second years of the program. Other courses are offered via distance delivery. The program is designed to be completed in two years of part-time study. For information, consult the website or contact the Student Services Office in the Faculty of Social Work. The Master of Social Work/Master of Business Administration (MSW/MBA) program is designed to prepare students for competent and visionary management of human service organizations. This program is available only to full-time, course-based students in the Leadership in the Human Services specialization. The combined program shortens the time for completion of the two degrees from three academic years to two 12-month years. The PhD is a research-based degree and is intended to produce highly qualified social work researchers and teachers. The aim of developing such advanced scholarly and research skills is to equip doctoral students for future roles as leaders of the social work profession. Students complete 9 courses, a candidacy exam, and a thesis. Once they have completed all courses with the exception of SOWK 721, students are awarded the Post-Master's Diploma in Advanced Studies in Social Work. For information on the Post-Master's Diploma in Advanced Studies in Social Work, consult the Post-Degree Continuous Learning Calendar on the web at www.fp.ucalgary.ca/pdcl/ or the Student Services Office in the Faculty of Social Work. |
2. Admission Requirements
In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Social Work requires: | |
Master of Social Work | (a)A Bachelor of Social Work degree, or a four year Bachelor's degree from another discipline and the equivalent of two years full-time paid or volunteer work in the human services (b)A study plan outlining the applicant's educational goals and career expectations. The study plan must indicate the applicant's intended area of specialization (Clinical Practice or Leadership in the Human Services) and, for students intending to further focus their studies, a declaration of concentration (International Social Work, Gerontology, or Child and Family Services). (c)For applicants to the thesis-based program, an expanded application providing a rationale for selecting the thesis route and outlining the area of research interest. |
Master of Social Work (Distance Delivery) Leadership in Human Services Specialization | (a)A Bachelor of Social Work degree (b)A study plan outlining the applicant's educational goals and career expectations |
Master of Social Work/Master of Business Administration | (a)A Bachelor of Social Work degree or completion of the MSW Foundation courses (described in Section 5 below) (b)A study plan outlining the applicant's educational goals and career expectations (c)Admission into the Haskayne School of Business |
Doctor of Philosophy | (a)A Master of Social Work or equivalent graduate degree with a minimum grade point average of 3.50 on a four-point scale (b)A study plan outlining the applicant's educational goals, career expectations, and research interests; (c)Substantial professional experience (d)Samples of written work including, for example, published and/or unpublished scholarly papers and/or professional reports |
3. Application Deadline
Deadline for submission of complete applications: 31 January for September admission. In exceptional cases, PhD program applications may be accepted for alternative admission dates. |
4. Advanced Credit
The applicant must make advanced credit requests as part of the admission process. Credit will not be given for coursework taken as part of another completed degree/diploma or for courses taken to raise the grade point average for admission purposes. For all Faculty of Social Work graduate programs, advanced credit may be granted for not more than the equivalent of three half-courses. |
5. Program/Course Requirements
In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Social Work requires: Please note that not all programs/courses are offered every semester. Full-time and part-time students should consult the timetables available on the web and the Master Timetable for suggested sequences and availability of courses. | ||
Master of Social Work (course-based) for students with a BSW | A minimum of ten half-course equivalents; including Social Work 697: Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice (one half-course). Specialization and Concentration courses are listed below. Social Work 696: Advanced Practicum extends for a full academic year and requires that students be in a field placement three days per week. It is advised that students be concurrently registered in Social Work 667: Theory and Methods I and Social Work 669: Theory and Methods II. | |
Master of Social Work (thesis-based) for students with a BSW | (a) A minimum of nine half-course equivalents, including Social Work 697: Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice (one half-course). Specialization and Concentration courses are listed below. | |
Master of Social Work (course-based) for students without a BSW | (a)A minimum of nineteen half-course equivalents; (b)Required Foundation courses to be completed prior to Specialization courses include: Social Work 637: Human Behaviour in the Social Environment (one half-course) Social Work 621: History and Foundation of the Profession (one half-course) Social Work 632: Social Policy and Social Justice (one half-course) Social Work 629: Communication and Interviewing (one half-course) Social Work 641: Models of Practice (one half-course) Social Work 645: Research and Evaluation (one half-course) Social Work 625: Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups (one half-course) Social Work 627: Practice with Organizations and Communities (one half-course) Social Work 633: Foundational Field Practicum (one half-course or 426 hours); (c)Required Specialization courses include Social Work 697: Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice (one half-course). Specialization and Concentration courses are listed below. Note: Timetables for programs are available on the website. Social Work 696: Advanced Practicum extends for a full academic year and requires that students be in a field placement three days per week. It is advised that students be concurrently registered in Social Work 667: Theory and Methods I and Social Work 669: Theory and Methods II. | |
Master of Social Work (thesis-based) for students without a BSW | (a)A minimum of eighteen half-course equivalents; (b)Required Foundation courses to be completed prior to Specialization courses include: Social Work 637: Human Behaviour in the Social Environment (one half-course) Social Work 621: History and Foundation of the Profession (one half-course) Social Work 632: Social Policy and Social Justice (one half-course) Social Work 629: Communication and Interviewing (one half-course) Social Work 641: Models of Practice (one half-course) Social Work 645: Research and Evaluation (one half-course) Social Work 625: Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups (one half-course) Social Work 627: Practice with Organizations and Communities (one half-course) Social Work 633: Foundational Field Practicum (one half-course or 426 hours); (c) Required Specialization courses include Social Work 697: Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice (one half-course). Specialization and Concentration courses are listed below. Note: Timetables for programs are available on the website. | |
Master of Social Work/Master of Business Administration | (a)A minimum of eight half-course equivalents in the MSW program, Leadership in the Human Services Specialization Specific MSW Specialization courses include: Social Work 655: Research I (one half-course) Social Work 665: Policy Social Work 695: Research II (one half-course) Social Work 667: Theory and Methods I (one half-course) Social Work 669: Theory and Methods II (one half-course) Social Work 696: Practicum (the equivalent of two half-courses or 600 hours) Social Work 697: Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice (one half-course) (b)A minimum of sixteen half-course equivalents in the MBA program Required MBA half-courses include: Accounting 601: Financial Accounting Accounting 603: Management Accounting Finance 601: Managerial Finance Human Resources and Organizational Dynamics 601: Managing Human Resources Marketing 601: Marketing Management Management Information Systems 601: Management Information Systems Management Studies 611: Managerial Economics Management Studies 613: Business Analysis Management Studies 615: Strategic Business Analysis Operations Management 601: Operations Management Strategic and General Management 701: Strategic Management Strategic and General Management 777: Global Environment of Business and four elective courses in the student's area of interest. | |
Master of Social Work (Distance Delivery) Leadership in Human Services | (a)A minimum of ten half-course equivalents Required courses include: Social Work 655: Research I (one half-course) Social Work 695: Research II (one half-course) Social Work 667: Theory and Methods I (one half-course) Social Work 669: Theory and Methods II (one half-course) Social Work 696: Practicum (the equivalent of two half-courses or 600 hours) Social Work 665: Policy (one half-course delivered on campus) Social Work 679: Special Topics I - Community Capacity Building (one half-course) Social Work 697: Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice (one half-course) | |
Doctor of Philosophy | (a)A minimum of nine half-course equivalents Required core courses include: Social Work 741: Research Foundations: Epistemology and Professional Knowledge-Building (one half course) Social Work 743: Social Work Theory, History, and Philosophy (one half-course) Social Work 745: Research Methods I: Quantitative (one half-course) Social Work 747: Research Methods II: Qualitative (one half-course) Social Work 749: Quantitative Data Analysis (one half-course) Social Work 721: Integrative Research Seminar (one half-course) Three half-course options relevant to the student's area of specialization. Option courses may be taken outside of the Faculty of Social Work, depending on the student's needs and course availability. All courses taken external to the Faculty of Social Work must have prior approval from the Faculty of Social Work; (b)Students who have completed all courses, with the exception of the Integrative Research Seminar (SOWK 721), are awarded the Post-Master's Diploma in Advanced Studies in Social Work. (c)A thesis research proposal, which must be approved before the student can proceed to the candidacy examinations. | |
Specializations and Concentrations | ||
LEADERSHIP COURSES (LEAD) | CLINICAL COURSES | |
Gerontology | LEAD Research (two half-courses) LEAD Theory & Methods (two half-courses) Gerontology Policy (one half-course) LEAD Gerontology Advanced practicum (two half-courses) Gerontology Special Topics (two half-courses) | Clinical Research (two half-courses) Clinical Theory & Methods (two half-courses) Gerontology Policy (one half-course) Clinical Gerontology Advanced Practicum (two half-courses) Gerontology Special Topics (two half-courses) |
International | LEAD Research (two half-courses) LEAD Theory & Methods (two half-courses) LEAD Policy (one half-course) LEAD International Advanced Practicum (two half-courses) International Special Topics (two half-courses) | Clinical Research (two half-courses) Clinical Theory & Methods (two half-courses) LEAD Policy (one half-course) Clinical International Advanced Practicum (two half-courses) International Special Topics (two half-courses) |
Child & Family | LEAD Research (two half-courses) LEAD Theory & Methods (two half-courses) Child and Family Policy (one half-course) LEAD Child & Family Advanced Practicum (two half-courses) Child & Family Special Topics (two half courses). | Clinical Research (two half-courses) Clinical Theory & Methods (two half-courses) Child & Family Policy (one half-course) Clinical Child & Family Advanced Practicum (two half-courses) Child & Family Special Topics (two half-courses) |
Specialization Only | LEAD Research (two half-courses) LEAD Theory & Methods (two half-courses) LEAD Policy (one half-course) LEAD Advanced Practicum (two half-courses) LEAD Special Topics (two half-courses). | Clinical Research (two half-courses) Clinical Theory & Methods (two half-courses) Clinical Policy (one half-course) Clinical Advanced Practicum (two half courses) Clinical Special Topics (two half-courses) |
Note: The Advanced Practicum is 600 hours, equivalent to two half-courses. |
6. Additional Requirements
For all students: participation in an Orientation Session for incoming students held at the beginning of the Fall. |
7. Credit for Undergraduate Courses
Credit for undergraduate courses will not be awarded. |
8. Time Limit
Maximum completion time is four years for a thesis-based Master's program, six years for a course-based Master's or a doctoral program, and seven years for the MSW/MBA program. Expected completion times are: (1)one 12-month year for full-time course-based MSW students with a BSW (2)two 12-month years for full-time course-based MSW students without a BSW (3)two 12-month years for the MSW/MBA (4)two years for a thesis-based MSW (5)four years for a PhD (6)two 12-month years for a part-time MSW with a BSW (7)four 12-month years for a part-time MSW without a BSW |
9. Supervisory Assignments
Course-based MSW and MSW/MBA students are assigned a faculty advisor upon admission to the program. A change of advisor, initiated by the student or the faculty member, can occur at any time during the student's enrolment in the program. A change of advisor is most likely to happen once the student has settled on a substantive area and chooses a chair for the final comprehensive examining committee. PhD and thesis-based MSW students are initially assigned an interim faculty advisor. Before the end of the first year, each student must designate a faculty member as permanent supervisor. In the doctoral program, the supervisor and student must then select a supervisory committee within three months of the appointment of the permanent supervisor. Supervisory committees typically consist of the supervisor and two other members, one of whom may be external to the Faculty of Social Work. |
10. Required Examinations
Master of Social Work (Course-based) and Master of Social Work/Master of Business Administration | The final comprehensive examination for the course-based MSW and for the MSW/MBA has a written and an oral component, both of which the student must complete to the satisfaction of his or her examining committee. The written component of the examination consists of a case study that illustrates the depth and breadth of the student's knowledge in practice methods, theory, and research. The case study-approximately 30 pages in length-must be completed a minimum of one weekbefore the oral examination. During the two hour oral examination the student will defend the case study and be further tested on his or her knowledge in practice methods, theory, and research. The comprehensive examining committee must be designated at least one month prior to the oral examination. Students should consult the FSW comprehensive examination guidelines for further detail. |
Master of Social Work (Thesis-based) | 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 designated at least one month before the oral examination. |
Doctor of Philosophy | The doctoral candidacy examinations are taken within 28 months of the student's admission to the program and after all required course work has been completed. The examinations include a written and an oral component. The written component is a take-home exam consisting of questions in three areas: social work theory, practice, and research. Students receive two questions in each of the three areas, select one in each area to answer, and have four weeks to prepare their written answers. Within four weeksof submitting the completed written component, the student takes a two-hour oral examination during which the written answers will be defended and knowledge of the designated content areas tested further. Final thesis oral examinations are closed to the public. Students should consult the FSW candidacy examination guidelines for further detail. |
11. Research Proposal Requirements
Students whose research involves human subjects must receive approval from the Social Work Ethics Review Committee and the ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board before beginning data collection. A copy of the proposal becomes part of the student's record within the Faculty of Social Work. |
12. Special Registration Information
Outside Tuition (OTP) fees are applied to the off-campus program. Consult the Faculty of Social Work website: http://fsw.ucalgary.ca/. |
13. Financial Assistance
Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this calendar, and consult with the Student Services Office in the Faculty of Social Work. |
14. Other Information
All students in the Faculty of Social Work are expected to be proficient in and have access to email, internet searching, and word processing computer programs. Students may be expected to use technology in courses; video-conferencing, web-based tools, discussion boards, and chat rooms may be used in addition to or in lieu of class time. The Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work. Requests for information should be directed to Student Services Office, Faculty of Social Work. Admission to all Faculty of Social Work graduate programs is competitive; therefore, not all qualified applicants may be admitted. Information on the Faculty of Social Work and its programs is available on-line at http://www.fsw.ucalgary.ca. |
15. Faculty Members/Research Interests
Current faculty members and their research interests can be found at http://fsw.ucalgary.ca/ | |
Not all course options are offered every academic year. SOWK 621, 625, 627, 629, 632, 633, 637, 641, 645, 655, 661, 665, 667, 669, 679, 687, 688, 689, 695, 696, 697, 699, 701, 703, 705, 711, 713, 715, 717, 719, 721, 725, 735, 741, 743, 745, 747, 749. |