MSW in Canada

Being a social worker is one of the noblest professions. Social work makes for a beautiful yet taxing career choice as social workers join a challenging work environment to help people facing unheard battles and often find themselves helping others with various situations. Social workers typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work to enter the field of social change. Canada is one of those countries that offer a top-class master’s course in social work. Do you want to take the next step and move to Canada to become a social worker?  If yes, then here’s what you need to know about an MSW course in Canada, its scope, fees and other details.

MSW Course in Canada- Overview

Masters in Social Work MSW in Canada is a professional postgraduate degree program designed for students who are passionate to develop a deep understanding of social work. MSW includes theoretical concepts from various fields such as medicine, sociology, philosophy, economics, and politics. The program curriculum may vary for different universities but coursework, field placement training and research opportunities are an important part of the course.

Why Study Masters in Social Work in Canada?

According to the Canadian government, social workers typically make between 19.20 CAD/hour and 46.15 CAD/hour. They work in a variety of industries, including hospitals, school districts, social assistance agencies, welfare groups, penal institutions, and the commercial sector. Because there is a dearth of social workers in Canada, the occupation is now in high demand.

British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and Ontario are among the Canadian cities and provinces with a strong need for social workers. As a result, MSW programs in Canada are highly valued for both professional and personal development. Transcripts, resume, statements of purpose, letters of recommendation, English proficiency exams, and so on are the fundamental entrance criteria.

Top Universities for MSW in Canada

Canada is known for providing top-notch education and is home to some of the top universities in the world. Here’s a list of the top universities in Canada that offers a Master in Social Work MSW Course:

1. University of Toronto
2. McGill University
3. University of British Columbia
4. University of Waterloo
5. McMaster University
6. University of Calgary
7. Western University
8. Dalhousie University
9. York University
10. Ryerson University
11. University of Manitoba
12. University of Windsor
13. University of Western Ontario
14. Université de Montréal
15. Wilfrid Laurier University

Eligibility

Each university has its own criteria for admission to Master’s in Social Work MSW in Canada. However, a general criterion for pursuing MSW in Canada is as mentioned below:

1. You must have a bachelor’s degree in social work BSW or in any discipline.
2. The GPA requirements will vary for different universities but a minimum of 3.0 is required for MSW.
3. Some universities may ask for work or volunteer experience.
4. International Students must provide proof of English Proficiency through IELTS or TOEFL. 

English Language Requirements

To pursue MSW in Canada, there are certain requirements for admission to each university. The table below mentions the minimum score requirements for some of the top universities:

University	IELTS Requirements	TOEFL iBT Requirements
University of Toronto	7.0	93
McGill University	6.5	86
University of British Columbia	6.5	93
University of Calgary	6.5	86
University of Waterloo	7.0	90

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Cost of Studying Masters in Social Work in Canada

Cost of Living

Expenses	Costs (USD)
Accommodation	190-570
Food (Per Meal)	8-20
Books & Supplies	230
Transportation	70
Other Expenses	55-115

MSW Course Fee in Canada

MSW course fee will vary for different universities but the table below mentions the average cost of studying in some of the best universities in Canada:

University	Average Tuition Fees per annum	In INR
McGill University	CAD 16,781	9,99,720
University of British Columbia	CAD 28,125	16,75,539
University of Waterloo	CAD 10,912	6,50,077

MSW in Canada Application Process

To apply for admission to the MSW program in Canada. You can shortlist your MSW Course with the help of our trusted AI Course Finder and Call our Leverage Edu experts at 1800 572 000 to find out how to start with the application process to study MSW Course in Canada. 

MSW Online Course in Canada

Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo are the two universities in Canada offering MSW Course Online.

Wilfrid Laurier University

The University offers an online MSW program and is the only online program of its kind in Canada available to students without a BSW degree. The course duration is 2 years.  

University of Waterloo

The University offers a partial online MSW program and is Canada’s first health-focused Master of Social Work (MSW) program. The online MSW program offers in-person Summer Institutes, which comprises one week at the beginning of the program, and one at the end. 

Scholarships to Study Masters in Social Work in Canada

Joan Cummings Memorial Award

Dalhousie University provides an annual grant to students with disabilities who are enrolled in the university’s Bachelor or Master of Social Work programmes. Applicants must show supporting documentation of disability scholarship/service.

Lawrence T. Hancock Scholarship

The Lawrence T. Hancock Scholarship is awarded yearly by Dalhousie University to students enrolled in the Master of Social Work programme who have achieved outstanding academic standing and show potential of leadership and service.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

The Vanier CGS programme offers financial help to highly qualified students from across Canada and around the world. Academic excellence, research potential, and leadership are the three key factors used to evaluate prospective candidates. The programme provides 50,000 CAD each year for three years of study.

MSW Course Scope in Canada

Social workers were one of the top 20 most in-demand jobs in Canada in 2020 and continue to be so. Social workers are in high demand in 6 of Canada’s provinces and territories such as British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. 

Students with an MSW Degree in Canada can work in the following:

• Hospitals
• Community health centres
• Mental health clinics
• Schools and child welfare
• Family service and Family Courts
• Social housing departments
• Government departments 
• Private counselling and consultation agencies

MSW Salary in Canada 

The salary scope for MSW course in Canada varies for entry-level and experienced positions. The average salary is CAD 63,417 (INR 37-40 Lakhs) per annum. The average salaries for in various provinces are mentioned in the table below:

Provinces	Average Salary per annum	In INR
British Columbia	CAD 69,600	41,48,020
Alberta	CAD 74,180	44,20,979
Ontario	CAD 71,934	42,87,122
Nova Scotia	CAD 52,411	31,23,590

Jobs after MSW in Canada

Following are some of the most popular job profiles that fall under the scope of MSW course in Canada.

Job Profile	Average Salary (USD)
Public Policy Social Worker	54,881
Social Science Researcher	63,561
Health Clinical Coordinator	55,619
Counsellor	46,990

FAQs

This was all you needed to know about the MSW Course in Canada. If you want to pursue MSW in Canada then feel free to contact Leverage Edu and our experts will then provide you with end-to-end assistance starting from your university application to the time you reach your university and commence your studies. Call us at 1800 57 2000 to book a FREE 30-minutes counselling session today.