wilfrid laurier phd social work

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Social Work (PhD)

Society needs researchers who have a deep understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion and who are prepared to address inequality and promote social justice.

Supported by world-class faculty , students undertake ground-breaking research that fosters social justice and promotes new understandings of social issues affecting individuals, families, organizations, and communities.

Program Highlights

• The country’s only Indigenized PhD in Social Work offering. Following a successful pilot in 2018, the program was implemented again in 2022.
• Small class sizes foster a strong sense of community among students and enable faculty to provide individual support and mentorship.
• 56% of students who graduated between 2016 and 2021 hold full-time faculty positions.
• For the 2023/24 academic year, 10 of our students were awarded external funding to support their research from either the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada or the Ontario Graduate Scholarship.
• One of our students was the recipient of the prestigious Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship.

Program Details

The PhD program includes two offerings: a general offering and Indigenous offering. Each offering involves the same program structure and milestones. Students complete seven required courses and one elective course, with an optional elective available. They then complete the comprehensive examination followed by the dissertation.

The Social Work PhD comprehensive examination is an important stepping-stone in students’ dissertation research. It provides students with the opportunity to develop deep knowledge of the theory and knowledge/research related to their area of interest, which both informs and frames their dissertation research.

General Offering

This offering reflects Western ways of knowing, though students are exposed to and encourage to consider Indigenous ways of knowing and research, decolonization, and critical methods in their research. This offering is open to both full-time and part-time students and is offered annually except with the second offering is implemented.

Indigenized Offering

This offering is situated in Indigenous knowledges and embraces Indigenous teaching methods, such as circle, ceremony, and land-based learning. This offering is designed for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. It is open to full-time students and is offered every 4-5 years.

This offering is a critical part of the Faculty of Social Work’s commitment to indigenization and decolonization and responds to recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It also helps to respond to the growing demand for Indigenous scholars within higher education.

Courses are taught by Indigenous scholars from the Indigenous Field of Study (IFS). Course content privileges Indigenous scholarship and discourses relevant to Indigenous issues in practice, research and education. Indigegogy is a term that is employed by the IFS team to capture the Indigenous theories and practices that underpin the transformative Indigenous educational process. Indigegogy in each course is wholistic in design and flow from Indigenous ways of seeing, being, knowing, and doing. Course pedagogy involves the sharing circle in the presence of medicines, ceremony, and Elders, and land-based learning, when possible.

Graduates take their place in the circle of Indigenous knowledge, restoring and generating indigenous knowledge. Graduates understand "how" to gather knowledge, carve pathways, research, engage in Indigegogy, how to take their places within the academy or teaching and research positions and maintain their Indigeneity and Indigenist frameworks.

Field Learning Option

Students for whom field experience in a particular setting is necessary to advance their ability to conduct their research may request permission to enrol in the Field Learning Option. The student identifies the setting, negotiates the details of the role, and submits a written proposal for the Field Learning Option to the associate dean of the PhD program and the PhD committee for approval. If taken, the field learning option would fulfil an elective.

Program Structure

Full-time students are expected to complete their coursework within four terms and their comprehensive examination in two terms. They usually complete the program in 4-5 years.

Full-time students receive minimum guaranteed funding and are eligible to apply for Ontario Graduate Scholarships, SSHRC or CIHR doctoral awards.

Term One (Fall)

• SK790: Social Work Thought and Theory
• SK791: Epistemology and the Nature of Social Work Knowledge

Term Two (Winter)

• SK704: Applied Quantitative Research Methods
• SK805: Applied Qualitative Research Methods

Term Three (Spring)

• SK820: Doctoral Seminar 
• SK894: Writing for Publication 

Term Four (Fall)

• SK801: Advanced Qualitative Data Analysis 
• Required Elective 

Terms Five (Winter) and Six (Spring)

• SK893: Comprehensive Examination

Terms Seven to 12

• SK899: PhD Dissertation

Part-time students complete a maximum of two courses per term and expected to complete the comprehensive examination within four terms.

They follow the same curriculum as full-time students and are expected to complete courses in the terms the courses are offered to full-time students.

Following admission to the program, in collaboration with the associate dean of the PhD program, the student develops a plan for completing their courses.

Please note, part-time students are not eligible for the minimum guaranteed funding package or for Ontario Graduate Scholarships, SSHRC or CIHR doctoral awards.

Faculty Research

Our faculty members pursue a range of research interests across the micro-macro practice spectrum from the local to global contexts. They use various research methodologies, including critical, feminist, and Indigenous methods.

Our research centres, programs, and chairs include the Centre for Indigegogy , Manulife Centre for Community Health Research , the Social Innovation Research Group , Walls to Bridges , Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Global Adversity and Wellbeing, and the Lyle S. Hallman Chair in Child and Family Welfare.

Core Research Areas

Aligned with social work’s mission and values, faculty’s research addresses these core areas:

Community-Engaged Research for Inclusion

Faculty conduct research in partnership with marginalized and vulnerable communities and work toward social justice and social transformation. Faculty are deeply engaged with the community and engage is scholarship that is driven by community priorities, centres community voices, and advances social justice and inclusion.

Indigenous Scholarship and Decolonizing Relationships, Knowledges, and Practices

This area includes Indigenous scholarship by Indigenous faculty members as well as research and knowledge mobilization related to decolonizing practices and relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Common to these topics is strong recognition, respect and value placed on Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing, being and doing.

Adversity, Trauma, Wellbeing and Social Change

Faculty engage in research exploring the connections between various forms of adversity and, trauma, and wellbeing, with the goal of facilitating positive wellbeing, belonging, and inclusion. This work informs interventions at the micro and macro levels, including challenging systems of oppression that underpin various forms of adversity.

Gender and its Intersections

Faculty examine the ways gender and gendered experiences (i.e., expressions, identities, sexualities, and embodiment) are shaped by and intersect with factors such as racism, colonialism, patriarchy, cisgenderism, heterosexism, ableism, poverty, and religion. Faculty explore topics such as violence against women, criminal justice, immigration and refugee issues, disability, and 2SLGBTQ+ realities.

"The PhD program provided opportunities for me to build lifelong relationships with colleagues and friends. I am thankful for the care put into fostering these opportunities to connect and the mentors that helped guide my journey". 

Christine Mayor (PhD ’22)

Take the first step in your graduate education and apply to one of our graduate programs. Follow our three-step admission process — we’ll walk you through how to apply and prepare for your first day as a graduate student.

• Start: Fall (September)
• Format: Full-time or part-time
• Application deadline: Extended to Jan. 31

Attend a Virtual Information Session

Learn more about our program and register for one of our Virtual Information Sessions. 

• Wednesday, November 29, 2023 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Register on Zoom . 

Admission Requirements

• A Master of Social Work (MSW) or equivalent from a related discipline with a minimum A- standing.
• Three or more years of post-MSW practice experience, but other combinations of practice, education, and lived experience may be considered. We particularly value practice with diverse marginalized communities and populations.
• Strong critical and analytic abilities and a passion for intellectual and personal growth and research that fosters social justice, inclusion, and well-being.
• Potential and motivation to pursue independent research that reflects social work values.
• Please note, we do not require prospective students to pre-arrange an advisor as this is a process we believe best occurs when part of the program. However, feel free to contact faculty with whom you might want to work to discuss your research interests. In your application you are asked to identify faculty with whom you would like to work.

Application Checklist

Applications must be complete to be considered. The annual application deadline is usually mid-January. The application includes assessments from referees and a statement of intent, which includes a proposed research plan, therefore we recommend you start developing your application early. Applications are assessed by faculty serving on the PhD program committee. We reserve the right to interview applicants and consider applications until the program is full.

After you have submitted your  OUAC application , paid the non-refundable application fee, and Laurier has received your application, you'll receive an email from [email protected] advising you to upload the additional required documentation to   Laurier’s Online Registration and Information System (LORIS) .

An application for admission to our PhD in Social Work program must include:

• The Application Summary , which is generated after you complete your OUAC application (log back in to OUAC to retrieve it).
• Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work. Documents must be dated within the past six months.
• A completed statement of intent (see below for details).
• A resume of your academic and work experience. Include a history of your research experience, publications, presentations/workshops given, and any other information you feel will interest the admissions committee. Distinguish between paid and volunteer positions, and practicum and full- or part-time work.
• A sample of your scholarly writing (10-20 pages in length). This may be a chapter of your master's thesis or a paper written for a graduate course.
• Completed reference forms . Three academic references are required. Note: Reference forms are electronically submitted to Laurier by the referee and do not need to be uploaded.

Statement of Intent

As you complete the   statement of intent   keep the following points in mind:

• Answers each of the questions outlined on the form, with most of your attention given to your research interests and proposed research plan.
• Conveys your motivation for pursuing a PhD in social work in terms of your education, practice experience (not limited to paid work), and lived experience, and how these connect to your research interests, which reflect the social work profession’s mission and values.
• Reflects reflexivity and self-awareness regarding your positionalities, especially if proposing to conduct research with a community you are not a member of. 
• Provides evidence that you examined the scholarly literature, including theory, regarding your area of interest and how your proposed study fits with these. Ideally conveys how your research might advance understanding of the topic.
• Includes a clear and answerable research question that aligns with the research issue you plan to address in your doctoral research.
• Presents a coherent and feasible research plan (methodological approach, sampling, and data collection and analysis) that address your research question and is appropriate to research population. Because of space limitations, the research plan does not need to address minor points, such as how confidentiality will be maintained.

English Proficiency

Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential to graduate studies at Laurier. Applicants whose language of instruction during their previous postsecondary education was not in English must submit evidence of proficiency in English. If applicable, results from accepted testing services must be uploaded to  LORIS .

Your Next Steps

Questions? Contact Michael Woodford, associate dean of the PhD program, at [email protected] .

"The collegiality of peers, staff, and faculty was a valuable and cherished part of my experience. The physical spaces for students to work and engage with each other created a great extension to classroom learning. My advisor’s commitment guidance and support were essential in creating an intellectually stimulating experience that challenged me and deepened my critical thinking."

Bibi Baksh (PhD '22)

Kitchener Location

This program is available at the Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work in the heart of downtown Kitchener . This fully renovated historic building houses seven classrooms (including a unique circular classroom), a computer lab, a 2,000 square foot library, an interview-viewing room, a large conference/lecture hall, a community meeting space, a student lounge, and a spiritual room.

Close to 300 graduate students are based in Kitchener, just minutes away from Laurier’s Waterloo campus where they can access a full range of student supports and a variety of campus amenities.

Learn more about Laurier's campuses .

Tuition and Funding

Full-time domestic students will benefit from bursary and teaching assistantship opportunities at the university. 

All full-time domestic students receive the PhD minimum guaranteed funding (MGF) package of two teaching assistantships and a scholarship.

The Faculty of Social Work welcomes international students to the PhD Program. International students who have confirmed funding from a third-party, such as their employer or a scholarship program in their home country, will be considered for admission beginning in the 2024/25 admission year.

Learn more about  admission requirements for international applicants.

"In addition to preparing me to become a researcher, the PhD program helped me to become a more compassionate and informed practitioner and lecturer. Most importantly, it afforded me an opportunity to learn new ways of thinking and challenge myself on difficult topics."

Jennifer Scarborough (PhD '21)

In addition to becoming faculty members, our graduates assume research, policy analysis, and leadership roles in human service organizations.

Your Path to Post-Degree Success

ASPIRE is Laurier's professional skills development training program for graduate students. The program helps you craft an individualized, extracurricular learning plan tailored to your professional journey and entry to the workplace .

If you are looking for more information about this program, have questions, or want to set up a meeting, contact a member of our team. 

Program Inquiries 

If you are looking for more information about the program or want to discuss next steps, you can email Michael Woodford, associate dean at  [email protected] .

Learn About Our Faculty

To contact other members of our team, or l earn more about the interests of our faculty members, visit our contacts page.  

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Wilfrid Laurier University

Faculty of social work.

Globally, inequality is on the rise and understanding and responding to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion are increasingly critical to individual and social well being. A PhD from Laurier’s Faculty of Social Work offers, through a program of advanced scholarship, an opportunity to develop new and nuanced understandings of these issues and others. Through the development of an independent program of research supported by a strong and highly regarded international faculty, our PhD program provides an opportunity for intellectual challenge and professional growth. Our program excels through supporting the integration of theory and practice undergirded by coursework on the nature and production of knowledge. We seek students who have had successful practice experience but who are looking for more than an additional professional degree. Our research-based doctoral program is designed to stimulate your already strong critical and analytic abilities and encourage the development of your passion for social work research and study. An individualized program within a supportive cohort are among our many strengths. We offer opportunities for teaching and engaging with faculty in collaborative, community-based research. Through our full and part time options our program supports students interested in an academic or research career, a hybrid of teaching and practice and many other professional options. More than 90% of our students are working in their chosen area within a year of graduating.

• Where: Kitchener, Ontario
• Type: Public
• Degree Offered: PhD Program in Social Work
• Program Type: In-Person Program Only
• Students: Full or Part-time Enrollment
• Average Enrolled Students Yearly: 6-8 Students
• GRE Requirement: No
• TOEFL Requirement: Yes, with a cut-off score
• MSW Requirement: Yes, MSW or other master's degree required
• Two Years Post-MSW Experience Required: Yes
• Joint MSW/PhD Program: No

Substantive Research Areas of Faculty

• Child Welfare
• Children & Families
• Community Practice/Macro Practice
• Corrections/Criminal Justice/Restorative Justice
• Family Violence
• Housing/Homelessness
• International Social Work & Global Development
• LGBT Issues & Services
• Mental Health
• Organizations, Management & Administration
• Poverty/Disadvantaged Populations
• Race and Ethnicity
• Social/Economic Justice
• Social Welfare Policy
• Social Work Education
• Social Work Practice
• Work/Family/Family Policy

For more information visit Wilfrid Laurier University .

To update your program's profile, please complete the Program Directory Update Form .

Graduate Calendar 2021/2022

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Contact Us:

Master of social work.

Inaugurated in 1966, the MSW program has been continuously accredited since 1968.

The MSW curriculum aspires to excellence in scholarship and learning by focusing on the development of the whole person, and assisting students to become engaged and aware citizens of the world. This curriculum is designed to equip students to challenge structural sources of inequality, including conditions that infringe upon human and civil rights, and facilitating well-being in individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, locally and globally. The Indigenous an area of specialization or concentration that is related to the demonstrable and collective strengths of the program’s faculty ')" onMouseOut="hideGlossaryDef()">Field of Study is committed to cultivating integrated and wholistic healing social work practices rooted in culturally-relevant Indigenous epistemologies and worldviews, promoting Indigenous-based practices that heal, restore and transform relationships and inter-relationships. PROGRAMS

• MSW Regular Track program (full-time) (bachelor degree required);
• MSW Regular Track program (part-time online) (bachelor degree required);
• MSW advanced standing program (full-time) (BSW required);
• MSW advanced standing program (part-time online) (BSW required); 
• MSW-Master of Divinity (MDiv) program (full-time) (bachelor degree required).

a unit of study in a discipline identified by a unique course number and having a specific credit weight.

• Foundational Integrative Courses with content related to foundational knowledge, skills and attitudes for all social work practice. These integrative courses are required of all students. 
• Area courses related to social work practice. Areas are: Policy and Organizations; Community; Individuals, Families and Groups; and Research. In the first year of the program each student must take one course from each area of practice.  In the second year students choose between two courses on reflexive practices (whichever is most relevant to their practicum), take an advanced level research course and choose their remaining courses based on practice relevance and academic interest.
• Graduate level electives (offered by the Faculty of Social Work or by other WLU departments) that provide students with opportunities to round out their program of study in terms of special interests or career goals. Each year the FSW chooses to offer a certain number of elective courses from among those that are listed in the Graduate Calendar. Students may also take area courses  as electives if they have not already been counted as an area course. 
• Field placements in social work agencies where students receive practice education and supervision from a MSW practitioner. Placements reflect the student's interest, background and courses chosen. There are a limited number of international placements available to Regular Track full-time students. 

Note: There is also a thesis option that may be chosen by a limited number of students in the on-campus program each year.

PROGRAMS WITH THE INDIGENOUS FIELD OF STUDY

• MSW advanced standing program (part-time) (BSW required).

Students in the Indigenous field of study will develop an understanding of the Indigenous holistic healing approach and the application of this knowledge within diverse and generalist practice contexts. This includes practices with individuals and groups, as well as in contexts where community work is undertaken and in policy and research arenas. The practicum in this program will be at an agency or program that offers the Indigenous holistic healing approach as its primary or desired process of intervention. In placements where students will engage in community, policy or research work, the focus will be on processes where the holistic healing approach will be utilized. Students complete a minimum of eight courses and the practicum in the Indigenous field of study for the full-time advanced standing program spans two terms (Terms 2 and 3, January - June) at three days/week.

• Admission Requirements
• Program Requirements for the MSW Regular Track Program (Full-time)
• Program Requirements for the MSW Regular Track Program (Part-time online):
• Program Requirements for the MSW Advanced Standing Program (Full-time)
• Program Requirements for the MSW Advanced Standing Program (Part-time online)
• Program Requirements for the Combined MDiv/MSW Program
• Program Requirements for the MSW Advanced Standing Program (Indigenous field) (Full-time)
• Program Requirements for the MSW Advanced Standing Program (Indigenous field) (Part-time)
• Field Education
• Thesis Option

For the MSW Regular Track program and MSW-MDiv program, normally, a four year bachelor's degree, or equivalent, from a university or college of recognized standing is required. Applicants with a three year degree and significant relevant work experience will be considered. To be eligible for the advanced standing programs, applicants must hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree from an accredited program in a university of recognized standing.

Academic background must include at least four full social science courses and a half-credit course in research methodology.

For applicants who have already completed a bachelor's degree, at least a B (73-76 percent) standing in the final academic year is required. For students completing their final year of undergraduate study, the academic eligibility standard is the same but is determined on the basis of the last completed academic year.

Evidence of paid and/or voluntary experience in human service organizations, awareness of contemporary social issues and social work values, demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, and motivation for a career as a professional social worker is assessed on the basis of application material.

Although the Indigenous an area of specialization or concentration that is related to the demonstrable and collective strengths of the program’s faculty ')" onMouseOut="hideGlossaryDef()">field of study is open to students of all cultural backgrounds, candidates for this field must also have some familiarity with the traditional holistic healing approach and/or have used it in their practice. This will be demonstrated through a personal statement, references and an admissions interview.

Additional courses required for admission to the MSW program that are completed after the requirements for the bachelor's degree have been met will be calculated into the final year GPA. To be considered for admission, the re-calculated GPA must be at least a B average.

Applicants who do not meet the above academic requirements and standards for admission may inquire about establishing academic eligibility. If applicants do not have a B standing in the final academic year, additional undergraduate coursework must be completed to raise the final year GPA to the minimum B requirement. Additional coursework must be completed in social sciences beyond the introductory level. Please contact the admissions coordinator for further details.

Course exemptions may be granted based on prior graduate level university courses up to a maximum of two half-credit core courses for the MSW Regular Track programs, and a maximum of one half-credit core courses for the Advanced Standing full-time and part-time programs. Additional requirements include:

• Consideration for exemptions is only given for similar graduate level courses completed within the last 5 years with a minimum final grade of B or higher.
• Consideration for exemptions is only given prior to admission to the program. Applicants must make the request  and submit all documentation with their application.
• Initial recommendations regarding exemptions are made by the Associate Dean, MSW Programs and approved by the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Substitutions

Course substitutions may be offered based on prior undergraduate level university courses up to a maximum of two courses for the MSW Regular Track programs. Additional requirements include:

• Substitution is only given for similar courses completed with a minimum final grade of B or higher. Courses may include undergraduate level courses or may include graduate level courses taken more than 5 years ago.
• Students must provide a course syllabus for each course they would like considered for a substitution. Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a translated version.
• Initial recommendations regarding substitutions are made by the Associate Dean, MSW Programs and approved by the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

This MSW program consists of five terms taken over two academic years (fall, winter and spring terms in the first year and fall and winter terms in the second year). Students normally begin and complete the program with their cohort and must be registered in consecutive terms until completion of the degree. Within the two years, non-thesis students ordinarily will take a minimum of 14 courses and complete 1008 hours of field education in two different settings.  Thesis students ordinarily will take a minimum of 11 courses and complete 882 hours of field education.

Students admitted to the full-time on-campus program normally are expected to complete the program as full-time students taking on-campus courses. Students are permitted to change their registration status from full-time to part-time if their circumstances change, however, students completing a field placement more than two days per week must remain registered as a full-time student.

MSW Regular Track Program

Foundational Year 

Students are required to take the 4 foundational integrative courses:

SK507 - Social Justice and Transformative Social Work Practices SK545 - Introduction to Ethical Thought and Reflexive Practice SK536 - Integrating Theory and Practice SK665 - Relational Accountability: Transforming Social Work with Indigenous Peoples

Students are required to complete each of the following courses:

SK522 - Social Work Practice with Individuals SK501 - Approaches to Community Organizing and Group Practices SK504 - Research 1 

Students are required to complete one of the following courses: 

SK641 - Critical Social Policy and Activism SK681 - The Political and Organizational Contexts of Social Work Practice

Students will choose 1 of the following foundational electives in their first year (not all courses will be offered each year) :

SK509 - Social Work Practice with Groups SK552 - Social Work Practice with Families SK591 - Social Innovation SK592 - Transnational Social Work Practice SK593 - Indigenous Child Welfare Policy and Practice SK594 - Critical Collective Social Work Practice SK595 - Feminism, Gender and Policy

Students are required to take SK541 - Foundational Field Education starting in January and ending in May.

Advanced Study Year

Students are required to take:  

SK615 - Research 2 SK649 - Advanced Field Education, starting in September and ending in April

Choose 1 of the following: SK651 - Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals SK690 - Inequality, Poverty and Income Support

Plus 2 advanced electives**

** The advanced electives can be chosen from the foundational or advanced elective courses. 

Thesis option students are exempt from three courses: the foundational elective and two advanced electives, and 126 hours from the Advanced Field Education course.

The International Social Work Program (ISWP) leads to the Type 2 Graduate Diploma in International Social Work . This program combines courses and a research paper with an advanced international placement. Students interested in ISWP apply during the first term of their MSW program. A total of six courses are required for successful completion of the program, taken during terms 3, 4 and 5.

SK630 ° - International Placement Orientation: Introduction to the Culture, History and Traditions of Your Host Country is taken in spring term.  SK596 - International Social Work Research is also taken in spring term as an equivalent to SK615 - Research 2. SK622 - Personal and Professional Identity: Reflexivity and Growth in International Context is taken over two terms (fall and winter) instead of SK621 - Reflexive Practices or SK508 - Reflexive Group and Community Practice. During fall term, students complete an international placement and must take SK650 * - Advanced International Field Education instead of SK649 - Advanced Field Education. During the international placement, students also complete SK597 °. In the winter term, students will take SK592 - Transnational Social Work Practice as their foundational elective. 

The curricular requirements and course content are similar to those in the Regular Track full-time program. The difference is that students complete degree requirements over 8 academic terms.  Students normally begin and complete the program with their cohort and must be registered in consecutive terms until completion of the degree. Students complete a minimum of 14 courses and complete 1008 hours of field education, normally starting in term 4..

Students complete a maximum of two courses, or 1.0 credits, as scheduled in each of the eight terms. An exception may be made in terms 6, 7 and 8 if students are still required to register in field placement. 

Students are required to take the 5 foundational integrative courses prior to their field education course ( SK600 - Field Education): 

SK501 - Approaches to Community Organizing and Group Practices SK504 - Research 1 SK507 - Social Justice and Transformative Social Work Practices SK522 - Social Work Practice with Individuals SK545 - Introduction to Ethical Thought and Reflexive Practice

Students are required to take SK600 - Field Education typically starting in term 4 of the program. They must have completed SK501 , SK504 , SK507 , SK522 and SK545 before starting SK600 . 

SK536 - Integrating Theory and Practice, which is taken with SK600 SK641 - Critical Social Policy and Activism SK665 - Relational Accountability: Transforming Social Work with Indigenous Peoples

Foundational Elective: One of SK509 - Social Work Practice with Groups or SK552 - Social Work Practice with Families

SK615 - Research 2 SK621 - Reflexive Practices SK651 - Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals 2 advanced electives

Advanced standing students will normally complete the program in 3 terms (fall, winter and spring; September to June, inclusive). Students normally begin and complete the program with their cohort and must be registered in consecutive terms until completion of the degree. Students complete a minimum of eight courses and 546 hours of placement.  Thesis students normally will take a minimum of 6 courses in addition to completing their thesis.

There are opportunities for a limited number of on-campus students to undertake individual theses.  These opportunities are dependent on the availability of a faculty member to advise the student.  A student who is interested in the thesis option should contact the Associate Dean (MSW program) in the first term of study.  It is then incumbent on the student to connect with potential advisors.  If a thesis advisor cannot be secured, the student will be unable to undertake a thesis.  Guidelines for the preparation and submission of master's theses, as well as information regarding the oral examination of theses, are found under General Regulations in the Graduate Calendar. The thesis option includes exemptions from three courses: two electives and SK649 Advanced Field Education. Students may choose to complete SK649 Advanced Field Education in addition to these requirements.

SK504 - Research 1 SK615 - Research 2  SK649 - Advanced Field Education Choose 1 of the following: (depending on micro/macro nature of placement) SK508 - Reflexive Group and Community Practice  SK621 - Reflexive Practices

Plus 4 advanced electives**

**The advanced electives can be chosen from the foundational or advanced elective courses.

The curricular requirements and course content are similar to those in the Advanced Standing full-time program. The difference is that students complete degree requirements over five academic terms.  Students normally begin and complete the program with their cohort and must be registered in consecutive terms until completion of the degree.

Students complete a minimum of 8 courses and complete 546 hours of field education, normally starting in term 4. 

Students complete a maximum of two courses, or 1.0 credits, per term in each of the five terms.

Required Courses 

SK504 - Research 1 SK615 - Research 2 SK649 - Advanced Field Education SK621 - Reflexive Practices SK651 - Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals **4 advanced electives

** The advanced electives can be chosen from the foundational or advanced elective courses . 

The MDiv - MSW program is offered jointly by Martin Luther University College (Luther) and the Faculty of Social Work. It integrates the curricula of both degrees into four years of study. This program is particularly valuable for those who are interested in positions of leadership in the social services of the church and the community at large.

Such positions would include special ministries in a hospital, prison, leisure or counselling centre setting, placements in social work agencies that work closely with the church, and occupations in groups that are involved in broad-based programs of leadership development and community renewal. Because the completion of the joint program results in the receipt of both the MDiv and the MSW degrees, persons graduating from the joint program are also qualified to apply for other positions within the an area of specialization or concentration that is related to the demonstrable and collective strengths of the program’s faculty ')" onMouseOut="hideGlossaryDef()">fields of social work and church ministry.

The combined MDiv - MSW program normally involves two years of registration in Luther and two years of registration in the Faculty of Social Work. Students pay fees and are only eligible for scholarships, bursaries and awards applicable to the program in which they are registered.

There are a limited number of positions in the joint MDiv - MSW program. Normally no more than six students are admitted to the program in any particular year. Therefore, it is desirable to apply for admission to this joint program at the earliest possible date.

At the beginning of each academic year, students in the combined degree programs must meet with both the MSW Coordinator and the dean of Luther to plan their course schedule for the coming year.

For further information, refer to Program Requirements-The MDiv - MSW Program or write to the dean of Luther or the admissions coordinator in the Faculty of Social Work.

Students register and complete their eight courses and 29 weeks of practicum in three academic terms (fall, winter and spring terms, September to June).

Course Schedule

The curricular requirements and course content are identical to those in the Indigenous field full-time MSW program. Students who complete the MSW degree requirements on a part-time basis register and complete their eight courses and 29 weeks of practicum in six academic terms (fall, winter, and spring terms, September to June, in two consecutive years).

As a significant portion of their training, all MSW students complete field placements in social work agencies and receive practice instruction and supervision from a Social Work practitioner.

Students completing the full-time MSW Regular Track on-campus program complete two field courses: a foundational course (462 placement hours) and an advanced field education course (546 hours). Placement hours are normally completed at two different agencies; however, in some circumstances all placement hours may be completed at one agency.

Students in the online part-time MSW Regular Track program complete one field course (1008 hours). Students in the advanced standing full-time on-campus or part-time online program complete an Advanced placement only.

Foundational placements for full-time on-campus students take place over the winter and spring academic terms. All advanced placements for full-time on-campus students begin in the fall and are completed in two or three academic terms.

From time to time, the Field Education Office may offer additional placement timeframes.

Students completing a thesis in the MSW Regular Track full-time program are exempt from some placement hours during their advanced placement (see Program Requirements), although they may choose to complete the full placement. Students in the advanced standing full-time program completing a thesis are exempt from their advanced placement although they may choose to complete a full placement.

Most field education settings have requirements for vulnerable sector police record checks. Other settings may require immunization or other medical tests, advanced levels of police screening, training, etc. Agency requirements must be met prior to commencing the placement. Any cost associated with placement is the responsibility of the student.

Students completing the full-time MSW Regular Track on-campus program may pursue the International Social Work Program which offers a Diploma in International Social Work, and includes five courses as well as an advanced international field placement of 720 hours (see Program Requirements for details).

Further information can be found on the field education pages of the FSW website. 

The thesis option is open to all on-campus students except those in the Indigenous field of study; however, enrolment in the thesis option is contingent upon the student finding a faculty member who is willing to act as his/her thesis advisor. The Associate Dean may assist students in identifying potential thesis advisors. On-campus Regular Track program and advanced standing students must register in the thesis option by mid-way through their first term (see Program Requirements for course and practicum exemptions for the thesis option).

Guidelines for the preparation and submission of master's theses, as well as information regarding the oral examination of theses, are found under General Regulations in the Graduate Calendar.

Academic & Related Dates 2021/2022

Other calendars.

• Graduate Calendar (2023/2024)
• Graduate Calendar (2022/2023)
• Graduate Calendar (2020/2021)
• Graduate Calendar (2019/2020)

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• Social Work (BSW)

College Pathways

Block transfer agreement: ssw and cyc diplomas.

Graduates from accredited Canadian college Social Service Work (SSW) and Child and Youth Care (CYC) diploma programs can apply as transfer students to Laurier’s Bachelor of Social Work program.

To be considered for admission, graduates from SSW or CYC programs must achieve a minimum of 60% in a 4U English course or equivalent, as well as a minimum overall average of 75%. This is a competitive-entry program and a higher overall average for admission may be required.

Note: Applications to the BSW program by transfer students from programs other than Ontario college SSW and CYC diploma programs will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A minimum overall average of 80% in previous postsecondary studies is required.

• Social Service Worker Pathway  

Child and Youth Care Pathway

Social service worker pathway.

Graduates of an approved Social Service Worker (SSW) diploma program will be granted 10.0 transfer credits and be required to earn another 10.0 credits at Laurier to graduate with their Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).

Throughout your Social Work degree, you will take courses in topics such as social policy, Indigenous perspectives on family and reconciliation and critical issues in individual, group and family social work contexts, in addition to practical field experience. Once you have accepted your offer, please consult Academic Advising and our Course Registration Guide to determine the specific courses you'll need to take during your time at Laurier.

Below is a list of transfer credits you will receive in your offer letter if you are admitted into Social Work from any Social Service Worker college program:

Transfer Credits

• SK111: Introduction to Social Welfare
• SK121: Introduction to Social Work: Values, Ethics and Practice
• SK211: Human Behaviour and Environment
• SK224: Communication and Interviewing Skills
• SK313: Practice with Groups
• SK321: Community Practice
• SK399 1.5 credits: Field 1
• HR100: Human Rights and Human Diversity
• HR260: Introduction to Human Rights
• 1.0 credit: Interdisciplinary (100 level)
• 3.5 credits: Interdisciplinary (200 level)

Graduates of an approved Child and Youth Care (CYC) diploma program will be granted 9.5 transfer credits, and be required to earn another 10.5 credits at Laurier to graduate with their Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). 

Throughout your Social Work degree, you will take courses in topics such as social policy, human behaviour, Indigenous perspectives on family and reconciliation, and critical issues in individual, group and family social work contexts, in addition to extensive practical field experience. Once you have accepted your offer, please consult Academic Advising and our Course Registration Guide to determine the specific courses you'll need to take during your time at Laurier.

• SK314: Practice with Families and Children
• 1.0 credit: Human Rights (200 level)
• 1.0 credit: Health Studies (200 level)
• 1.5 credits: Youth and Children's Studies (200 level)
• 2.0 credits: Interdisciplinary (100 level)
• 2.0 credits: Interdisciplinary (200 level)

Learn More About Transferring to Laurier

If you have additional questions about your transition to Laurier, financial aid for transfer students or transfer credit evaluation, visit our transfer students website . If you are interested in transferring into this program with an academic history different than what is outlined above, apply using the undergraduate application form and your transfer credits will be assessed on an individual basis and reported to you, along with your offer letter, upon admission to Laurier.

Note: Not all program requirements are reflected in these pathway descriptions. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all academic program and course requirements have been met. Refer to regulations in the academic calendar and connect with an academic advisor once you have accepted your offer.

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Program requirements.

Note: University regulations apply to all students at Laurier. If there is any discrepancy between the program or progression requirements outlined on this page and those in the university's academic calendars , the academic calendars are the official sources of information. The information below is from the latest calendar, and you may be following progression requirements from an earlier calendar. Students are responsible for checking the appropriate calendar. Contact your program coordinator should you notice any discrepancies.

Program Requirements for the On-Campus Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs

Regular track full-time on-campus program for those starting fall 2022 and beyond, foundational year, term 1 (fall).

Note: These 5 courses must be completed before starting field placement in the winter term.

• SK501: Approaches to Community Organizing and Group Practices
• SK504: Research 1
• SK507: Social Justice and Transformative Social Work Practices
• SK522: Social Work Practice with Individuals
• SK545: Introduction to Ethical Thought and Reflexive Practices

Term 2 (Winter)

• SK536: Integrating Theory and Practice
• SK599: Field Education Orientation (online course)
• SK541: Foundational Field Education (two-terms, winter-spring, three days per week, Monday-Wednesday)
• SK641: Critical Social Policy and Activism, or
• SK681: The Political and Organizational Contexts of Social Work Practice
• SK509:  Social Work Practice with Groups
• SK552:  Social Work Practice with Families
• SK592: Transnational Social Work Practice

Term 3 (Spring)

• SK541: Foundational Field Education (two-terms, winter-spring, four days per week, Monday-Thursday)
• SK615: Research 2
• SK665: Relational Accountability: Transforming Social Work with Indigenous Peoples

Advanced Study Year

Term 4 (Fall)

• SK649: Advanced Field Education (two-terms, fall-winter, three days per week, Monday-Wednesday)
• SK508: Reflexive Group and Community Practice
• SK621: Reflexive Practices
• SK651: Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals
• SK690: Inequality, Poverty and Income Support

Term 5 (Winter)

• SK649: Advanced Field Education (two-terms, fall-winter; three days per week, Monday-Wednesday)
• Two Advanced Electives

Regular Track Full-Time On-Campus Program for those who started in Fall 2021 or earlier

• SK536: Integrating Theory and Practice (two-term, winter-spring course)
• SK541: Foundational Field Education (two-term, winter-spring)
• SK665:   Relational Accountability: Transforming Social Work with Indigenous Peoples (formerly known as:  Critical Indigenous Knowledges in Social Work)
• SK649: Advanced Field Education (two-term, fall-winter course; three days, Monday-Wednesday)

Regular Track Full-Time On-Campus Program with International Placement

• SK541: Foundational Field Education (winter-spring course; three days per week, Monday-Wednesday)
• SK641: Critical Social Policy and Activism or
• Foundational Elective - SK592: Transnational Social Work Practice required
• SK541: Foundational Field Education (two-term, winter-spring, four days per week Monday to Thursday)
• SK596: International Social Work Research (replaces SK615: Research 2)
• SK630: International Placement Orientation: Introduction to Culture, History and Traditions of your Host Country
• SK665: Relational Accountability: Transforming Social Work with Indigenous Peoples
• SK622: Personal and Professional Identity: Reflexivity and Growth in International Context
• SK650: Advanced International Field Education (five days per week)
• SK597: International Social Work Research Paper

Advanced Standing Full-Time On-Campus Program

• SK649: Advanced Field Education (two terms, fall-winter, three days per week, Monday- Wednesday)
• SK649: Advanced Field Education (two terms, fall-winter; three days/week, Monday-Wednesday)

Indigenous Field of Study Full-Time Program

• SK628: Cultural Camp
• SK645: Indigenous Research Methodologies
• SK646: Wholistic Healing Practice
• SK647: Elders’ Teaching and Indigenous Identity
• SK507: Social Justice and Transformative Social Work Practices
• SK644: Aboriginal Kinship Structures and Social Work Practice
• SK649: Advanced Field Education
• SK635: Indigenous Knowledges and Theory
• SK648: Elders’ Teachings and Self-Reflection

Indigenous Field of Study Part-Time Program

Term 6 (Spring)

• SK648: Elders’ Teachings and Self-Reflection (fasting camp)

Program Requirements for the Online Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs

The program requirements noted below are as of Fall 2022. For students that started the program prior to Fall 2022, please see the Graduate Academic Calendar for your specific program requirements. 

Regular Track Part-Time Online Program

• Classes are fully online, asynchronous and self-directed, but students must meet weekly deadlines and assignments.
• Each course requires a minimum of 15 hours of study per week.
• Most courses are 6 weeks in length.
• Courses noted are current as of posting but are subject to change.
• Specific course sequencing for each cohort will be provided.
• SK501, SK504, SK507, SK522 and SK545 must be completed before students can begin placement.
• For more information see   course descriptions . 

Courses required:

• SK598: Field Preparation Seminar
• SK599: Field Education Orientation
• SK600: Field Education 
• SK509 Social Work Practice with Groups
• SK552 Social Work Practice with Families
• SK641: Critical Social Policy and Activism
• SK649: Advanced Field Education
• SK690: Inequality, Poverty, and Income Support

Advanced Standing Part-Time Online Program

• Most are 6 weeks in length.
• Specific course sequencing provided to each cohort. 
• For more information see  course descriptions . 
• Four Advanced Electives

MSW Thesis Guidelines

On-Campus students who wish to complete a thesis must discuss this with the associate dean, MSW (full-time students early in the first term or even as soon as they have accepted an offer of admission). The associate dean will assist you in identifying potential thesis advisors; however, enrolment in the thesis stream is contingent upon you finding a faculty member who is willing to act as your thesis advisor.   Note:  Faculty of Social Work students can apply for   funding for their thesis research .

• Thesis students in the Regular Track Full-time On-Campus program are exempt from three courses: the foundational elective, two advanced electives and 100 hours of the minimum 500 practice hours from the advanced field placement.   
• Thesis students in the advanced standing programs are exempt from two advanced electives and  the Advanced Field placement .

Registration

Thesis students must register for their thesis (SK698) for every term that they are working on their thesis, along with their other courses. You can only register for the thesis once you have completed your proposal and it has been approved by your committee.

Regulations and Procedures Governing the Master's Thesis are found on the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website .

Procedures for MSW Students seeking courses outside the Faculty of Social Work

We expect that all courses taken in the MSW program will be taken from courses offered within the Faculty of Social Work (FSW).  

In extenuating circumstances students may be able to take graduate courses offered in other faculties.  Students should make a case to the Associate Dean: MSW Program as to why the course is important to them versus options that are available within the FSW. Requests will be considered and approval will be granted on a case-by-case basis and will require the approvals of the instructor and department offering the course.

Only courses needed to fulfill MSW program requirements will be approved, therefore it must be to fill a required or elective credit for the MSW. They cannot be "extra" courses to the degree.

Related Forms

• Thesis/Dissertation Research Funding Request Form
• Request for a letter of degree confirmation

Related Policies

• MSW Grade Reassessment Policy
• Online MSW Program Coursework Extension Policy

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• Academics and Research
• Social Work
• Social Work Professional Development

Certificates

• CBT Program
• Customized Training
• Cancellations and Transfers
• Professional Development Dollars
• Instructors

We offer 14 non-credit professional development certificates. Our workshops and courses provide experiential, interactive learning opportunities through online and remote training options. All of our courses are facilitated by highly qualified, knowledgeable instructors with considerable experience in their area of expertise. You can take any of the courses and workshops associated with our certificates without working towards earning the certificate.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Viewing clinician and client as fundamentally alike, training in this deeply empathic, experiential, and transdiagnostic approach to psychotherapy will help you move beyond diagnosis and attend to what matters most to you and your client – in therapy, and outside of it.

The Addictions certificate is designed for anyone who wants to build on their knowledge and skills in the field of addictions.

Child and Youth Mental Health

The Child and Youth Mental Health certificate provides you with an in-depth understanding of the complex and multifaceted field of child and youth mental health.

Clinical Supervision

The Clinical Supervision certificate is designed for anyone looking to begin a clinical supervision practice or delve deeper into an existing practice. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Our innovative, practical CBT certificate will introduce you to the full set of core cognitive behaviour interventions and teach you to expertly apply these skills to the most prevalent DSM-V disorders.

Counselling Skills for Mental Health

Designed for non-clinicians, this certificate will help you understand what mental health is, explain some of the most common mental illnesses and provide you with the foundational skills to help you support your staff, clients and students.

Counselling Techniques

This skill-based certificate will provide you with a broad overview of the various counselling approaches that can help you build a therapeutic toolbox to address the needs of most clients.

Dare to Lead™

Dare to Lead™ 2.0 is the ultimate playbook for developing brave leaders and courageous cultures. Daring leadership is a collection of four courage skill sets that are 100% teachable, measurable, and observable.

Death, Dying and Bereavement

The Death, Dying and Bereavement certificate is designed to provide you with the knowledge and resources to assist you in walking with compassion through the dying and grief journey with clients and patients.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

The DBT certificate will help you understand the functional rationale for each of the four independent, yet interconnected, modes of intervention, as well as have an opportunity to practice the skills through role plays and group work and begin to apply this knowledge to real world examples and case studies.

Family and Couples Counselling

This practical, skills-based certificate is designed to familiarize all clinicians, even those who work primarily with individual clients, with the theories and approaches to family and couples counselling, enhancing their comprehension of the intricate ways in which family dynamics impact the individuals they serve.

Management and Leadership

This certificate is designed to provide a detailed overview of the knowledge and skills needed to be a successful, effective leader in any organization.

The Trauma certificate will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of what trauma is, how it affects the body, the brain and the memory and how trauma differs from crisis and other distress.

Therapeutic Models of Mindfulness

This certificate will introduce you to the four primary therapeutic models of mindfulness, as well as other mindfulness applications that can be integrated into personal and professional practices.

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