Social Work (MSW)

Our curriculum is designed to provide a wholly integrated foundational year that grounds all regular track full-time students in essential and interconnected social work practice areas. The second year of the program provides optimal flexibility and choice for you to focus your preferences toward micro and/or macro practices.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
• B average in your last 10 half credit courses or equivalent.
• Qualitative research methods course and eight half credit social science courses.
• Evidence of paid and/or voluntary experience in human service organizations is required. Two or more years of experience is required.

Program Details

• Entry points: Fall (September) only
• Program Length: 5 academic terms (20 months)
• Thesis Option: Yes

Field Education

• Field course SK541: Minimum of 450 foundational practice hours (3 days per week, Monday to Wednesday/Thursday; January to May during Term 2 and 3); and
• Field course SK649: Minimum of 500 advanced practice hours (3 days per week, Monday to Wednesday; September to April during term 4 and 5).
• Students must successfully complete the foundational courses in term 1 successfully prior to starting SK541.
• Placements are recruited for students within a 150 km radius of Kitchener-Waterloo and students are expected to commute. There is an optional process for students to propose a placement.
• Other options: Summer placements; International placement as part of our ISWD program (when permitted based on health and travel restrictions).

Courses

Classes are normally held at our Kitchener location between Monday and Friday in Term 1 and on Thursdays and Fridays over the remaining four terms. Courses noted are current as of posting but are subject to change. For more information see course descriptions. 

• 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
• One of:
  • SK641: Critical Social Policy and Activism
  • SK681: The Political and Organizational Contexts of Social Work Practice
• SK536: Integrating Theory and Practice
• SK541: Foundational Field Education (two-term, winter-spring)
• Foundational Elective -typical options include
  • SK509: Social Work Practice with Groups
  • SK552: Social Work Practice with Families and,
  • SK592: Transnational Social Work Practice
• SK599: Field Education Orientation (online course)
• SK665: Relational Accountability: Transforming Social Work with Indigenous Peoples
• SK615: Research 2
• SK649: Advanced Field Education (two-term, fall-winter course; three days, Monday-Wednesday)
• Choose one of the following (depending on micro/macro nature of placement):
  • SK508: Reflexive Group and Community Practice
  • SK621: Reflexive Practices
• Choose one of the following:
  • SK651: Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals
  • SK690: Inequality, Poverty and Income Support
• Two Advanced Electives

Our part-time online program follows the same curriculum as our on-campus program but provides more flexibility for professionals already working in the field.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
• B average in your last 10 half credit courses or equivalent.
• Qualitative research methods course and 8 half-credit social science courses.
• Evidence of paid and/or voluntary experience in human service organizations is required. Three or more years of experience is required.

Program Details

• Entry points: Fall (September); Winter (January); Spring (May)
• Program Length: 8 academic terms (32 months)
• Thesis Option: Yes

Field Education

• Field course SK600: Minimum 950 practice hours; minimum 2 days per week (16 hours). Students attend placement during the agency’s hours of operation and when supervision can be provided. Placement starts in Term 5.
• Students must propose their own placement within the deadline provided.
• Students must complete 5 foundational courses and SK598 successfully to start placement in term 5.
• All practice hours must be completed in Canada.

Courses

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 after admission to the program. For more information see course descriptions. 

• 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
• SK598: Field Preparation Seminar
• SK599: Field Education Orientation
• SK600: Field Education
• SK536: Integrating Theory and Practice
• Foundational Elective, one of:
  • SK509 Social Work Practice with Groups
  • SK552 Social Work Practice with Families
• One of:
  • SK641: Critical Social Policy and Activism
  • SK681: The Political and Organizational Contexts of Social Work Practice
• SK536: Integrating Theory and Practice
• SK541: Foundational Field Education (two-term, winter-spring)
• SK665: Relational Accountability: Transforming Social Work with Indigenous Peoples
• SK615: Research 2
• SK649: Advanced Field Education
• SK621: Reflexive Practices
• Choose one of the following:
  • SK651: Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals
  • SK690: Inequality, Poverty, and Income Support
• Two Advanced Electives

Advanced standing one-year full-time students, will have flexibility in choosing the direction of their learning in micro and/or macro practices while building on the skills learned in the BSW program.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor of Social Work required.
• B average in your last 10 half credit courses or equivalent.
• Qualitative research methods course and 8 half-credit social science courses.
• Evidence of paid and/or voluntary experience in human service organizations is required. Two or more years of experience is required.

Program Details

• Entry points: Fall (September) only
• Program Length: 3 academic terms (September to August)
• Thesis Option: Yes

Field Education

• Field course SK649: Minimum 500 advanced practice hours; 3 days per week, Monday to Wednesday, September to April.
• Placements are recruited for students within a 150 km radius of Kitchener-Waterloo and students are expected to commute. There is an optional process for students to propose a placement.

Courses

Classes are normally held on Thursdays and Fridays at our Kitchener location over the three terms. Courses noted are current as of posting but are subject to change. For more information see course descriptions. 

• SK504: Research 1
• SK615: Research 2
• SK599: Field Education Orientation (Online course)
• SK649: Advanced Field Education (two terms, fall-winter)
• Choose one of the following (depending on micro/macro nature of placement):
  • SK508: Reflexive Group and Community Practice
  • SK621: Reflexive Practices
• Choose one of the following:
  • SK651: Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals
  • SK690: Inequality, Poverty, and Income Support
• SK665: Relational Accountability: Transforming Social Work with Indigenous Peoples
• Four Advanced Electives

Our part-time online program follows the same curriculum as our on-campus program but provides more flexibility for professionals already working in the field.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor of Social Work required.
• B average in your last 10 half credit courses or equivalent.
• Qualitative research methods course and 8 half-credit social science courses.
• Evidence of paid and/or voluntary experience in human service organizations is required. Three or more years of experience is required.

Program Details

• Entry points: Fall (September); Winter (January); Spring (May)
• Program Length: 5 academic terms (20 months)
• Thesis Option: Yes

Field Education

• Field course SK649: Minimum 500 advanced practice hours; minimum 2 days per week (16 hours). Students attend placement during the agency’s hours of operation and when supervision can be provided. Placement starts in Term 4.
• Students must propose their own placement within the deadline provided.
• All practice hours must be completed in Canada.

Courses

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 are 6 weeks in length. Courses noted are current as of posting but are subject to change. Specific course sequencing provided to each cohort after admission to the program. For more information see course descriptions. 

• SK504: Research 1
• SK615: Research 2
• SK598: Field Preparation Seminar
• SK599: Field Education Orientation
• SK649: Advanced Field Education
• SK621: Reflexive Practices
• Choose one of the following:
  • SK651: Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals
  • SK690: Inequality, Poverty, and Income Support
• SK665: Relational Accountability: Transforming Social Work with Indigenous Peoples
• Four Advanced Electives

The Indigenous Field of Study is the first MSW program in Canada rooted in a wholistic Indigenous worldview and contemporary social work practice. This unique program includes the use of Indigenous elders, a traditional circle process, and Indigenous ceremonies.

Learn additonal information about the program's suitability. 

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor of Social Work required.
• B average in your last 10 half credit courses or equivalent.
• Qualitative research methods course and 8 half-credit social science courses.
• Evidence of paid and/or voluntary experience in human service organizations is required. Two or more years of experience is strongly recommended.
• Although this program is open to students of all cultural backgrounds, candidates for the Indigenous Field of Study must also have some familiarity with the traditional wholistic healing approach and/or have used it in their practice. This will be demonstrated through a personal statement, references and an admissions interview.

Program Details 

• Entry points: Fall (September) only
• Program Length: 3 academic terms (September to August)
• Thesis Option: No
• Delivery Mode: In-person hybrid

Field Education

• Field course SK649: Minimum 500 advanced practice hours; 3 days per week, Wednesday to Friday, January to August.
• Placements are proposed by the student.

Courses

Classes are normally held on Mondays and Tuesdays at our Kitchener location over the three terms with a few courses being 5-day intensives and/or land based. Courses noted are current as of posting but are subject to change. For more information see course descriptions. 

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

The Indigenous Field of Study is the first MSW program in Canada rooted in a wholistic Indigenous worldview and contemporary social work practice. This unique program includes the use of Indigenous elders, a traditional circle process, and Indigenous ceremonies.

Learn additonal information about the program's suitability. 

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor of Social Work required.
• B average in your last 10 half credit courses or equivalent.
• Qualitative research methods course and 8 half-credit social science courses.
• Evidence of paid and/or voluntary experience in human service organizations is required. Two or more years of experience is strongly recommended.
• Although this program is open to students of all cultural backgrounds, candidates for the Indigenous Field of Study must also have some familiarity with the traditional wholistic healing approach and/or have used it in their practice. This will be demonstrated through a personal statement, references and an admissions interview.

Program Details

• Entry points: Fall (September) only
• Program Length: 6 academic terms (two years)
• Thesis Option: No
• Delivery Mode: In-person hybrid

Field Education

• Field course SK649: Minimum 500 advanced practice hours; 3 days per week, Wednesday to Friday, January to August (Term 2 and 3).
• Placements are proposed by the student.

Courses

Classes are normally held as 5 days intensives either at our Kitchener location, on location with our partner institutions or on the land. Typically, there are no more than two 5-day intensive courses per term. Courses noted are current as of posting but are subject to change. For more information see course descriptions. 

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

• To pursue a particular interest.
• To contribute to a field of knowledge or practice.
• To lay the groundwork for later projects (practice or research).
• To enhance skills and academic record in preparation for subsequent studies.

Students who wish to complete a thesis must discuss this with the MSW associate dean as early as possible but no later than the first term. The MSW associate dean will assist students in identifying potential thesis advisors; 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.

Should a student start the thesis option but, in the end, choose not to finish the thesis, they are no longer eligible for the exemptions noted and therefore must fulfil all program coursework requirements to be eligible to graduate.

Students who choose the thesis option may choose to take advantage of the following exemptions.

Regular track students:

• 100 hours of advanced placement
• one foundational elective
• two advanced electives

Advanced standing students:

• two advanced electives
• field placement

Professional and qualified instructors teach you in the field. Field education instructors typically hold an MSW degree and are recognized as Laurier’s faculty in the field. Instructors have a minimum of two-years post-master’s experience, as well as formal training.

Field education courses are covered under student fees. There are no extra charges through the university. However, once confirmed for a placement, you are expected to pay for related expenses such as immunizations, police checks, mileage and parking. Students and instructors are not paid.

Where do students complete their field placements?

Students in the on-campus program complete placement hours and attend classes at Laurier concurrently. Placements are most often located within a 150-kilometer distance from the Faculty of Social Work in Kitchener. Each placement cycle, the Field Education Office recruits placements from interested social agencies. Agencies, instructors and placement learning opportunities are approved by the Field Office. The field coordinator matches students to a placement for an interview. Following the interview, the agency determines whether they can provide the student with a placement opportunity. Commuting to placement is expected and many agencies require students to have access to a car while on placement.

How are students assigned to a placement?

You will be asked to rank interest in available placements. You are assigned to a placement interview based on the requirements of your MSW program and of the agency. Your interests in particular placements are also taken into consideration. Placements at specific agency settings are not guaranteed. The Field Education office also considers new placement opportunities that you propose within the appropriate time frame.

When do field education courses take place?

The timelines for field education courses are structured and sequenced to reflect course requirements and program progression. The following timelines also ensure that you are able to attend field preparation seminars and workshops, and that you complete your program requirements in a timely manner.

Where do students complete their field placements?

Students in the online program complete placement hours and attend classes online simultaneously. Students are required to propose placements within their communities. At minimum, students are required to attend placement 16 hours a week, over two days during the instructor’s availability. The majority of agencies offer placements on weekdays during regular business hours.

Students who are also working professionals are expected to negotiate time off with their employers prior to beginning the MSW program in order to ensure they will be able to complete their courses and graduation requirements within the program timelines. Placements at the student’s workplace may be possible, if they meet conditions of approval outlined by the faculty.

How are students assigned to a placement?

The placement planning process for students in the online MSW program takes into consideration their need for flexible learning within their own communities. Accordingly, the placement process is self-directed and students take the lead on proposing new placements or workplace placements based on their learning interests and geographical area. In the absence of a suitable local placement within the preferred geographical area, students will need to commute to fulfill the field requirements of the MSW program and/or request to defer their placement course.

When do field education courses take place?

The timelines for field education courses are structured and sequenced to reflect course requirements and program progression. The following timelines ensure that you are able to attend field preparation webinars, and that you complete your program requirements in a timely manner. Students have the option to attend placement either two days/week, three days/week or five days/week with an agency that can support the option selected. Students in the regular track part-time program are required to complete 950 placement hours. Students in the advanced standing part-time program are required to complete 500 placement hours.

Learn more about Laurier’s MSW programs by attending one of our upcoming virtual information sessions. These sessions cover:

• the MSW curricula
• the practicum/field placement
• admission requirements and application details
• how to put your best foot forward in the application process
• time for any questions you might have

MSW Regular Track and Advanced Standing General Info Sessions (Full-time, On-Campus)

• Tuesday Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m. EST on ZOOM - General Information Session. Register to attend
• Thursday Oct. 9 at 12 p.m. EST on ZOOM - Live Q & A Session — come ready with your questions about the program, admissions, and student experience! Register to attend

MSW Regular Track and Advanced Standing General Info Sessions (Part-time, Online)

• Thursday Oct. 9 at 12 p.m. EST on ZOOM - Live Q & A Session — come ready with your questions about the program, admissions, and student experience! Register to attend

MSW Indigenous Field of Study

• Wednesday Oct. 8 at 5 p.m. EST on ZOOM Register to attend
• Tuesday Oct. 14 at 12 p.m. EST on ZOOM Register to attend
• Wednesday Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. EST on ZOOM Register to attend
• Monday Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. EST on ZOOM Register to attend

Advanced Standing Programs (Full-Time or Part-Time)

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) required.
• B average (73-76%) in last 10 half-credit courses.
• At least 8 half-credit social science courses.
• One half-credit course in qualitative research methods.
• Recommended to have 2+ years (3,500 hours) of human services experience for the full-time program, or 3+ years (5,250 hours) for the part-time program.

Regular Track Programs (Full-Time or Part-Time)

• Four-year bachelor’s degree in any discipline (3-year degree with significant relevant experience may be considered).
• B average (73-76%) in last 10 half-credit courses.
• At least 8 half-credit social science courses.
• One half-credit course in qualitative research methods.
• Recommended to have 2+ years (3,500 hours) of human services experience for the full-time program, or 3+ years (5,250 hours) for the part-time program.

Indigenous Field of Study Programs

Although the Indigenous Field of Study program is open to students of all cultural backgrounds, candidates for the Indigenous Field of Study must have – in addition to the Advanced Standing requirements above – some familiarity with the traditional wholistic healing approach and/or have used it in their practice. This will be demonstrated through a personal statement, references and an admissions interview.

Step 1: Applying

• Regular Track programs require a bachelor’s degree; Advanced Standing programs require a BSW degree. See admission requirements for each program for details.
• Step 1 (OUAC Application) must be completed by the application deadline dates as noted below.

Note: Laurier reserves the right to close applications to the part-time online MSW programs at any time after the application open date without notice. Therefore, if you are interested in a specific entry term, plan to complete Step 1 as early as possible.

Step 2: Submitting Documentation

• All supplemental materials as noted in the MSW Application Checklist must be uploaded and submitted by the Supplemental Documentation due date.
  • If you are re-applying for the MSW program, note that some of our forms have changed. The older forms will not be accepted. See the list below for updated information.
  • Please use "Review" button to download a copy of your application and check your documents.
    • Ensure your transcripts are legible, documents are facing the right direction, scrutinize for typos, etc.
    • Fix and re-upload any document corrections.
  • When you are sure everything is correct and you are satisfied with your submission, click on “Submit my application.” After this point, changes cannot be made to your application.
• We encourage you to ask your referees to submit by the Step 2 Supplemental Documentation due date however, we will honour the full 14 days from the date they received the email request to submit the online reference without penalty to the applicant.
  • Reference Letter FAQs
• Applications missing documents after the Supplemental Documentation Due date and/or the referee 14-day window will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.
• Once your application is submitted, the application is received in real-time and no further confirmation of receipt of application is provided.
• No further updates will be provided on the application until decisions are issued. See Target for Decision dates below.

A list of required documents is listed in the MSW Application Checklist below. Please visit our Graduate Admissions Toolkit for more information about applying, specific info on supplemental documents, troubleshooting, etc.

On-Campus Programs: Full-time, Fall Entry Only

Program application deadlines are firm. Late applications are not accepted.

Fall 2025 applications are closed. Fall 2026 applications will open as per the chart below.

Indigenous Field of Study (IFS): In-person Hybrid, Fall Entry Only

Online Programs: Part-Time Only

For both the MSW Regular Track and MSW Advanced Standing programs, applications are accepted during the following time periods.

Program application deadlines are firm. Late applications are not accepted. 

¹ Target dates are noted but are subject to external factors.

² For MDiv/MSW (Full-time) program applicants: This program is jointly administered by Martin Luther University College and the Faculty of Social Work at Laurier. Applicants are required to apply to each area separately (Luther and Social Work) and to complete the application form and submit documentation and application fees as required for each area, by the specific deadlines for each program. When applying to the Faculty of Social Work, indicate in your personal statement that your anticipated program is the MDiv/MSW. Only applications for September (fall term) starts are considered.

About three to five days 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 gradadmissions@wlu.ca advising you to upload the additional required documentation to Laurier’s Online Registration and Information System (LORIS).

An application for admission to all MSW programs must include:

• The Application Summary: this PDF is generated after you complete your OUAC application (go back to OUAC and log in to retrieve the document if you did not download it after submission).
• Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work from universities as well as any degrees or diplomas from colleges, including those at which you were enrolled but did not complete a program. This includes institutions that may appear as transfer credits or exchange programs on your degree transcripts. You must submit a full and complete postsecondary academic history. If you require more than the transcript spaces, email gradadmissions@wlu.ca to request the number of additional spaces needed. Documents must be dated within the past six months.
• Statement of Interest form. This form includes:
  • Specific questions from the faculty. Read the instructions and answer questions thoughtfully and reflexively.
  • Graduate exemption requests for previous graduate work (if applicable).
  • Field Placement Agreement. Read and agree to the declarations.
• Human Service Organizations Summary through the Experience Profile form. 
• A resume of your academic and work experience. Include a history of your publication and scholarly paper activity and any other information you feel will interest the admissions committee.
  • There is no set format for this document. However, we ask that you fully describe your duties for work and volunteer experiences that are particularly relevant to the social work field as well as the approximate number of hours for each experience.
• Completed reference forms. Two references are required. One (1) Academic and one (1) Professional.*
• For permanent Canadian residents, evidence of your status in Canada is required. You must provide a photocopy of your signed "Record of Landing" or photocopies of both sides of your permanent resident card.
• A completed Authorization of Information Release (AIR) form is required if you have engaged the services of an education agent/agency. Upload it to your application checklist when you identify your agent in the OUAC application. Visit Step 2 for more information about the AIR.

*Note: Applicants who have been out of school for three or more years, and who cannot obtain an academic reference, will be required to submit a second professional reference in its place. A professional reference is someone who can speak to your work and/or volunteer experience in human services. Do not include personal references from friends and family. Reference forms are electronically submitted to Laurier by the referee and do not need to be uploaded by the applicant.

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.

Requests for exemptions or substitutions must be made at the time of application and is part of the Statement of Interest form that is a required document in the application process.

Exemptions

With the exception of field courses, 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.
• Applicants must submit a full course syllabus for each course they would like considered with their application. Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a translated version.
• Initial recommendations regarding exemptions are made by the Associate Dean, MSW Programs and approved by the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Substitutions

With the exception of field courses, 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.

Exemptions and Substitutions for MSW Field Courses

Exemptions and/or substitutions for field placement hours/courses may be considered for students who can demonstrate successful completion of an MSW field course from a social work program accredited by Canadian Association of Social Work Education (CASWE).

The process for requesting a field exemption/substitution includes the following requirements:

• Submitting a transcript that indicates successful completion of the MSW field course;
• Submission of all placement evaluations; and
• Confirmation of hours from the assigned MSW field instructor and/or field coordinator.