Masters in Social Work in Canada offers candidates with professional training to provide humanitarian services to the needy. These professionals can work as Counsellors, Health coordinators, Researchers, etc. Masters in Social Work is available in 15+ universities in Canada such as McGill, McMaster, UBC, etc. The cost of MS Social Work in Canada is around 30,000 CAD per annum. Candidates are required to submit IELTS or TOEFL scores to enroll themselves in the top colleges offering Masters in Social Work in Canada.  The average salary of MS Social Work professionals in Canada is 50,000 CAD annually. The basic eligibility documents include Academic transcripts, resume, statements of purpose, letters of recommendation, English proficiency exams, and so on. Candidates need a minimum GPA of 3 to be eligible for a master's degree in social work in Canada.

Table Of Contents 

  1. Top MSW Specializations in Canada
  2. Masters in Social Work in Canada Course Fees
  3. Admission Process
  4. Masters in Social Work in Canada Eligibility Criteria
  5. Admission Requirements
  6. Documents Required for Masters in Social Work in Canada
    6.1 Cost of Studying for Masters in Social Work in Canada
    6.2 Masters in Social Work in Canada Student Visa Process
  7. Masters in Social Work in Canada - Scholarships
  8. Work Permit after Studying Master in Social Work in Canada
  9. Masters in Social Work in Canada Jobs and Salaries (ROI)
  10. Top Recruiters for Masters in Social Work in Canada

Top MSW Specializations in Canada

MSW has a wide range of specializations for different career opportunities. The following table shows different available specializations for masters in social work in Canada for international students:

University Name Course Duration
University of Toronto MSW- Advanced Standing (full-time) 3 years
University of British Columbia MSc Advanced [full time] 1-year
Dalhousie University Master of Social Work 2 years
McGill University MSW Thesis [full time] 3 years
University of Ottawa Master's in Social Work [full time] 4 years
York University MSW Advanced Standing 3 terms
University of Manitoba MSW Advanced Level 4 years
Western University MSc Advanced Standing [full time] 3 terms

Masters in Social Work in Canada Course Fees

Candidates must check the MSW course in Canada fees before applying. Tuition fees for international students who want to study MS in social work at the top universities in Canada are tabulated below:

University Name Course Tuition Fee
INR CAD
University of Toronto MSW- Advanced Standing (full-time) 3000171.56 38,690
University of British Columbia MSc Advanced [full time] 2180928.54 28,125.10
Dalhousie University Master of Social Work 1843698.09 23,776.20
McGill University MSW Thesis [full time] 742664.59 (term) 9,577.35
University of Ottawa Master's in Social Work [full time] 738295.77 per term 9,521.01
York University MSW Advanced Standing 486655.90 (term) 6,275.88
University of Manitoba MSW Advanced Level 472645.27 (term) 6,095.20
Western University MSc Advanced Standing [full time] 958110.1 (term) 12,355.72

Admission Process

An international student must make sure to prepare every document before the time of application and apply promptly. A step-by-step guide to applying for a Master's in Social Work in Canada is given below:

  • Visit the official university website of the selected university
  • Study eligibility criteria and documents required.
  • Fill in all the details as per the guidelines
  • Upload scanned copies of all the required documents asked by the university (transcripts, CV, IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/CAEL/DUOLINGO/MELAB scorecards)
  • Pay the nonrefundable fee online.
  • If eligible, you get the conditional offer letter from the institution.
  • Pay the deposit amount by agreeing to the terms and conditions of the school/university.

Masters in Social Work in Canada Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for 1 year MSW programs Canada are given below. This is for masters in social work in Canada for international students.

  • Bachelor of Social Work degree from an institution accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE) or the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).
  • Minimum overall grade average - UBC B+ (76-79%) or higher
  • An approved course in statistics
  • Statement of Purpose (SOS)
  • Resumé or curriculum vitae;
  • 3 letters of reference

Admission Requirements

Canada MSW programs require candidates to clear a few exams like IELTS and TOEFL. The following table shows eligible criteria required for admission into some top universities:

University GPA/Grade IELTS TOEFL iBT
McGill University 3.2/ 4.0 8 86
University of British Columbia 76%-79% 6.5 93
University of Calgary 3.0/ 4.0 7 86
University of Waterloo 75% 7 90
Western University 70% 7 87

Documents Required for Masters in Social Work in Canada

Admission to MSW colleges in Canada requires some documents. The social work masters programs in Canada requirements are:

  • Transcripts & Mark Sheets of all educational qualifications
  • CV or Resume
  • LOR or Letter of Recommendation
  • SOP or Statement of Purpose
  • Scorecards of IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/CAEL
  • Passport & Visa
  • Admission Essays
  • 2-3 Recommendation letters

Cost of Studying for Masters in Social Work in Canada

Universities in Canada offer higher education at much lower costs than other rich countries like the USA, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The MSW course fees in Canada include tuition fees and the cost of living. The basic components of the common cost of living in Canada are tabulated below:

Expenses Monthly Costs (CAD)
Accommodation 5000-10000
Food (Per Meal) 2000-5000
Books & Supplies 2,000
Clothing 800-3000
Transportation 800
Other Expenses 600-2000
Phone 400-640
Internet 395
Laundry 200

Masters in Social Work in Canada Student Visa Process

Step 1: Register and submit the Visa application online following the guidelines given at the below links. Read carefully all the details and various provisions mentioned on the Visa website before applying.

Step 2: Submit a printout of the Visa application along with the supporting documents and fee at the BLS Center. BLS website address: www.blsindia-canada.com.

Masters in Social Work in Canada - Scholarships

Students who pursue Masters's in Social Work in Canada can get various scholarships. Candidates must check MSW courses in Canada eligibility for scholarships. Some of the important scholarships are given below:

Scholarship Name Eligibility Amount
Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work Scholarships/Bursaries [University of Toronto] Full-time student enrolled in either the MSW or PhD programs 1000-4000.
FIFSW Tuition Fee Bursaries [University of Toronto] Full-time registration status throughout the academic year. Bursaries are open to eligible Canadian Citizens and international students maximum of 5,000 each.
Grace Hannah Chellam Scholarship [University of Toronto] Must meet OSOTF [Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund] requirements approximately 1,800
Kings School of Social Work Academic Award in the Social Work Program [Western University] Kings School of Social Work Students 200
Mary Lou Karley Award for Excellence in Social Work Practice [Western University] Qualities of leadership and commitment which promise future professional excellence 500
Michèle Kérisit Scholarship [University of Ottawa] Female student with one child 3,000 minimum
John Flynn Memorial Scholarship Ottawa University Student 1,000
Joan Cummings Memorial Award Dalhousie University - students with disabilities Varies
Lawrence T. Hancock Scholarship Dalhousie University - high academic standing, and leadership and service.
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships : Three main criteria, Academic Excellence, Research Potential, and Leadership. 50,000

Work Permit after Studying Master in Social Work in Canada

Internship education is an integral part of a social work degree programme. The MSW program provides a rich learning experience in different cities in Canada, providing hands-on training in one of the country's most diverse urban areas. Skills can be improved in immersive practicum education programs and put classroom knowledge into community action.

Masters in Social Work in Canada Jobs and Salaries (ROI)

As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of social workers across the globe is expected to grow by 15% from 2016 to 2026. It is due to the increased demand for healthcare and social services.

Some of the most successful paying jobs and their duties are tabulated below:

Public Policy Social Worker Policy decisions on matters like public development, housing, community health services, and social services.
Social Science Researcher To assess the needs of people in their surroundings, evaluate the efficiency of social work services and monitor the relative costs and benefits of these services in various sectors like homelessness, domestic violence, mental health etc.
Health Clinical Coordinator organizing and monitoring the administrative aspects of social service agencies and their clinical staff in hospitals, clinics, patient care wards, and academic-medical programs.
Counsellors family and marriage counsellors, mental health counsellors, addiction counsellors etc. for individuals, families, and groups

There are multiple universities in Canada that offer masters in social work. Some popular job designations with their average salaries are tabulated below

Top Jobs Average Salary (CAD)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker [LCSW] 70,000
Social Worker 63,417
Community Health Worker 55,000
Child, Family, & School Social Worker 54,859
Mental Health Worker 51,321
Family Support Worker 47,883
Geriatric Social Worker 47,500
Addiction Counselor 46,097
Community Organizer 45,495
Community Support Worker 43,957

Top Recruiters for Masters in Social Work in Canada

The table below shows some of the top recruiters of best masters of social work programs in Canada in the world:

AccentCare SSM Health
Danish Refugee Council Sutter Health
Food for the Hungry International The Salvation Army
HelpAge International United Nations
International Justice Mission UnitedHealth Group
International Rescue Committee US Department of Veteran Affairs
Mercy Volunteers of America
Oxfam International Secretariat Women for Women International
Providence World Health Organization
Save the Children YMCA

The top MSW programs in Canada are offered by multiple colleges. Masters of social work online programs canada for international students is one of the most studied courses. There are multiple scholarships offered for Canada MSW programs.