List of Post-Degree BSW Programs in Canada
If you have read any of my blog posts, you might be getting the idea that my route to social work had some twists and turns. When I first attended university, I started out in the sciences, completing a degree in Kinesiology. After this, I explored a variety of paths, eventually finding my way to social work. If your journey has similarities to mine, this blog post will be helpful for you. In this post, I will discuss post-degree Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs, which universities offer this program in Canada, and why these might be an interesting option to explore! Especially for those of us whose journey had a little bit more zig-zag in it ☺ As always, I hope this blog post is helpful for you on your journey towards a career in social work!
So, what is a post-degree BSW program?
Post-degree BSW programs are for students who have already completed a degree in an area outside of social work. These programs build off the learning a student would have received in their first degree (or social work diploma) and have a focus on core social work courses. In these programs, universities omit some of the general undergraduate degree courses you have already taken. This allows students to streamline their way to a BSW degree.
Often these programs are offered intensively, so you can receive your BSW in about 1-2 years, as opposed to the typical 4 years! It’s important to note that because these programs are fast-tracked, they usually require applicants to have a certain amount of social service experience or volunteer work. I would encourage you to spend some time thinking about this! I tend to see that applicants underestimate the experience they have because it’s not in stereotypical social work settings. Remember, social work experience can show up in a variety of settings – and your unique experiences and background are immensely important to the profession. ☺
What universities offer post-degree BSW programs in Canada?
Although these programs are unique, more and more universities in Canada are offering this fast-tracked BSW option. These universities include:
University of Calgary: 2-year program, offers both blended and fully remote options
McMaster University: 2-year program that can be completed part-time or full-time
Laurentian University: 1-year post degree Honours Bachelor of Social Work
Thompson Rivers University: 2-year post degree BSW program
York University: students complete 9 core social work courses and a 700-hour practicum placement
Lakehead University (Thunder Bay or Orillia campus options): 10-month post BSW program, where students complete full-time courses in the summer, fall, and then complete a practicum placement in the winter semester
*a special shoutout to Lakehead, as this is where I completed my post-degree BSW program
University of Windsor: 2-year post degree BSW program
University of Waterloo: 10-month post degree BSW program
** this list is not exhaustive, and more and more frequently universities are offering the post-degree BSW option. If you are interested in a specific school, be sure to explore their program information page or reach out to one of the school’s academic advisors!
You will see that these programs range between 10 months to 2 years – which is quite a big difference! The 10-month programs are generally offered on a full-time, intensive schedule, where students are in school for the full 10 months. The 2-year programs offer a bit more flexibility, with part-time or full-time options and tend to be available both in person and remotely. Depending on your schedule and personal preference, these will be important aspects to consider when choosing the right program for you!
Post-degree BSW programs and MSW program options
If you already have a non-social work degree and are looking to pivot into the field of social work, you might be wondering, do I apply to a post-degree BSW program OR a foundational MSW program? Well let’s explore the difference between the two! As you may have read already, MSW programs usually have advanced or foundational options. The advanced option is for applicants who hold a BSW degree already and can be completed over 1 year. The foundational option is for applicants who hold a degree outside of social work and can be completed over 2 years.
Deciding between post-degree BSW or foundational MSW programs?
When choosing to apply to a post-degree BSW program or the foundational MSW program, it might be helpful to consider the following
Competitiveness: the foundational MSW programs can be more competitive than the post-degree options.
Timeframe: some of the post-degree BSW programs can be completed slightly faster than the foundational MSW programs.
Goals: do you need a master’s degree right away for the work you want to do in the social work field? Depending on your answer, this might help you decide which program might be the right fit
University specialty: Depending on your area of interest, you might choose your program based on a university that has the same focus. You can explore different university focuses through our MSW Helper application guides here.
Related: Academic Pathways to Becoming a Social Worker in Canada
Overall, there are many different social work programs to choose from and each program differs slightly. I want to encourage you to look at the different program options - and remember – it’s okay if this process takes you a little bit of time! When I was exploring post-degree programs, I spent months looking at the different options and even declined my first offer of admission – choosing to go back to school a year later. This blog post aims to give you an overview of the different routes, but also aims to normalize the many factors going into this big decision! If you have made it this far, thank you so much for your time and reading along. It’s clear this journey means a lot to you, and I hope you found this blog post helpful!
Applying to social work programs?
Join MSW Helper’s free community to learn about which path might be best for you, or meet with one of our application advisors who can help you figure out which path is best for your career goals.
