University of Calgary MSW Application Tips
The University of Calgary's Master of Social Work (MSW) program is renowned for its commitment to developing highly skilled and knowledgeable social work professionals. The program offers students the opportunity to engage in advanced social work practice and research through a number of program options.
About the Program
BSW degree holder:
If you are applying to the program as a BSW-degree holder, you will begin your studies in the spring semester (May) and take courses year-round, including the summer. The program length is 2 years full time, with an additional year if you apply to the thesis-based route. The program offers two specializations, with various topics offered within each. These specializations include: Clinical Social Work Practice and International and Community Development. The sub-specialization topics differ each year. For the clinical specialization, the Spring 2025 topics include: Clinical Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups (Calgary residencies); Infant, Child, and Adolescent Mental Health (Calgary residencies); Community-Informed Practice for Health and Well Being (Edmonton residencies); and Trauma-Informed Practice (Edmonton residencies). For the international specialization, the Spring 2025 topics include: International Social Development (Calgary residencies).
This program is offered mainly online. You are required to attend two mandatory on campus residencies at the Calgary or Edmonton campus depending on the specialization and topic you choose. Online courses consist of a mix of real time classes at set times and learning that can be done on your own schedule. If you are completing a course-based degree, in the last year of your program you will complete a 500-hour practicum (normally 3 days per week).
Non-BSW degree holder:
If you are applying to the program as a non-BSW degree holder, similar to the BSW degree holder applicants, you will begin the program in May, and the same two specializations are offered. However, as a non-BSW degree holder, you will complete a foundation year prior to your specialization years. The foundation year provides you with the crucial concepts, theories, and knowledge you will need to pursue graduate-level, social work education. The program length is 3 years full time, with an additional year if you apply to the thesis-based route. The specialization topic options for Spring 2025 include: Adult Mental Health and Addictions (Calgary residencies); and Trauma Informed Practice (Calgary residencies). For the international specialization, your specialization topic option includes: International Social Development (Calgary residencies).
This program is offered mainly online. You are required to attend three mandatory on campus residencies at the Calgary or Edmonton campus depending on the specialization and topic you choose. Online courses consist of a mix of real time classes at set times and learning that can be done on your own schedule. If you are completing a course-based degree, in the final semester of the foundation year, you will complete a 450-hour practicum (normally 4 days per week), and a 500-hour practicum in your specialization year (normally 3 days per week).
Course-Based vs. Thesis-Based
Within the program, there is the option to apply to the course-based or thesis-based program. Students choosing the thesis-based route may have the goal of pursuing a social work career in research. With both of these options, you still choose a specialization and topic; the only difference is that an extra year is added to the thesis-based program, a practicum is optional, and you will complete two thesis-based courses. In the thesis-based route, you will complete a thesis research project, with a thesis defense at the end of your program. This replaces the capstone project that course-based students will complete at the end of their program.
Read more: What I Wish I Knew Before Enrolling in a Thesis-Based MSW Program
Admissions Process
The following information is taken directly from the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work website. This blog post does not contain all of the information from the website, so be sure to refer to the website when completing your application.
Application Requirements
A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited/recognized institution. Your degree must be awarded by March 1
A minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0-point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 60 units) of the undergraduate degree
The equivalent of two years of full-time paid work or a minimum of 3,000 hours of paid and/or volunteer work in the human services field by the application deadline
English language proficiency.
UCalgary MSW Application Deadlines
For Spring 2025 admission:
August 15, 2024 - Applications open
November 1, 2024 - Application and document deadline
November 1, 2024 - Unofficial transcript deadline
November 8, 2024 - Reference deadline
November 15, 2024 - ELP test scores
January 15, 2025 - CASW assessment deadline (if SW degree awarded in another country)
The program aims to notify all applicants of the outcome of their application by the end of February. Admission results are sent by email.
UCalgary MSW Application Requirements
You are required to submit the following documents:
Resume
Use three sections to describe your previous experience:
Employment experience in or related to social services,
Volunteer experience related to social services,
Employment and volunteer experience not related to social services.
Indicate the number of hours for all social service work and include a total number of hours.
Don’t forget to detail your educational history, awards, distinctions, publications, and presentations.
MSW Program Proposal (personal statement)
In your program proposal, you are required to answer the following questions:
Introduce yourself and discuss your decision to apply for graduate education (MSW) in the context of your personal and professional development.
Provide an analysis of your area of interest- drawing on the scholarly literature (references required) and your own practical experience. Discuss how your education in the MSW program will advance your work in this area.
Discuss your experience with and commitment to address equity, racial justice, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization in your practice.
The program proposal is approximately 5 pages, double-spaced (not including title page and references), and must be written in an academic format (APA or other), properly referenced, and ideas must be grounded in relevant bodies of scholarship.
DETAILS ON HOW TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM PROPOSAL ARE AT THE END OF THIS POST.
Thesis Proposal
If you are applying for the thesis route, in addition to the program proposal, you are required to upload a preliminary research proposal.
In your thesis proposal:
Describe the research problem you hope to investigate, and
Outline the research methodology or methodologies you are considering (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, participatory action research, grounded theory, arts-based, etc.).
It needs to be written in an academic format (APA or other) and cannot exceed 5 double-spaced pages (not including title page or references).
References
Your application has to contain information for two referees:
one from a person who can speak to your academic performance and ability (e.g., graduate program supervisor, professor, practicum instructor), and
one needs to be a professional/work reference (must have directly supervised you).
Unofficial Transcripts
You need to upload unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended (except for the University of Calgary) by the application deadline. If those institutions don’t indicate the awarded degree on their transcripts, you will need your degree certificates as well.
If your application is successful, final official transcripts will be requested with your offer of admission. These must be sent in a sealed envelope directly from your previous post-secondary institution(s).
Departmental Information Form
This checklist item refers to the WCB form that is required for certain programs to acknowledge you are aware of the regulations in the province where you plan to complete your practicum. This document is mandatory and must be signed by a witness.
English Language Proficiency (ELP) Test Scores
English is the official language of instruction at the University of Calgary. They follow the Faculty of Graduate Studies policy for English Language Proficiency, and are a Level 1 program.
You need to submit ELP test scores. If you have completed a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution that teaches in English, you may be exempt.
In certain circumstances, you may request to waive the English Language Proficiency requirement.
University of Calgary Program Proposal Tips
Your personal statement (or the program proposal as UCalgary refers to it), is arguably the most important aspect of your MSW application. It often times takes the place of an interview and is an opportunity to showcase your unique qualities and experiences that cannot be highlighted through your transcripts or resume. Therefore, the following are tips specific to the University of Calgary MSW program that will support you in writing your program proposal.
Follow Word Count and Formatting Guidelines
Be sure that you stick to the 5-page limit as this demonstrates your ability to follow instructions, which will be important when writing academic papers in the program. I recommend using APA format, as this is the most common format used in the program. It is also required that you integrate academic sources into your paper. The admissions committee is specifically looking for references in your analysis of your area of interest. References can also be integrated in your discussion about your commitment to address equity, racial justice, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization.
Prompt 1: Introduce yourself and discuss your decision to apply for graduate education (MSW) in the context of your personal and professional development.
In the first prompt, the admissions committee wants to get to know you. When asking about your motivation to apply to the program, they don’t want to read vague statements such as, “I want to help people”. It is likely that every applicant will have this same goal, so they want to hear what makes you unique and how your specific personal and professional experiences have motivated and inspired you to be an MSW-level social worker.
FREE WEBINAR: writing a personal statement for the MSW program
Prompt 2: Provide an analysis of your area of interest- drawing on the scholarly literature (references required) and your own practical experience. Discuss how your education in the MSW program will advance your work in this area.
In the second prompt about your area of interest, it is important to be specific. Include the demographic you wish to work with and the specific area. As an example, if you want to work in the mental health field, you could discuss how you want to work in an inpatient hospital setting with Indigenous children and adolescents. Start by highlighting the specific area of interest and use literature to support your points and further demonstrate the significance of the underlying social justice concerns. You can also draw from your own personal/professional experiences to demonstrate your understanding of the area. You then want to discuss why MSW-level social workers are needed in this area. Finally, this prompt is asking how your MSW education will support you in working within your area of interest. Ensure that this is specific to the UCalgary program. Do your research on the specific approaches the program uses and draw from this when answering the prompt.
Prompt 3: Discuss your experience with and commitment to address equity, racial justice, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization in your practice.
The final prompt is asking you to discuss your experience with and commitment to addressing equity, racial justice, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization in your practice. Although you can bring in academic sources to support your response, the admissions committee wants to hear your personal reflections on your commitment. Provide specific examples of your experience in working in these areas and how you aim to commit to these areas both in the program and beyond. I recommend reading the program’s statement on equity, diversity, and inclusion to ensure that your approaches align.
Applying to the University of Calgary? Click here to get a free copy of our personal statement template to help you brainstorm ideas for your program proposal.
Overall, the University of Calgary MSW program is a fantastic option for those seeking a specialized and flexible approach to their education.
