Application Information

Once admitted to the MSW program, you are automatically enrolled in the course-based option.

If you wish to take the thesis-based option, please contact us at ask.socialwork@ubc.ca at your earliest opportunity.

profeSSIONAL suitability

When you accept admission, you agree to conduct yourself as a student of a graduate level professional program, to abide by the policies of the School of Social Work, UBC, and the College of Graduate Studies, and to adhere to the professional values of the Social Work profession.

The School of Social work is committed to creating a learning environment conducive to optimal education and clinical practice. The School has identified the Standards of Professional Conduct as minimum requirements for the conduct of students registered with the School of Social Work.

The School of Social Work adheres to and promotes UBC Board of Governors Policies, Procedures and Guidelines, UBC Okanagan’s Campus-Wide Policies and Regulations, including the Student Code of Conduct, and the Canadian Association of Social Workers’ (CASW) Code of Ethics.

Although satisfactory academic performance is a prerequisite to advancement, students’ professional conduct is part of the criterion evaluated as a component of the MSW program.

Students who fail to meet expectations regarding professional conduct may be deemed unsuitable for further training and may be withdrawn from the program.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

A Statement of Purpose must be included as part of your application. The Admissions Committee will rate the essay’s clarity, academic strength, and relevance, as well as the student’s fit with our clinically-focused MSW program.

The Statement of Purpose is an applicant’s response to the provided questions below. Only one set of questions will apply depending on your track. You will be required to have this document prepared in a Word or PDF format to upload to your application before it can be submitted.

  1. What motivates you to enter the profession of Social Work and complete a clinically oriented MSW program? Please explain why you chose an MSW Program over a degree in a related field, such as counselling, clinical psychology, educational psychology, etc.
  2. What specific client population(s) and related social issues would you like to learn to professionally address at the clinical graduate level? Explain.
  3. Based on academic literature, what makes the above social issue(s) important to social work?
  4. How will the MSW program benefit you, and what do you see as your contribution to the program?
  1. What motivates you to complete a clinically oriented MSW?
  2. What specific client population(s) and their related social issues would you like to learn to professionally address at the clinical graduate level? Explain.
  3. Based on academic literature, what makes the above social issue(s) important to social work?
  4. How will the MSW program benefit you, and what do you see as your contribution to the program?
  • The maximum word count for your Statement of Purpose is 1000 words.
    • This total word count will not include footnotes or in-text citations, but any direct quote (if provided) will be included in this evaluation.
    • It is up to you to choose the response format for the Statement of Purpose, though you are encouraged to use a question-and-answer format with these statements/questions as headings. Typing out the Statement of Purpose questions will not be included in your maximum word count.
    • Your Statement of Purpose should be single-spaced.
  • The Statement of Purpose is a key assessment tool used by our MSW Admission Committee when considering your application. Be clear and concise in your responses, as they are wanting to know about why you are a match to our specific MSW program and that you are prepared for graduate level study in social work.
  • Have someone review your draft Statement of Purpose and provide constructive feedback.

aPPROVED cOURSES fOR admission requirements

If you have taken or wish to take a course that does not appear below, please arrange to email ask.socialwork@ubc.ca with a detailed course syllabus, including a list of the specific topics covered and assignments required; simple course outlines will not be accepted. If a syllabus is not yet available for a course, we recommend you consult with your institution and request the most recent version. Courses taken for this admission requirement must be from an approved accredited institution. For the Advanced Track, only an approved statistics course is required.

Note: For non-Canadian institutions, please contact the School of Social Work directly to inquire about approved courses.

The following courses have been reviewed and ARE acceptable:

  • Acadia: PSYC 2013, 2023; SOCI 2003A; EDUC 50G3
  • Algoma University: PSYCH 2127
  • Ambrose University: BHS 240
  • Athabasca University: PSYC 304; SOSC 366 (SOC 1013)
  • Bishop’s University: SOC 110
  • Brescia University College (UWO): FSHD 2300
  • Brock University: PSYC 3F40; SOCI 2P11; GERO 5P89
  • Burman University: BHSC 418
  • Calvin College: SOC.RES 320
  • Camosun College: PSYC 201; SOC 280
  • Cape Breton University: PSYC 2111
  • Capilano University: PSYC 212
  • Carleton University: ARCH 4502; COMS 3001 & 3002 (combined); CRCJ 3001 & 3002 (combined); PSCI 2701A; PSYC 2001; SOCI 2001; SOWK 2501
  • Columbia Bible College: PSYC 202
  • Concordia University: AHSC 380, 382; WSDB292; PSYC 310, 319B, 319F; SOCI 310
  • Dalhousie University: HAHP 3100; PSYO 2000; SLWK 3083, 3084, 3085
  • Dawson College: 300-300-DW
  • Douglas College: CRIM 2254, 3325; CYCC 4423; PSYC 2301; SOWK 4160
  • George Brown College: BEHA 2104
  • Georgian College: PSYC 4008
  • Grand Prairie Regional College: NURS 3690
  • Humber College: RSMT 2500-OLB
  • King’s University (Alberta): PSYC 302 (6); SOCI 309 & SSCI 309
  • King’s University College (Western): PSY 2840; SOC 2206A; SW 2203, SW2205 (6)* must have both terms of the course completed; THANAT 2201A
  • Kwantlen: CRIM 1208, 3104; NRSG 4121; PSYC 2400; SOCI 2260-S10, 3260
  • Lakehead University: CRIM 2090; PSYC 3911; SOWK 4405
  • Langara College: CRIM 1220; PSYC 2320, 320; SOCI 2230
  • Laurentian University: SOCI 2127
  • Lethbridge College: JUS3351
  • MacEwan University: PSYC 212; SOCI 315
  • Memorial University: SCWK 3410; SOCI 3040
  • McGill: ANTH 357; EDKP 443; PSYC 351; SOCI 211; SWRK 423; WMST 303
  • McMaster: ENVSOCTY 3MA3; GOEG 2MA3; HLTH AGE 2A03; HLT SCI 3G03; HUMBEHV 3MD3; KINESIOL 1G03; MIDWIF 1F03; SOCI 2Z03; SOC PSY 2K03; SOCSCI 1RM3; PSYCH 3EE3s, 3RM3
  • Mount Allison University: BIOL 2701; PSYC 2001; SOCI 3301
  • Mount Royal University: PSYC 2213; PUBR 3855; CRJS 2015; CHST 3202; SLGY 3321, SLGY 3323; SLWK 4417
  • Mount Saint Vincent University: PSYCH 2209
  • Nicola Valley Institute of Technology: SOCW 301
  • Nipissing University: SOCI 2126
  • North Island College: PSY 204
  • Okanagan College: BUAD 344, 491; CRIM 260; PSYC 260
  • Okanagan University College: PSYC 260; SOCW 301
  • Providence University College: SSC 221.22
  • Queen’s University: BMED 270; HLTH 252; LISC 270; DEVS 802; GNDS 345; NURS 324; PSYC 203; SOCY 210, WMNS 230
  • Quest University: please contact ask.socialwork@ubc.ca
  • Red Deer College/Red Deer Polytechnic: PSYC 312; SOCI 312
  • Renison University College (Waterloo): ISS 250F; SDS 251R; SWREN 251R
  • Royal Military College of Canada (RMC Kingston): PSE 214
  • Royal Roads University: COMM 345, 435; JUST 410
  • St. Francis Xavier University: HNU 385; PSYC 291
  • St. Lawrence College: PSYC 30DG
  • St. Thomas University: PSYC 2023; SCWK 3503; SOCI 2013A
  • St. Mary’s University (College-Alberta): PSYC 312 A/B (6) *must have both terms completed
  • St. Mary’s University (Nova Scotia): PSYC 2340
  • Selkirk College: PSYC 202; SOC 205
  • Seneca College: MHR 774
  • Simon Fraser University: CMNS 201, 260, CRIM 220, 320, 321; HSCI 207, 307; SA 255-4, 356; IS 300; PSYC 201, 204, 217
  • Toronto Metropolitan University (previously Ryerson): CFNY 405; CHSM 417; COMM 345; CRM 201, 310; CYC 409-801; SOC 482; SSH 301; SWP 538; PSY319
  • Trent University: PSYC 2018, 3015Y; SOCI 2150Y, 2151, 3151
  • Trinity Western University: PSYC 322
  • Thompson Rivers: CRIM 2209; SOCI 272; PSYC 210, 2110, 2111; SOCW 3010; RSMT 3501
  • UBC Vancouver: EDUC 500; ENVR 300; FMST 323,422; GRSJ 3325; KIN 373; PSYC 217, 317, 366; SOCI 217A-102,380; SOWK 320 or 420; WMST 325; WRDS 150B
  • UBC Okanagan: GEOG 371, 474, 491H; HEAL 301, HMKN 206; NRSG 120; PSYO 270; SOCI 291, 381, 390, 395; SOCW 301
  • University College of Cariboo: SOCI 382
  • University of Alberta: AUPSY 313; AUPED 493; PSYC 300; PSYCO 121, 212, 413; NURS 3690; SOC 315 (A1 &A2)
  • University of Calgary: CORE 435; HSOC 408; KNES 213; POLI 397; PSYC 300, 312B; SOWK 302, 353, 355; SOCI 313
  • University of the Fraser Valley: CYC 423; CRIM 320+321; PSYC 202, 301; SOC 255; SOWK 404
  • University of Guelph: CRIM 220; FRHD 3070; POLS 2650; PSYC 2360; SOAN 2010 2120, 3070
  • University of Guelph-Humber: PSYC 2030; SCMA 2040
  • University of Lethbridge: ADSC 3260; HLSC 3260; KNES 2200; MGT 2700A; PSYC 2030A, 3010
  • University of Manitoba: FCE 28.205; SOCI 2290, 315-B1; SWRK 3100; PSYC 2250, 2260
  • University of Maryland University College: PSYC 300
  • University of Montreal: PSY 1006
  • University of New Brunswick: PSYC 2103; SOC 3104, 3105
  • University of Northern British Columbia: FNST 300; PSYC 315, 316
  • University of Ottawa: HSS 3101; CRM 2303A; PSY 2174G; SCS 2150B
  • University of Prince Edward Island: PSY 278; NURS 3040; SOCI 331
  • Université du Québec en Outaouais: PSY 1573
  • University of Regina: PSYC 204; SW451
  • University of Saskatchewan: NUTR 305; POLSTUD 255; PSY 235.3; SOCI 332.6
  • University of Toronto: CRI 350H1F; GGR 271; PSY 203H1F, 309, 329, 379H5S; SOC 204, 200H1F
  • University of Toronto Scarborough: PSYB01H3; PSYB04; WGS 360
  • University of Victoria: CYC 423; HLTH 350; IGOV 530; PSYC 201; SOCI 211; SOCW 318, 319; WMST 400A
  • University of Waterloo: HLTH 333, 344; INTEG 340; KIN 330; PSYCH 291; REC 270; SOCI 321; SOC/LS 221; SMF 220
  • University of Windsor: PSYC 331, 46-230, 46-320, 46-447
  • University of Winnipeg: HSS 2381; HSS 3101; PSYC 2102; SOCI 50.4126
  • Vancouver Island University: CRIM 220, 350, 351; CYC 323; PSYC 204
  • Western University (University of Western Ontario): GEOG 3250A; HS 2801A (2020); INTSTUD 2252F; PSYC 282E, 360, 2800; PSY3830G; SOC 2206, 3305, 3306, 3307; SOCI 2206; SW 2207B; SJPS 3311G; GEOG 2250A
  • Wilfred Laurier University: CC233; PSYC 295, 398; SY280
  • York University: ENVS 3010; PSYC 2030; GL/ILST 3505; SOCI 2030; SOSC 3800; SOWK 3070

The following courses have been reviewed and ARE acceptable:

  • Acadia: MATH 1213, MATH 1223; SOCI 2013A2
  • Algoma University: STAT 2126
  • Ambrose University: BHS 310
  • Athabasca University: CMNS 308; MATH 215, 216; MGSC 301; SOCI 301
  • BCIT – OPMT 1130
  • Bishop’s University: SOC 311
  • Brandon University: 62:171
  • Brock University: PSYC 2F23; PSYC 3F40; SOCI 2P13
  • Burman University: MATH 240
  • Calvin College: STAT & RESEARCH 250; STAT 255
  • Camosun College – MATH 116, 216 ,204; STAT 116
  • Capilano College – MATH 101, 204; PSYC 213; STAT 101
  • Carleton University: IPAF2000; PSCI 2702B; PSYC 2002, 3000; SOWK 2500/2502 (prior course titles); SOWK 3002
  • Coast Mountain College (formerly Northwest Community College): MATH 131, 251
  • College of New Caledonia: PSYC 201
  • College of the Rockies: STAT 106 (MATH 106)
  • Columbia Bible College: PSYC 303
  • Concordia University (Quebec): PSYC 315; SOCI 212/1
  • Concordia University of Edmonton: PSY 211; STAT 151
  • Crandall University: MT 1203
  • Dalhousie University: STAT 1060, 2501; PSYO 2501
  • Dawson College: 360-300-DW
  • Douglas College: BUSN 2429; CYCC 4425; GEOG 2251; MATH 1160 (was 116); PSYC 300, 2300
  • George Brown College: BEHA 2004
  • Grand Prairie Regional College: NURS 3010
  • Humber College: RSMT 1501-OLA
  • Institute Of Indigenous Govt: IGST 108; STAT 203
  • King’s University (Alberta): STAT 300-3
  • King’s University (Western): PSYC 301; SOC 2205A; STAT 1024B; SW 2205 (must have both terms completed)
  • Kwantlen Polytechnic University/Kwantlen College: AGRI 3225; CRIM 2103; MATH 1115 (was 115), 2335; NRSG 4122; PSYC 300, 2300, PSYC 3300; SOCI 2365
  • Lakehead University: PSYC 2101; SOWK 4405
  • Langara College – BSAD 1123, PSYC 2321, STAT 1123, STAT 1123, 1124 (was 124), STAT 1127 (was 127), 1224, 2225, 2290
  • Laurentian University: STAT 2126; SWRK 3555EA (former)/SWRK 3505
  • MacEwan University: SOCI 310; STAT 141, 151
  • McGill University: EDPE 676; MATH 203, POTH 204, PSYC 204, 305; SOCI 350
  • McMaster University: ARTSSCI 2R03; KINESOIL 701; HUMBEHV 3ST3; PNB 2XE3; PSYC 2RR5, 2RA3, 2RB3; SOC 3FF3; SOCSCI 2J03, 3O03; STAT ICC3; HTH SCI 2GG3
  • Memorial University: ED 2900; PSYC 2900, 3900; STAT 2510
  • Moncton University: MA 2653
  • Mount Allison University: PSYC 3001, 3021
  • Mount Royal University: CRJS 3001, PSYC 2210, PSYC 2211
  • Mount Saint Vincent University: PSYC 3370
  • Nicola Valley Institute of Technology: STAT 203
  • Nipissing University: SOCI 2127
  • North Island College: MAT 115, STA 115
  • Northeastern University (Chicago): PSYC 202
  • Northern Lights College: MATH 104; SOCI 207
  • Okanagan College: GEOG 270; PSYC 270; SOCI 271; SOCW 302; STAT 121, 124
  • Queen’s University: BIOL 243; KNPE 251; NURS 323; PSYC 202, 301, 302; SOCY 211; STAT 263
  • Quest University: please contact the School of Social Work
  • Red Deer College/Red Deer Polytechnic: PSYC 312; SOCI 310-A; STAT 251
  • Renison University College (Waterloo): ISS 250R; SDS 250R; SWREN 250R
  • Royal Military College of Canada (RMC Kingston): MAE 209; PSE 213
  • Royal Roads University: ENSC 303
  • St. Francis Xavier University: PSYC  292; STAT 201
  • St. Lawrence College: PSYC 19DG
  • St. Thomas University: PSYC 2013, 3933; SOCI 2013A*course must only be applied to one requirement (3 credits stat or research), not both
  • St. Mary’s University (College – Alberta): PSYC 312A/B (6) *must have both A/B completed
  • St. Mary’s University (Nova Scotia) PSYC 2350, SOCI 3102
  • Selkirk College: MATH 105, 100, 130; STAT 105
  • Seneca College: STA 683
  • Simon Fraser University: BUEC 232, GERO 803; POLI 201; PSYC 210, 301; STAT 100, 101, 103, 201, 203, 270, 301, 302, 305
  • Tarrant County College: MATH 1342
  • Thompson Rivers University – HEAL/SOCW 3020; MATH 102, 110 & 120, 126; PSYC 210, 2100, 2101 (formerly PSYC 220); STAT 200, STAT 1200, STAT 1201, STAT 1202 (formerly Stat 102), STAT 2039
  • Toronto Metropolitan University (previously Ryerson): ACS 401; CYC 604; CPSY411; POG 230; PSY 511; PSYC 2RR3, 2R03, 411, QMS 102; SOC 411; SWP 638
  • Trent University: MATH 1051H-R, 1052H-R; PSYC 2019, 3015Y, SOCI-3160
  • Trinity Western: PSYC 207
  • Tyndale University College: MATH 1213, 3223
  • University of British Columbia | Okanagan campus – BIOL 202; GEOG 271; HEAL 300; HINT 110; HMKN 205; NRSG 425; PSYO 271; PSYO 360; SOCI 271, 390; SOCW 302; STAT 124, 230, 121
  • University of British Columbia | Vancouver campus – ANTH 218; BIOL 300; EPSE 482; FRST 231; KIN 206; MATH 130; POLI 380; PSYC 318 (prior to 2002), 218 (after 2002),366; SOCI 328; STAT 200 or 203
  • University of Alberta: AUPSY 213; AUSTA 215; SOCI 210; STAT 141, 151; STATQ 151; NURS 3010; PTHER 352
  • University of Calgary: ANTH 307; MDSC 407; POLI 399; PSYC 210,211,233, 301, 312A; SOCI 311, 312A, 315; STAT 205, 213
  • University of the Fraser Valley – MATH 103; PSYC 110; CYC425; STAT 104 (formerly MATH 104), 106 (formerly MATH 106)
  • University of Guelph: POLI 3650; PSYC 1010, 2040, 3290; STAT 2120, 2230, 2040, 2080, 2090**course must only be applied to one requirement (3 credits stat or research), not both; SOAN 3120
  • University of Guelph-Humber: PSYC 2120, 3120; SCMA 3040
  • University of Lethbridge: ECON 2900Y; HLSC 3450, 5300/7300; PSYC 2010, 2030, 3450; STATS 1770; SOCI 2130
  • University of Manitoba: PHRM 3520; SOC 2290; STATS 005.100, 1000, STAT 2220
  • University of Maryland: STAT 350
  • University of New Brunswick: PSYC 2113, 3113; STAT 2263, 2264
  • University of Northern BC: BIO 300; PSYC 315; STAT 240
  • University of Ottawa: HSS 2381, 2781; CRM 3334; MAT 1371, 2379; PSY 2106, 2116
  • University of Prince Edward Island: PSY 279; NURS 271
  • University of Quebec: SCI 1260
  • Université du Québec en Outaouais: PSY 1583
  • University of Regina: PSYC 305,405; STATS 151
  • University of Saskatchewan – PSYC 233; COMM 104.3; PLSC 214, 314(Formerly CRSC 314); STAT 103.3, 242.3, 244.3, 245.3
  • University of Toronto: CJS390H1; EEB 225; ECO220Y1; SOC 200Y, 202, 202H1F, 222; STA 220H1F, 220H5F; STAB 23; STAT 222; PSY201, PSY201H1, PSY202
  • University of Toronto Scarborough: PSYB07H3; PSYC08H3; STAB22H3
  • University of Victoria: CYC 424; HLTH 425; HSD 425; PSYC 300A & 300B; SOCI 271, 371A and 371B; STAT 252, 255, 260
  • University of Waterloo: ARTS 280; BME 213; HLTH 204; KIN 222; PSYCH 292, 391; REC 371; SOC/LS 280; SOCI 28; (Renison) SDS 250R; SMF 230
  • University of Windsor: 02-250 (aka SOCSCI 250), 46-313, 0248-308-01; SWRK 2000
  • University of Winnipeg: PSYC 2101, 4100; 50:4116; STAT 1501
  • Vancouver Island University (formerly Malaspina): HSD 425; MATH 203, 211, 161; PSYC 300A
  • Western University (University of Western Ontario): GEOG 3210A; HS 2801A (2018), 3801B; PSYC 2810, 2820E; PSY2830; SOCI 231,300A, 2205A, 2205B; STAT SCI 1024,135, 2035; SW450b, SW 2207B, SJPS 3311G
  • Wilfred Laurier University: CC327; PSYC 296, 394; STAT 396, 397; SY 382A
  • York University: ENVS 2009; GEOG 2420; PSYC 2020, 2021, 2022; SOCI 3030 E&OE

criminal record check

MSW students are required to get a BC Criminal Record Check (Type: Schedule B, Works With: Children and vulnerable adults) from the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General as an admission requirement. The CRC must be received and processed by the School of Social Work before the start of the program.

Students entering the MSW program should complete their criminal record check (CRC) as soon as they accept their offer, as processing can take several weeks.

Failure to submit required documentation by the deadline may result in the withdrawal of an offer. Applicants or students with a criminal record may have their admission revoked or be required to withdraw.

When a cleared BC CRC is received, our program will send you a confirmation. If you are unsure of this process, please contact us at ask.socialwork@ubc.ca.

*Please do not go to your local RCMP station to request a BC Criminal Record Check.

You may use the online CRC request or request the paper process from the School of Social Work directly.

You may use the online CRC request. The online process can be completed throughout Canada. Criminal record checks from provinces/territories other than BC may be considered to start the program. It is recommended that you discuss this process directly with the Graduate Program Assistant as soon as you accept your conditional offer of admission. You are still required to provide a BC CRC to be permitted to participate in your required MSW practicum(s) and this is due before the start of our program.

As a condition of admission, the School of Social Work will need to receive a criminal record check directly from the applicable reporting agency in your home country. Immediately after you begin residing in Canada, you will be required to complete the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General criminal record check. It is recommended that you discuss this process directly with the Graduate Program Assistant as soon as you accept your conditional offer of admission.

Acknowledgement Statements

The MSW application includes four Acknowledgement Statements. These statements are fundamental policies and regulations that pertain to the MSW program, direct social work practice, and the profession of social work.

Please review the four statements below and read the linked documents prior to applying.  When you complete the application you will be asked confirm the following:

  1. You have read the MSW Student Handbook and the Field Education Handbook from the School of Social Work website.
  2. You have read the Canadian Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics & Guidelines for Ethical Practice.
  3. You have read the definition of Clinical Social Work on the School of Social Work website and understand this is our principle pedagogical focus.
  4. You understand your individual responsibility to learn about the process of becoming a Registered Clinical Social Worker in the province/territory you plan to practice (if that is your professional goal).