Social Work: Social Work MSW; Field: Health and Mental Health | School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Calendar

As members of inter-professional health teams, social workers seek to assist others in understanding the social and community context in which physical and mental illness occur, and the way in which these larger systems contribute to the development of illness and disability and exacerbate or ameliorate the challenges in adapting to illness and living with disability.

MSW Program; Field: Health and Mental Health (Two-Year Option)

Minimum Admission Requirements

Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Social Work's additional admission requirements stated below.
Applicants with an appropriate bachelor's degree with a minimum average equivalent to at least a University of Toronto mid-B in the final year of full-time study from a recognized university are admitted to a two-year MSW program.
All applicants must have included 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in social science courses, including 0.5 FCE in research methodology. A mid-B is strongly recommended in the research methodology course.
Experience (voluntary or paid) in the social services or related field and knowledge of critical social issues are recommended. Suitability for professional practice in social work will also be considered.
Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.
Initial admission inquiries should be made directly to the Faculty of Social Work. Please note that applicants holding the minimum admission requirements are not guaranteed admission. All admission decisions are final.

Completion Requirements

Students in the MSW two-year option must declare their field by mid-February of Year 1.
Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 8.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
- Year 1 core courses and practicum (4.5 FCEs):
  - SWK1999H Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Workshop to be completed in the Fall session
  - SWK4102H Social Policy and Social Welfare in the Canadian Context
  - SWK4103H Elements of Social Work Practice
  - SWK4105H Social Work Practice Laboratory
  - SWK4107H Foundations of Social Work: Knowledge, Theory, and Values that Inform Practice
  - SWK4510H Research for Evidence-Based Social Work Practice, which must be completed before taking any of the research courses in the field
  - SWK4602H Social Work Practice with Groups
  - SWK4605H Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families
  - SWK4654H Social Work Practice in Organizations and Communities
  - SWK4701H Social Work Practicum I
- Year 2 field-specific courses and practicum (2.0 FCEs):
  - SWK4412H The Context of Mental Health and Health Practice
  - SWK4511H Practice-Based Research in Mental Health and Health
  - SWK4702Y Social Work Practicum II (September to April)
- 1.0 FCE in field-specific courses selected from one of the following options:
  - SWK4622H Social Work Practice in Health and SWK4604H Social Work Practice in Mental Health
  - SWK4622H Social Work Practice in Health, and one of the following:
  - SWK4604H Social Work Practice in Mental Health, and one of the following:
- 1.0 FCE in elective courses.
- Students in the thesis option must complete a total of 8.5 FCEs in coursework, including the 4.5 FCEs in core courses and practicum, 2.0 FCEs in field-specific courses and practicum, 1.0 FCE in field-specific courses selected from one of the options described above, and 1.0 FCE in the thesis (replaces 1.0 FCE in elective courses).
  - The MSW thesis option provides hands-on research experience. The thesis is an independent piece of research intended to enable students to develop and apply research skills within the context of social work practice and to write a graduate thesis of publishable quality. Note: The thesis option is available to a limited number of students — maximum three in any given year — whose proposed research must be approved by a review panel and by the Associate Dean, Research.
  - Students in the thesis option who have a minimum of two years prior full-time social work experience are eligible to apply to take an additional 1.0 elective FCE in place of the Year 2 practicum (SW4702Y). Workplace supervision must have occurred with an MSW supervisor; requests for substitution must be reviewed and approved by the Faculty Assessment Committee.
  - Students who choose the thesis option may require at least one additional academic session to complete the program.
- All MSW students: Agencies that offer practica will likely require a Vulnerable Sector Verification prior to commencing the practicum. Failure to pass this check will jeopardize a student's entry to practicum. Cost and time factors are associated with the Vulnerable Sector Verification. A delay in obtaining the results can impact the start time of a student's practicum. In anticipation of this requirement for the practicum, it is strongly recommended that students begin this process early.
- In the event that a student does not complete two or more required courses, or receives an FZ (inadequate) after repeating any course, normally steps will be taken by the Faculty to recommend the termination of the student's registration.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS-FWS)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time

MSW Program; Field: Health and Mental Health (Advanced-Standing Option)

Minimum Admission Requirements

Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Social Work's additional admission requirements stated below.
Applicants who hold a BSW degree with mid-B average in the final year of full-time study, or its equivalent from a recognized university, may be eligible for the MSW advanced-standing option.
All applicants must have included 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in social science courses, including 0.5 FCE in research methodology. A mid-B is strongly recommended in the research methodology course.
Experience (voluntary or paid) in the social services or related field and knowledge of critical social issues are recommended. Suitability for professional practice in social work will also be considered.
Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.
Advanced-standing applicants must declare their field and a preference for full-time or part-time studies at the time of application.
Initial admission inquiries should be made directly to the Faculty of Social Work. Please note that applicants holding the minimum admission requirements are not guaranteed admission. All admission decisions are final.

Completion Requirements

Coursework. Students must complete a total of 4.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in coursework, as follows:
- Field-specific courses and practicum (2.5 FCEs):
  - SWK1999H Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Workshop to be completed in the Fall session
  - SWK4412H The Context of Mental Health and Health Practice
  - SWK4511H Practice-Based Research in Mental Health and Health
  - SWK4702Y Social Work Practicum II (September to April)
  - SWK4510H Research for Evidence-Based Social Work Practice, which must be completed before taking any of the research courses in the field.
- 1.0 FCE in field-specific courses selected from one of the following options:
  - SWK4622H Social Work Practice in Health and SWK4604H Social Work Practice in Mental Health
  - SWK4622H Social Work Practice in Health, and one of the following:
  - SWK4604H Social Work Practice in Mental Health, and one of the following:
- 1.0 FCE in elective courses.
- Students in the thesis option must complete a total of 4.5 FCEs in coursework, including the 2.5 FCEs in field-specific courses and practicum, 1.0 FCE in field-specific courses selected from one of the options described above, and 1.0 FCE in the thesis (replaces 1.0 FCE in elective courses).
  - The MSW thesis option provides hands-on research experience. The thesis is an independent piece of research intended to enable students to develop and apply research skills within the context of social work practice and to write a graduate thesis of publishable quality. Note: The thesis option is available to a limited number of students — maximum three in any given year — whose proposed research must be approved by a review panel and by the Associate Dean, Research.
  - Students in the thesis option who have a minimum of two years prior full-time social work experience are eligible to apply to take an additional 1.0 elective FCE in place of the Year 2 practicum (SW4702Y). Workplace supervision must have occurred with an MSW supervisor; requests for substitution must be reviewed and approved by the Faculty Assessment Committee.
  - Students who choose the thesis option may require at least one additional academic session to complete the program.
- All MSW students: Agencies that offer practica will likely require a Vulnerable Sector Verification prior to commencing the practicum. Failure to pass this check will jeopardize a student's entry to practicum. Cost and time factors are associated with the Vulnerable Sector Verification. A delay in obtaining the results can impact the start time of a student's practicum. In anticipation of this requirement for the practicum, it is strongly recommended that students begin this process early.
- In the event that a student does not complete two or more required courses, or receives an FZ (inadequate) after repeating any course, normally steps will be taken by the Faculty to recommend the termination of the student's registration.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS); 6 sessions part-time
Time Limit: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

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Social Work