All Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in Canada

Last updated: March 2026 Note for SpaceCat: Programs marked with [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] accept applicants with a BA (no BSW required). Programs marked with [BSW ONLY] require a Bachelor of Social Work for admission.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

1. University of British Columbia — Vancouver

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
City: Vancouver, BC
Duration:
Advanced Standing (BSW holders): 1 year
Foundation/Two-Year (non-BSW): 2 years
Accepts non-BSW: [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] — Two-year foundation track for those with a non-SW bachelor’s degree
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time
Specializations/Fields of Practice: Health and Social Care; Family and Children’s Services; Social and International Development
URL: https://socialwork.ubc.ca/graduate/masters-program/

2. University of British Columbia — Okanagan

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW) — Clinical Focus
City: Kelowna, BC
Duration:
Advanced One-Year Track (BSW holders): 1 year
Foundational Two-Year Track (non-BSW): 2 years (60 credits including two 6-credit practica)
Accepts non-BSW: [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] — Foundational Two-Year Track; preference given to social science and behavioural science backgrounds
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time
Specializations: Clinical social work (counselling, mental health, human development)
URL: https://socialwork.ok.ubc.ca/msw-program/

3. University of Victoria

Program: Master of Social Work (MSWA / MSWF / MSWI)
City: Victoria, BC
Duration:
MSWA (Advanced, BSW holders): ~1 year
MSWF (Foundation, non-BSW): ~2 years (qualifying foundation year + advanced year); delivered full-time on-campus as a cohort over 3 consecutive terms in the first year
MSWI (Indigenous Specialization, BSW holders): ~1 year
Accepts non-BSW: [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] — Foundation (MSWF) program requires an undergraduate degree (non-BSW) plus at least 2 years full-time human services experience (~3,000 hours)
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time (foundation cohort model); advanced year may have some flexibility
Specializations: Indigenous Social Work specialization (MSWI); general advanced practice (MSWA)
URL: https://www.uvic.ca/health/socialwork/future/msw/index.php

4. University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
City: Prince George, BC
Duration:
Advanced Year (BSW holders): 1 year
Foundation Year + Advanced Year (non-BSW): 2 years (66 credit hours)
Accepts non-BSW: [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] — Foundation Year entry requires a bachelor’s degree in a related area plus 2 years (24 months full-time equivalent) human service experience
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time and part-time available; thesis or practicum option
Specializations: Social work in northern and remote areas; Indigenous peoples; women and the human services; community practice and research
URL: https://www.unbc.ca/social-work/graduate

5. University of the Fraser Valley (UFV)

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
City: Abbotsford, BC
Duration:
Advanced MSW (BSW holders): 5 semesters / ~2 years (30 credits + 450-hour practicum); offered every 2 years in even years
Foundational MSW (non-BSW): 3 years (33 credits of undergrad SW courses over 3 semesters + 450-hour practicum, then advanced program); offered every 2 years in odd years
Accepts non-BSW: [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] — Foundational stream for non-BSW graduates
Full-time / Part-time: Mixed delivery model (online + flexible evening/weekend classes)
Specializations: Supervision and leadership; anti-oppressive and cross-cultural practice; social policy; advanced assessment
URL: https://www.ufv.ca/programs/social-work-master/

ALBERTA

6. University of Calgary

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW) — Course-based or Thesis-based
City: Calgary, AB (delivered online with short in-person residencies in Calgary or Edmonton)
Duration:
BSW holders: 24 months (course-based) or 36 months (thesis-based)
Non-BSW: 12 months of foundation courses + 24 months course-based (36 months total) or 12 months foundation + 36 months thesis (48 months total)
Accepts non-BSW: [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] — Separate entry route for non-social work degree holders
Full-time / Part-time: Primarily online with required in-person residencies; part-time possible
Specializations: Clinical Social Work; International and Community Development
URL: https://socialwork.ucalgary.ca/future-students/master-social-work

SASKATCHEWAN

7. University of Regina

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
City: Regina, SK
Duration: ~1-2 years (thesis or practicum option)
Accepts non-BSW: [BSW ONLY] — Requires a BSW with a graduating average of at least 70% and 2+ years professional experience in human services. The only accredited MSW program in Saskatchewan.
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time and part-time
Specializations: Research-focused; thesis or practicum options
URL: https://www.uregina.ca/academics/programs/social-work/master-social-work.html

8. First Nations University of Canada

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW) — offered in partnership with University of Regina
City: Regina, SK
Duration: Similar to U of Regina
Accepts non-BSW: [BSW ONLY] — BSW required (CASWE-accredited BSW or equivalent)
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time
Specializations: Indigenous-focused social work
URL: https://www.fnuniv.ca/ (program delivered through partnership with U of Regina)
Note: This program is listed separately by CASWE but is delivered collaboratively with the University of Regina’s Faculty of Social Work.

MANITOBA

9. University of Manitoba

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
City: Winnipeg, MB
Duration:
Advanced (BSW holders): ~1-1.5 years
Foundation (non-BSW): 2-2.5 years full-time (1 year foundation + 12-18 months advanced)
Accepts non-BSW: [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] — Foundation level for students with a 4-year undergraduate degree (not a BSW)
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time and part-time
Specializations: Students specialize by population, issue, or type of practice. Also offers a separate MSW based in Indigenous Knowledges program for Indigenous and non-Indigenous social workers.
URL: https://umanitoba.ca/graduate-studies/admissions/programs-of-study/social-work-msw

ONTARIO

10. University of Toronto

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
City: Toronto, ON
Duration:
Two-Year Program (non-BSW): 2 years full-time
Advanced Standing (BSW holders): 9 half-courses (4.5 FCEs); full-time or part-time
MSW Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency (ITR): 2 years (distance/blended format)
Accepts non-BSW: [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] — Two-Year Program designed for non-BSW bachelor’s degree holders
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time and part-time options (varies by stream)
Specializations/Fields of Study: Gerontology; Children and Their Families; Mental Health and Health; Human Service Management and Leadership; Social Justice and Diversity. Collaborative programs in Addiction Studies, Sexual Diversity Studies, and Community Development.
URL: https://socialwork.utoronto.ca/programs/msw/

11. York University

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
City: Toronto, ON
Duration:
Two-Year Program (non-BSW): 2 years / 5 semesters full-time
Advanced Standing (BSW holders): 1 year
Accepts non-BSW: [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] — Requires an honours undergraduate degree in a related subject (social sciences, sociology, political science, public policy, gender studies, etc.) plus relevant experience; minimum B+ in last two years
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time only (two-year program)
Specializations: Critical social work; social justice; anti-oppressive practice. Career areas include child welfare, international social work, gerontology, diversity, family support, direct practice, community development, and social policy/planning.
URL: https://www.yorku.ca/gradstudies/socialwork/programs/msw/

12. Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson)

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
City: Toronto, ON
Duration: 1 year (12 months / 3 terms)
Accepts non-BSW: [BSW ONLY] — Advanced standing only; BSW required. If you do not have a BSW, you do not qualify.
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time only
Specializations: Anti-oppression; critical approaches to practice; social justice
URL: https://www.torontomu.ca/social-work/graduate/

13. McMaster University

Program: Master of Social Work — Critical Analysis of Social Work; Critical Leadership in Social Services and Communities
City: Hamilton, ON
Duration: 12 months full-time; up to 3 years part-time
Accepts non-BSW: [BSW ONLY] — Both MSW streams (Critical Analysis and Critical Leadership) require a BSW from an accredited social work program. No foundation year or alternative pathway for non-BSW applicants. (Corrected March 2026 — previously listed incorrectly as accepting non-BSW.)
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time and part-time
Specializations: Critical Analysis of Social Work (thesis or course-based); Critical Leadership in Social Services and Communities (practicum-based, requires 5,000 hours experience). Emphasis on social justice, equity, and anti-oppressive practice (not a clinical program).
URL: https://socialwork.mcmaster.ca/programs/masters-of-social-work-critical-analysis

14. Carleton University

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
City: Ottawa, ON
Duration:
Two-Year Foundation Program (non-BSW): 2 years (6.0 credits year I + 5.0 credits year II)
One-Year Advanced Program (BSW holders): 1 year
Accepts non-BSW: [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] — Foundation Program requires a 4-year undergraduate degree, research methods/stats course, and competitive applicants typically have ~3,500 hours social work-related experience. In-person, Monday-Friday in Ottawa.
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time (in-person, on campus)
Specializations: Two practicums or one practicum + thesis option
URL: https://carleton.ca/socialwork/master-of-social-work/

15. University of Ottawa / Universite d’Ottawa

Program: Master of Social Work / Maitrise en service social
City: Ottawa, ON
Duration: 2 years (full-time)
Accepts non-BSW: [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] — Accepts bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time
Specializations: Health; Childhood and Family; Social Policy Development
Note: Primarily offered in French. Bilingual institution but French proficiency expected.
URL: https://catalogue.uottawa.ca/en/graduate/master-social-work/

16. King’s University College at Western University

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW) — Direct Practice
City: London, ON
Duration:
Two-Year Program (non-BSW): 24 months
One-Year Program (BSW holders): 12 months
Accepts non-BSW: [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] — 2-year program designed for students with a 4-year degree in a different discipline
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time
Specializations: Direct Practice (non-thesis); foundational + advanced social work courses
Degree awarded by: Western University
URL: https://socialwork.kings.uwo.ca/msw/

17. Wilfrid Laurier University

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
City: Waterloo, ON (online delivery)
Duration:
Advanced Standing (BSW holders): online, part-time
Regular Track (non-BSW): 32 months, online, part-time
Accepts non-BSW: [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] — Regular track for non-BSW degree holders; 32 months part-time online
Full-time / Part-time: Part-time (online, asynchronous); self-directed placement planning
Specializations: General social work practice; placements can be done in students’ home communities
URL: https://www.wlu.ca/programs/social-work/graduate/social-work-msw/index.html

18. University of Windsor

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
City: Windsor, ON
Duration:
Regular Track full-time (non-BSW): 20 months, starts September
Advanced Standing full-time (BSW holders): 1 year (3 terms, starts May)
MSW for Working Professionals — Regular Track: 32 months, weekends only
MSW for Working Professionals — Advanced Standing: shorter duration, weekends only
Accepts non-BSW: [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] — Regular track (20-month full-time or 32-month weekend working professionals). Requires 4-year honours degree, stats + research methods courses, 2,500 hours experience in helping profession.
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time (on-campus) and part-time (weekend working professionals program, online)
Specializations: General social work practice
URL: https://www.uwindsor.ca/socialwork/386/master-social-work-program-options

19. University of Waterloo / Renison University College

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
City: Waterloo, ON (distance education with 5-day in-person block in August)
Duration: ~1-2 years (advanced standing)
Accepts non-BSW: [BSW ONLY] — BSW from an accredited program is mandatory. No exceptions. Non-BSW applicants are directed to complete a BSW first or apply elsewhere.
Full-time / Part-time: Distance education (primarily online with one 5-day in-person block)
Specializations: Advanced social work practice
URL: https://uwaterloo.ca/school-of-social-work/master-social-work

20. Lakehead University

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
City: Thunder Bay, ON
Duration:
BSW holders: 1 year
Non-BSW: 2 years
Accepts non-BSW: [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] — Two-year program available for students without a BSW
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time and part-time
Specializations: Advanced generalist practice; emphasis on northern, rural and urban contexts. Faculty expertise in child welfare, health care, mental health, family services, gerontology, Indigenous issues, community development.
URL: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/programs/departments/social-work/msw

21. Laurentian University

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
City: Sudbury, ON
Duration:
BSW holders: 1 year (12 months)
Non-BSW: Qualifying year + MSW program (~2 years total)
Accepts non-BSW: [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] — Via qualifying year program. Requires a 4-year degree in a related discipline, 80%+ grades, and at least 5 years professional experience in human services. Completing qualifying year does not guarantee MSW admission.
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time (on campus in Sudbury)
Specializations: Northern and rural communities; multicultural community practice
URL: https://laurentian.ca/program/social-work-msw/details

QUEBEC

Note: Most Quebec programs are offered in French. Practicing social work in Quebec requires demonstrating French language proficiency to the OTSTCFQ (Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des therapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Quebec).

22. McGill University

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW) — Non-Thesis
City: Montreal, QC
Duration:
MSW Non-Thesis (BSW holders): 3 terms (45 credits)
MSW Qualifying Year (non-BSW): 2 terms qualifying year (30 credits) + 3 terms MSW = ~2 years total
Accepts non-BSW: [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] — Via the MSW Qualifying Year (MSWQY), a 2-term, 30-credit sequence of courses and field internship
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time
Specializations: Practice with Individuals and Families; International, Community, and Policy Practice. Optional Gender & Women’s Studies concentration.
Language: English
URL: https://www.mcgill.ca/socialwork/prospective/msw

23. Universite de Montreal

Program: Maitrise en travail social (M.Trav.soc.)
City: Montreal, QC
Duration: 2 years (with stage/practicum or memoire/thesis option)
Accepts non-BSW: Check with program — typically accepts related degrees through a qualifying pathway
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time and part-time
Specializations: Research, teaching, or professional practice in social services
Language: French
URL: https://admission.umontreal.ca/programmes/maitrise-en-travail-social/

24. Universite Laval

Program: Maitrise en travail social (M.Trav.soc.)
City: Quebec City, QC
Duration: 2 years
Accepts non-BSW: Check with program — the master’s diploma grants access to the social worker title regardless of undergraduate pathway
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time and part-time
Specializations: Intervention project stream; Thesis (research) stream
Language: French
URL: https://www.ulaval.ca/etudes/programmes/maitrise-en-travail-social

25. Universite de Sherbrooke

Program: Maitrise en service social (M.Serv.soc.)
City: Sherbrooke, QC
Duration: 45 credits / ~2 years
Accepts non-BSW: Check with program
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time (main campus); part-time for employed social workers
Specializations: General social work practice
Language: French
URL: https://www.usherbrooke.ca/admission/programme/642/maitrise-en-service-social/

26. Universite du Quebec a Montreal (UQAM)

Program: Maitrise en travail social
City: Montreal, QC
Duration: ~2 years
Accepts non-BSW: Check with program
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time and part-time
Specializations: General social work practice and research
Language: French
URL: https://etudier.uqam.ca/programme?code=1847

27. Universite du Quebec a Chicoutimi (UQAC)

Program: Maitrise en travail social
City: Chicoutimi (Saguenay), QC
Duration: ~2 years
Accepts non-BSW: Check with program
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time and part-time
Specializations: Practice and research in social work; practicum or thesis option
Language: French
URL: https://www.uqac.ca/programme/3763-maitrise-en-travail-social/

28. Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue (UQAT)

Program: Maitrise en travail social
City: Rouyn-Noranda, QC
Duration: ~2 years
Accepts non-BSW: Check with program
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time and part-time
Specializations: Intervention thesis component
Language: French
URL: https://www.uqat.ca/etudes/travail-social/maitrise-en-travail-social-intervention/

29. Universite du Quebec en Outaouais (UQO)

Program: Maitrise en travail social
City: Gatineau, QC (also Saint-Jerome campus)
Duration: ~2 years
Accepts non-BSW: UQO offers a DESS (graduate diploma) that can serve as a bridge to the MSW for those without a BSW
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time and part-time
Specializations: Specialization in a domain of choice; deepening understanding of social issues
Language: French
URL: https://uqo.ca/dep/travail-social/maitrise-travail-social

NEW BRUNSWICK

30. St. Thomas University

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
City: Fredericton, NB
Duration: 1 year (full-time)
Accepts non-BSW: [BSW ONLY] — Requires a BSW from a recognized university with minimum 3.0/4.3 GPA
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time only
Specializations: Advanced clinical practice with a structural lens; structural social work theory
URL: https://www.stu.ca/msw/

31. Universite de Moncton

Program: Maitrise es arts (travail social)
City: Moncton, NB
Duration: 2 years (full-time, research/thesis-based)
Accepts non-BSW: Check with program — research-focused program
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time
Specializations: Research-focused; thesis required
Language: French (students must speak French and functional English)
URL: https://www.umoncton.ca/umcm-fass-travailsocial/node/145

NOVA SCOTIA

32. Dalhousie University

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
City: Halifax, NS
Duration:
BSW holders: ~1-2 years (campus or distance)
Non-BSW: Year 1 on campus full-time + Year 2 (campus full-time/part-time OR part-time distance)
Accepts non-BSW: [ACCEPTS NON-BSW] — Requires a 4-year undergraduate degree (120 credit hours) in a related field; preference given to applicants with 2 years social work-related experience. Year 1 must be on-campus full-time.
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time (Year 1 required on campus for non-BSW); Year 2 available full-time, part-time, or via distance education
Specializations: Anti-oppressive social work practice; social policy; professional values; theoretical frameworks
URL: https://www.dal.ca/faculty/health/socialwork/programs/master-of-social-work.html

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

33. Memorial University of Newfoundland

Program: Master of Social Work (MSW)
City: St. John’s, NL
Duration:
Full-time: 3 consecutive semesters
Part-time: 6 or 9 semesters
Accepts non-BSW: Check with program — primarily designed for BSW holders but verify with admissions
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time and part-time
Specializations: Creative approaches to critical thinking for leadership in diverse social work practice
URL: https://www.mun.ca/socialwork/programs/master-of-social-work-msw/

SUMMARY: Programs That Accept Non-BSW Applicants (BA holders like SpaceCat)

#	University	Province	Duration (non-BSW)	Delivery
1	University of British Columbia — Vancouver	BC	2 years	Full-time, in-person
2	University of British Columbia — Okanagan	BC	2 years	Full-time, in-person (clinical focus)
3	University of Victoria	BC	~2 years	Full-time, in-person (cohort)
4	UNBC	BC	2 years	Full-time/part-time, in-person
5	University of the Fraser Valley	BC	3 years	Mixed (online + evening/weekend)
6	University of Calgary	AB	~3 years	Online + in-person residencies
7	University of Manitoba	MB	2-2.5 years	Full-time/part-time
8	University of Toronto	ON	2 years	Full-time/part-time
9	York University	ON	2 years	Full-time only
10	Carleton University	ON	2 years	Full-time, in-person (Ottawa)
11	University of Ottawa	ON	2 years	Full-time (primarily French)
12	King’s/Western University	ON	2 years	Full-time
13	Wilfrid Laurier University	ON	32 months	Part-time, fully online
14	University of Windsor	ON	20 months FT or 32 months PT	Full-time or weekend (working professionals)
15	Lakehead University	ON	2 years	Full-time/part-time
16	Laurentian University	ON	~2 years (qualifying year + MSW)	Full-time (high bar: 80%+, 5 yrs experience)
17	McGill University	QC	~2 years (qualifying year + MSW)	Full-time (English)
18	Dalhousie University	NS	2 years	Year 1 on-campus; Year 2 flexible

Programs That ONLY Accept BSW Holders

McMaster University (ON) (corrected March 2026 — previously listed incorrectly as accepting non-BSW)
Toronto Metropolitan University (ON)
University of Waterloo / Renison (ON)
University of Regina (SK)
First Nations University of Canada (SK)
St. Thomas University (NB)

Programs Where BSW Requirement Is Unclear (Verify with Admissions)

Memorial University (NL) — likely BSW required but verify
Universite de Montreal (QC)
Universite Laval (QC)
Universite de Sherbrooke (QC)
UQAM (QC)
UQAC (QC)
UQAT (QC)
UQO (QC) — offers a DESS bridge program for non-BSW
Universite de Moncton (NB)

ONLINE / DISTANCE MSW PROGRAMS IN CANADA

For SpaceCat’s reference, these programs offer online or distance delivery:

Wilfrid Laurier University — Fully online, asynchronous, part-time (32 months for non-BSW) [ACCEPTS NON-BSW]
University of Calgary — Online with short in-person residencies [ACCEPTS NON-BSW]
University of Windsor — MSW for Working Professionals (weekend/online) [ACCEPTS NON-BSW]
University of Waterloo / Renison — Distance education with 5-day in-person block [BSW ONLY]
Dalhousie University — Year 2 available via distance [ACCEPTS NON-BSW]
University of Victoria — Some virtual options for advanced year students in Northern BC [ACCEPTS NON-BSW for foundation]

All programs listed are CASWE-ACFTS (Canadian Association for Social Work Education) accredited unless otherwise noted. Source: CASWE accreditation directory lists 33 accredited MSW-granting institutions.