Master of Social Work (MSW) — Direct Practice — King’s University College at Western University

Program status: Active

SpaceCat Fit Notes

1. CASPer: Required (CSP-10211, Casper 2). This is one of the only MSW programs that uses CASPer, giving SpaceCat a significant advantage — her very high CASPer score can actively help her here. The exact weight of CASPer in the scoring formula is not disclosed (it is not listed in the Academic or Non-Academic Score breakdown), but its required status means it plays some role. This is a rare opportunity for SpaceCat to leverage her high CASPer score.

2. GPA window & upgrading strategy: GPA is calculated on the last 2 years of full-time study / last 20 half-courses (~60 credit hours). The minimum is 70% (hard floor). Taking 10 strong new half-courses would replace half the window and substantially shift SpaceCat’s effective GPA. Taking the full 20 would fully reset it — roughly one full year of coursework. The 50/50 academic/non-academic scoring split means a strong non-academic profile meaningfully compensates for a GPA that is not at the top of the range.

3. Experiential / written advantage: King’s has 3 supplemental essays (Q1: 300 words on professional experiences and career goals; Q2: 150 words on personal identities/qualities for working with diverse populations; Q3: 150 words on professional readiness). Total written is modest at 600 words — shorter than most programs reviewed. However, the Resume and Experiences Chart is worth 40 points (out of 100 non-academic), and supplemental questions are worth 60 points, so the written and experiential components together form the entire non-academic half of the score. Shelter work is explicitly listed as qualifying direct social services experience in the admissions guide. SpaceCat easily exceeds the 1,000-hour minimum. Non-academic references only are accepted (academic references are explicitly excluded), which is ideal for SpaceCat’s professional profile. There is no interview.

4. Out-of-province: Ontario resident. - None found. The admissions guide does not distinguish between in-province and out-of-province domestic applicants. All Canadian applicants appear to be assessed identically. (). - None. Tuition is listed as a single “Canadian Students” rate with no provincial distinction. ()

5. Overall assessment: Strong fit — King’s/Western is likely one of SpaceCat’s best-fit MSW programs in Ontario. The 50/50 academic/non-academic scoring formula, the explicit valuing of shelter work experience, the non-academic reference requirement, the CASPer requirement (where SpaceCat’s very high score is an active advantage), and the narrative supplemental questions all align exceptionally well with her profile. If her GPA in the last 2 years / 20 half-courses meets or exceeds 70%, she should be a competitive applicant. This program deserves priority attention.

Quick Facts

• Institution: King’s University College, School of Social Work (affiliated with Western University; degree granted by Western University)
• Program name: 2-Year Direct Practice Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Degree granted: MSW (conferred by Western University)
• City, Province: London, Ontario
• Program type: Foundation / Two-Year (for non-BSW applicants); course-based, non-thesis, direct practice focus
• Duration: 24 months (6 consecutive terms: Fall, Winter, Summer x 2 years)
• Delivery format: In-person
• Full-time / Part-time: Full-time only. “We do not offer a part-time or distance studies option.” (Source: 2-Year MSW Admissions Guide 2026, p. 13)
• Language of instruction: English
• Intake frequency: Annual
• Start date(s): September
• Application deadline(s): January 15 (all materials including references, transcripts, CASPer must be submitted by this date) (Source: 2-Year MSW Admissions Guide 2026, p. 28)
• Application system: Western University School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) online application — grad.uwo.ca. Select “Social Work – MSW 2-Year” as program choice.
• Application code: Not a centralized system (OUAC/ORPAS not used); apply directly through Western SGPS
• Supplementary application portal: Supplemental Questions Form and Resume Form must be downloaded from King’s School of Social Work website and uploaded to the SGPS application
• Program URL: https://kings.uwo.ca/academics/our-programs/social-work/master-of-social-work/ (note: old URLs at socialwork.kings.uwo.ca now redirect here)
• 2026 Admissions Guide (PDF): https://kings.uwo.ca/sites/2025/assets/files/programs/2-YearMSWAdmissionGuide.pdf
• Accredited: Yes — fully accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE-ACFTS). Received an eight-year accreditation term with no conditions in the most recent review. (Source: King’s program page)
• Application fee: $170 (non-refundable) (Source: 2-Year MSW Admissions Guide 2026, p. 28)

Admission Requirements

GPA

• Minimum GPA: 70% average in academic courses taken in the last two years of full-time study (undergraduate or graduate), or the last 20 half-courses in part-time study. (Source: 2-Year MSW Admissions Guide 2026, p. 17)
• Competitive GPA (if known): Not publicly disclosed. The admissions guide states: “As the applicant pool changes from year to year, what is considered a competitive total overall score also changes yearly.” The 70% is a floor, not a competitive target. Since the academic score is 50% of the total and the non-academic score is the other 50%, a candidate with a lower (but above 70%) GPA could potentially compensate with very strong non-academic components. No Reddit or forum data points on competitive GPA were found.
• GPA calculated on: Last two years of full-time study (undergraduate or graduate), or last 20 half-courses if part-time. (Source: 2-Year MSW Admissions Guide 2026, p. 17)
• Number of credits in GPA window: 20 half-courses = approximately 60 credit hours = ~2 full-time years. This is a moderately sized window – SpaceCat could raise her effective GPA by performing well in approximately 20 new half-courses.
• GPA scale used: Percentage (70% minimum). Western converts transcripts to percentage for scoring.

Prerequisites

Note on the Research Methods prerequisite: This is the only prerequisite course. There is no specific minimum grade stated, only “successful completion.” The course must cover both qualitative and quantitative methods. A course outline (syllabus, not calendar description) must be uploaded with the application for verification.

Confirmed online providers accepted: Not specified. The guide does not state whether online delivery is acceptable or not for the Research Methods prerequisite.

Prereq source URL: https://kings.uwo.ca/sites/2025/assets/files/programs/2-YearMSWAdmissionGuide.pdf (p. 17-18)

Prior Degree Requirement

• Minimum credits / degree required: Completed 4-year bachelor’s degree. (Source: p. 17)
• Completed degree required? Yes – degree must be completed. “Verification of completion of academic requirements must be available by August 31st.” Conditional offers may be made to students still completing courses. (Source: p. 17-18)
• Degree field restrictions: None – any field accepted. “The 2-Year Master of Social Work at King’s is intended for applicants who have not completed a Bachelor of Social Work degree.” (Source: p. 4)

Supplementary Requirements

• CASPer: Required. Register for CSP-10211 (Casper 2). Testing window: August 12, 2025 – January 22, 2026. CASPer is an online open-response situational judgment test (65-85 minutes). Note: CASPer is described as complementing other evaluation tools for “a more holistic approach to the admissions process,” but its exact weight in the scoring formula is not disclosed – it is not explicitly listed as part of the academic or non-academic point breakdown. (Source: p. 25-27)
• GRE: Not required.
• Interview: Not required. No interview is part of the admissions process.
• Resume / CV: Required. Must use the School’s specific Resume and Experiences Summary template (downloadable from their website). Must include detailed employment, practica, volunteer experience with hours calculated, plus memberships, education, professional development, workshops, and training. (Source: p. 21-24)
• References: Two (2) confidential, non-academic references required. (Source: p. 20-21)
• Category A: Work Source (REQUIRED) – a direct supervisor in practice (practicum or employment) who has observed and supervised the applicant.
• Second reference from Category A, B, or C:
  • Category B: Voluntary Source – a supervisor from a volunteer organization
  • Category C: Professional Source – a social worker, physician, nurse, psychologist, psychiatrist, chaplain, or similar community-based professional who knows the applicant professionally
• Academic references are NOT accepted. “The School does not require or accept academic references. A university professor may not provide a reference for any of the three categories, unless that professor is writing a reference in the capacity of supervisor of a research assistantship or teaching assistantship.”
• Referees complete an online form with a checklist and two questions: (1) provide two specific examples of why applicant should be accepted; (2) explain how candidate would contribute to the profession.
• Volunteer / work experience: Minimum 1,000 hours of relevant experience (paid or unpaid) in social and/or human services required. Preference given for direct practice hours in a social work capacity. Experience in organizations mandated to provide human services weighted more heavily than other volunteer work. (Source: p. 21-22)
• Shelter work is explicitly listed as qualifying direct social services experience (p. 21: “shelters” is named in the examples of direct social services work).
• Hours must be calculated and reported using the Resume template (hours/week x weeks = total hours).
• Language proficiency (if applicable): TOEFL iBT 100 (no section below 23); IELTS 7.0 overall and each subcomponent; CAEL 60; Duolingo 115. Exempt if from English-official country with English instruction. (Source: p. 18-19)
• Other:
• ASIST 11 (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) must be completed prior to entering practicum (not at time of application). (Source: p. 16)
• Police Vulnerable Sector Check required by most practicum agencies (student’s expense). Possession of a criminal record does not disqualify an applicant from admission. (Source: p. 15-16)

Written / Personal Components

Three supplemental questions, submitted in essay format (no point form) using the School’s official 2-Year MSW Supplemental Questions Form. Answers beyond the maximum word limit will not be read.

(Source: 2-Year MSW Admissions Guide 2026, p. 24-25)

Evaluation criteria for supplemental questions: - Writing style; ability to communicate clearly including use of language, organization, and comprehensibility - Demonstrated analytic ability including evidence of scholarship - Creativity and originality - Completeness of answers

How Applications Are Evaluated

King’s uses a transparent, formula-based scoring system with a 50/50 academic/non-academic split. This is clearly documented in the admissions guide (p. 30):

Step 1 – Academic eligibility screen: All four academic requirements must be met (4-year degree, Research Methods course, 70% minimum in last 2 years, verification of completion by August 31). If any are not met, the application is not considered further.

Step 2 – Scoring:

Step 3 – Ranking: All eligible candidates are ranked by Total Overall Score from highest to lowest. Top-ranked candidates are recommended to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for admission, up to the maximum number of positions available (currently 20).

Key implications: Because the weighting is 50% academic and 50% non-academic, a candidate with a GPA at or modestly above the 70% minimum could potentially gain admission if their non-academic components (resume/experience + supplemental questions) are exceptionally strong. This is one of the most experience-friendly scoring formulas among Canadian MSW programs.

CASPer’s role: CASPer is required but its exact role in the scoring formula is ambiguous. It is not listed in the Academic Score or Non-Academic Score breakdown. The guide says it “complements the other tools we use for applicant review and evaluation, providing a more holistic approach.” It may function as an additional screen or tiebreaker rather than a scored component, but this is not confirmed.

Timeline after submission: - SGPS reviews for academic eligibility, forwards eligible files to School of Social Work - Initial offers begin in early to mid-March - Waitlist established; waitlisted candidates may receive offers up to September 1 - Admission may not be deferred; must reapply if declining

(Source: 2-Year MSW Admissions Guide 2026, p. 30-31)

Out-of-Province Considerations

• Residency restrictions or quotas: None found. The admissions guide does not distinguish between in-province and out-of-province domestic applicants. All Canadian applicants appear to be assessed identically. (Source: 2-Year MSW Admissions Guide 2026)
• Residency definition: Not applicable – no provincial residency preference found.
• Out-of-province tuition differential: None. Tuition is listed as a single “Canadian Students” rate with no provincial distinction. (Source: 2-Year MSW Admissions Guide 2026, p. 32)
• Equity / priority seats:
• Indigenous applicants: Up to 2 designated places for Indigenous learners who meet all admission requirements. Must complete Additional Considerations Form. (Source: p. 27)
• French-speaking candidates: Up to 1 designated place for French Language learners who meet all admission requirements. (Source: p. 28)
• Black students and/or people of colour: Up to 2 designated places for Black students and/or people of colour who meet all admission requirements. (Source: p. 28)
• Members of traditionally marginalized groups and/or those with barriers to education: Eligible to receive up to an additional 5% added to their total application score. Recognized groups include: visible minorities, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, and those facing other barriers (socioeconomic, caregiving, religious, cultural). Must complete Additional Considerations Form. (Source: p. 28-29)

Cost

• Tuition (per term, 2025-26 rates):
• Canadian students: $4,693.24 per term (Source: 2-Year MSW Admissions Guide 2026, p. 32)
• International students: $14,689.90 per term (Source: p. 32)
• Tuition (total 2-year program estimate, Canadian): 6 terms x $4,693.24 = ~$28,160 (based on 2025-26 rates; 2026-27 rates not yet announced)
• Tuition (total 2-year program estimate, International): 6 terms x $14,689.90 = ~$88,139
• In-province vs out-of-province: No differential – single domestic rate. (Source: p. 32)
• Additional fees: Tuition is per term (not per course). Ancillary/student fees are additional but not itemized in the admissions guide. Practicum-related costs (parking, transportation, ASIST training, insurance, police checks) are the student’s responsibility. (Source: p. 15-16, 32)
• Financial aid notes:
• Entrance Scholarships: Two entrance scholarships of $2,500 each for 2-Year MSW (Foundation Year), awarded automatically to applicants with the highest overall admissions scores – no application required. (Source: p. 33)
• Continuing Scholarships: Two continuing scholarships of $2,500 each for students progressing into the Advanced Standing Year with the highest academic average in the Foundation Year. (Source: p. 33)
• Graduate Student Assistantships: Funded positions available; students must apply. Posted in August. May be held with other awards. (Source: p. 33)
• OSAP: Available. Students must maintain continuous enrollment across Fall, Winter, Summer terms. (Source: p. 33)
• King’s University College Awards: Heather Fraleigh MacLean Meek Award, John and Terri Kennedy Family Award, Mary Lou Karley Award for Excellence in Social Work Practice, Master of Social Work Bursary, Mary Sheehan-Birch Award. (Source: p. 34)
• Western & SGPS Funding: Open Eligibility Scholarships available to MSW students. (Source: p. 34)

Competitiveness

• Cohort size: Approximately 20 students admitted to the 2-Year MSW each September. (Source: 2-Year MSW Admissions Guide 2026, p. 4 and p. 30)
• Acceptance rate: Not publicly disclosed.
• Number of applicants: Not publicly disclosed.
• Competitiveness context: With only 20 seats (minus up to 5 equity-designated seats for Indigenous, Francophone, and Black/POC applicants), the general pool may be as few as ~15 seats. However, the 50/50 academic/non-academic weighting means candidates with strong experiential profiles can be competitive even without top-tier GPAs.

Fieldwork / Clinical / Practicum

• Total required hours: Minimum 900 hours of supervised practice over the 2-year program (CASWE accreditation requirement for 2-year MSW programs). (Source: p. 15)
• Practicum structure:
• Year 1 – Introductory Practicum (SW 9700): Students are in the field 3 days per week from January to June (Winter and Summer terms). Minimum 450 hours.
• Year 2 – Advanced Practicum (SW 9800): Students are in the field 3 days per week from September to April (Fall and Winter terms). Minimum 450 hours. Limited block placements (end of Winter into Summer) available by request and approval.
• (Source: p. 13, 15, 16-17 course schedule)
• Integration Seminars: While on practicum, small groups meet bi-weekly for 2-hour integration seminars under faculty supervision, modeled after peer supervision sessions. (Source: web search cache of field education page)
• Placements guaranteed? Not explicitly stated, but the program coordinates placements with community agencies.
• Placement settings / locations: Placements are in human service agencies in the London, ON area and surrounding region. Settings mirror the diversity of social work employment (mental health agencies, crisis centers, shelters, hospitals, child welfare, schools, etc.).
• Can placements be done out of province? Not stated.
• Pre-placement requirements: ASIST 11 training (required), police vulnerable sector check (required by most agencies, student’s expense), possible medical tests/vaccines for health care settings. (Source: p. 15-16)
• Practicum Coordinator contact: Larissa Emmons – Larissa.Emmons@kings.uwo.ca (Source: p. 13)

Curriculum

Year One (Foundation)

Year Two (Advanced)

Total required courses: 9 Foundation + 6 Advanced + 2 Special Topics + Introductory Practicum + Advanced Practicum + 6 PD Workshops (Milestone) + Integrative Capstone Exercise (Milestone)

Special Topics examples: Trauma-Informed Care; Social Work and Mental Health. Students may also choose a cross-disciplinary graduate course or independent study with permission. (Source: p. 15)

Integrative Capstone Exercise (ICE): Final milestone. Small groups present a major case study analysis to a panel of practicing social workers and faculty, demonstrating integration of knowledge across all levels of practice. (Source: p. 16)

Licensing & Career Path

• Licensing: Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). (Source: King’s program page)
• Graduates eligible to practice in all provinces? Yes – an MSW from a CASWE-accredited program is recognized nationally. Provincial registration requirements vary but the degree itself is portable.
• Any known issues with credential recognition? None found.
• Note on psychotherapy: According to the OCSWSSW, psychotherapy is not considered an entry-to-practice competency. They recommend 2,000-3,000 additional hours of supervised practice (2-3 years) beyond the MSW to be considered competent for the controlled act of psychotherapy. A private practice placement is not an endorsement of readiness for independent practice. (Source: p. 16)
• Employment outcomes: More than 88% of King’s MSW graduates are employed within six months. (Source: King’s program page)

Reputation & Notes

• Direct practice focus distinguishes King’s from some other MSW programs that emphasize policy, research, or critical theory. The program explicitly prepares students for hands-on clinical/frontline work: “counselling, psycho-education, advocacy, psychotherapy, family therapy, group therapy, emotional support, case management, referral, mediation, advocacy, and crisis intervention.” (Source: p. 11)
• Small class sizes (20-25 students per class) with a teaching-focused faculty. King’s is a smaller, more intimate college within the broader Western University ecosystem.
• Faculty expertise includes intimate partner violence, trauma-informed approaches, child welfare, Indigenous practice, narrative therapy, bereavement counselling, psychodynamic perspectives, and community practice. Several faculty members’ research areas (e.g., Dr. Stephanie Baird on intimate partner violence and trauma; Dr. Laura Lewis on interventions with abused women) align with shelter-related work.
• Degree is conferred by Western University – graduates receive a Western University MSW degree, which carries the reputation of a major Canadian research university despite the program being delivered at the affiliated King’s College campus.
• Eight-year CASWE accreditation with no conditions is the strongest possible accreditation outcome, signaling program quality.
• No Reddit or forum discussions specifically about King’s MSW competitiveness or student experience were found in searches.

Information Not Found

The following items could not be confirmed from public sources and should be verified directly with the program:

1. Competitive GPA / typical admitted GPA range – The 70% minimum is clear, but no data on actual competitive cutoffs or average admitted GPA is available. This is the most important gap.
2. Exact role of CASPer in the scoring formula – CASPer is required but not listed in the Academic Score or Non-Academic Score point breakdown. Whether it is scored separately, used as a screen, or serves as a tiebreaker is unclear.
3. Number of applicants per year – Not disclosed, making it impossible to calculate an acceptance rate.
4. Whether online Research Methods courses are accepted – The guide does not address delivery format for the prerequisite.
5. Exact ancillary/student fees per term – Tuition is published but additional fees are not itemized.
6. 2026-27 tuition rates – Only 2025-26 Fall term rates are published ($4,693.24/term domestic). The guide states 2026-27 rates have not been announced.
7. Whether placements can be completed outside the London area or out of province.
8. How the academic score out of 100 is calculated from the GPA – The guide says “an academic admission score out of 100 is calculated” but does not explain the conversion formula (e.g., whether 70% = some baseline score, or a linear conversion, etc.).

Contact for verification: - Tosha Densky, MSW – Coordinator of Academics and Development, School of Social Work - Email: tosha.densky@kings.uwo.ca - Phone: 519-930-5393 - School of Social Work general: 519-433-3491 / Toll free: 1-800-265-4406 - Address: Labatt Hall, 266 Epworth Avenue, London, ON, Canada N6A 2M3

Sources

Official program pages: - King’s Social Work program page: https://kings.uwo.ca/academics/our-programs/social-work/ - King’s MSW program page: https://kings.uwo.ca/academics/our-programs/social-work/master-of-social-work/ - 2-Year MSW Admissions Guide 2026 (PDF – primary source for this profile): https://kings.uwo.ca/sites/2025/assets/files/programs/2-YearMSWAdmissionGuide.pdf - 1-Year MSW Admissions Guide 2026 (PDF): https://kings.uwo.ca/sites/2025/assets/files/programs/1-YearMSWAdmissionGuide.pdf - Western University SGPS application portal: https://grad.uwo.ca/prospective_students/applying/index.html

Official fee/tuition pages: - Tuition information in 2-Year MSW Admissions Guide 2026, p. 32 - Western Registrar fee schedules: https://registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/fee_refund_schedules.html

Application system pages: - Western SGPS graduate application: https://grad.uwo.ca/prospective_students/applying/index.html - CASPer registration: https://takecasper.com (register for CSP-10211)

Accreditation/recognition: - CASWE accreditation: https://caswe-acfts.ca/ - OCSWSSW (Ontario regulator): https://www.ocswssw.org/

Third-party / forum sources: - MSWHelper tips article (content not fully extractable): https://www.mswhelper.com/blog/tips-for-applying-to-uwos-kings-university-college-msw-program

Note on URL changes: The King’s School of Social Work website underwent a major restructure. Old URLs at socialwork.kings.uwo.ca now redirect (301) to kings.uwo.ca/academics/our-programs/social-work/. The PDF admissions guides remain the most detailed and authoritative source. The new site at kings.uwo.ca/academics/our-programs/social-work/master-of-social-work/ contains summary information that matches the PDF.