Social Work

Master of Social Work (MSW)



Meet Rupali Kapoor, MSW candidate in Social Work

“Western’s campus has a lot to offer, get involved in activities, and enjoy university life.”

Why did you come to Western for your graduate degree?
Since social work is offered at King's University College, it presented an opportunity to experience the best of both worlds – small class sizes with dedicated attention to students at King’s, and vibrant university life across the main campus.

What is it about your grad program that enables you to thrive?
I would like to give credit to the administrative staff, as well as wellness staff, who provide a supportive experience for the students, and the professors who relentlessly work towards academic excellence.

What is your “dream” career?
My interest lies in working with children and families and supporting BIPOC communities, as well as newcomers, to thrive in the country. Further, I also hope to use my interests and experience in movement and dance to support these endeavors.

What’s the best advice you could give to someone considering applying to your graduate program?
Volunteer, research, and know the changing demographics that you will be working with when you graduate.

Program Websites


Program Contact

Tosha Densky (tbwalker@uwo.ca)
Social Work Programs Liaison

School of Social Work

King’s University College
Labatt Hall Rm 211
London, Ontario N6A 2M3

t. 519-433-3491 ext. 4328
f. 519-433-8691

The School of Social Work at King’s University College, affiliated with Western University, is pleased to offer two Direct Practice Master of Social Work (MSW) streams on a full-time basis. The Advanced Standing (1-year) and Foundational (2-year) programs are course-based with an advanced practicum (450+ hours in each year of the program). Our practicum placements with experienced supervisors in child and family services, health and social service organizations, schools, mental health and justice settings, prepare graduates for advanced success in leadership roles and professional practice in specialized areas of interest with individuals, families, groups and communities.

Social work is both an academic discipline and profession concerned with the enhancement of individual, familial and community wellbeing, while promoting equity and social justice. Social workers offer direct practice, from counselling to system navigation, in a wide range of contexts such as small local counselling agencies, hospitals, schools and shelters. This means social workers are educated to consider the impact upon service users of social issues related to oppression, marginalization and injustice. Course content reflects the need for knowledge and skills in critical reflection, evaluation, advocacy, and community development to inform the range of tasks that social workers are expected to engage in as part of direct practice.

Our faculty include award-winning faculty with expertise in diverse areas of social work practice, such as social inequity, mental health and addictions, structural and clinical social work, organizational leadership, and transnational practice. The School of Social Work has exceptional support staff and student facilities, all within a beautiful college campus at King’s. Students are admitted to the program each September.

Program Length

  • 3 Terms (Full-time study Advanced Standing)
  • 6 terms (Full-time study Foundational)

Program Design

  • Full-time study
  • Course-based

Funding Information

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fee schedules (per term) are posted on the Office of the Registrar's website at http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/fee_schedules.html

Graduate Student Affordability Calculator

Use this helpful tool to estimate how much money you will need to pay for your tuition, fees, housing, food, and other necessities for a 12-month (three term) academic year.

Admission Requirements

MSW Advanced Standing (3 terms):

  • Completion of an accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree.
  • Successful completion of a course in Research Methods (including instruction in both qualitative and quantitative methods). There is no specific minimum grade requirement.
  • A minimum average of 70% in academic courses taken in the last two years of full-time study during the undergraduate degree, or the last 20 half-courses in part-time study.
  • Verification of completion of academic requirements must be available by August 31.
  • A minimum of 1,000 hours of relevant experience (paid or unpaid) in social services.
MSW Foundational (6 terms):
  • The completion of a 4-year Bachelor Degree.
  • Successful completion of a course in Research Methods (including instruction in both qualitative and quantitative methods). There is no specific minimum grade requirement.
  • A minimum average of 70% in academic courses taken in the last two years of full-time study (during undergraduate or graduate degree), or the last 20 half-courses in part-time study.
  • Verification of completion of academic requirements must be available by August 31.
  • A minimum of 1,000 hours of relevant experience (paid or unpaid) in human or social services.

Additional Requirements

  • International students and applicants who obtained the Bachelor of Social Work degree from a country other than Canada must provide confirmation from the Canadian Association of Social Work that their degree has been assessed as equivalent.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language:

Application Deadline

  • January 15 - Acceptance notification in early March.