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Master of Social Work (MSW) Course-based, Laddered Pathway

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Completion requirement

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Faculty of Social Work requires:

Students entering the MSW through the laddered pathway are admitted to the Fall term and complete 12 units over the Fall and Winter terms:

Complete ALL of the following Course Sets:

A student who fails or withdraws from a practicum course (Social Work 660 or 662) will fail or be required to withdraw from the co-requisite courses (Social Work 660 or 662). In addition, the student may be required to withdraw from the program.

For Social Work 660, students are required to complete a 500-hour practicum in their local community. Students may negotiate a part-time (20 hours per week minimum) or a full-time (40 hours per week maximum) practicum with the agency/supervisor and with approval of the Field Education Office.

At the same time, students will be required to complete Social Work 662 and attend all related online learning and in-person residencies in Calgary or Edmonton, and assignments in both Fall and Winter terms, regardless of their practicum schedule or timeline.

See program,  programprogramand program  for more information.

Completion requirement

Advanced Credit

Students entering the MSW through the laddered pathway receive credit for 24 units completed in the two certificate programs.


Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade)

The Faculty of Social Work, Master of Social Work course-based program will allow students to pursue the Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade) in up to one graduate course offered by the faculty, with the exception of:

Social Work 660

Social Work 662

Students enrolled in the laddered pathway may only have a grade of CG for a total of 3 units throughout the entire laddered pathway.

Students may choose the CG grade for a course taken extra to load.

The use of the CG grade will not affect students' eligibility for internal awards.


Credit for Undergraduate Courses

Credit for undergraduate courses will not be awarded.


Time Limits

Expected completion time in the MSW Laddering Pathway is 36 months (all three stages). The maximum completion time for all laddered credentials is six years from the start of the first credential in the laddering process.

Completion requirement

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see Awards and Financial Assistance for Graduate Students, the Graduate Awards Database, and consult with the Student Services Office in the Faculty of Social Work.

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