Social Work: Master's Degree (MSW) at University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, Canada is a master's degree in Social Work programme. The programme runs for 2 years, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition for international students is CAD 833 per credit (CAD 594 per credit for local students).
UFV's Master of Social Work offers two paths to a CASWE-ACFTS nationally accredited master's degree: a two-year Advanced MSW built for Bachelor of Social Work graduates, made up of five semesters and 30 credits, and a three-year Foundational MSW for holders of any bachelor's degree, which adds an undergraduate year of three semesters and 33 credits ahead of that same 30-credit graduate component. Both paths include a required 450-hour practicum with one of UFV's partner community organizations, and neither can be completed through prior learning assessment or course challenge. Applicants need a completed statistics course before applying, and Foundational applicants also need a research methods course; the two options run in alternating years, with the Advanced MSW offered in even years and the Foundational MSW in odd years, out of UFV's Abbotsford campus. The program emphasizes anti-oppressive and cross-cultural social work and Indigenous self-determination, and graduates meet the requirements to register with the British Columbia College of Social Workers.
Requirements
Minimum GPA:3.00 / 4.33
Admission Requirements: Two entry streams, each with its own requirements, and admission is competitive in both. ADVANCED STREAM (for BSW graduates): a Bachelor of Social Work from a recognised institution with at least a 3.00 GPA on the final 60 credits; a three-credit introductory statistics course (STAT 104, STAT 106, PSYC 110 or an equivalent) and a three-credit 300- or 400-level research methods course, taken either inside the BSW or afterwards; 3,000 hours of paid work in social work, in social services, or in a field closely related to them; a personal statement; and three professional references - one academic, one supervisory, and a third that may be either. FOUNDATIONAL STREAM (for graduates of other related degrees): a bachelor's degree in a related field with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00; the same statistics and research-methods courses; 3,000 hours of combined paid and/or voluntary work in social services or a related field; a personal statement showing you understand social work values, ethics and practice; and the same three references. Foundational entrants take an additional year of undergraduate Social Work courses, including a 450-hour practicum, before starting the Advanced coursework. BOTH STREAMS: an interview with the MSW committee may be required, and applicants must meet English at UFV's Degree/diploma level, which international applicants and anyone whose first language is not English normally meet with IELTS Academic 6.5 (no band under 6.0), TOEFL iBT 88 (no section under 20), PTE Academic 61 with 60 in writing, Duolingo 110, or English Studies 12 / English First Peoples 12 at C+. THE PACKAGE also includes official transcripts from every institution attended (in-progress courses included), a chronological resume naming positions, supervisors, dates and whether the work was full- or part-time, paid or voluntary, an experience-hours summary totalling all social service work, an educational equity declaration, and personal statement answers of 400-500 words each; an application missing any of these is not assessed. DEADLINE: 1 December for entry the following September. The Advanced stream runs every two years, so check the current cycle with the School of Social Work and Human Services.
Application Details
Start Date:Fall (September) start. Two streams: Advanced for BSW graduates and Foundational for graduates of other related degrees, the Foundational stream adding a preliminary year of undergraduate Social Work courses and a 450-hour practicum before the Advanced coursework.
Application Deadline:Fall intake only. DOMESTIC APPLICANTS: complete applications are due 1 December of the year you apply, for entry the following September; later applications are considered only as space allows, and an application missing any listed item is treated as incomplete and not assessed. Entry is competitive, so meeting the minimums does not secure a seat. The Advanced stream is offered every two years - UFV's programme list showed the next Advanced intake opening 1 October 2027 for Fall 2028 - so confirm the current cycle with the School of Social Work and Human Services before planning. INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS: the programme is open to international students; UFV International's Fall window runs 1 October to 31 May with confirming tuition due 1 May, but the 1 December academic deadline is the binding one.
