Offered by Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada, MA/MS in Social Work (MSW) is a master's degree in Social Work programme. The programme runs for 20 months. Tuition for international students is CAD 10,127 per semester (CAD 3,631 per semester for local students).
This Master of Social Work (MSW) at Wilfrid Laurier University emphasizes reflexive practice built on the integration of theory and practice, with an equity and social-justice focus running through coursework in community organizing, social policy, ethics, research methods, and practice with individuals, groups, families, and communities. The program offers several tracks: a Regular Track for students holding a bachelor's degree, available full-time on campus or part-time online; an Advanced Standing Track for students who already hold a Bachelor of Social Work, also offered full-time on campus or part-time online; and an Indigenous Field of Study track delivered through a hybrid mix of in-person intensives and virtual synchronous sessions, available full-time or part-time. All tracks require field education practicum placements, with the number of required hours varying by track, and most tracks (excluding the Indigenous Field of Study) offer an optional thesis component. Admission requires a bachelor's degree, prior social science coursework including a qualitative research methods course, and relevant human services experience. The program suits students seeking graduate-level preparation for social work practice across community, policy, or direct-service settings.
Requirements
Minimum GPA:73.00 / %
Admission Requirements: Wilfrid Laurier University's regular-track MSW requires a four-year bachelor's degree in any discipline (a three-year degree may be considered with significant relevant experience), a B average (73-76%) across the last ten half-credit courses, at least eight half-credit social science courses, and one half-credit course in qualitative research methods; the advanced-standing route additionally requires an accredited Bachelor of Social Work. Full-time applicants typically have two or more years (3,500 hours) of human-services experience, part-time applicants three or more years (5,250 hours). Applicants whose prior instruction was not in English must submit evidence of English proficiency through an accepted testing service, though the page does not publish specific scores. The application also asks for two references (one academic, one professional), a Statement of Interest, a resume detailing work or volunteer experience, and transcripts from every postsecondary institution attended. Full-time on-campus intake is September only; the part-time online option also opens in Winter and Spring.
Application Details
Start Date:September, January and May
Application Deadline:Domestic applicants apply through OUAC: for fall 2027 entry Ontario high school applicants must apply by January 15, 2027 while all other domestic applicants have until April 1, 2027; winter 2027 entry closes November 22, 2026 and spring 2027 entry closes March 15, 2027, with transcripts and required documents due May 12, 2027 for fall applicants. International applicants for fall 2027 fall under the same April 1, 2027 deadline as non-Ontario domestic and transfer applicants, with no separate international-specific date published. Laurier treats these as firm deadlines rather than rolling admission, though space-permitting late applications may still be reviewed. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
