MSW Program

1. Master of Social Work Program 
   1. Essential Requirements for the Master of Social Work Program
   2. Professional Suitability
   3. Two Year MSW Program and Course Sequencing
   4. One Year MSW Program and Course Sequencing
   5. Fall 2025 – MSW Courses, Times & Registration
   6. MSW Elective Course Requirements
   7. MSW Thesis Option
   8. Part-time MSW Students
   9. Social Work Graduate Students’ Collective (SOWK GSC)
   10. Academic Accommodations
   11. Resources for Graduate Students

Master of Social Work Program 

Welcome to the Master of Social Work Program page for current and incoming MSW students.

Essential Requirements for the Master of Social Work Program

Ensure you review and understand the Essential Requirements for the Master of Social Work (MSW). These are the essential requirements necessary to provide reasonable assurance that students can complete the Master of Social Work (MSW) program and participate in all aspects of social work education and practice. Students are expected to be able to meet these standards in the classroom and in the practicum.

Professional Suitability

Professional social workers work with vulnerable individuals, families, and groups.  To be a social worker demands adherence to the highest standards of ethical practice both personally and professionally.   MSW students are expected to conform to the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) Code of Ethics and the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers Code of Ethics.  The Canadian Association of Social Work Education Accreditation Standards requires that the School have a policy regarding professional suitability of students for the profession of social work and that students be informed that violation of the professional code of ethics may result in exclusion from the program on the basis of professional unsuitability.  See the full policy Senate Policy on Social Work Professional Suitability.

You can find a general overview of our MSW program in Carleton’s Graduate Calendar and Graduate Program Regulations
The specifics for our MSW program are outlined below.

Two Year MSW Program and Course Sequencing

One Year MSW Program and Course Sequencing

Fall 2025 – MSW Courses, Times & Registration

Orientation Activities: Tuesday, September 2

SOWK 5000 & 5011 Intensive Courses
Class Hours:
9:00 am – 4:00 pm on Wednesday September 3, Thursday September 4, Friday September 5, & Friday September 12
8:30 am – 11:30 am on Wednesday, October 1 & Wednesday, November 5
***All other MSW courses (SOWK 5001, 5003, 5608, 5012, and any SOWK 5XXX electives) begin the week of September 8, 2025 because all MSW students attend their mandatory intensive course during the first week of classes.***

Carleton’s timetable of courses for Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 is scheduled to available May 26, and registration for both terms opens July 8 to graduate students.  Check Carleton central for your exact time. Registration information and assistance https://carleton.ca/registration

MSW students entering the two year program will register directly into their required courses (Fall: SOWK 5000, 5001, 5003, 5608 Winter: SOWK 5004) while SOWK 5606 Practicum registration permission is granted closer to the beginning of the winter term.
MSW students entering the one year MSW program, or Year 2 of the Two year MSW program will register directly into SOWK 5011 and 5012 in the fall term, and submit Registration Error Override Requests for their preferred electives (details under MSW Elective Course Requirements below).

MSW Elective Course Requirements

The 2 Year MSW program (11 credits) requires 3.0 credits (6 courses) in elective course options which are taken in Year 2 or once all Year 1 requirements (SOWK 5000, 5001, 5003, 5608, 5004, 5606) are complete.
The 1 Year MSW program (5.0 credits) requires 2.0 credits (4 courses) in elective course options.
All electives must be completed prior to Practicum II (SOWK 5607).

Graduate Level Electives in Social Work

***Graduate level electives in Social Work will vary from year to year depending on instructor availability.***

SOWK elective course options may include:

• SOWK 5013: Community-Based Participatory Research
• SOWK 5014: Social Policy
• SOWK 5015: Indigenous Knowledge & Theory for Social Work
• SOWK 5016: Social Work Practice with Individuals & Families
• SOWK 5017: Advanced Organizational Administration & Practice
• SOWK 5018: Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice
• SOWK 5020: Social Work in Health Care Settings
• SOWK 5021: Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups & Communities
• SOWK 5302: Mental Health
• SOWK 5700: Special Topics in Social Policy
• SOWK 5701: Special Topics in Direct Intervention
• SOWK 5702/5703: Special Topics in Social Work

Students can view each year’s elective courses when the timetable for an academic year is released (generally around the end of May each year). View in Carleton Central or the Public Class Schedule.

Registration for SOWK Graduate Level Elective Courses

To ensure all MSW students have an equal opportunity for a seat in their preferred electives we restrict direct registration.  Once registration opens, students will submit Registration Error Override Requests for their required amount of electives in each term.
Students in the second year of the Two Year MSW program will submit override requests for a maximum of two SOWK electives in the fall term, and a maximum of four SOWK electives in the winter term.

Students in the One Year MSW program will submit a maximum of 1 override request for a SOWK elective in the fall term, and a maximum of 3 for the winter term.
The day after registration opens to graduate students in July, we review the demand for each elective course, and authorize registrations.  An automated email notification is sent to your Carleton email account that a decision has been made on your override request.  Once registration permission is granted, proceed to register into the course on the Add/Drop classes page of Carleton Central before registration permission expires.

For courses where the demand is higher than seat availability, names will be drawn randomly, and those who are unsuccessful will be placed on a waitlist for a seat in the course.  The waitlist means their override request will remain “Pending”  and active until the second week of classes each term in case a student drops.  If waitlisted for a SOWK elective, submit an additional override request for your next choice of elective course in case you do not get a seat in your preferred elective.

Electives outside the School of Social Work

MSW students may take a maximum of 1.0 credit in non-SOWK courses providing relevance to social work. The Department offering the course(s) may limit registration to their own students, and the School of Social Work would have no influence over registration permissions. Submit a Registration Error Override Request  to seek registration permission. Ensure you provide rationale for taking the course in the override request.
Upon successful registration in the non-SOWK elective, student will send the course outline to the Graduate Programs Supervisor in Social Work to request the course be permitted to count towards MSW elective requirements. The Graduate Programs Supervisor will determine if the course meets MSW Learning Outcomes before responding.  The course outline may not be available until the beginning of classes, send a course description to the Graduate Programs Supervisor for preliminary approval, and follow-up with the course outline when available.  Ensure the Graduate Administrator is copied on the approval to use the course as an elective requirement towards the MSW.
Note: The non-SOWK course will sit outside your MSW degree requirements on your degree audit until the last term before you graduate.

Elective at the 4000 Level

MSW students are permitted to take a maximum of 0.5 credit at the 4000 level.
A SOWK 4000-level elective does not require approval from the Graduate Programs Supervisor.  SOWK 4xxx courses are often restricted to BSW students, submit a Registration Override Request to request registration permission.

If the 4000-level course is non-SOWK, you may need to submit a Registration Override Request from the department offering the course.  If registration permitted, seek approval of Graduate Programs Supervisor in Social Work to use the course towards MSW elective requirements.  (Follow approval process outlined above)
Note: The 4000 level course will sit outside your MSW degree requirements on your degree audit until the last term before you graduate.

Directed Study Elective

SOWK 5506 (0.5) allows students to develop an individual course of study in Social Work not addressed through regular courses, by developing their own Directed Studies course. The directed study cannot duplicate an existing course.
Guidelines:

• Directed Studies are not standard practice, but are the exception. They are only possible if a faculty member is able to supervise the study, and if the Directed Study course outline is approved by the Graduate Supervisor.
• Students will need to take the initiative to organize a Directed Study by contacting a faculty member who has a similar area of interest or has expertise in specific areas. Whether a student can complete a Directed Study depends on the availability of faculty to supervise the study.
• If you find a supervisor, send an email to Graduate Administrator requesting the course outline template.
• The student and faculty member work in collaboration to develop the course outline
• Submit outline to the Graduate Supervisor well before the university registration deadline to ensure adequate time for revisions.
• Send final approved course outline to the Graduate Administrator in order to gain registration access.

The course outline for the Directed Study must include:

• one or two paragraph description of the course objectives;
• the frequency and duration of meetings with the faculty member – (approximately 6 meetings);
• a list of readings related to the course topic broken down thematically;
• an outline of assignments or any other work to be completed for the course, they must be capable of being independently evaluated.

Independent Research Study Elective

SOWK 5903 (1.0) or SOWK 5904 (0.5)

• Independent Research Studies are not standard practice, but are the exception. This program option is only possible if a faculty member is able to supervise the study, and if the Independent Research Study course outline is approved by the Graduate Programs Supervisor.
• Students will need to take the initiative to organize these courses by contacting a faculty member who has a similar area of interest or has expertise in specific areas. Whether a student can complete an independent research project depends on the availability of faculty to supervise the study.
• If you find a supervisor, send an email to Graduate Administrator requesting the course outline template.  Work with the faculty member/supervisor to create the course outline for the independent study. Send the final version to the Graduate Supervisor for approval, before the Graduate Administrator can open a seat in the course.
• The Independent Research Study should be an original piece of high quality research and must contain a clear theoretical perspective, a sound methodology, and a substantial, analytic information base and a comprehensive bibliography. An independent research study is expected to be approximately 50-70 pages long.
• The Independent Research Study does not include the formation of a committee, however, a formal proposal must be submitted and approved by both the faculty supervisor, and a second reader. The second reader must be a member of the Graduate Faculty at Carleton University.
• The research proposal is to be between 15 and 20 pages in length. The supervisor and second reader will either accept the proposal as submitted, accept the proposal with modifications, or will reject the proposal. If the proposal is accepted then the student will proceed to write the independent research study in consultation with the supervisor.
• The Independent Research Study is graded with a letter grade.  The supervisor must receive the final paper in time enough to mark it and send final grade to supervisor within 10 days of the last day of term.

Guidelines for Independent Research Study

1. Starting the process
Perhaps the most difficult part of writing an independent research study is choosing a topic. This process involves thinking, discussing, writing and rewriting. Students should begin thinking about a topic early in the program. Registering for the Independent Research Study should occur only after extensive discussion with a faculty member who will become the supervisor. Things to consider when choosing an advisor include: her/his knowledge about the subject area and methodological approach appropriate to the topic, compatibility of working style, establishing a schedule of consultation and assistance that is mutually acceptable, and availability of the faculty member.

2. Preparing the Independent Research Study Proposal
It is essential to have a clearly formulated independent research study proposal of between 15-20 pages. The independent research study proposal will be submitted to a second reader who is a member of the faculty of graduate studies. The second reader will either accept the proposal as submitted, accept the proposal with modifications, or reject the proposal. If the proposal is accepted then the student will proceed to write the independent research study in consultation with the supervisor. The supervisor will submit the final grade to the Graduate Supervisor in Social Work.

3. Ethics Review
All independent research study proposals involving the use of human subjects must be approved by the Carleton University Ethics Review Committee. Allowing time for this process must be worked into your schedule.

MSW Thesis Option

SOWK 5909 Thesis option in lieu of Practicum II – SOWK 5607.
The School of Social Work promotes research as an important component of graduate education.
If you are considering a thesis instead of Practicum II (SOWK 5607), review the MSW Thesis Guide, and MSW Thesis Timeline, before reaching out to potential supervisors prior to September of the Advanced Year. If you’re uncertain how to begin, please contact the Graduate Supervisor, and/or Graduate Administrator. Please note that a thesis usually adds at least one more term of registration with tuition fees. An extension request would be required for each term past your program time limit.  Scholarships are not renewed or available on terms of extension.
Additional Resources:
Thesis Requirements for Graduate Students at Carleton
Thesis Requirements (Regulations of the University Graduate Calendar)
Find Social Work Theses in the Library Repository

Part-time MSW Students

In their first Fall term, part-time students in the Two Year MSW Program will register in SOWK 5000 and one of SOWK 5003 or SOWK 5608.  In their second Fall term, they take SOWK 5001.
Part-time students in the One Year MSW program register in SOWK 5011 and SOWK 5012 in their first Fall term.

Social Work Graduate Students’ Collective (SOWK GSC)

Get involved with the Social Work Graduate Students’ Collective (SOWK GSC) as a student representative for the School of Social Work’s Governance or within the greater Carleton community.

Academic Accommodations

Students who have a permanent, persistent/prolonged, or temporary disability can access academic accommodations and support services tailored to individual disability-related needs through the Paul Menton Centre (PMC).  Requires registration.  If your registered disability requires you take a reduced course load, contact the Graduate Administrator in Social Work to determine course sequencing.

Resources for Graduate Students

As a graduate student at Carleton, you have access to a variety of professional development resources. These include skill and writing workshops, one-on-one career and writing consultations, career-oriented events, and even structured programs. Challenge yourself by acquiring new skills that can help you boost your employability.
To learn more, visit the Graduate Professional Development website at carleton.ca/gradpd.

List of Campus Services

Library Research Information & Support

Carleton Graduate Students Association

Wellness at Carleton

Graduate Studies at Carleton is the main page for Graduate Students at Carleton.  Includes information for New Graduate Students, General Orientation Information, Forms & Policies, Academic Dates and Deadlines, information on Awards & Funding and more

Tuition Fees

Should you have any questions, please contact the  Graduate Administrator and/or Graduate Programs Supervisor in Social Work.

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