Masters in Social Work in Canada:- Top 10 Universities, 2023 Fees & Eligibility, Salary Trends

Masters in Social Work in Canada is designed for students who are keen to develop an advanced understanding of social work and a specialized set of practical skills. Masters in Social Work is available 15+ universities in Canada, including top universities like McGill, UBC, McMaster, etc. The cost of studying MS Social Work in Canada is 30,000 CAD per year, on average. While there are scholarships availble by universities, but the choices are very limited, especially for international students. The program is an excellent choice for students even from ROI perspective. The average salary of MS Social Work graduates in Canada is 50,000 CAD per year. In terms of roles, Masters in Social Work graduates work as Counsellors, Health coordinators, Researchers, etc. 

Top Universities for Masters in Social Work in Canada

Some of the best universities offering masters in Social Work in Canada are tabulated below:

Why Study Masters in Social Work in Canada?

According to the Government of Canada, people working as social workers usually earn between 19.20 CAD/ hour and 46.15 CAD/ hour. They are employed in various sectors of the economy such as hospitals, school boards, social service agencies, welfare organizations, correctional facilities, and the private sector.

Since there is a shortage of social workers in Canada, the demand for the occupation is currently skyrocketing. Some of the cities and provinces of Canada which are experiencing a high demand for social workers are British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and Ontario.

Therefore, MSW in Canada is considered extremely fruitful in terms of career development as well as personal growth. The basic admission requirements are transcripts, resume, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, English proficiency tests, etc.

Masters in Social Work in Canada Admission Process

The admission process for MS in social work in Canada varies from university to university. However, certain basic eligibility criteria are common for most institutions.

Admission Requirements

• Academic Transcripts & Marksheet
• IELTS Score or TOEFL Score
• SOP/Admission Essays
• 2-3 Recommendation letters
• Resume, preferably one-page

There are a few universities where candidates must have an equivalent of two years of full-time paid or volunteer work in the human services field.

Eligibility Criteria

Masters in Social Work in Canada Cost

According to the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), 96% of the international student population recommends Canada as their favorite study destination. This may be the result of the fact that Canada offers higher education at much lower costs than other countries such as the USA, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Tuition Fees

One of the key features of studying abroad is the number of tuition fees. Given below is an overview of tuition fees for international students who are planning to study MS in social work at the top universities in Canada.

Cost of Living

Apart from tuition fees, international students must also be able to afford the cost of living in Canada. The basic structure of the average cost of living in Canada is tabulated below:-

Scholarships to Study Masters in Social Work in Canada

In Canada, various scholarships and bursaries are offered to Social Work students. Most of these awards are offered annually unless stated otherwise.

1. Joan Cummings Memorial Award: Offered by Dalhousie University, the scholarship is awarded to students with disabilities. The scholarship amount varies
2. Lawrence T. Hancock Scholarship: Offered by Dalhousie University, Lawrence T. Hancock Scholarship is offered annually to students who are enrolled in the Master of Social Work program and achieve high academic standing, and show promise of leadership and service.
3. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships: Provides financial assistance to highly qualified students from across the country and abroad. Prospective students are evaluated on three main criteria, Academic Excellence, Research Potential, and Leadership. The program offers 50,000 CAD per year for three years during their studies.

For more information about scholarships in Canada for international students, Click Here.

Masters in Social Work in Canada: Jobs & Salaries

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of social workers around the world is expected to grow 15% from 2016 to 2026. This is much faster than the average for most other occupations. The employment growth of social workers is driven by the increased demand for healthcare and social services.

Some of the most successful paying jobs international students can pursue after Masters in Social Work in Canada are:-

• Public Policy Social Worker: It is one of the many ways to create an impact on society where MSW students often use their academic training to examine the influence of policy decisions on matters like public development, housing, community health services, and social services.
• Social Science Researcher: The responsibility of a social science researcher is to assess the needs of people in their surroundings, evaluate the efficiency of social work services and monitor the relative costs and benefits of these services. The research is conducted for various sectors of social work such as homelessness, domestic violence, mental health etc.

• Health Clinical Coordinator: Health Clinical Coordinator is responsible for organizing and monitoring the administrative aspects of social service agencies and their clinical staff. The popular workplaces of this profession are hospitals, clinics, patient care wards, and academic-medical programs.
• Counselor: There are numerous options in the field of counseling students can choose from. A few of the major fields are family and marriage counselors, mental health counselors, addiction counselors etc. The job of a counselor is to offer guidance and help to individuals, families, and groups who are dealing with complex issues that affect their mental health and well-being.

Students of masters in social work can also make their careers through various opportunities such as advice workers, volunteers, youth workers, probation officers, policy analysts etc. By studying and promoting the quality of life of people, students focus on policy formations against poverty, unemployment, social injustice, harassment, abuse, and violation of human rights.