School of Social Work
509 Dunton Tower
613-520-5601
613- 520-7496
http://carleton.ca/socialwork
- Master of Social Work
- Ph.D. Social Work
- Ph.D. Social Work with Specialization in Political Economy
Master of Social Work
About the Program
The Master of Social Work program is based on an analytical and critical approach to social work practice, and to knowledge related to practice. The program examines the structural context of personal and social problems and of social work practice itself. The structural context refers to the interaction between individuals and the social, political, and economic dimensions of society. The program focuses on the development of social work practices that change the interactions between people and structural contexts.
The curriculum is organized into two concentrations:
- Direct Intervention: with individuals, families, small groups, and communities; and
- Social Administration and Policy: an examination of the political, economic, and social context within which social policy is made.
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Candidates for the MSW degree must complete all course work (or the equivalent) counted towards the degree with a grade of B- or higher. The School of Social Work does not permit the C+ option.
Admission Requirements
The School of Social Work provides two points of entry into the Master of Social Work program.
Applications are accepted to the Foundation Year (first year of a two year MSW program) from candidates who hold an Honours bachelor's degree, or the equivalent, with at least high honours standing (normally B+ or higher in the final two years/10 full credits of university courses; B- or higher overall) in a discipline other than social work.
Application are accepted to the Advanced Year (one year MSW program) from candidates who hold an accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree with honours standing (normally B+ or higher in the final two years/10 full credits of university courses; B- or higher overall).
Applications are accepted from candidates who are in the process of completing their final year of study, and who have maintained B+ or higher.
Work experience in social work or a related field is considered as one of several selection criteria for application to both Foundation Year and Advanced Year.
Applicants must have completed (or be in the process of completing) 1.0 credit in research (.5 credit research methods and .5 credit statistics with a minimum B grade or higher).
The School of Social Work will not grant advanced standing for course work completed prior to entry into the MSW program.
Students accepted into Foundation Year will be expected to complete 5.0 credits of course work in year I and 6.0 credits of course work in year II.
Program Requirements
Students admitted into the Foundation Year (first year of the two year MSW program) must complete the Foundation Year (year I) and the Advanced Year (year II) of the MSW program.
Students admitted into the Advanced Year must only complete year II.
Foundation Year (year I) of the MSW consists of the following 5.0 credits:
| SOWK 5308 [0.5] | Direct Intervention | |
| SOWK 5408 [0.5] | Social Administration and Policy | |
| SOWK 5608 [0.5] | Community Work | |
| SOWK 5501 [0.5] | Theories in Social Science and Social Work | |
| SOWK 5502 [0.5] | History of Social Welfare and Social Work | |
| SOWK 5606 [2.0] | Practicum I | |
| 0.5 credit to be taken from graduate-level course offerings in the School | ||
Advanced Year (year II) of the MSW consists of the following 6.0 credits:
| SOWK 5306 [1.0] | Advanced Theory for Social Administration and Policy | |
| or SOWK 5307 [1.0] | Advanced Theory for Direct Intervention | |
| SOWK 5405 [1.0] | Research and Evaluation in Social Work | |
And one of the following two options:
| Thesis/Course Work Option | ||
| SOWK 5909 [2.0] | Thesis | |
| 2.0 credits of course work | ||
| Practicum/Course Work Option | ||
| SOWK 5607 [2.0] | Practicum II | |
| 2.0 credits of course work | ||
For all course options listed above, a minimum of 1.0 credit must be taken from graduate-level course offerings, in the School of Social Work, a maximum of 1.0 credit may be taken outside the School of Social Work, and a maximum of 0.5 credit may be taken at the 4000-level.
All students in SOWK 5903, SOWK 5909, SOWK 5606, SOWK 5607 must maintain continuous registration until completion of the course in accordance with the General Regulations as stated in this calendar.
Part-Time Studies
The School offers part-time studies to a limited number of qualified candidates. The requirements for part-time studies are identical to those of the regular program, except that part-time students are limited to a maximum of 1.0 credit of course work per term.
Students registered on a part-time basis must maintain continuous registration for a minimum of two terms per year until all course requirements are completed.
In their first fall term, part-time students in the MSW Foundation Year (Year I) must register in SOWK 5501 or SOWK 5502 and one of SOWK 5308, SOWK 5408, or SOWK 5608. Part-time students in the MSW Advanced Year (Year II) register in SOWK 5306 or SOWK 5307 plus an additional 0.5 credit of course work in their first fall term.
Change of Status
Students contemplating changing their full-time or part-time status should consult the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Ph.D. Social Work
About the Program
The substantive focus of the PhD program is theory, application and practice of structural social work and an in-depth understanding of social justice and human rights and the underlying structural issues.
Structural social work understands social problems as embedded in structural factors and posits that: social change occurs only through social and political action; the structures of domination are consciously/unconsciously reproduced through people's everyday activities; the link between structure and agency is dialectical and that therefore intervention occurs simultaneously at the individual and societal levels. Research is encouraged in social organization, social policy, social practices or links among all three.
The PhD in Social Work normally will be taken on a full-time basis. The core course work and qualifying exam are completed in the first 12 months of the program and are designed to assist students in locating and developing their research projects.
The curriculum is focused solely on the field of structural social work. The course work and qualifying exam must be completed in the first 12 months of the program and are designed to assist students in locating and developing their research projects.
Academic Regulations
- See the General Regulations section of this Calendar
- Candidates must obtain a grade of B- or higher in each course and Satisfactory on the PhD thesis and its oral defence.
Admission Requirements
There are three principal criteria for admission.
- Completion of an MSW at an accredited program in Social Work (Canadian Association for Social Work Education or equivalent), or a similarly accredited BSW and a closely related graduate degree. An average of A- or better at the Masters level is normally required.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and to complete the program. Applications must contain one academic or professional paper completed by the applicant at the graduate level or its equivalent.
- A minimum of two years full-time post graduate work experience, or five years post-baccalaureate work experience in the social services and/or social policy field.
- Note: The School may require a candidate to complete an additional course (such as research methods or theory) to qualify for admission. Such a candidate may be provisionally admitted into the program and permitted to take the additional course concurrently with the regular PhD courses.
Program Requirements
| Ph.D. Social Work (10.0 credits) | ||
| 1. 1.0 credit in: | 1.0 | |
SOWK 6100 [1.0] | Theoretical Foundations in Social Practices | |
| 2. 1.0 credit in: | 1.0 | |
SOWK 6200 [1.0] | Dissertation Research Seminar | |
| 2. 1.5 credits from: | 1.5 | |
SOWK 6401 [0.5] | Teaching Critical Social Work | |
SOWK 6405 [0.5] | Directed Studies | |
Maximum 0.5 credit at the 5000 level | ||
Maximum 0.5 credit at the 5000 or 6000 level outside the School of Social Work with permission of the School | ||
| 3. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
SOWK 6800 [0.5] | Qualifying Examination | |
| 4. 6.0 credits in: | 6.0 | |
SOWK 6909 [6.0] | PhD Dissertation | |
| Total Credits | 10.0 | |
Notes:
The School requires that 3.5 credits in course work plus the 0.5 credit in the Qualifying Exam be completed by the end of the first three semesters (i.e., Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer).
During the second year of study students are required to develop and defend their research proposal.
Residence Requirements: PhD candidates must normally be registered full-time for a minimum of six terms to satisfy the residence requirement. Candidates not able to continue full-time studies following the sixth term may request permission to continue part time.
| Ph.D. Social Work with Specialization in Political Economy (10.0 credits) | ||
| 1. 1.0 credit in: | 1.0 | |
SOWK 6100 [1.0] | Theoretical Foundations in Social Practices | |
| 2. 1.0 credit in: | 1.0 | |
SOWK 6200 [1.0] | Dissertation Research Seminar | |
| 3. 0.5 credit from: | 0.5 | |
SOWK 6401 [0.5] | Teaching Critical Social Work | |
SOWK 6405 [0.5] | Directed Studies | |
Maximum 0.5 credit at the 5000 level | ||
Maximum 0.5 credit at the 5000 or 6000 level outside the School of Social Work with permission of the School | ||
| 4. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
PECO 6000 [0.5] | Political Economy: Core Concepts | |
| 5. 0.5 credit in a relevant political economy course from the approved list | 0.5 | |
| 6. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
SOWK 6800 [0.5] | Qualifying Examination | |
| 7. 6.0 credits in: | 6.0 | |
SOWK 6909 [6.0] | PhD Dissertation | |
| Total Credits | 10.0 | |
Part-Time Studies
Students not able to remain in full-time studies may only apply for part-time status following the completion of their second year of studies and with evidence of satisfactory progress in their research.
Change of Status
Students contemplating changing their full-time or part-time status should consult the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Social Work (SOWK) Courses
Social Policy Analysis
Conceptual, theoretical, and empirical tools for the analysis of social policies in Canadian society.
Political Economy of Health
Distinctions and connections between health and health care. Who receives care, who provides it, who pays for it, and who makes the decisions affecting it.
Poverty and Income Security
Examination of theories of poverty and wealth, conflicting understandings of poverty and the unequal distribution of income and wealth in Canada. Theories of poverty and wealth as they influence social policy, notably universal programs, social welfare services, income redistribution, and taxation.
Women and Social Policy
Structural analysis of social policy affecting women. Relationship of feminist scholarship to the practical work of developing policy and to policy outcomes for women. Impact of the women's movement on the formal processes of policy making.
Women, Male Violence and Social Change
Focus on male violence against women. Theory, responses of the state and the justice system, and practice approaches to helping women and the men who abuse them, and initiatives for social change.
Mental Health
Historical development, legislative framework, institutional and service structure, and practice issues related to mental health services in Canada. The interface between mental health and sexual abuse, family violence, racism, corrections, aging and immigration.
Advanced Theory for Social Administration and Policy
Core concepts and ideas about the modern welfare state and the Canadian welfare state. The role and nature of social policy in the Canadian political system. Methods of analysis of contemporary social policy.
Prerequisite(s): registration in MSW Advanced Year (Year II).
Advanced Theory for Direct Intervention
Advanced integration of social work knowledge, skills and ethics for practice with individuals, families, small groups and communities. Structural analysis of personal and social problems. Review of contemporary social work theories and practice approaches.
Prerequisite(s): registration in MSW Advanced Year II (Year II).
Direct Intervention
Presentation of a structural framework for social work theory and practice examining assessment and interventive approaches, analytical and interaction skills, helping process and social transformation. Explores interventions with individuals, families, small groups based on an understanding of class, gender, race, age, ability and sexual orientation.
Prerequisite(s): registration in MSW Foundation Year(Year I).
Research and Evaluation in Social Work
Addresses the logic of inquiry, and assesses quantitative and qualitative techniques. Attention to program and direct intervention evaluation especially with the use of action and participatory research approaches. May include research or evaluation project with community agencies and practitioners, or individual research proposal.
Social Administration and Policy
Knowledge and skills required for understanding, analyzing and practicing social policy development and administration in social work. Political, economic, and social context of policymaking, theoretical perspectives for developing policy, and contemporary social policy issues.
Prerequisite(s): registration in MSW Foundation Year (Year I).
Theories in Social Science and Social Work
Examines relationships between theories in social science and in social work exploring connections to social work practice and emphasizing theories of inequality.
Prerequisite(s): registration in MSW Foundation Year I (Year I).
History of Social Welfare and Social Work
Historical development of social welfare policies and the Canadian welfare state. History of relationship of economy, family, welfare institutions and Canadian state. Focus on the origins and development of social work as a profession.
Prerequisite(s): registration in MSW Foundation Year (Year I).
Directed Studies
Individual exploration of selected theoretical perspectives for social work practice under the direct supervision of a member of faculty or visiting scholar.
Directed Studies
Individual exploration of selected theoretical perspectives for social work practice under the direct supervision of a member of faculty or visiting scholar.
Practicum I
Integration of academic and practical aspects of social-work education. 475 hours of guided learning in a community-based setting. Field seminar required.
Practicum II
500 hours integrating advanced social work theories and practice. Field seminar required. Not usually available in the first term of registration.
Community Work
Models and methods of community organization. Social-economic contexts and ideological approaches to social change work; social change efforts; globalization and corporate rule.
Community Development
Approaches to community engagement, analysis, mobilization and evaluation; community development as a space for prefigurative politics necessary for social change. Historical and contemporary examination of community-based approaches to social justice.
Special Topics in Social Policy
The School will offer courses on substantive topics related to social administration and policy. Topics vary depending on the interests of faculty and students and the availability of instructors. Students outside of the School may register with permission from the School.
Special Topics in Direct Intervention
The School will offer courses on substantive topics related to direct intervention including community development. Topics vary depending on the interests of faculty and students and the availability of instructors. Students outside of the School may register with permission from the School.
Special Topics in Social Work
The School will offer lecture courses on substantive topics related to social work and social welfare. Topics will vary each year depending on the interests of faculty and students. Students from outside the School of Social Work may register with permission of the School.
Special Topics in Social Work
The School will offer lecture courses on substantive topics related to social work and social welfare. Topics will vary each year depending on the interests of faculty and students. Students from outside the School of Social Work may register with permission of the School.
Race, Culture and Social Work Practice
Anti-racist framework for social work practice to analyze policy and practice issues. "Privilege" as a critical and essential component for understanding oppression based on race and culture. Complex intersections of race and culture with class, gender, age, and other dimensions.
Child Protection
Child welfare policy and the organization of social work practice particularly in the Canadian context. A range of welfare provisions affecting children and families will be considered as well as direct child protection policies and practices.
Trauma and Memory
Comprehensive examination of contemporary theories of trauma and memory. Advanced counseling interventions with survivors of psychological trauma; critical examination of case studies illustrating recent findings in treatments of psychological trauma and associated memory processes.
Feminist Social Work Practice with Individuals, Couples, and Families
Theory and practice of feminist approaches to social work with individuals, couples and families. Issues of diversity, such as race, class, and gender. Problem-based learning approach.
Organizing for Social Change
Hands-on introduction to theories, models, and methods of organizing for social change from grass roots groups to national coalitions. Practical skills for helping people mobilize to influence relevant social issues. Problem-based learning approach.
Social Development in the International Context
International social development policies and practices from a cross-cultural perspective. Focus on international social policies and practices, and on economic, health, telecommunication, migration, and education policies and practices.
Independent Research Studies in Social Work
Individually-arranged independent research study. Requires a written proposal that outlines a research project with clear learning objectives, and practice objectives (where relevant).
Independent Research Studies in Social Work
Individually-arranged independent research study. Requires a written proposal that outlines a research project with clear learning objectives, and practice objectives (where relevant).
Thesis
Prerequisite: registration in MSW Advanced Year (Year II).
Theoretical Foundations in Social Practices
A focus on human rights and social justice that explores dynamic tensions of life in an advanced capitalist, globalized political economy and the relevance for social work practices. The course will assist the students in developing the theoretical frameworks for their dissertations.
Dissertation Research Seminar
An advanced study of current research methods in social work, inquiry into research techniques, conceptualization and theoretical issues. This course, which will meet over the fall and winter terms, will assist students in the development of their research methodologies.
Teaching Critical Social Work
Application of educational theory, models, practices, design and technology for post-secondary education in social work. Theory and practice of critical pedagogy, curriculum development, teaching methods, skills and strategies.
Directed Studies
Individually-arranged independent exploration of selected areas of inquiry that are offered subject to the availability of faculty. Requires a written proposal with clear learning objectives and study plan.
Qualifying Examination
A critical assessment and demonstration of mastery in an area of inquiry related to the research project, involving theoretical, methodological and substantive components. Requires a proposal to the Exam Committee, the successful completion of a Qualifying Exam paper and an Oral Qualifying Exam.
PhD Dissertation
An original scholarly research contribution that constitutes a significant contribution to the field of social welfare and the profession of social work. Dissertation must meet standards including a formal oral defense governed by the regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.
Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca
Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca