Print and PDF Options

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://calendar.carleton.ca.

School of Social Work
509 Dunton Tower
613-520-5601
613- 520-7496
http://carleton.ca/socialwork

This section presents the requirements for programs in:

Program Requirements

M.S.W. Social Work (11.0 credits)

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.

Requirements:
Foundation Year (Year I) Requirements (6.0 credits):
1.  6.0 credits in:6.0
SOWK 5000 [0.5]
Theoretical Foundations of Social Work: A Critical Perspective
SOWK 5001 [1.0]
Interpersonal Practice in Social Work: Ethics, Knowledge and Skills
SOWK 5003 [0.5]
Policy Context of Social Work
SOWK 5004 [0.5]
Group Work
SOWK 5606 [2.0]
Practicum I
SOWK 5608 [0.5]
Community Practice
1.0 credit to be taken from graduate-level course offerings in the School
Advanced Year (Year II) Requirements (5.0 credits):
2.  1.0 credit in:1.0
SOWK 5011 [0.5]
Social Work and Social Justice
SOWK 5012 [0.5]
Social Work Research Foundations
3.  2.0 credits from:2.0
SOWK 5013 [0.5]
Community-Based Participatory Research
SOWK 5014 [0.5]
Social Policy
SOWK 5015 [0.5]
Indigenous Knowledge and Theory for Social Work
SOWK 5016 [0.5]
Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families
SOWK 5017 [0.5]
Advanced Organizational Administration and Practice
SOWK 5018 [0.5]
Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice
SOWK 5020 [0.5]
Social Work in Health Care Settings
SOWK 5021 [0.5]
Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups and Communities
SOWK 5302 [0.5]
Mental Health
SOWK 5502 [0.5]
The Transformation of Social Responsibility in Canada
SOWK 5700 [0.5]
Special Topics in Social Policy
SOWK 5701 [0.5]
Special Topics in Direct Intervention
SOWK 5702 [0.5]
Special Topics in Social Work
SOWK 5703 [0.5]
Special Topics in Social Work
3.  2.0 credits in:2.0
a) Thesis pathway:
SOWK 5909 [2.0]
Thesis
or
b) Practicum pathway:
SOWK 5607 [2.0]
Practicum II
Total Credits11.0

For all course options listed above, a minimum of 1.0 credit to be taken from graduate-level Social Work course offerings, or with permission from 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 5000 and one of SOWK 5003 or SOWK 5608.  In their second fall term, they must register for SOWK 5001. Part-time students in the MSW Advanced Year (Year II) register in SOWK 5011 and SOWK 5012 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 (5.5 credits)

Requirements:
1.  1.0 credit in:1.0
SOWK 6101 [0.5]
Theoretical Foundations
SOWK 6102 [0.5]
Ethical Foundations
2.  1.0 credit in:1.0
SOWK 6301 [0.25]
Ph.D. Seminar
SOWK 6302 [0.25]
Ph.D. Seminar
SOWK 6303 [0.25]
Ph.D. Seminar
SOWK 6304 [0.25]
Ph.D. Seminar
3.  1.0 credit in:1.0
SOWK 6201 [0.5]
Theory and Methods
SOWK 6202 [0.5]
Research Design
4.  0.5 credit in:0.5
SOWK 6401 [0.5]
Critical Pedagogy
5.  1.0 credit in electives, which may include:1.0
1.0 credit in 5000- or 6000-level SOWK courses,
or 0.5 credit in SOWK at the 5000- 6000-level and up to 0.5 credit at the 5000- or 6000- level from a discipline other than SOWK (with approval of the School)
the SOWK courses may include:
SOWK 6405 [0.5]
Directed Studies
SOWK 6406 [0.5]
Directed Studies
6.  0.5 credit in:0.5
SOWK 6600 [0.5]
Practicum in Advocacy Research
7.  0.5 credit in:0.5
SOWK 6800 [0.5]
Qualifying Examination
8.  0.0 credits in:0.0
SOWK 6909 [0.0]
PhD Dissertation
Total Credits5.5
Notes:
  1. The School requires that 5.0 credits in course work plus the 0.5 credit in the Qualifying exam be completed by the end of the first six semesters (i.e. fall, winter, spring/summer).
  2. During the third year of study, students are required to develop and defend their research proposal.

Ph.D. Social Work
with Collaborative Specialization in Political Economy (5.5 credits)

Requirements:
1.  1.0 credit in:1.0
SOWK 6101 [0.5]
Theoretical Foundations
SOWK 6102 [0.5]
Ethical Foundations
2.  0.5 credit in:0.5
PECO 6000 [0.5]
Political Economy: Core Concepts
3.  0.5 credit in a relevant political economy course from the approved list0.5
4.  1.0 credit in:1.0
SOWK 6201 [0.5]
Theory and Methods
SOWK 6202 [0.5]
Research Design
5.  0.5 credit in:0.5
SOWK 6401 [0.5]
Critical Pedagogy
6.  1.0 credit in:1.0
SOWK 6301 [0.25]
Ph.D. Seminar
SOWK 6302 [0.25]
Ph.D. Seminar
SOWK 6303 [0.25]
Ph.D. Seminar
SOWK 6304 [0.25]
Ph.D. Seminar
7.  0.5 credit in:0.5
SOWK 6600 [0.5]
Practicum in Advocacy Research
8.  0.5 credit in:0.5
SOWK 6800 [0.5]
Qualifying Examination
9.  0.0 credits in:0.0
SOWK 6909 [0.0]
PhD Dissertation (in the specialization)
Total Credits5.5

Social Work (SOWK) Courses

SOWK 5000 [0.5 credit]
Theoretical Foundations of Social Work: A Critical Perspective

History of social work and progressive social work. Introduction to critical theories and approaches informing contemporary social work in Canada: structural, anti-racist, Indigenous, anti-oppressive, queer, critical disability, post-structural, and political economy.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): enrolment in MSW Foundation Year.

SOWK 5001 [1.0 credit]
Interpersonal Practice in Social Work: Ethics, Knowledge and Skills

Theoretical exploration of the values, ethics, and historical development of direct social work knowledge and skills for practice. Focus on student skills development for beginning practice, including building therapeutic alliance, differential use of interviewing skills, contracting, biopsychosocial assessment, goal setting, and treatment planning.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): enrolment in MSW Foundation Year.

SOWK 5003 [0.5 credit]
Policy Context of Social Work

Historical context, theories and approaches to social policy analysis, development, and practice in Social Work. Examination of federal, provincial, municipal and organizational policies. Focus on processes for policy development, consultation, collaboration, political struggle, and challenges of bridging policy with individual services.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): enrolment in MSW Foundation Year.

SOWK 5004 [0.5 credit]
Group Work

History, theories, and models of social work practice with groups. A range of group practice approaches, including task-focused, mutual aid, psychoeducational, and process-oriented therapeutic groups.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): SOWK 5000 and SOWK 5001.

SOWK 5011 [0.5 credit]
Social Work and Social Justice

Relationships between social work professionals and social justice movements. Indigenous, anti-racist, queer, disability, trans, class, and feminist knowledge, politics, and activism informing social work practice in Canada.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): BSW or Foundation Year of MSW program.

SOWK 5012 [0.5 credit]
Social Work Research Foundations

Foundations of social work research with a focus on understanding evidence-based practice. Students will learn how to understand research to inform social work practice, and how to use research in social work practice.
Prerequisite(s): BSW or Foundation Year of MSW program.

SOWK 5013 [0.5 credit]
Community-Based Participatory Research

Using community-based participatory research approaches, students will assist community organizations using qualitative and/or quantitative techniques to address research questions with a social justice focus. Emphasizes an understanding of different research paradigms, ethics, and the importance of self-reflection and integration.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): BSW or Foundation Year of MSW program.

SOWK 5014 [0.5 credit]
Social Policy

Advanced study of social work contributions and strategies for policy development and analysis. Focus on policy change and negotiation within the contemporary context and the impact on clients' lives and social work practice. Attention to alternative policy processes, e.g., Indigenous, and social justice practice.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): BSW or Foundation Year of the MSW program.

SOWK 5015 [0.5 credit]
Indigenous Knowledge and Theory for Social Work

Exploration of Indigenous knowledge and Indigenous approaches to social work. Understanding history of social work with Indigenous peoples in Canada and strategies for reconciliation.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): BSW or Foundation Year of the MSW program.

SOWK 5016 [0.5 credit]
Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families

Biopsychosocial theories and practice models (i.e., psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, narrative) for working with individuals and families in a contemporary practice environment. A critical approach to theories and models.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): BSW or Foundation Year of the MSW program.

SOWK 5017 [0.5 credit]
Advanced Organizational Administration and Practice

Theories of organizational behaviour, approaches to management, skills for developing funding proposals, program development, managing budgets, program evaluation and creating organizational change.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): BSW or Foundation Year of the MSW program.

SOWK 5018 [0.5 credit]
Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice

Clinical concepts for relationship-based, theoretically and empirically grounded, social justice-seeking practice, e.g., reflexive use of self, transference/countertransference, and navigating power. Focus on development of one's individualized clinical practice framework.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): BSW or Foundation Year of the MSW program.

SOWK 5020 [0.5 credit]
Social Work in Health Care Settings

Social work practice in a range of health-care settings with a focus on health-care policy practice and direct intervention in various areas of health care.
Prerequisite(s): BSW or Foundation Year of the MSW program.

SOWK 5021 [0.5 credit]
Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups and Communities

Focus on practice with groups and communities, particularly implementing approaches reviewed in undergraduate programs and/or Foundation Year, dealing with tensions in practice, critical reflection, advanced practice techniques and evaluation.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): BSW or Foundation Year of the MSW program.

SOWK 5302 [0.5 credit]
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.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

SOWK 5502 [0.5 credit]
The Transformation of Social Responsibility in Canada

Development of social welfare in Canada from the 19th century to the present. Federal and provincial state formation and colonialism, imperialism, class, and racism. Transformations in the politics of struggle for social and economic justice.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the School of Social Work.

SOWK 5504 [1.0 credit]
Directed Studies

Individual exploration of selected theoretical perspectives for social work practice under the direct supervision of a member of faculty or visiting scholar.

SOWK 5506 [0.5 credit]
Directed Studies

Individual exploration of selected theoretical perspectives for social work practice under the direct supervision of a member of faculty or visiting scholar.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

SOWK 5606 [2.0 credits]
Practicum I

Integration of academic and practical aspects of social-work education. 450 hours of guided learning in a community-based setting. Field seminar required.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): registration in MSW Foundation Year (Year I); completion of SOWK 5000, SOWK 5001, SOWK 5003, and SOWK 5608; and completion of or concurrent registration in SOWK 5004.


SOWK 5607 [2.0 credits]
Practicum II

450 hours integrating advanced social work theories and practice in clinical, policy, research or other settings. Field seminar required. Offered spring/summer of advanced or second year.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): BSW or completion of MSW Foundation Year (Year l); completion of SOWK 5011, SOWK 5012.


SOWK 5608 [0.5 credit]
Community Practice

Exploration of history, theory and practice of community work in social work. Engagement, assessment, and interventions with communities will be explored using a variety of community-based approaches including: Indigenous community change, and critical approaches to community work.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): enrolment in MSW Foundation Year.

SOWK 5700 [0.5 credit]
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.

SOWK 5701 [0.5 credit]
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.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

SOWK 5702 [0.5 credit]
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.

SOWK 5703 [0.5 credit]
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.

SOWK 5903 [1.0 credit]
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).
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

SOWK 5904 [0.5 credit]
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).
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

SOWK 5909 [2.0 credits]
Thesis

Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): registration in MSW Advanced Year (Year II).

SOWK 6101 [0.5 credit]
Theoretical Foundations

A focus on human rights and social justice that explores the dynamic tensions of life in an advanced capitalist, globalized political economy and the relevance for social work practices. This course will assist students in developing the theoretical frameworks for their dissertations.
Precludes additional credit for SOWK 6100 (no longer offered).

SOWK 6102 [0.5 credit]
Ethical Foundations

This seminar examines notions of the subject and subjectivity, and the attendant concept of the other in the context of ethics in social work practice. What is the ethics of our social doing? What are we advancing and for whom?.
Precludes additional credit for SOWK 6100 (no longer offered).

SOWK 6201 [0.5 credit]
Theory and Methods

Theories and methods from the social sciences and humanities as applied in social work research. Emphasis on theories and methods most consistent with structural approaches. Through engagement with the research literature, students acquire skills in assessing and comparing research approaches.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

SOWK 6202 [0.5 credit]
Research Design

Building on SOWK 6201, this course supports students in learning how to design a critically-oriented research project, including how to ensure methodological coherence, ethics, rigour, timeliness and relevance to the field of structurally-informed social work.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

SOWK 6301 [0.25 credit]
Ph.D. Seminar

Students engage in scholarly discussion with the goal of developing mutual, collegial support and skills in critical scholarship. Students will present, discuss and critique their own papers and research; and discuss presentations by social work faculty and other university scholars.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

SOWK 6302 [0.25 credit]
Ph.D. Seminar

Students engage in scholarly discussion with the goal of developing mutual, collegial support and skills in critical scholarship. Students will present, discuss and critique their own papers and research; and discuss presentations by social work faculty and other university scholars.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

SOWK 6303 [0.25 credit]
Ph.D. Seminar

Students engage in scholarly discussion with the goal of developing mutual, collegial support and skills in critical scholarship. Students will present, discuss and critique their own papers and research; and discuss presentations by social work faculty and other university scholars.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

SOWK 6304 [0.25 credit]
Ph.D. Seminar

Students engage in scholarly discussion with the goal of developing mutual, collegial support and skills in critical scholarship. Students will present, discuss and critique their own papers and research; and discuss presentations by social work faculty and other university scholars.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

SOWK 6401 [0.5 credit]
Critical Pedagogy

Application of educational theory, models, practices, design and technology for post-secondary education. Theory and practice of critical pedagogy, curriculum development, teaching methods, skills and strategies.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

SOWK 6405 [0.5 credit]
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.

SOWK 6406 [0.5 credit]
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.

SOWK 6600 [0.5 credit]
Practicum in Advocacy Research

Students will work collaboratively with a community agency to create a social justice oriented project that will be completed for the agency. The project work will be guided by the student's advisor. Graded Sat/Uns.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

SOWK 6800 [0.5 credit]
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.

SOWK 6909 [0.0 credit]
PhD Dissertation

An original scholarly research contribution constituting 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.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

Note: 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.

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

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.

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 Ph.D. thesis and its oral defence.

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.

Admission

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) 0.5 credit in research methods or 0.5 credit in statistics with a minimum B grade or higher in either course.

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 6.0 credits of course work in year I and 5.0 credits of course work in year II.

Admission


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.