MSW Program Information 2017

MSW Program Overview

– Emphasis on Direct Practice theory and skill development – Course based (non-thesis) program – 450+ hours of supervised field education – Program Options:

• 1-Year Advanced Standing for BSW graduates • 2-Year program for graduates of other Honours programs

Join our Community

• King’s is a small liberal arts University College affiliated with Western University

• 40-45 students are admitted to the MSW program annually

Our Community • BSW program for over 40 years and MSW for 13 years • Both programs are fully accredited by the Canadian

Association for Social Work Education

Best of Both Worlds • MSW students are registered in the School of Graduate

and Postdoctoral Studies at Western University • The School of Social Work is located at King’s • Students benefit from a small campus with access to all

the resources at Western University

Small Classes

20-25 students in a class

Diverse faculty interests

School of Social Work Study Space / Lounge - Broughdale Hall

Graduate Student Governance

• MSW students are represented on all School of Social Work Committees and some College Committees

• An MSW Governance Committee liaises with Committee representatives

• MSW students are members of the Society of Graduate Students at Western (SOGS)

Build Your Knowledge

Direct Practice MSW Program Objectives

• Educate social workers for advanced direct practice roles with individuals, families and groups;

• Develop social work administrative and supervisory competency;

• consolidate community based responses to social need influenced by social planning and social policy knowledge;

• enhance research based competency in a direct practice context.

MSW Program Delivery • The MSW program commences in September • Courses are offered in the Fall, Winter and Summer • Program requirements are usually completed in 10

months for the Advanced Standing program or in 24 months for the 2-year MSW program

• Full-time only; no part-time or distance studies

1-Year Advanced Standing MSW Curriculum Required Courses: • Modern and Post Modern Social Work Direct Practice Theories • Critical Reflection and Appraisal of Social Work Practice • Social Work Administration and Supervision • Advanced Evaluation in Social Work Practice • Application of Social Work Direct Practice Theories • The Canadian Policy Context: Responses to Poverty and Social

Problems • Advanced Practicum and integration seminar • 2 electives

Milestones: • Orientation • Reflective Practice Project • Professional Development Workshops • Integrative Capstone Exercise

2-Year MSW Curriculum Year 1 Foundation Required Courses: • Critical Thought and Ethics in Social Work • Introduction to Social Policy • Social Justice and Diversity • Human and Family Development • Direct Practice Skills • Group Work Practice • Community Practice • Research and Social Work Practice • Introductory practicum and integration seminar

Year 2 Required Courses: • See 1-Year Advanced Standing Curriculum

Electives (2)

• School offers 2 electives in the fall term and 2 in the winter term

• May take a graduate level elective at Western or do an independent study with School approval

Examples of Electives: Narrative Therapy Trauma Addictions Aging and Health

MSW Student Orientation

• A mandatory orientation includes student engagement

activities and information sessions about student services and academic resources

Reflective Practice Project • Students are required to reflect and

report on their field education practice using an evaluative, evidence based lens

Elective Workshops

• The School of Social Work sponsors a series of

five professional development workshops on topics of interest identified by practicing social workers in the London community

• Students are required to attend a minimum of three of the half day workshops offered

Integrative Capstone Exercise • Over 3 days, small groups of students examine

a case from all levels of practice • The group presents a plan of action that

identifies required resources and includes recommendations for policy changes and advocacy initiatives if appropriate

• The presentations are made to a small panel of practicing social workers who provide feedback

1-Year Advanced Standing MSW Program Schedule Fall Term Winter Term Summer Term

Program Orientation Modern and Post Modern Social Work Direct Practice Theories

Application of Social Work Direct Practice Theories

The Canadian Policy Context: Responses to Poverty and Social Problems

Critical Reflection and Appraisal of Social Work Practice

Elective 2 – To Be Announced

Social Work Administration and Supervision

Advanced Practicum (3 days per week) and Integration Seminar

Advanced Practicum (3 days per week) and Integration Seminar

Advanced Evaluation in Social Work Practice

Reflective Practice Project

Reflective Practice Project Integrative Capstone Exercise

Elective 1 – To Be Announced *Optional Block Practicum

Field Education: 450+ Hours of Supervised Practice

Objective is to integrate advanced theory and practice within a framework of ethical, anti-oppressive, and professional practice Integration seminars led by Faculty Consultants meet bi-weekly

Practicum Agencies and Organizations throughout Southwestern Ontario

• Hospitals and affiliated health care centres • Mental health counselling services • Community development organizations • Local and provincial government • School boards • Family counselling services • Community planning agencies • Research facilities

Application Process

Apply online to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at Western University: www.grad.uwo.ca

Non-refundable application fee is $100

See the

MSW Admissions Guides

on the

School of Social Work website

for application instructions:

www.kings.uwo.ca/msw

Sample Application

Application Deadline

• Online application opens October 2016

• Apply by January 15, 2017 for September 2017 admission

• Offer of admission may not be deferred

1-Year MSW Admission Requirements

Academic requirements: 1. Bachelor of Social Work degree 2. One full-course equivalent in Research Methodology and Statistics 3. In accordance with the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral

Studies, a 70% overall average in the last 20 half-courses or 10 full-courses

Non-Academic Requirements: 1. Two confidential references 2. Resume 3. Supplemental Questions (Personal Statement and Case Summary)

2-Year MSW Admission Requirements

Academic requirements: 1. Honours Undergraduate degree 2. One full-course equivalent in Research Methodology and Statistics 3. In accordance with the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies,

a 70% overall average in the last 20 half-courses or 10 full-courses

Non-Academic Requirements: 1. Two confidential references 2. Resume 3. Supplemental Questions (Personal Statement)

*1000+ hours of paid/unpaid work in human services is recommended

Non-Academic Requirements 1. Two Confidential Reference Forms (10 points)

– 1 work/practicum supervisor reference – 1 reference from a work/practice supervisor or voluntary or professional source; NOT ACADEMIC

2. Resume (30 points) – employment, supervisory & volunteer experience – membership in volunteer & professional associations – practica – community recognition, education, professional development,

research activities, presentations given, publications

3. Supplemental Questions (60 points)

Admission Scoring System • Admission ranking is based on a total overall score out of 100 points: 60% academic and 40% non-academic • School of Social Work recommends to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies those candidates with the highest total overall scores and establishes a wait list if needed

2016 Winter Fees for MSW Students

Tuition Total (Per term) (Including Ancillary Fees) Canadian Full-time* $3,480.33 $3,795.47

International Full-time* $8,604.33 $9,123.47

*Full-time is 3 terms

Fees will be updated for 2017

Graduate Student Funding INTERNAL FUNDING •6 MSW Entrance Scholarships awarded to applicants with the highest overall admission scores ($2500)

• Society of Graduate Students (SOGS) offers awards/bursaries • emergency loans • child care subsidy • Joint Fund for Graduate Student Research

• MSW students may apply for MSW Bursaries (Maximum value: $500 per term )

• MSW students may be considered for the Mary Sheehan-Birch Award valued at $1000 designated for MSW students associated with the Children’s Aid Society

•MSW students are eligible to apply for the Heather Fraleigh MacLean Meek Award valued at $1000 (eligibility requirements under review)

•MSW students are eligible to apply for the John & Terri Kennedy Family Award valued at $1500; must demonstrate financial need and preference is given to those with an interest in mental health/eating disorders

•2 Graduate Student Assistant paid positions

Graduate Student Funding

(Continued)

EXTERNAL AWARDS •Ontario Graduate Scholarship valued at up to $17,000 (One awarded annually to an MSW student •Social Science & Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) **Many MSW students rely on the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and savings to fund their education

**No funding is available for international students

Change the Future

Feedback from Graduates:

• “I enjoyed the small classes, the friendship, and the opportunities that were available because the community is so close-knit. We were all social workers in the field, so we’re skilled and willing to share with each other; that’s what made it a fantastic experience.”

• “The MSW experience has opened up new ways of thinking and acting. The program has had a profound impact on me, not only as a professional but also as a person. I’m a much better social worker as a result.”

• “I came into the program to learn and be challenged, not just to get a MSW. It has given me opportunities that I could not have received otherwise, as well as more career options in the future.”

Employment Data Cohort Number of

Graduates Not Yet Employed

Returned to Previous Position

Obtained a New Position

Full-time 20 4 1 15 Part-time 14 1 13 0

80% of full-time students were employed within 4 months of completing the MSW program requirements 93% of part-time students returned to their previous position Employment Sectors Represented: Child welfare – 11 Health Care – 6 Education – 4 Community Agency – 8

MSW Administration

Dr. Laura Lewis Graduate Program Coordinator

Dr. Peter Donahue Graduate Chair Director

Mary Kay Arundel Coordinator of Field Education

Kylene Dube MSW Practicum & Program Liaison

Samantha Pearson Manager, Academic & Administrative Affairs

MSW Program & Application Information All information is available online:

www.kings.uwo.ca/msw

Contact: Samantha Pearson, MEd Manager, Academic and Administrative Affairs School of Social Work 1-800-265-4406 519-433-3491 ext. 4328 Samantha.Pearson@kings.uwo.ca