Social Work Education & Training

Educational Requirements

You must have a university degree to practice social work. A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) requires four years of university study. An additional one to two years of graduate study is required for a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. If you have a non-social work undergraduate degree you must complete two to three years of study for your MSW degree. Completion of an MSW ensures better opportunities for advancement. Some organizations will require an MSW as their minimal educational requirement.

Canadian Schools of Social Work

A complete listing of Schools of Social Work in Canada can be found on the website of The Canadian Association for Social Work Education.

See some of our current job postings to gain an idea of the educational requirements currently specified by organizations employing social workers.