Qualifying Year

In addition to selected core courses in the undergraduate program (see B.S.W. course descriptions) qualifying year students may be required to complete the following:

SWRK-4705E - Field III
This 450 hours field placement is intended for students enrolled in the qualifying of the Master of Social Work program. It is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to apply theory to practice and acquire the skills and knowledge required in a graduate program. (exp. 450) (6 credits)

Required Courses

SWRK-5016EL - Advanced Social Work Practice I
This course explores the relationship between social analysis and advanced social work intervention in work with people in social, political and economic contexts. The course is intended to develop advanced social work practice skills with individuals, families and/or communities taking into account rural and northern settings. Advanced skills will be developed through readings, class discussions, experiential exercises, expressive arts, role playing, and independent study. (3 credits)

SWRK-5017EL - Advanced Social Work Practice II 
This course provides an overview of theory and practice concerning social work approaches with different types of groups, including therapeutic, task and action groups. Students will explore issues related to group development and process. Students will develop advanced practice skills in group facilitation through group planning, leadership, membership, and observation activities as well as readings, discussions and reflective journaling and/or independent study. (3 credits)

SWRK-5026EL - Social Policy: Advocating for Change 
This course is an examination of the socio-economic, political and institutional forces, planning processes, and practice techniques involved in social policy making in Canada. It focuses upon the development of professional skills in advocacy for policy change. (3 credits)

SWRK-5027EL - Social Policy: Issues and Options 
This course is an examination of the socio-economic, political and institutional forces, planning processes, and practice techniques involved in social policy making in Canada. It focuses upon the development of professional skills in advocacy for policy change. (3 credits)

SWRK-5056E - Research I: Methods 
This course reviews concepts and methods of social scientific investigation from a critical-analytical perspective. It involves an examination of the role of researcher - within a given social, cultural, and organizational context - in terms of question formulation, mode of inquiry, application of theory, data analysis and interpretation of findings. In addition to quantitative methods and experimental designs, students will review a range of quasi-experimental and qualitative methods that address questions pertinent to professional practice, from single-subject designs to clinical trials, historical analyses (use of secondary data) to social action research, case studies to program and policy evaluations. By the end of the course, students will be able to critically assess existing social research and conceptualize a graduate research project. (3 credits)

SWRK-5057E - Research II: Advanced
This course is designed to prepare students for the design and implementation of a specific research project - a thesis, practicum report, or program evaluation - at the graduate level. Course content will advance knowledge of proposal writing, quantitative and qualitative methods (appropriate to selected areas of investigation), ethical considerations, project approval, implementation strategies, data analysis and the presentation of findings. The result will be a fully developed research project proposal. (3 credits)

Elective Courses

SWRK-5036E - Administration of Social Work 
This course involves a review of organizational behaviour and management theory, with an examination of processes and techniques appropriate to the administration of human service organizations. Much of the content pertains to goal-oriented management techniques, with particularr attention to strategic planning, management information systems, and program evaluation. Other topics include governance structures, management styles, staff motivation, change and conflict management. The course concludes with an analysis of current trends and challenges in the field of social service administration. (3 credits)

SWRK-5037E - Social Work Planning 
This course examines the theory and practice of social planning in an era of dramatic change. Technological advance, globalization of the economy, the information highway, deficit reduction, devolution, institutional restructuring and program rationalization are some of the forces that have destabilized traditional assumptions and practices related to social planning. Students will review the evolution of social planning, consider its limits, and explore the prospects for new practice models and theoretical paradigms that reflect contemporary reality. (3 credits)

SWRK-5046E - Supervision
This course addresses the theory and practice of staff supervision in human service organizations. Designed to enhance professional competence, course content focuses upon responsibilities, processes and models of supervision. Given the dynamic environment of contemporary social agencies, in which structures, policies and practices, are subject to constant change, it is the recurring issues and themes pertinent to supervisory relationships that are examined in depth. (3 credits)

SWRK-5066E - Mediation 
This course examines theories, methods, and techniques of mediation - a process of consensual dispute resolution - from a critical-analytical perspective. Following a review of the theoretical underpinnings of litigation, and its dispute resolution alternatives, various philosophies of mediation will be examined. Drawing from social work practice in values clarification, dialogue facilitation, cross-cultural communication, and negotiation, models of mediation will be compared and contrasted with respect to options, opportunities, and limitations. Advanced issues to be explored will include the influence of gender and culture, the dynamics of power, conflicts of interest, professional standards, ethical considerations, and evaluation. (3 credits)

SWRK-5076E - Reading Seminar I
The object of this course is to pursue in depth a social work topic in which the student is particularly interested, and in which he or she wishes to acquire some degree of specialization. The student prepares a proposal detailing goals and specific tasks to be accomplished. This proposal must be accepted by the student's tutor. A submission in writing will be used to evaluate the student's performance. (3 credits)

SWRK-5077E - Reading Seminar II 
The object of this course is to pursue in depth a social work topic in which the student is particularly interested, and in which he or she wishes to acquire some degree of specialization. The student prepares a proposal detailing goals and specific tasks to be accomplished. This proposal must be accepted by the student's tutor. A submission in writing will be used to evaluate the student's performance. (3 credits)

SWRK-5086E - Selected Methods of Direct Intervention 
This course examines the theoretical frameworks, intervention models and skills required for selected methods of practice with individuals, families and small groups. It is designed for those engaged in direct intervention who wish to further their knowledge and skills in selected areas of practice. Specific content will vary, from year to year, based upon faculty and student interest. Expert practitioners may be involved in course delivery, and assignments may include a practice component. (3 credits)

SWRK-5096E - Native Human Services 
This course examines social welfare policy and practice issues relevant to Aboriginal Canadians. Beginning with a survey of the historical, demographic and economic context for social problems, it introduces students to traditional, culture-specific, approaches to well-being, and examines contemporary initiatives to promote healthy communities. Issues of social change are addressed with an emphasis upon Native empowerment and control of human services. (3 credits)

Graduate Research Project Options

The research project accounts for 12 credits and constitutes the final requirement for completion of the Masters degree.  It may take the form of a thesis, an advanced practicum, or an interdisciplinary research project, as described in the Graduate Research Project Guidelines.

Graduate Research Project Option Descriptions 

SWRK-6004E - Thesis 

SWRK-6024E - Advanced Practicum