Social Work (Non-Thesis): Gender and Women's Studies (M.S.W.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Social Work (Faculty of Arts)
Degree: Master of Social Work
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
The Graduate Option in Gender and Women's Studies is an interdisciplinary program for students who meet degree requirements in Social Work and who wish to take 6 credits of approved coursework to focus on gender, sexuality, feminist, and women's studies and issues in feminist research and methods.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Required Courses (27 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SWRK 527 | Advanced Social Work Practice in Quebec. | 3 |
Advanced Social Work Practice in Quebec. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The Reserved Acts (designated by L’Ordre des Travailleurs Sociaux et des Thérapeutes Conjugaux et Familiaux du Québec - OTSTCFQ). Exploration of micro, mezzo, macro levels of social work practice. | ||
| SWRK 605 | Anti-Racist Social Work Practice. | 3 |
Anti-Racist Social Work Practice. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Critical exploration of ways anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism have shaped our institutions, health, culture, beliefs and the social work profession in Canada. The ways power and privilege are maintained and perpetuated within these institutions and communities. Examination of how Indigenous communities globally resist assaults on their lands and cultures, both historically and currently. | ||
| SWRK 653 | Research for Social Justice. | 3 |
Research for Social Justice. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Integration of relevant research in social work practice to inform program design, development, and evaluation. Activist-researcher and practitioner-researcher roles in social work, research literacy and knowledge mobilization skills. Tools to design and propose research projects that contribute to justice practices with communities. | ||
| SWRK 664 | Intensive Advanced Field Placement. | 12 |
Intensive Advanced Field Placement. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Supervised educational experience in an advanced social work practice setting. Integrating practice with theoretical knowledge characteristic of the specialized field. | ||
| SWRK 665 | Advanced Field Seminar. | 3 |
Advanced Field Seminar. Terms offered: Summer 2025 Analysis of advanced field experiences, operationalizing the link between scholarship and practice, including dimensions of equity. | ||
| WMST 601 | Feminist Theories and Methods. | 3 |
Feminist Theories and Methods. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examination of feminist theories and research methods from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. | ||
NOTE:
While not a prerequisite for admission, possession of a working knowledge of the French language is important not only to candidates who intend to seek admission to the Quebec professional order after graduation, but also to those who wish to maximize their field placement opportunities during their program. In consultation with the Field Education Coordinator, students may have the option of completing their field requirements at an approved social service agency outside of Quebec.
Complementary Courses (18 credits)
3 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| WMST 602 | Feminist Research Symposium. | 3 |
Feminist Research Symposium. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Discussion and development of participants' research in gender and women's studies. | ||
OR, 3 credits of WMST at the 500 or 600 level;
OR, 3 credits of 500- or 600-level courses in another department or discipline approved as a complementary course to the Option in Gender and Women's Studies by an MSW adviser in the School of Social Work.
AND 15 credits of 500- or 600-level courses selected from the School of Social Work.