Social Work
About Social Work
The School of Social Work offers an undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree. The B.S.W. program prepares students for:
- Generalist social work practice in a range of health and social service positions. The B.S.W. degree represents the point of admission into the Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec (OTSTCFQ) and the Canadian Association of Social Workers.
- Entry into specialized professional studies at the graduate level.
A 90-credit program is offered to students entering from CEGEP or equivalent, students who transfer from within McGill or other universities, and Mature students. For more information, refer to the school's website.
For graduates intending to practice social work in Quebec, please note that Quebec law requires candidates seeking admission to the professional social work order of Quebec (OTSTCFQ) to demonstrate a working knowledge of the French language. For more information, please see our Working in Quebec page.
The objectives of the B.S.W. program are to provide an academic environment where students can develop:
- integrated social work knowledge pertaining to history, theory, research, practice modalities, and policies that influence the delivery of health and social services;
- professional skills in well-established methods of practice with individuals, families, and community organizations;
- understanding of the factors, processes, and forces that form and govern social policy in Canada, and the skills to work toward policy improvement and change;
- awareness of various dimensions of diversity and how they intersect in an increasingly heterogeneous society;
- a sense of identity as an intervening agent in social work practice and a sense of responsibility that accompanies acts of intervention; and
- a commitment to advancing knowledge and improving skills within ethical social work practice that are the prerequisites for more advanced studies at the graduate level.
Admission to the Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) Three-Year Program
The B.S.W. program aims to ensure that social workers are as diverse as the communities with which we work. First Nations, Inuit, Métis, people with disabilities, racialized people, visible minorities, ethnic and religious minorities, gender non-conforming and LGBTQ+ people, and women are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications from CEGEP, French and International Baccalaureate, Transfer, and Mature students are welcome. Admission to the B.S.W. program is limited and competitive. All candidates are expected to have better than average grades, significant social work-related experience, paid or volunteer, and also to demonstrate personal suitability for the social work profession. Classes are offered in English, but French proficiency (comprehension, spoken, and written) is needed for local field placements and for securing admission to the OTSTCFQ.
Location
School of Social Work
550 Sherbrooke Ouest, Suite 100
Montreal QC H3A 1B9
Telephone: 514-398-7070
Email: undergraduate.socialwork@mcgill.ca
Website: mcgill.ca/socialwork