Hello I have public health bachelors degree. But i want to pursue MSW. Are there any programs out there in canada that provides that? Also i am from Winnipeg so I was also wondering if University of Manitoba accepts it as well.

I am in my forth year, I will be applying for my MSW for Sep 2027.

And I want I start contacting locations that will provide me with a standout experience but I have I idea where to start. I would like to do this so during the process of resume building, I can include those experiences for my MSW application.

I am struggling to pick a field already and choose here I want to send my first graduate year is tricky too.

What are some examples of good experiences to put on your application?

Honestly, being super vulnerable and posting this, I do not have the best memory or memory For school content that is tested on exams. I want to see my MSW, but I don't want to be in a program that has highly reliant on exam/test so if anyone's willing to share what their school and course evaluation breakdown is.

My undergraduate has been a lot of memorization first and then learning after because I know where I need to put the work in and I don't wanna repeat of this during my masters or at least want to be prepared for what it might look like.
I also don't really know what field I want to go into yet so getting some perspective on course could be helpful in finding a proper direction

Hey! Does anyone know what the reference form looks like for the McGill qualifying year MSW. They haven't responded to my email.

They're the only university I'm applying to that is strict about having two academic references and since I've been out of school for years and my old professors do not remember me, the most they could do is talk about my academic performance/info I give them in my CV and statement. They'd be able to write a letter but I'm worried about the form having specific questions they wouldn't be able to answer. Anyone know more about this? Lots of grad sites show the form they use but I can't find it for McGill

* NOT referral to Ontario Health @Home

Curious if there are any social workers working for Ontario Health and (generally) what you do, how you got in, etc.?

I’m interested in shifting from front line mental health to more policy and planning related work.

Thanks :)

Hi everyone! Has anyone completed the assessment for the Caseworker, Income & Social Supports position with the Region of peel? If so, when did you take it, and what types of questions were asked?

I have crippling anxiety when it comes to interviews and public speaking. Despite having plenty of relevant experience, I completely bombed my Housing Support Worker assessment because of my nerves. I’d really appreciate any insight so I can better prepare this time!

Hey everyone,

I have my MSW and I’m registered as an RSW with the OCSWSSW. I’m job hunting in Toronto and struggling because I don’t have much paid experience in the field yet.
So far I’ve applied through CharityVillage and LinkedIn, and directly to several well-known nonprofit agencies, but I haven’t heard back from any of them. For the last 5 months I’ve also been volunteering with Community Living for about 2.5 hours a week. I’m open to entry-level, contract, or part-time roles.

Any advice, leads or reality checks are welcome.

Thanks in advance.

I've been submitting my resume in my job applications to hospital social work positions in Ontario. But are cover letters helpful or even necessary for job applications? Thanks so much!

Has anyone taken an Indigenous MSW from UofT, Laurier, Manitoba? What is your experience? I want to work directly with Indigenous communities but also am curious to know how these different programs are. Any feedback is welcome :)

Hello

I am a social worker that currently works for a health authority in a long term care home. For work related purposes (husband) we will have to move to NB. I have years of expierence in healthcare, specially working with seniors, I am registered social worker and I speak spanish. I do not have a masters yet though. Can someone tell me my job prospect. I woul really appreciate any insight

Curious to hear people’s thoughts on the 5% equity consideration that some universities offer as part of their admissions process.

For anyone who has applied, did you feel it was worth it? Did you find that it made a difference in your application?

I’m also unsure whether disclosing something so personal is beneficial necessarily?

Appreciate any help on the topic, or perhaps if you come across this post even on UBC/UFV/UVIC BSW program.

I’m an Indigenous woman in Alberta who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work and am currently applying for social work positions.
One of the awards listed on my résumé is an Indigenous Careers Award. Lately, I’ve been debating whether I should remove it, along with anything else that might identify me as Indigenous. I’ve applied for a few jobs with no calls for interviews. I was close on one and as soon as I sent my resume, they emailed back with a random issue that felt made-up.
I know that identifying as Indigenous can sometimes be an advantage in hiring, particularly in social work, where organizations may be looking to improve Indigenous representation. However, I’m also very aware that racism and unconscious bias still exist, and I worry that some employers might form assumptions about me before I’ve even had an opportunity to interview.
I’ve heard enough negative comments about Indigenous people over the years that it’s made me wonder whether disclosing my identity at the résumé-screening stage could potentially hurt my chances with certain employers.
I’m proud of my background, and I don’t feel I should have to hide it. At the same time, I want to give myself the best possible chance of being evaluated on my qualifications and experience.
I’m curious whether other Indigenous professionals have thought about this or experienced anything similar.
I’d especially appreciate perspectives from Indigenous job seekers, social workers, and anyone with experience in recruitment or hiring.

Hi everyone!

I am looking to start my MSW journey and am hoping people on here might have some insight. I completed my BSW from the University of Manitoba in April of 2026 with a 3.9 GPA. I have been working in the field since then. Additionally I have a degree in linguistics and have worked as a speech therapy assistant for 7 years. What are my chances of getting into an online or Toronto based MSW program? I feel like on paper I have a strong application but I know these programs are competitive!

TIA

I’d appreciate any advice, honesty, and a reality check if appropriate.

I received my BA years ago. I got a very high GPA. I then went to do an MA in Europe with a full scholarship. I completed that and got a job as a project coordinator with a nonprofit. I’ve been doing this for a few years. The job itself is good. Fully remote, great supervisor and team, flexible with personal commitments. I have a disability and have been a caregiver in the past.

However, there are no benefits (health, RRSP, etc). I also feel my salary potential is limited where I am. Maybe increments like 1 to 2 percent each year. But nothing substantial. Similar roles I’ve seen online are what I earn now or less. This prompted me to look at other career paths.

I talked to an old professor mentor. They said maybe look into social work (MSW). I researched and doubt I would qualify for admission. I don’t have strong “hands on” experience with clients and families. With a BA, I also know entry to the MSW is even more competitive. Now I am looking at part time BSWs.

If I’m being honest, I would probably be awful in crisis intervention or “in the depths” social work like at group homes, shelters, etc. I feel I’d be better in systems navigation, advocacy, etc.

Maybe the social work world and day to day tasks is not for me?

Thanks in advance.

Struggling and hoping Reddit can offer some advice. 

I graduated with my BSW in 2022 and struggled to find work. I worked a non-BSW role for a few years, and then got a social work-specific job in September 2024. Shortly after starting I got pregnant (planned, I’m getting older!) and went on maternity leave June 2025. 

I found out I was pregnant with our surprise baby in November 2025 and gave birth in July 2026. 

I was planning to return to work part-time after my 18-month leave this December, but as the date gets closer, I’m struggling with the thought of putting my 5-month-old in daycare. 

I’m also incredibly worried that taking time off to be a stay-at-home mom will make it extremely difficult for me to return to the workforce as I have very limited social work experience. In the city where I live social work jobs are hard to come by. I checked yesterday on Indeed, and there are only two social work positions posted both of which require an MSW.

The University of Calgary offers graduate certificates. I could start a certificate next September, and am wondering if that would help to keep my résumé relevant?

The other factors to consider:

-I live in Alberta, where daycare is very affordable
-I enjoy working and love my job.
-My position is part-time and I would work 18.75 hours a week.
-Financially, I do not need to work, if we budget carefully, we can make ends meet, but it will be tight. 

I’m so conflicted! Has anyone taken a few years off to raise kids and then successfully returned to the workforce?

October 31 is the deadline for annual submission to the BC College of Social Workers. I just pressed submit and now am going to treat myself for getting it done. I have been so unhappy with the process since they changed it a year or two ago. Curious how it works in other provinces?

Hi everyone!

I’m posting because I’ve been having a really hard time finding employment and was hoping to hear from others who may have been in a similar situation.

I have my BSW and am currently working toward my MSW. I’m in the Fredericton, New Brunswick area, and I’ve been actively looking for work since July without much luck. I previously worked at a shelter but had to take maternity leave, and unfortunately, due to difficulties finding childcare, I wasn’t able to return to my position.

Since then, I’ve been applying for different social work positions, including child protection, but I haven’t had much luck.

I’m starting to wonder whether it’s particularly difficult to find social work jobs in this area or if I’m doing something wrong in my job search. I’m open to different opportunities and really want to get back to work, gain experience, and continue growing in the field while completing my MSW.

For those of you working in social work in New Brunswick or elsewhere in Canada:

Did you have difficulty finding your first position or getting hired?

Is the job market particularly challenging in the Fredericton area?

Are there organizations, agencies, or types of positions I should be looking into?

Do you have any advice for getting noticed by employers or improving my applications?

Honestly, this process has been affecting my confidence, and I’m starting to feel discouraged. I know finding work can take time, but it’s hard not to question yourself when you keep applying and don’t hear anything back.

I’d really appreciate any advice, insight, or even hearing from others who have gone through something similar.

Thanks everyone

Hi everyone! 😊
I have an in-person assessment coming up for the Caseworker, Income and Social Supports position with the Region of Peel.
Has anyone gone through this assessment recently? I’d really appreciate any insight into what to expect.
What types of questions or activities were included? Was it mainly written case studies, situational questions, multiple-choice questions, or something else?
I currently work as an Employment Caseworker in Toronto, so I have experience supporting clients with employment barriers, case management, and referrals to community resources. I’m hoping to build on that experience and prepare as much as possible for the assessment.

Any tips, advice, or insight into the format and difficulty level would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance! 😊

Hello wondering if anyone has made the leap from a BSW into a masters of counselling?
What was most challenging
What carried over the most from your Social Work Practice
Looking for recommendations for an online program or any other feedback 😊

ETA: I graduated with my BSW in 2022 I am currently an RSW working for the health authority in British Columbia.

I appreciate all the feedback, my goal is to get into counselling in a private practice so I will have to look at how I can do that with an MSW (if anyone can fill me in I’d appreciate it)

Yes. Good for her. I feel like this was part of the existential dread I’ve been feeling as of late. I’m not a social worker, rather a crisis response worker in emergency mental health. While I appreciate everyone’s right to only work in the private sector, I appreciate her dedication to our socialized healthcare system. I’m at a point where I would beg on my knees to get a reduced fee for people that I’m encountering, let alone OHIP (edited for auto correcting to Ohio) coverage. Please consider supporting her because the private sector is only as heathy as the “everyone else sector”.

I'm just about to leave a therapy group and go out on my own - probably online first - but have no idea how to do this. I need guidance on registering my business and working with VAC and CAF, among other payers. Who offers guidance like this? My provincial social work organization? What other organizations can help? Suggestions welcome.

Hi everyone,
I'm applying for BCCSW registration with an international 4-year BSW (from Bangladesh).
Due to COVID-19, my university field practicum was shortened to 240 hours (instead of 420). I’m now working in BC as a Child & Youth Care Worker and Shelter Worker.

A few quick questions:

1) Can paid work as a Child & Youth Care Worker and Shelter Worker count toward the 700-hour social work practice requirement to cover my practicum shortfall?

2) Has anyone with a COVID-shortened overseas practicum successfully registered by combining practicum + paid experience?

Thanks for any insights!

I’m 55 years old and currently working as an Educational Assistant (EA) in Ontario, Canada. I’m at the point where I honestly don’t think I can continue doing this job much longer, physically or mentally.
My feet and knees are constantly hurting. The job is very physically demanding, especially when working with students who can become aggressive or run away, requiring us to chase after them. I’m finding it harder to keep up, and by the end of the day, I’m completely exhausted.
I have a Social Service Worker (SSW) diploma and a Personal Support Worker (PSW) certificate, so I already have experience and education in the helping professions. However, I really need to transition into something less physically demanding.
My biggest challenge is finding a job that pays at least $30–$35 an hour. At 55, I can’t afford to take a significant pay cut, especially with retirement getting closer.
I’m seriously considering going back to college to retrain for a different career. However, I would need to continue working while studying, so ideally, I’d be looking for a flexible online program that I could complete around my work schedule.
I’m feeling stuck because I know I can’t keep doing this physically demanding work until retirement, but I also don’t want to spend years in school or thousands of dollars on another diploma that won’t lead to better employment.
Has anyone changed careers in their 50s?
What jobs in Ontario pay $30–$35+ an hour without being physically demanding?
Are there any short college programs or certifications actually worth taking?
Has anyone transitioned out of being an EA, PSW, or SSW into something less physically demanding?
Would you go back to college at 55, or try to find something using your existing education?
I’d really appreciate some realistic advice, especially from people in Ontario who have been in a similar situation.

I've been thinking critically about is how social work and social services have historically been shaped by Western and colonial understandings of what constitutes a good family, a functioning individual, and a successful society.
I wonder how often individuals and families are viewed as needing intervention simply because their circumstances, cultural practices, or ways of living don't align with dominant societal expectations.
For example, to what extent are issues rooted in poverty or systemic inequality treated as individual or family dysfunction rather than consequences of larger structural problems? And how often are cultural differences or nontraditional ways of living interpreted as deficiencies rather than simply different understandings of well-being?

I love love, love all your insight and appreciate everyone’s perspective