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Master of Social Work

As one of the modern helping disciplines, social work fulfills a strategic function in the field of social services. The social work profession is concerned with the wide range of human and environmental factors, and processes that influence social functioning in contemporary life. It seeks to alleviate and prevent personal and social problems experienced by individuals, families, groups and communities, and to contribute to constructive institutional change and development.

The education program of the faculty is designed to prepare specially qualified personnel for the many forms of direct clinical and community practice, and for the related professional functions of policy development, planning, administration and research. In all of these areas there is a growing demand, in both governmental and voluntary sectors, for social workers who possess advanced, theoretical knowledge and specialized practice competence.

Inaugurated in 1966, the Master of Social Work (MSW) program was first accredited in 1974 by the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work and was most recently reaccredited in 2019.

Term Dates

On-Campus Class Dates

  • Spring 2026
    • Monday, May 4 to Friday, July 3 (4 hr classes for 9 weeks)
  • Fall 2026
    • Monday, Sept. 14 to Friday, Dec. 11
    • Reading Week: Oct. 13-16
  • Winter 2027
    • Monday, Jan. 11 to Friday, Apr. 16* 
    • Reading Week: Feb. 16-19 
      *April 16, make up day for statutory holiday Friday March 26
  • Spring 2027
    • Monday, May 10 to Thursday July 15* (4 hr classes for 9 weeks)
      *July 15, make up for statutory holiday Thursday July 1

Please Note: The dates for the On-Campus Classes may differ from what appears in LORIS. The dates above refer to FSW specific on-campus class dates and are what students should follow.  All other deadlines and dates adhere to the Graduate Calendar. 

Online Class Dates (MSW Program Only)

  • Spring 2026
    • Section SA: Monday, May 4 to Monday, June 15
    • Section SB: Monday, July 6 to Monday, Aug. 17
    • Section SC: Monday, May 4 to Tuesday, July 27
  • Fall 2026
    • Section FA: Monday, Sept. 14 to Sunday, Nov. 1
    • Reading Week: Oct. 13-16
    • Section FB: Monday, Nov. 2 to Monday Dec. 14
    • Section FC: Monday, Sept. 14 to Monday Dec. 14
  • Winter 2027
    • Section WA: Monday, Jan. 11 to Sunday Feb. 28
    • Reading Week: Feb. 16-19
    • Section WB: Monday, Mar. 1 to Monday, Apr. 12
    • Section WC: Monday, Jan. 11 to Monday, Apr. 12
  • Spring 2027
    • Section SA: Monday, May 10 to Monday, June 21
    • Section SB: Monday, July 5 to Monday, Aug. 16
    • Section SC: Monday, May 10 to Tuesday, August 4

Please Note: The dates for the online courses may differ from what appears in LORIS. The dates above refer to FSW specific online courses class dates and are what students should follow.  All other deadlines and dates adhere to the Graduate Calendar.