COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Social Work Advanced (MSWA) program is structured to deepen students’ critical understanding of social work practice through a strong emphasis on social justice, theory, and applied research. The program begins with a set of core courses that explore the policy context of practice, contemporary ethical debates, and advanced theoretical approaches to knowledge and inquiry in social work. Students also engage with transnational perspectives on social work, research methodologies, and Indigenous resistance, resurgence, and revitalization, ensuring a broad and inclusive understanding of global and local social issues. These foundational courses are designed to strengthen analytical thinking and prepare students for advanced professional practice in diverse social service settings. After completing the core curriculum, students choose between two pathways: a thesis option or a course-based option. The thesis route involves SOCW 599, a 6.0-unit independent research project that contributes new knowledge to the field of social work. Alternatively, the course-based option includes an advanced practicum (SOCW 506), providing substantial hands-on experience in professional settings, along with a capstone course (SOCW 571) that integrates and reflects on learning throughout the program. Both pathways are designed to develop advanced practitioners capable of addressing complex social issues with ethical, research-informed, and socially just approaches.