MSW Courses

Over the first week of classes students participate in a series of seminars and structured exercises with the following objectives:

• To introduce students to the MSW program and to the model of adult education that serves as a framework for learning;
• To provide opportunities to meet the faculty, staff and fellow classmates;
• To familiarize students with the graduate level supports and services available to them at King’s and Western;
• To familiarize students with the technological platforms that support student learning at King’s;
• To familiarize students with the library and the research resources available; and
• To reinforce a sense of identity with the profession and with professional practice.

• SW 9701 Direct Practice Skills
• SW 9703 Human and Family Development
• SW 9706: Advanced Practice with Indigenous Peoples
• SW 9718 Community Practice
• SW 9719 Critical Thought and Ethics in Social Work
• SW 9729 Research and Social Work Practice
• SW 9733 Group Work Practice
• SW 9744 Social Justice and Diversity
• SW 9700 Introductory Practicum and Integration Seminar

Field Education

Accreditation requires that MSW students complete a minimum of 450 hours of supervised practice during each year of the MSW program. Students are placed in a human service agency and receive field instruction and supervision from a Master’s qualified practitioner and a faculty consultant from the School of Social Work. Students are in the field the equivalent of three days per week for two academic terms and/or in the evening. While engaged in the practicum small groups of students meet bi-weekly for a two-hour integration seminar under the supervision of a faculty consultant.

Seminars focus on student identified case analysis and are modeled after peer supervision sessions. Attendance and active participation is expected. Refer to the MSW Field Education Manual for detailed information.

Students should be aware that there may be financial costs (such as parking, transportation, mandatory training (ASIST), manual and insurance) and special agency requirements (such as police checks and health requirements) associated with the Practicum. A car may be needed for some community-based placements.

Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening: Possession of a criminal record does not disqualify an applicant from admission to the MSW program.  During the course of the MSW program however, a police check of record of offences and vulnerable sector screening may be required by a potential placement agency, at the student’s expense. The majority of agencies currently require a police vulnerable sector check prior to the commencement of a social work practicum. Students who are unable to meet these requirements may experience delays in completing the program. For more information, please visit the Ontario Provincial Police or the London Police Service website.

ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training): The School of Social Work requires that BSW and MSW students complete ASIST 11 prior to entering practicum. Each session consists of two full days of training comprised of theory and practice. For more information about the training please visit the LivingWorks website: https://www.livingworks.net/. The School of Social Work, in collaboration with Counselling and Student Services, offers ASIST to BSW and MSW students at a reduced cost each fall. Applicants who are offered admission to the MSW program must register for the training or provide proof of completing ASIST 11 at another location.

Over the first week of classes students participate in a series of seminars and structured exercises with the following objectives:

• To introduce students to the MSW program and to the model of adult education that serves as a framework for learning;
• To provide opportunities to meet the faculty, staff and fellow classmates;
• To familiarize students with the graduate level supports and services available to them at King’s and Western;
• To familiarize students with the technological platforms that support student learning at King’s;
• To familiarize students with the library and the research resources available; and
• To reinforce a sense of identity with the profession and with professional practice.

• SW 9801: Modern and Post Modern Social Work Direct Practice Theories
• SW 9802: Advanced Evaluation in Social Work Practice
• SW 9803: The Canadian Policy Context: Responses to Poverty and Social Problems
• SW 9804: Application of Social Work Direct Practice Theories
• SW 9805: Social Work Administration and Supervision
• SW 9807: Critical Reflection and Appraisal of Social Work Practice
• SW 9800: Advanced Practicum and Integration Seminar
• 2 Elective Courses

Field Education

Accreditation requires that MSW students complete a minimum of 450 hours of supervised practice during each year of the MSW program. Students are placed in a human service agency and receive field instruction and supervision from a Master’s qualified practitioner and a faculty consultant from the School of Social Work. Students are in the field the equivalent of three days per week for two academic terms and/or in the evening. While engaged in the practicum small groups of students meet bi-weekly for a two-hour integration seminar under the supervision of a faculty consultant.

Seminars focus on student identified case analysis and are modeled after peer supervision sessions. Attendance and active participation is expected. Refer to the MSW Field Education Manual for detailed information.

Students should be aware that there may be financial costs (such as parking, transportation, mandatory training (ASIST), manual and insurance) and special agency requirements (such as police checks and health requirements) associated with the Practicum. A car may be needed for some community-based placements.

Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening: Possession of a criminal record does not disqualify an applicant from admission to the MSW program.  During the course of the MSW program however, a police check of record of offences and vulnerable sector screening may be required by a potential placement agency, at the student’s expense. The majority of agencies currently require a police vulnerable sector check prior to the commencement of a social work practicum. Students who are unable to meet these requirements may experience delays in completing the program. For more information, please visit the Ontario Provincial Police or the London Police Service website.

ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training): The School of Social Work requires that BSW and MSW students complete ASIST 11 prior to entering practicum. Each session consists of two full days of training comprised of theory and practice. For more information about the training please visit the LivingWorks website: https://www.livingworks.net/. The School of Social Work, in collaboration with Counselling and Student Services, offers ASIST to BSW and MSW students at a reduced cost each fall. Applicants who are offered admission to the MSW program must register for the training or provide proof of completing ASIST 11 at another location.

The School of Social Work offers two electives in the Fall term and two in the Winter term. Students may select from these elective offerings, or with permission, may choose a course from another graduate discipline. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies provides a list of Interdisciplinary and Cross-Disciplinary Courses. Students may also complete an independent study on a topic of their choosing with permission from the School.

Electives offered by the School are updated annually and are organized around two themes:

1. Courses that address the theories that underlie and teach the skills that are required to implement specific interventions or models of social work practice
2. Courses that prepare students for direct social work practice with specific populations

Advanced Standing Year Requirement: Over the course of the year the School of Social Work sponsors a series of professional development workshops on topics of interest identified by practicing social workers in the London community. Advanced Standing Students are required to attend a minimum of three of these workshops over the course of the year.

Advanced Standing Year Requirement: Students working in small groups are given the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have acquired through their MSW program by engaging in a major case study exercise. During the practicum time period, students are directed to examine a case from all levels of practice to present a plan of action that identifies required resources and includes recommendations for policy changes and advocacy initiatives if appropriate. The presentations are made to a small panel of practicing social workers who provide feedback on the appropriateness and feasibility of the student recommendations.