International applicants are eligible to apply to our MSW program
International applicants will require ALL of the following:
- A Study Permit/Visa, or must provide proof of Canadian Citizenship/Permanent Resident status
- A Work Permit
- Proof that your Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is equivalent to a Canadian Bachelor of Social Work Degree, from the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW). Further information can be obtained here: CASW: Assessment of International Credentials.
- ALL international degrees must have been obtained at accredited universities which are recognized by the University of Waterloo. See the World Higher Education Database (WHED) to find out if your University is listed.
International students must live in Canada with a valid study permit, for the duration of the program, as field placements must be completed in Canada.
International students also need a work permit to complete the practicum requirement of the program.
Please note that international students who complete an online degree from a Canadian university will not be eligible to apply for a work permit after you graduate from our program.
All foreign nationals are eligible to apply for permanent residency as long as you meet the government’s immigration criteria. Applicants are advised to directly contact Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada for related queries.
A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, or equivalency as approved by the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW), is a mandatory entrance requirement. There are NO exceptions.
If your BSW degree is from a country other than Canada, you are required to show proof from the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) that your degree is recognized as being equivalent to a Canadian Bachelor of Social Work Degree. There can be no exceptions. Further information can be obtained here: CASW: Assessment of International Credentials.
ALL international degrees must have been obtained at universities which are recognized by the University of Waterloo. See the World Higher Education Database (WHED) to find out if your University is listed.
Minimum 75% grade point average (GPA) in the final two years of study (equivalent to last 20 half-credit courses). Information about equivalent grades from International Universities can be found on the Graduate Studies International Website.
If English is not your first language you may need to include official English proficiency test scores with your application. Go to the English language proficiency certification website to find out the criteria for exemptions, and which tests and scores are acceptable for admission.
Did you complete your BSW in the United States?
On the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE), Commission on Accreditation website it states:
"There is a current agreement between the Council on Social Work Education in the USA and the CASWE-ACFTS on the mutual recognition of accredited degrees whereby any CSWR or CASWE-ACFTS accredited MSW or BSW is accepted as equivalent.”
Therefore, as long as the USA school where you completed your BSW is accredited by CSWR, your BSW degree is accepted as equivalent to a Canadian BSW and you are eligible to apply to our MSW program - provided you fulfil ALL our admissions criteria.