Master of Social Work
master's degree in the field of social work
The Master of Social Work (MSW) is a master's degree in the field of social work. It is a professional degree with specializations compared to Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). MSW promotes macro-, mezzo- and micro-aspects of professional social work practice, whereas the BSW focuses more on direct social work practices in community, hospitals (outpatient and inpatient services) and other fields of social services. In some countries, such as Australia, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong SAR, some MSW degrees are considered equivalent to BSW qualifications as a qualifying degree.
The degree may also be conferred as Master of Arts in Social Work or Master of Science in Social Work.
Canada
In Canada, the MSW is considered a professional master's degree and is offered through several universities. Most schools are accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE).
All students entering an MSW program are required to have a recognized bachelor's degree in a related field. Generally, students with a Bachelor of Social Work would enroll in a one-year program, whereas those with other undergraduate degrees (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc.) would enroll in a two-year program. In Canada, the average Master of Social Work graduate can earn anywhere from C$60,000 to C$150,000, depending on their role and work environment.
The public source identifies “Master of Social Work” as master's degree in the field of social work. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Master, Social and Work.
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