Applying to Clinical Social Work Programs in Canada
Narrowing down which Master of Social Work (MSW) programs you want to apply for can be challenging, especially if you are new to the field of social work and aren’t super familiar with the specifics of different branches. Some MSW programs focus on generalist social work practice, social work in healthcare, or even international social work. Other programs, generally known as clinical social work programs, are more focused on micro-level social practice and the skills you need to be an effective counsellor with individuals, families, or groups. These programs often appeal to future social workers who want to pursue a career in mental health settings, hospitals, or even private practice.
In this article, I will go more in-depth on what clinical social work means, the clinical social work programs offered in Canada, and tips for your application to clinical social work programs.
What is Clinical Social Work?
Clinical social work is a relatively new focus in social work education and is so far only a specialization in some countries such as Canada, the United States, and Australia. According to the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW),
“Clinical social work is practiced primarily at the levels of individuals, couples, and families and may extend to groups, such as therapeutic groups and collectives at the mezzo level. The primary targets of change are the people served. In this regard, clinical social workers engage primarily in direct, face-to-face practice at a micro level rather than practices explicitly aimed at promoting change at organizational, community, societal, and international levels.”
While a clinical MSW can allow social workers to pursue a career path that is similar to someone who completed a master's in counselling or psychology, clinical social work is a little bit different. Although the focus of clinical social workers is generally on interventions at an individual (micro) level, they still also consider other more general social work theories, like the person-in-environment perspective, to inform their practice and interventions. In this way, clinical social work is unique because it allows you to view the client and their challenges through a more holistic lens.
How do I become a clinical social worker in Canada?
To become a clinical social worker you must register with your provinces regulatory body. For example, in Ontario you would register with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. You must register with any province that you wish to practice in.
It’s important to note that you do not need a clinical MSW degree to practice clinical social work. Anyone with an MSW degree can register as a social worker and practice in a clinical setting. A clinical - focused social work degree is a specialization that can prepare you for clinical practice but is not mandatory.
In some provinces regulatory bodies do not distinguish clinical social workers from other kinds of social workers. For example, a social worker in Ontario cannot call themselves a clinical social worker even if they were doing clinical social work services. Because social work is a protected title, it is imperative that you understand what you can and cannot refer to yourself as as a social worker.
Please refer to the regulatory body in your jurisdiction for the most up to date and accurate information on this topic.
Clinical Social Work Programs in Canada
Two programs in Canada offer MSW programs that are specific to clinical social work. They are offered at the University of Calgary, as well as the University of British Columbia (Okanagan). Both schools offer clinically focused 1- or 2-year programs depending on if you are a foundational or advanced student. Each of these programs is course-based in nature but have the option of completing a thesis if you choose to do so! The curriculum at these programs tends to have a focus on counselling skills and practice with individuals and groups, while also covering more general social work content such as social work theories and cultural competence in social work practice.
Schools that offer clinical social work programs in Canada
Advantages of Clinical MSW programs
One advantage of pursuing a clinical MSW program as opposed to other programs is that it will likely leave you more prepared to enter the profession in a career that focuses on counselling or mental health. Often, through these programs you will have the opportunity to do a field placement or practicum in a setting that is more specific to clinical social work, allowing you to practice your skills before going out into your career.
Clinical social work opens more doors
However, just because you complete a clinical MSW program DOES NOT mean that you are stuck working in a clinically focused setting forever. One huge advantage of doing your MSW over other similar degrees like counselling or psychology is that you still have the flexibility to get a job in any branch of social work. Career options for social workers are super broad, so pursuing the MSW can make sure you have the flexibility to do something totally different if you decide you want to do something different. Whether you complete a clinically focused degree or not, you will be eligible to be a Registered Social Worker (RSW) after your degree, so you have the option to pursue any career path that is open to other social workers, in addition to more clinical job opportunities.
Tailoring Your Application for Clinical Programs
Applying to clinical social work programs is pretty similar to applying to other more general MSW programs, but there are ways you can tailor your application to the program and set yourself apart from other applicants.
Clinical Social Work Skills
Although the skills relevant to social work are similar between generalist social work programs and clinical ones, there are a handful of skills that are especially important in clinical social work practice. Highlighting in your applications the experiences that you have which allowed you to develop or demonstrate these skills can help make your application stand out and show the reviewing committee that you are well-prepared for the program and are a good fit for a career as a clinical social worker.
When I was applying for my MSW, most of my relevant experience was through working as a Youth Care Worker in a group home for teenagers. In my personal statement for the clinical programs I applied for, I leveraged this experience by highlighting the aspects of this job that were the most relevant, like my skills in active listening and building therapeutic relationships with the people I worked with.
Get the MSW personal statement template:
Even if your professional experience isn’t directly related to clinical social work, there are still ways you can demonstrate relevant skills in other settings. For example, if you worked as a server in a restaurant, you probably had the opportunity to develop strong verbal communication skills and the ability to think quickly on your feet, both of which are super important for a clinical social worker.
Similarly, maybe you have volunteer experience with a non-profit and interacted with a population that was accessing services, like older adults or people experiencing food insecurity. In this setting, you may have had the opportunity to practice skills like active listening and being empathetic, both of which are super important in being an effective social worker.
What is the difference between clinical and social work?
Like I mentioned above, clinical social work is similar to other mental health fields like psychology, educational psychology, or counselling, but there are some aspects that set it apart. In writing your application to a clinical MSW program, it can be helpful to explain why you are interested in a clinical MSW program as opposed to these other fields (and some schools even explicitly ask about this in the application).
Some of the most common reasons someone might want to do an MSW over these other programs would be the holistic perspective that I mentioned earlier. Since social workers look at challenges from different perspectives and tend to consider external contributing factors, they are sometimes better equipped to provide support to clients by referring them to other resources or just being better able to understand the situation they are facing.
Another reason someone might want to pursue a clinical social work program might be the emphasis on social justice, which is one of the core values of social work. Although clinical social work is mainly focused on micro-level intervention, advocacy for changes at a macro level can be another way that clinical social workers are able to help their clients. By considering the societal systems that impact their clients, social workers can be better equipped to help their clients navigate these systems.
Explaining your motivation for pursuing your clinical MSW can help set you apart from other applicants because it will help show the reviewers your genuine interest in the program. By tailoring your application to the program you are applying for, you will be able to put your best foot forward on your applications and show the schools that you are both prepared for and passionate about a clinical MSW.
Resources to help you write your social work personal statement
Register for MSW Helper’s upcoming free webinar on how to write a personal statement for the Master of Social Work program.
