University of Manitoba MSW Application Guide
Introduction to The University of Manitoba’s MSW Program
Applying for Master of Social Work programs is an exciting step in your career, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming at times. To help you through the process of applying for your MSW at the University of Manitoba, I’ve broken down everything you need to know about the programs and your application. Below, I’ll provide a general overview of the programs offered, admission requirements, how to write your University of Manitoba MSW personal statement, as well as some general tips and FAQs.
Note that the University of Manitoba offers a BSW option, as well as an Indigenous Knowledges MSW program. These are distinct programs, and while they aren’t the focus of this post, you can find more information on these programs on their Faculty of Social Work website!
MSW Program Overview
The University of Manitoba offers two streams for MSW applicants: a 2-year Foundational program for non-BSW applicants, and a 1-year Advanced Standing program for applicants who already hold a BSW. The foundational program is expected to take 2 to 2.5 years full-time to complete, and the advanced standing program can be completed in 12-18 months full-time. All MSW programs at the University of Manitoba are completed in person.
The University of Manitoba offers both part-time and full-time enrollment options for students, so completion time can be extended if you’re studying on a part-time basis.
Year 1 of the Foundational program includes a variety of courses, as well as a 6-credit practicum. For Year 2/Advanced Standing, students complete more specialized courses, and can also choose whether to complete the program via a course-based or thesis-based track.
You can find more program details on the University of Manitoba’s website here!
University of Manitoba Admission Requirements
To apply for the MSW programs offered at the University of Manitoba, applicants must have:
A bachelor’s degree or BSW completed by June 30th of the application year
A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 credits of university study
Demonstrated proficiency in English, either through completion of high school or university study in English, or through an English proficiency test. You can find more details on these requirements here!
How To Apply
To apply for the University of Manitoba’s MSW program, there are a number of documents you will be required to submit. These include:
Unofficial transcripts from undergraduate studies
Two letters of recommendation (requested within the application)
Paid and volunteer work history
This is completed within the application, and you are limited to 10 experiences. The application also specifies that you should only list experiences that would be considered direct practice experience, social service experience, or human service experience. This would include things like youth work, working in a shelter, or volunteering with a crisis line, but would exclude things like retail work, serving jobs, or administrative roles.
Area of Specialization statement (often referred to as a personal statement – more on this below!)
Proof of English language proficiency, if required
Application fee
It is important to make sure you have all of your documents gathered well ahead of the application deadline of December 1st, so make sure to start preparing early!
We have blog posts dedicated to both finding references and working on your social work resume that you may find helpful as you work through your application. Additionally, I’ll break down the Area of Specialization statement below!
Personal Statement Overview
The personal statement for the University of Manitoba MSW application is a bit different than most; the word limit is only 250 words, meaning applicants will need to be extremely concise in their answers. The statement is completed within the application, and the prompt is simply: What area do you wish to focus on in your studies?
Within the application, there is also a note that clarifies that applicants should not include personal life experiences within their response. Rather, the responses should be focused on what the applicant wants to learn if accepted into the University of Manitoba MSW program.
The University of Manitoba uses the personal statement to match students with a faculty advisor for their time in the MSW program if admitted, so it’s important that what you discuss here is an honest and true reflection of your interests for studying social work at the master’s level.
Since the prompt itself is quite broad, there are a variety of ways you could choose to answer it. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
If you are applying for a thesis-based route, you can use this brief statement to outline the research you hope to do during your time at the university. It may also be helpful to mention the faculty member you are interested in working with here. To get started with this, you can find the social work faculty members, along with their research interests, on the school’s website.
You may also choose to use this statement to discuss social work practices or interventions you’d like to learn throughout your degree. When highlighting this, it could be helpful to briefly mention your future goals in the field of social work, as this can guide what interventions or theories you may find helpful to learn about at the advanced practice level.
When discussing your practice and learning interest, I would suggest taking a look at the course offerings from the school (if not doing thesis-based) so that you can ensure your theoretical interests are a strong match with what the school offers from an academic standpoint. This is important, as the personal statement is an opportunity to not only demonstrate your strengths as an applicant, but also to show the school that you are a strong match for their program. You can find some of the sample course offerings from the school on their information page for the program.
Tips for your University of Manitoba Personal Statement
Being concise for this statement is key. Make sure every sentence you include is with intention, and is directly adding to your central point. For example, details related to organizations you’ve worked at in the past could be left out, whereas details of why you are interested in this practice area would be included!
To help with being concise, I would strongly recommend narrowing your area of interest to one specific area of practice. If you try to highlight multiple areas of interest (say, both policy work and clinical work), it will be difficult to provide a strong answer that speaks to both points. Instead, choose the one you resonate with most strongly; you should have the opportunity to narrow this down further or adjust it slightly once you enter the program!
Make sure that you avoid repeating your resume in this part of the application – instead, keep the statement of interest focused on your future practice goals. It may be helpful to briefly highlight your experience to give context for your area of interest for learning, but otherwise, keep the focus on the present and future!
University of Manitoba MSW FAQs
How much do social workers make in Manitoba?
As with anywhere, social work wages in Manitoba can range widely depending on the type of role you pursue. For example, positions in community organizations can often range from $25-$35+ per hour, while in government and healthcare roles, wages tend to be a bit higher. Additionally, MSWs in Manitoba may choose to work in a private practice setting as a mental health counsellor or therapist, which can often pay more.
Is the University of Manitoba “good”?
The University of Manitoba’s MSW programs are fully accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education, meaning you can use your MSW to register as a social worker throughout Canada. The program also demonstrates a strong commitment to anti-oppressive practice and Indigenous perspectives in social work, so depending on your area of interest, this could make the University of Manitoba’s program a great fit for you!
Where is the University of Manitoba located?
The University of Manitoba has multiple locations throughout the province, but its main Fort Garry campus is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This is also where their MSW programs are held.
When is the University of Manitoba MSW Application Deadline?
The University of Manitoba’s MSW application deadline is on December 1st of each year.
Final Tips and Next Steps
Now that you have an overview of the MSW programs offered at the University of Manitoba, you’re ready to start working on your application! It’s important to note that the application opens on July 1st each year, and the deadline for applications is December 1st. While December 1st may feel far away, it’s important to get started on your application early, as some aspects such as the personal statement and requesting references can be time-consuming. Ultimately, it’s never too early to start preparing your application, and by reading this post you have a great base knowledge to get you started!
Need help with your personal statement? Chat with an application advisor to discuss your application to the University of Manitoba’s Master of Social Work program.
Check out our guides to other Canadian School here.
