University of Regina MSW & MISW Application Guide
Considering a master’s in social work at the University of Regina? Whether you’re just starting your research or getting ready to apply, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from program highlights and courses offered to tips for making your application shine.
What Makes the University of Regina MSW Unique?
Every school and program are unique. Here are some key features that make the University of Regina stand out:
Offers the only MSW program in Saskatchewan.
Accepts applications for a Master of Indigenous Social Work (MISW) program in even-numbered years (i.e., 2026, 2028, 2030).
Advanced standing only, meaning its programs are only open to applicants with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).
Multiple program pathways are available (i.e., thesis, field practicum, or research practicum), which can be completed through full-time or part-time studies (note: the MISW is full-time only).
Hybrid structure allows students to attend classes in person or virtually over Zoom.
Emphasizes understanding how different parts of social work connect (what they call “integrative analysis”). In other words, learning how research, working directly with people, creating social policies, and managing social programs all influence each other.
Home to the Social Work Research Centre (SWRC), dedicated to social justice and equity through community-engaged research that blends Indigenous and Western research approaches to drive change in policy and practice. MSW students can become members, gaining research experience (including potential paid roles), training, and networking opportunities.
Works closely with the Indigenous Social Work Faculty at the First Nations University of Canada to ensure Indigenous content is present in all courses.
About the Programs
The University of Regina offers two distinct graduate-level social work degrees: a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Master of Indigenous Social Work (MISW).
The Master of Social Work (MSW) Program
The MSW program at the University of Regina is a generalist program designed to prepare social workers for roles in management, policy formulation, program consultation, planning, research, and advanced direct social work practice. With the focus on integrative analysis, the program emphasizes the interconnectedness of research, direct practice, social policy, and social administration.
Students can shape their learning around major areas of interest, such as direct practice, social justice and human rights, social policy, community development, and research based on the electives they choose. The program also offers flexible completion routes, including a thesis, field practicum, or research practicum, making it suitable for those with academic, research, or advanced clinical practice career goals.
Program Highlights:
Three completion options:
Thesis (for those interested in research or academic careers)
Field practicum (for those interested in advanced social work practice)
Research practicum (a structured, non-thesis research project in the field)
Flexible enrollment allows you to study full-time or part-time, either hybrid or virtually over Zoom.
Electives allow you to customize your education to suit your career goals and interests.
How do I know if the thesis route is right for me?
The thesis route is a fantastic option for students interested in research, academia, or pursuing a PhD in the future, but it’s not the right fit for everyone. If you’re considering it, I recommend checking out a few resources to help you make an informed decision:
Review the MSW Thesis Manual for detailed guidelines and expectations.
Browse previous MSW theses to get a sense of the kinds of projects students have completed in the past.
Read our blog post: What I Wish I Knew Before Enrolling in a Thesis-Based MSW Program.
What’s the difference between the field practicum and research practicum?
Good question! Both involve working within a community agency, but they focus on different types of learning and professional development.
The field practicum is designed for students who want to strengthen their direct practice skills. It typically involves on-site case work, offering opportunities to apply clinical and interpersonal skills in a supervised setting. This option is ideal if your goal is a career in advanced social work practice with individuals, families, or groups. To browse previous field practicum reports, click here.
The research practicum focuses on policy, program development, evaluation, or applied research projects. While you’ll still be partnered with a community agency, you won’t have to be on-site all the time like you do with a field practicum. This option is a great fit for students interested in research, advocacy, or macro-level change. To browse previous research practicum reports, click here.
Whichever option you choose, both involve 450 hours of supervised practice completed over one semester if full-time or two semesters if part-time. They also both require that you complete a practicum presentation and final report integrating social work theory and practice.
To learn more, check out the practicum manual.
What Kind of Classes Would I Take?
Depends on whether you complete a thesis, research practicum, or field practicum:
What kind of electives are offered?
A wide range of electives are offered in the University of Regina’s MSW program, spanning clinical practice, social policy, social justice, and research. Elective offerings may vary each year, but examples include:
SW 803: End of Life Issues
SW 810: Social Policy Analysis
SW 811: Family and Child Policies and Programs
SW 812: Organizational Theories and Social Administration
SW 816: Aging, Society and Human Service Work
SW 817: Critical Issues in Addiction
SW 820: Feminist Theory and Analysis
SW 835: Current Aboriginal Social Work Practice
SW 849: Social Work Practice with Families
SW 852: Advanced Social Work Practice with Children and Youth
SW 867: Critical Indigenous Analysis of Social Welfare Policy
SW 872: Community Organizing and Social Work Practice
SW 873: Social Work Practice with Couples
For the most up-to-date elective offerings, visit the University of Regina’s Graduate Course Catalogue.
The Master of Indigenous Social Work (MISW) Program
Offered in partnership with faculty from the School of Indigenous Social Work at First Nations University of Canada, the MISW program at the University of Regina is designed for individuals who want to become clinical practitioners grounded in First Nations approaches to therapy. The program emphasizes culturally responsive practice and preparing graduates to support sensitive issues facing First Nations and Métis communities.
The curriculum integrates traditional Indigenous knowledge, Elders’ teachings, and Indigenous pedagogy with clinical social work training. The program encourages students to develop a critical understanding of colonization and its ongoing impacts on Indigenous Peoples, including the abuses of residential schools and their intergenerational effects.
Program Highlights:
Offered full-time, with new cohorts starting every two years (applications accepted in even-numbered years: 2026, 2028, 2030).
Two completion options:
Thesis route (for those interested in research or academic careers)
Internship route (includes clinical placements in Indigenous-focused settings)
What Kind of Classes Would I Take?
To learn more about the MISW program, visit the Faculty of Social Work website.
Admission Requirements
Application Requirements
To be eligible for the MSW and MISW programs at the University of Regina, applicants must have:
A BSW with a graduating average of at least 70%.
2+ years of professional experience in human services (ideally gained through employment in a social work position following your BSW, but human service employment gained before and during your BSW counts as well).
2 written references, preferably one professional and one academic.
Additional Requirements for Applicants with International Credentials
In addition to the application requirements above, applicants with international credentials have a few additional requirements:
The WES International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) Course-by-Course report for degree equivalency and GPA calculation (exception: applicants who attended US institutions or Iranian publicly funded government institutions).
Important Notes for International Applicants:
Start your application process extra early, as additional documentation and processing times can delay your application.
You can watch a helpful Graduate Studies Info Session Recording for International Students for more guidance.
Please note that fewer than 10% of the classes are delivered in person. Since Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires at least 50% of your program to be in-person for Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility, this program may not qualify.
Application Deadlines
The Master of Social Work (MSW) Application at the University of Regina is due November 1st
Master of Indigenous Social Work (MISW) application is due March 15th of even-numbered years (e.g., 2026, 2028, 2030)
Be sure to check the Faculty of Social Work's website for the most up-to-date deadlines.
MSW Application Tips - University of Regina
As part of your application to the MSW program at the University of Regina, you will have to submit the following:
Online application form
Resume or CV
Letter of intent
Letters of recommendation (two required, ideally one academic and one employer)
Official transcripts for all post-secondary schools attended
Online Application Form
The online application form takes about 30 minutes to complete, but it’s a good idea to start early and give yourself extra time. It’s also worth noting that you don’t have to finish it all at once; your progress can be saved, allowing you to return and complete it later.
Before starting the form, make sure you have the following information on hand:
A list of all post-secondary institutions you’ve attended, including:
Start and end dates
Institutions where no degree was awarded
Any degrees that are still in progress
Names and professional institutional email addresses of your referees
Your letter of intent
Your resume or CV
Tip: Remember to start and complete this online application form well in advance, since your referees won’t be contacted for a reference until it is submitted, and their letters of reference must be submitted by the deadline.
Resume or CV
As part of your application, you will need to submit your resume or CV. The University of Regina doesn’t offer any specific guidelines on this, but we do offer social work resume support:
Check out “How To Write Your Social Work Resume" and "119 Social Work Skills You Can Add To Your Resume (A Comprehensive List)."
Consider our social work resume package, which includes instant access to three resume templates tailored to social work, a customizable cover letter, practical tools and training to help you get started, and professional resume editing.
Letter of Intent - University of Regina
You will also need to submit a Letter of Intent, which serves as your personal statement. This letter should outline your reasons for applying to graduate studies in social work and how the program aligns with your career goals. It’s your chance to show the admissions committee who you are, why you’re applying to their program, evidence of your readiness for graduate-level social work training, and why you’ll make a great addition to their program.
The University of Regina provides a Graduate Letter of Intent Form with specific questions you must answer, including:
Your specific area of academic interest and what motivated you to choose it.
How your past education and professional experience have prepared you for graduate studies.
What you hope to achieve during the program.
Why the University of Regina’s program is a good fit for your long-term goals.
The admissions committee will be looking for:
A clear motivation and readiness for pursuing graduate studies in social work.
Alignment between your interests, goals, and the program.
Awareness of contemporary global and social issues and social work values, including your areas of research or practice interest, so be sure to reflect critically on the broader social context of your area and/or population of interest.
Important: Before writing your letter of intent, read the university’s note on “The Most Common Mistake Applicants Make That Results in Rejected Applications.” This document covers plagiarism, including what plagiarism in a letter of intent looks like. Submitting copied or AI-generated content could result in your application being rejected and a ban from applying in the future.
For more support in writing your letter of intent:
Check out our MSW Personal Statement Guide.
Letters of Recommendation
You will need to submit two official letters of recommendation as part of your application to the University of Regina’s MSW program. Ideally, one should be an academic reference who can speak to your academic or research skills, and one should be an employer in the social work or human services field.
Who should I ask?
Choose referees who can critically evaluate your academic potential, research ability, or professional experience that you feel confident will give you a strong reference. Letters from friends, family members, educational consultants, or other graduate students will not be accepted.
How does the reference process work?
When you complete the online application, you’ll enter the names and professional institutional email addresses of your referees. Once your application is submitted, the University of Regina will email your referees a secure link to complete the online reference form. Referees may also attach a personal letter to their form, but it must be signed and on official letterhead.
You’ll receive an automated confirmation when each letter is received. However, this does not guarantee the letter meets the university’s standards. Staff will contact you if there is an issue with your references.
Before listing your referees in the online application form:
Ask for their permission and confirm their availability to complete the letter of recommendation before the application deadline.
Confirm they have a professional or institutional email address (e.g., @university.ca or @organization.com; personal email accounts like Gmail will not be accepted).
Give them plenty of notice, well before the application deadline.
Ask them if there is anything they need from you to help craft their recommendation; providing your resume/CV and letter of intent often results in a better reference.
Additional Tips:
Take a look at the Letter of Reference Form in advance. This can help you choose the right referees, and you can even ask if they feel they could provide a strong recommendation based on the questions included.
If your referee is new to providing social work letters of recommendation, our guide “How to Write a Reference Letter (For Employers)” might be helpful to pass along.
For more information on the letters of recommendation component, click here.
Related Reading:
Official Transcripts
You’ll need to submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you’ve attended, regardless of whether a degree was awarded. This includes:
Institutions where you earned transfer credits
Institutions you where you began a program but didn’t complete it
Degrees that are still in progress
For Canadian Institutions:
Transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
You do not need to submit University of Regina transcripts if you previously studied there.
For Institutions Outside of Canada:
Transcripts must be sent directly from the institution, in a sealed and endorsed envelope, or electronically from a verifiable registrar’s office.
If your transcripts don’t clearly show that a degree was awarded, you must ensure the institution includes a separate endorsed degree certificate along with the transcript.
Documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by certified English translations, endorsed and sealed by the issuing institution.
Country-specific requirements apply (e.g., India, China).
For full details on submission formats, translation rules, and country-specific requirements, click here.
Final Tips for a Strong Application
Double-check deadlines and start early: Don’t wait until the last minute; start early! Also, remember to check the University of Regina’s MSW program webpage for the most up-to-date information and deadlines.
Attend information sessions and watch recordings: The University of Regina runs prospective student Q&A sessions periodically. They post information session recordings on their website and upcoming events on the social work events calendar.
Tailor your application: Make sure your letter of intent, resume, and references clearly communicate that you are a good fit for their specific program. Speak directly to the program’s focus areas, values, and practicum or thesis options. Avoid generic statements that any applicant could put in their materials; make your application unique to you. Demonstrate how your experiences have prepared you for graduate-level social work and give you a unique perspective that you bring to the field. Show how your career goals align with what this specific program offers, and get specific about how their program will prepare you to achieve your goals.
Proofread everything: Before submitting, proofread your letter of intent and resume carefully. Better yet, ask a mentor (ideally one with social work experience) or use a service like MSW Helper’s MSW personal statement editing to help ensure you are submitting the best and most polished application possible.
Review faculty listings: Take time to review the faculty members and their areas of expertise on the Faculty of Social Work (for the MSW program) or First Nations University of Canada (for the MISW program) websites. If your goals align with a particular faculty member’s research or practice area, reference that in your letter of intent. This can help demonstrate your fit with the program and shows that you’ve done your research.
