Overview

The Social Work programme at the University of Northern British Columbia provides students with advanced skills in research, policy analysis, and clinical practice. This Master of Social Work is designed to prepare professionals for leadership roles within human services, management, and community planning.

The curriculum adopts a social administration approach, focusing on the unique challenges of northern and remote regions. Students examine the social and economic changes affecting disadvantaged groups while developing critical intervention skills. The teaching framework integrates theoretical knowledge with empirical research to improve social policy and practice.

Applicants can enter through two distinct routes depending on their academic background.

Why Social Work at the University of Northern British Columbia?

The university offers a distinctive focus on Indigenous peoples and the specific needs of communities in northern British Columbia. Facilities and teaching methods are designed to foster independent study and high-level program consultation skills. The institution maintains a pro-active orientation toward social justice and the empowerment of powerless groups.

Students benefit from a learning environment that emphasizes the linkages between global economic changes and local human service delivery. The programme is accredited and adheres to the professional standards set by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education. This ensures that graduates are well-prepared for the ethical demands of the profession.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: CAD 3104 per semester
• National fee: CAD 2217 per semester

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

Foundation Year

• Communication Skills
• Critical Social Work Practice
• MSW Practicum I
• Critical Social Policy
• Social Work Research/Policy/Practice
• Social Work Philosophy and Ethics
• Advanced Practice

Advanced Year Required Modules

• Qualitative Research Approaches in Health and Human Sciences
• Current Issues in Northern/Remote Social Work
• Indigenous Peoples: Advanced Social Work Practice
• Quantitative Research Methods
• MSW Thesis
• MSW Integrative Seminar
• MSW Practicum II

Elective Modules

• Women: Policy/Practice Issues
• Directed Readings
• Community Work/Politics of Change
• Holistic Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapies
• Clinical Social Work Practice
• Social Work Supervision and Leadership
• Indigenous Peoples in Canada: Past/Present/Future
• Reflections on Practice: Indigenous Child/Youth Mental Health
• Social Work/Counselling Skills with Indigenous Children/Youth
• Mental Illness and Addictions Among Indigenous Children/Youth
• Crisis Work With Indigenous Children/Youth: Restoring Balance
• Community-Based Prevention with Indigenous Peoples: Creating Balance
• Special Topics
• Research Practicum

Careers with Social Work

Graduates of this programme are equipped for advanced roles in clinical practice, social administration, and policy formulation. Many find employment in human service agencies, government departments, and non-profit organisations. The degree supports career progression into management, program planning, and specialized research positions.

The focus on northern and Indigenous contexts prepares professionals for impactful work in remote community development and mental health services. Graduates often pursue careers as clinical social workers, policy analysts, or community researchers. The programme provides the necessary credentials to work with diverse populations across various social service sectors.