Master of Social Work

Université Laval’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program develops advanced knowledge and intervention skills that enable students to analyze complex social issues and design tailored responses for individuals, families, groups, and communities. The program is centred on a project-based approach in which students conceptualize, implement, and evaluate an intervention project within a community setting, culminating in a written analysis. Through this process, students gain a strong critical perspective on social work practice, the organizations in which it is delivered, and the broader social, economic, and political contexts that shape it.

The program emphasizes specialization in key areas of social work practice while fostering interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration. Students explore topics such as community organization, social participation, marginality and exclusion, family and youth intervention, mental health, social justice, and intercultural practice, alongside issues such as gender analysis, violence prevention, disability, aging, and environmental justice. This diverse academic focus equips graduates to engage thoughtfully with a wide range of populations and social challenges while contributing to ethical, inclusive, and evidence-informed social work practice.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in social work.

What You’ll Learn

• Develop advanced intervention and research skills to analyze and address complex social issues.
• Learn to design, implement, and evaluate community-based social intervention projects.
• Build expertise in diverse practice areas such as mental health, family work, social exclusion, and community development.
• Strengthen critical thinking and collaboration skills within social, political, and organizational contexts.