dem13

Thought I'd start a thread for anyone applying to Canadian MSW programs for Spring or Fall 2027 admission! I've already applied to Laurier's online Advanced Standing MSW for Spring 2027 and am also applying to Dalhousie, University of Calgary, and UVic for 2027. Feel free to share where you've applied, application/decision timelines, status updates, acceptances, waitlists, etc. It would be nice to have one place to follow the 2027 cycle. Good luck everyone! 🙂

Has anyone here applied for Athabasca's Master of Counselling programming? Still waiting to hear back and orientation starts next month. ?

I applied to this program at Athabasca with a bachelor of arts in Anthropology, and an LPN diploma. I should find out within the next week or so if I got in. I know of people who got in with a music background. If you want to talk to other students who've been in the program or have recently applied, join the facebook group "Athabasca University Psychology". Lots of good info on there. Don't let your background discourage you. There are lots who apply and get in without a psychology degree and do just fine. :)

Are there any online BSW programs for students who already have a bachelors degree I wonder? Something that could be done in a couple years? I’m going to be honest, one of my biggest issues is that I don’t have much volunteer experience. I truly do not have time for it. I have kids, a job, and doing online university courses. I barely have a minute for myself let alone time to volunteer. Makes my applications look bad I guess. Here in Grande Prairie, our college has a 2 year learning circles BSW program for people who already have a degree. There are classes every second weekend (fri and sat). Doesn’t sound too bad but I’d prefer to do something completely online. I’m a nurse so work a lot of weekends, it would be hard to manage.

Good luck going forward! I didn’t get any reasoning either besides the high amount of applicants. Who do you contact to ask about improvements to application? I think I’m going to apply for Athabasca’s master of counselling psychology. See how that goes. I’m not trying Laurier anymore.

I just got my email from Laurier, I didn’t get in. good luck to everyone!

Apparently with the September cohort they sent out denials and waitlist letters first, then the acceptance ones. Hopefully thats the case this time as well.

Congrats!!! I wonder if they send them all out the same day or not? I’ll be on edge all day! Lol!

Keeps getting pushed up. Next thing they'll be saying early November.

I did a bit of research on Yorkville’s program a few days ago and the reviews are terrible. A lot of people dropped out after a few weeks, felt the content did not prepare them well for a job as a counsellor. It’s also like $40,000+. I think it would be a last resort for me.

Yes that’s my major concern about Athabasca as well. I actually live in Alberta (Grande Prairie) so the summer institute in Calgary wouldn’t be too far out of reach for me. But I have a job and kids and it would still be hard for me to just take off. Ideally I’d like to do something fully online. How did your friend like the Yorkville program? Glad to hear it’s not too hard to get employment afterwards. I always worry about online programs and employability afterwards.

Hello from another Anthropology major! Lol! I graduated from Memorial University of NL back in 2003. I specialized in archaeology and I did not fare well in regards to employment. Went back to school and did the LPN program because it was quick with high employment rate, and have been working in that field for 11 years. Time for a change though! I wouldn’t worry about everyone else’s GPA and experience hours. They look at your personal statement and references too. Everything is not about grades. My GPA isn’t spectacular either...I started out as a computer science major which really ruined my overall GPA. My last couple years were decent though so I’m hoping that helps. Good luck!

I'm just doing the prerequisites for the Masters of Counselling at Athabasca. Trying to get them done before February so I can apply. If I don't get accepted there, I'm going to try Yorkville I think. Which one were you accepted to?

I don't have a BSW, but my main reason for wanting to do a MSW is so I can work as a mental health therapist. I am applying for Masters of Counselling Psychology programs as well, and whatever I end up getting accepted into, is what I will do. I live in Alberta and most of the job postings I see for mental health therapists need either a MSW or MC. I don't think a BSW can work as a clinical social worker, I could be wrong though.

Yeah, first when I applied, they told me it would be late August/early September. I have a feeling it'll be October sometime...hopefully I'm wrong. The waiting is painful. lol