Master of Social Work Critical Analysis
The MSW: Critical Analysis of Social Work is course and thesis-based. Its goal is to prepare students for advanced practice in the critical analysis of social work. This stream in the MSW program fosters in students new ways of understanding social work and its structuring, and possibilities for re-orienting their thinking and practice, in pursuit of a justice agenda.
Research & Community
Methodologically, we employ a range of critical approaches to knowledge-building – approaches that consider power relations in research and practice. View some of our highlighted research projects and visit our Faculty profiles pages for more information on current research and publications.
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Justice-focused LEADERSHIP
Do you have a BSW, and at least three years of work experience in social or community services? The MSW in Critical Leadership in Social Services and Communities at McMaster’s School of Social Work offers the opportunity to develop your capacity for leading in justice-focused ways, and to connect with people with similar commitments and goals.
Master of Social Work Critical Leadership in Social Services and Communities
The MSW: Critical Leadership in Social Services and Communities is a course and practicum-based program that is structured around the recognition of conditions in contemporary social services and communities work, with a focus on expansive and critical definitions of leadership. It will support emerging leaders as they reflect on changing conditions and consider their own approaches to progressive leadership.
This Master's of Social Work program is designed for students who have work experience. Its goal is to enhance students’ capacities to initiate and contribute to progressive social change. This stream in the MSW program fosters in students new understandings of the forces shaping social service and community work, and of leading and leadership in pursuit of a justice agenda.
Graduate Diploma in Critical Leadership in Social Services and Communities
The Graduate Diploma in Critical Leadership in Social Services and Communities is designed for people who have an MSW or an MA and who have experience as leaders in community or social service settings. It enhances progressive leadership practice by drawing together critical analyses of contemporary conditions in social services and communities, and models of leading and leadership, with students’ own experiences and knowledge.
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Strengthen your capacity for leading in justice-focused ways
The Graduate Diploma in Critical Leadership in Social Services and Communities at McMaster’s School of Social Work offers the opportunity to strengthen your capacity for leading in justice-focused ways, and to connect with people with similar commitments and goals.
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In this program students will craft locally relevant research questions and/ or frame evaluation processes useful for both agency/ community and funder purposes, and build their capacities for conducting participatory, justice-focused research and evaluation.
This Graduate Diploma offers the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills in community-engaged research and evaluation, and to contribute to community and agency learning, effectiveness, and change.
Graduate Diploma in Community-Engaged Research and Evaluation
This Graduate Diploma offers students the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in community-engaged research and evaluation, and to contribute to community and agency learning, effectiveness, and change.
In this program students who have undergraduate degrees and experience working in social and community services will craft locally relevant research questions and/ or frame evaluation processes useful for both agency/ community and funder purposes, and build their capacities for conducting participatory, justice-focused research and evaluation.
PhD Program
Building on our unique research-centred MSW program that emphasizes the critical analysis of social policy and social work practice, the PhD program focuses on social work and social justice. It is designed to stimulate and support scholarship on the ways in which social policies and social work practices can contribute to redressing social inequalities and enhancing social justice.
Leaders with a diversity of experience
Suzanne Brown, Program Manager, Neighbourhood Action Strategy, City of Hamilton
How do we inspire social workers?
Jill Esposto, Brant Family and Children's Services
Accreditations
Our program is accredited as an undergraduate university-level degree program by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education. You will be eligible for membership in the Ontario Association of Social Workers both as a student and upon graduation. Also upon graduation, you will be eligible to join the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
What Alumni Say about Our Programs
Find out more about the directions and possibilities that open up for Social Work graduates.