Masters in counseling ONLINE or MSW?

I am new here so I hope that I’m doing this right. I have been out of school since 2009 after getting my bachelors degree in psychology in the states. Hi I am Canadian and I live in Ontario Canada and for about three years now I have been toying with the idea to return to get my masters in social work or counselling as I have been practising in that field now for about 10 years. I am a very mature student at 35 years old with three children and I think that has been holding me back. I have been out of school for so long. Can anybody recommend good programs for online only MSW programs with non-BSW that will be accredited in Ontario? Also programs for online masters in counseling? I have recently discovered E University of the Cumberlands however I am not sure if I will be accredited in Ontario. I just need some direction. I’m so nervous but I think I just need to dive in and apply.

 

Cheers on wanting to pursue this!

Would really suggest that you reach out to any licensing authorities in Ontario or the province you’re planning on working in. In the States, many states have licensing requirements that are highly restrictive on which graduate programs are acceptable.

 

I’m not getting a call back from any of them which is making things rather difficult. I was hoping someone has completed a program in either field and is practicing in ontarion.

 

Here is the information about Social Work License information. Also, a list of accrediting Canadian schools.
URL: https://caswe-acfts.ca/commission-on-accreditation/list-of-accredited-programs/
For credential in foreign Schools
URL: https://www.casw-acts.ca/en/what-we-do/assessment-international-credentials

Wilfrid Laurier University is accredited and offers a Master of Social Work online
URL: https://online.wlu.ca/master-social-work

Dalhouse University is accredited and offers a Master of Social Work online
URL: https://www.dal.ca/faculty/health/socialwork/programs/distance-education/master-of-social-work.html

 

If you're interested in being registered through the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, I would venture to guess that any US program that has CACREP accreditation should (generally) satisfy their requirements. You've probably seen this already, but they do provide some information on their website that is helpful. For example, this doc: Microsoft Word - Program Definition Policy.docx (crpo.ca)

The most important thing seems to be that an applicant can demonstrate having sufficiently met the Entry-to-Practice competencies. These closely parallel CACREP program requirements. So, I suspect you'd be well-served by the Cumberlands program.

If you haven't done so already, it might be helpful to look at the programs of the schools on CRPO's approved program list. Schools like Tyndale, Western, and Martin Luther University College have constructed their curricula to meet CRPO requirements. Their curricula should provide you a helpful point of comparison as you assess other potential programs.

I'm in Alberta, which is in the process of implementing a framework similar to Ontario's. I'm enrolled in an online MA in Counseling at Central Baptist Theological Seminary in the Kansas City area, which is based upon CACREP standards. My aim is to become registered as a Counselling Therapist here in Alberta after completing my program.

 

Laurier has an online MSW that does NOT require a BSW: https://online.wlu.ca/master-social-work

Ryerson also offers a popular night option school where you enter your third year of the BSW with a related diploma: https://www.ryerson.ca/social-work/undergraduate/

Yorkville's Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology does meet the requirements for CRPO/to be an RP: https://www.yorkvilleu.ca/programs/master-of-arts-in-counselling-psychology/

 

Fun fact for Americans: Canadian social workers are paid way, way higher than their US counterparts. That's why it is very very difficult to get an MSW in Canada. Almost as competitive as a ranked MBA.

That's why some Canadians might have to "settle" for an MSW from places like Upenn or Columbia --- way easier to get in these places over some place like U of Toronto.