King's sets new standard in Social Work admissions
June 19, 2025
King’s is proud to be the first School of Social Work in Canada to incorporate the Casper assessment into its admissions process, a move that reinforces the School’s leadership in advancing holistic, values-based education rooted in care, equity, and community impact.
Beginning in Fall 2025, applicants to both the Bachelor and Master of Social Work programs at King’s will complete Casper, an open-response situational judgment test that offers insight into qualities essential to the social work profession: empathy, fairness, communication, collaboration, and ethical decision-making. Backed by nearly two decades of research and used by over 650 education programs around the world, Casper presents real-world scenarios and invites applicants to respond authentically, providing a fuller picture of their readiness to support others.
“By providing insight into the social intelligence and professional skills of applicants, Casper allows us to gain a more holistic understanding of individual candidates. This supports our commitment to preparing future Social Workers who are not only academically capable, but also ethically grounded, critically reflective, and equipped to lead meaningful change in their communities,” says Dr. Jane E. Sanders, Associate Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator.
The decision to adopt Casper reflects the School’s long-standing commitment to holistic admissions and student-centred education. For more than 50 years, King’s has been graduating social workers who are academically strong, socially conscious, and driven to make a difference. Students in both the BSW and MSW programs receive a strong foundation in generalist and direct social work practice—skills that have proven invaluable across careers in health care, education, policy, and community service.
This approach reflects what makes the School of Social Work and King’s distinct. As an affiliate of Western University, King’s offers students access to the resources of a larger institution while fostering the sense of community that comes with a smaller campus. Students benefit from close connection with faculty, meaningful opportunities to apply their learning, and a learning environment grounded in respect, reflection, and care.
The School’s reputation has been built over decades, not only through the strength of its academic program, but through the commitment of its students and the experience of its faculty.
The School of Social Work is committed to monitoring the implementation and impact of this change to ensure the process remains equitable, transparent, and aligned with our mission of supporting a diverse, compassionate, and community-focused student body.
To learn more, visit the website for the Social Work program at King’s.