University of Toronto

Frequently Asked Questions 

Regarding Admission Requirements...

• What disciplines count as social sciences?
  
• I don't know if the course I have completed meets the half-credit course research requirement?
  
• I completed a course in research methodology; however, it is not listed on the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work website's approved listing. How can I find out if the course will be acceptable? 
  
• I will complete all courses in Summer and the convocation ceremony is in the Fall. Can I still apply for September admission?
  
• I am in my final year and am looking to apply to the program. I have a couple of courses this year that are at the 200 level in order to fill needed requirements to graduate. Will these courses not be counted in the total?
  
• I completed my bachelor's degree and I do not have a mid-B standing. What upgrading options do you recommend? 

 

Regarding Application Process...

• How many reference letters need to be submitted for the M.S.W. program? Can I submit more than the required number? 
   
• Will the committee consider a letter that was written over two years ago?
  
  
• If my referees only have email addresses provided by yahoo, gmail and hotmail, is there any alternative way for my referees to submit references online?
  
  
• Does an academic reference have to be specifically from a professor or can it be from someone that I do academic work for (researching, analysing, writing manuscripts by deadlines, etc.)?



• Can I substitute the academic reference with a professional reference within the social work field? 
  
  
• My referee cannot submit the reference by December 17th. Can they still submit a reference?
  
• I need to change a referee on my online application. How can I do this?
  
  
• I did not complete a full course load in my final year. How will my GPA be calculated? 
  
   
• All documents have been submitted, but my application still says Documents Pending". When will this status change?
   
• I missed the M.S.W. Application Deadline Date. Can I still apply?
  
  
• When will decisions be mailed out regarding the M.S.W. Program? 
  
  
• I plan to apply and I'm currently in my final year of my bachelor's program. I will send in the transcripts by the November 1st recommended deadline date, however, I am taking a number of half-term courses and grades will be available in late January. Can I send in an updated transcript at that time? Where do I send the transcript?

 

Q: What disciplines count as social sciences?

A: The following disciplines count as Social Sciences:

We require the equivalent of three full credit courses in the social sciences, equivalent to six half-credit courses , to include a half-credit course in research methodology. The following disciplines count as Social Sciences:

Anthropology
Economics
Family Relations and Human Development 
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Social Development Studies
Social Work
Social Sciences

Plus any course designated as a Social Science by the university in which you completed your undergraduate degree.

 

Q: I don’t know if the course I have completed meets the half-credit course research requirement?

A: Please review the listing of acceptable courses posted on our website at:

http://www.socialwork.utoronto.ca/admissions/msw.htm

 

Q: I completed a course in research methodology; however, it is not listed on the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work website’s approved listing. How can I find out if the course will be acceptable?

A: You can submit an electronic version of the course outline and required reading list to: mailto:admissions.fsw@utoronto.ca. The course information will be reviewed by the Associate Dean, Academic.

 

Q: I will complete all courses in Summer and the convocation ceremony is in the Fall. Can I still apply for September admission?

A: As long as all degree requirements are completed by August 15, 2012, you can still apply for September 2012. If admitted, the offer would be conditional on the completion of your final year of full-time study with a mid-B standing and confirmation of degree conferral.

Q: I am in my final year and am looking to apply to the program. I have a couple of courses this year that are at the 200 level in order to fill needed requirements to graduate. Will these courses not be counted in the total?

A: The GPA would be based on a full-course load of senior level credits, typically four or five full credits or equivalent. If it is necessary to go back to an earlier session, the Committee will review all the courses at the senior level in that particular session.

Q: I completed my bachelor’s degree and I do not have a mid-B standing. What upgrading options do you recommend?

A: We recommend one of the options noted below:

(a) Complete the B.S.W. degree as a second degree. Upon completion of the B.S.W. degree and provided you have received the mid-B standing, you could apply to the M.S.W. Program with Advanced Standing. As part of the B.S.W. program, we would recommend you take a half credit course in research methodology.

The B.S.W. degree is not available at the University of Toronto. For a complete list of accredited social work programs in Canada please visit the Canadian Association of Social Work Education website at: http://www.caswe-acfts.ca/

OR

(b) Complete a make-up program consisting of four full university courses at the Senior level (300 or 400), and attain B+ average. Upon completion of the make-up program, and provided you have received the B+ average, you could apply to the two year M.S.W. Program. As part of the make-up program, we would recommend you take a half-credit course in research methodology (this course could be at the 200 level).

 

Please Note: Completion of the above does not guarantee admission.

Q: How many reference letters need to be submitted for the M.S.W. program? Can I submit more than the required number?

A: The Admissions Committee will only review three references, of which at least one must be ACADEMIC (university course instructor), and at least one must be from your WORK or VOLUNTEER SETTING (preferably from the human services). Personal references are not appropriate (e.g. relatives, friends). If you have been out of school for more than five years you may substitute the academic reference with another work/volunteer reference. If you are currently completing a B.S.W. degree or have completed a B.S.W. degree within the past two years, one reference must be from your practicum instructor or faculty/practicum liaison.

Q: Will the committee consider a letter that was written over two years ago?

A: All references submitted must be current.

Q: If my referees only have email addresses provided by yahoo, gmail and hotmail, is there any alternative way for my referees to submit references online?

A: If your referees do not have institutional email addresses, you will have to submit the references in the traditional format. You or your referees can download the reference from our website. The referee will complete the reference form and mail it in directly to our office at the following address:

Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work
Admissions Office
University of Toronto
246 Bloor Street West
Toronto, ON M5S 1V4

Q: Does an academic reference have to be specifically from a professor or can it be from someone that I do academic work for (researching, analysing, writing manuscripts by deadlines, etc.)?

A: The academic reference should be from a professor who is able to comment on your academic ability. You should review our current reference form with the professor you are working with, and if they can comment on most of the areas, the reference should be acceptable. If not, we would recommend asking a former professor from your undergraduate program.

 

Q: The MSW application process requires three references, including one academic from a university course instructor.   I have been out of university for just over two years, and the majority of my professors have moved on to other teaching/research opportunities or do not remember me.  Can I substitute the academic reference with a professional reference within the social work field who are quite familiar with the knowledge and skills set it takes to effectively practice social work?

A:   If you feel strongly that you cannot submit an academic reference, it is recommended that you include a cover letter with your Resume, explaining your choice of referees.

Q: My referee cannot submit the reference by December 17th. Can they still submit a reference?

A: If the reference is not submitted by the deadline date, your referee will not be able to submit the reference via the online application system. After the deadline, the method of submission will be one of the following:

by FAX #416-978-7072

by email as a Word or PDF attachment to mailto:angela.umbrello@utoronto.ca

by mail:

Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work
Admissions Office
University of Toronto
246 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1V4

 

Q: I need to change a referee on my online application. How can I do this?

A: In order to change your referee information, send an email message with the following information to:
admissions.fsw@utoronto.ca

1) Your name and applicant number
2) The name of the referee you want taken off your online application

In addition, provide the following information for your new referee:

1) First Name, Last Name and Title
2) Institution
5) Phone Number
6) Relationship to Applicant
7) Email Address

Once this information is received and processed, you will be sent an email confirmation.

 

Q: I did not complete a full course load in my final year. How will my GPA be calculated?

A: As an example, if you are only taking three courses from Sept - April, we will count back and include any summer courses you may have taken, and/or the previous Winter. In terms of how many credits - it must be the equivalent of a full-course load - minimum of four full credits at the senior level.

 

Q: All documents have been submitted, but my application still says Documents Pending". When will this status change?

A: If your application status states Documents Pending, but you have submitted all required documents do not be concerned. Once your file is reviewed, the status will change to Under Review. This should be finalized by the end of January for M.S.W. Applicants.

 

Q: I missed the M.S.W. Application Deadline Date. Can I still apply?

A: We do not accept late applications.

 

Q: When will decisions be mailed out regarding the M.S.W. Program?

A: Decisions for the Advanced Standing M.S.W. Program will be mailed out by mid-March. Decisions for the Two-Year Full-Time Program will be mailed out by mid-April.

 

Q: I plan to apply and I'm currently in my final year of my bachelor's program. I will send in the transcripts by the November 1st recommended deadline date, however, I am taking a number of half-term courses and grades will be available in late January. Can I send in an updated transcript at that time? Where do I send the transcript?

A: Yes. It is a good idea to send in an updated official transcript that reflects fall term grades. Upon receipt of the official transcript, your GPA will be recalculated. The official transcript should be sent to:

Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work
Admissions Office
246 Bloor St. West
Toronto, ON  M5S 1V4